cuddy
Monday 21st April 2003, 16:25
My local patch is St Marys Island, situated about a mile North of Whitley Bay ,and can offer excellant birding throughout the year.
The site has a small wetland overlooked by a number of viewing areas, a sea hide by the lighthouse, small clifftops, beaches mixed fields and scrubby areas which are good for migrants.
Plenty of parking at the site Small charge , do pay the local traffic lad is keen as mustard, free parking can be had about a mile north at Hartley you can walk to the Island from here toilets and usually a refreshment van in the main car park.
So what can you see here, last year about 170 species were noted across the year, highlights included White Rumped sandpiper, White Winged Black Tern, Blyth's Reed warbler, Avocet, and the site is probably the best place to observe Roseate Terns which breed locally at Coquet Island, up to 30 roost on the rocks in late summer, and can be enjoyed from the promenade at the rising tide.
St Marys Is also nationally important for its wintering Golden Plover flocks, many people of all abilities bird this site and visitors are always made welcome.
St Marys is idealy placed at the southern end of the county and there are a number of local reserves as well as the more famouse areas such as Druridge Bay, the Farne Islands And LIndisfarne (Holy Island).
Hope This Is helpful.
Cuddy
The site has a small wetland overlooked by a number of viewing areas, a sea hide by the lighthouse, small clifftops, beaches mixed fields and scrubby areas which are good for migrants.
Plenty of parking at the site Small charge , do pay the local traffic lad is keen as mustard, free parking can be had about a mile north at Hartley you can walk to the Island from here toilets and usually a refreshment van in the main car park.
So what can you see here, last year about 170 species were noted across the year, highlights included White Rumped sandpiper, White Winged Black Tern, Blyth's Reed warbler, Avocet, and the site is probably the best place to observe Roseate Terns which breed locally at Coquet Island, up to 30 roost on the rocks in late summer, and can be enjoyed from the promenade at the rising tide.
St Marys Is also nationally important for its wintering Golden Plover flocks, many people of all abilities bird this site and visitors are always made welcome.
St Marys is idealy placed at the southern end of the county and there are a number of local reserves as well as the more famouse areas such as Druridge Bay, the Farne Islands And LIndisfarne (Holy Island).
Hope This Is helpful.
Cuddy