The Northumberland Coast (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR86

A birdwatching tour of Northumberland's rich coastline, featuring breeding seabirds, numerous waders and other exciting terrestrial species.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Throughout the spring and summer, the stunning Northumberland coast bustles with activity. Meeting in Cresswell, our walk will mostly be over flat ground, covering no more than 6 miles. Along the way, we will explore the shores, dunes, inland pools and wet grasslands, and we may hop in our cars once or twice to explore more habitats. Please click on ‘detailed information’ below to read about the seasonal highlights of this Day Trip in spring and summer.

  • Warblers including Grasshopper, Sedge, Reed and Willow return from Africa and start singing
  • Search for Red-throated Diver, Eider Duck in their glorious plumage and Red-breasted Merganser among the waves
  • Northumberland's shoreline, inland pools and wet grasslands are home to numerous waders
  • Explore a sand dune habitat in search of Linnet, Wheatear and Stonechat
  • From early May see bustling seabird colonies of Puffin, Guillemot and Gannet

Spring (March/April Day Trips)

As spring unfolds the Northumberland coast is a fantastic place to be. In mid-March, winter waders 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 Chiffchaff. 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, inland pools and wet grassland provide homes for numerous waders and in the sand dunes one can find Linnet, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Stonechat. Along the sandy shore a seam of peat, laid down thousands of years ago when this area was a swamp, runs the length of the bay. As the tide regresses we can see perfectly preserved trees up to 4,000 years old buried in the peat.

Summer (May 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. The coast is also well known for the unexpected with unusual, or downright rare, birds possible anywhere and at any time!

Autumn/winter

Autumn brings large flocks of Pink-footed Geese, forming dramatic skeins against the winter skyline. Overwintering ducks and waders build up and this wonderful coast comes into its own on winter days, when the holiday makers have gone home. Out on the sea, divers can be picked out amongst the waves, along with scoter and rafts of Eider ducks. Redwings and Fieldfare visit the fields, vying with Mistle Thrushes for Hawthorn and other berries.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Day Trip Location

Day Trip Location

Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!