[Robin Edwards]

Our local RSPB Group are due next month to visit Northumberland for a few days, primarily to visit the Farnes and Coquet Island.

Would anyone be happy to suggest woodland sites within range that would give additional reserves/habitat for birds such as Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Dipper ?

Many Thanks
Robin

[Barred Wobbler]

You should get all of those in the Harthope Valley that lies just south of Wooler, although pied flycatcher seems harder to come by there in the past two or three years.

[Robin Edwards]

Thanks for the info BW, could you indicate a general map reference for the area - I can see on the OS map the Wooler Water area and the ford at Haugh Head - is the valley you refer to the minor road that heads sw to Langleeford ?

[Barred Wobbler]

That's the one. You can enter the valley by car and stop at a number of places on the way up to the final parking area just short of Langleeford. Access beyond there is on foot, but there are paths all over the place.

[Robin Edwards]

Thanks BW - I look forward to visiting the area.

Robin

[woodhornbirder]

`You should get all of those in the Harthope Valley that lies just south of Wooler`

if you are taking a bus, this could be tricky, there are some VERY steep roads at the head of the valley....double chk the os map

[martin kitching]

Vehicles with over 16 seats are not allowed along the road along the Harthope Valley. We took a 16 seat minibus up there last Sunday, and it struggled with some of the steeper sections of road.

cheers
martin

Originally Posted by woodhornbirder

`You should get all of those in the Harthope Valley that lies just south of Wooler`

if you are taking a bus, this could be tricky, there are some VERY steep roads at the head of the valley....double chk the os map

[Robin Edwards]

Thanks guys, The weather was awful but the area splendid and definitely worth a return next time I'm in Northumberland.

We were really lucky with the boat trips to Farnes (Friday) and Coquet (Sunday am) which had been pre-booked and coincided with sunshine. Saturday was our contingency day and we spend the morning in the Lammermuir hills and the afternoon in Harthorpe. Very wet all day but managed a feeding party of Redstarts and Dippers at the latter.

And then for me the matter of a White-throated Robin on the way north on Thursday.

Cheers
Robin

[June Atkinson]

Glad you had a profitable, if somewhat wet, excursion to Northumberland. The Farnes trip will have been memorable!

If you're looking for a different, inland target, have a look at our Red Kites site on
www.friendsofredkites.org.uk
We're currently monitoring our nests, with hopes of a good number of fledglings.
There is an 11 mile Red Kite Trail and we are also supporting Gateshead Council in running Kitewatch. All the details are on the website.

June Atkinson
Press & Publicity
Friends of Red Kites
in the North East of England

Originally Posted by Robin Edwards

Thanks guys, The weather was awful but the area splendid and definitely worth a return next time I'm in Northumberland.

We were really lucky with the boat trips to Farnes (Friday) and Coquet (Sunday am) which had been pre-booked and coincided with sunshine. Saturday was our contingency day and we spend the morning in the Lammermuir hills and the afternoon in Harthorpe. Very wet all day but managed a feeding party of Redstarts and Dippers at the latter.

And then for me the matter of a White-throated Robin on the way north on Thursday.

Cheers
Robin

[Robin Edwards]

Thank you June - Duly noted.

I wish you success with your Kites in the NE. I was in the north of Scotland last month and the breeding success and onward survival there is badly affected by illegal persecution by the ignorant and moronic in our society.

Robin

[June Atkinson]

If your group ever wanted to come, we could lay on a Red Kite Safari with our knowledgeable Volunteers, many of whom are RSPB members.

Sadly, we too have lost four adult kites and one chick last year, to carbofuran poisoning. We have launched a Campaign in Tynedale, in the west of Northumberland, but in reality, the whole of the county is a danger zone for our kites as they attempt to disperse and find new territories.

June

Originally Posted by Robin Edwards

Thank you June - Duly noted.

I wish you success with your Kites in the NE. I was in the north of Scotland last month and the breeding success and onward survival there is badly affected by illegal persecution by the ignorant and moronic in our society.

Robin