Mid-Northumberland Coast (Day Trip)

Spring (March/April)

As spring unfolds, the Northumberland coast is a fantastic place to be. In early spring, waders are still present and can include scuttling Sanderling, dashing Dunlin and the evocative calling Curlew. Our lovely winter thrushes call from berry-depleted hedges and, with luck, we'll encounter an early spring Sandwich Tern, Wheatear or calling Chiff-Chaff. Out to sea we may see divers, seaduck and grebes as well as the striking white Gannets and the more sombrely dressed Cormorants and Shags. The shores and inland pools provide homes for numerous waders and in the sand dunes one can find Linnet, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Stonechat.

Summer (June onwards)

Throughout the rest of the spring and into the summer months the stunning Northumberland coast bustles with activity, as breeding seabirds on the cliffs and islands constantly fly to and fro in search of food. Common, Arctic, Sandwich, Little and the rare Roseate Tern can all be found feeding offshore; Gannets from Bass Rock plunge into the sea and Cormorant, Puffin, Guillemot and Red-breasted Merganser bob up and down with the waves. Swallows and martins scoop up flies over the sand dunes and the songs of Sedge, Grasshopper and Willow Warblers are constant companions. From June we will also find Northumberland’s National Flower – Bloody Cranesbill. The coast is also well known for the unexpected with unusual, or downright rare, birds possible anywhere and at any time!