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Hexham (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter joespy
- Start date
To put it mildly you are spoilt for choice.
Anywhere from the south of Druridge bay ( cresswell ) up north to Holy Island there loads of stunning beaches to explore as well as the dunes, ponds and nature reserves .
The Farne Islands " peak season " is past but now is the time to see migrating rarities.
I was there yesterday admiring the steady stream of Gannets.
The Northumberland coast.........stunning.
lazza
Well-known member
Agree that the coast is worth a trip, but I would guess Druridge Bay is at least 90 minutes away and Holy Island is a good 2 hours away.
Another closer option is Kielder Water, only about 45-50 minutes away from Hexham, and you might be lucky and see the ospreys (there are two pairs with young, if they are still there)
Another closer option is Kielder Water, only about 45-50 minutes away from Hexham, and you might be lucky and see the ospreys (there are two pairs with young, if they are still there)
Paul Massey
Active member
Hi
Newbiggin is 3/4 hour drive from Hexham, Druridge Bay 1 1/4 hours drive and Holy Island 1 3/4 hours.
Much more local sites to Hexham, and all well worth a visit would include:
Grindon Lough
Water levels very high at the moment, so the chance of an unusual wader rather slim, but good numbers of duck now building up - mostly Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Duck, but chance of Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail and Garganey. Raptors & owls in area could include Osprey, SEOwl & LEOwl, whilst nearby plantations hold Crossbill, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll etc.
Whilst in Grindon area, if you fancy a walk then Greenlee Lough and Broomlee Lough could be worth a look, although be warned it could be a lot of exercise for little reward! However, both will have a selection of duck on, and have produced birds such as Marsh Harrier, Scaup and Black Tern in past years.
Derwent Reservoir
A rather underwatched site, holding large numbers of duck, geese and post-breeding flocks of waders. Always worth a good look as Pec Sand, Green-winged Teal and Yellow-legged Gull have been seen in recent years, not to mention the Spotted Sand... Good number of raptors in the area too - I've seen Osprey, Red Kite, Merlin & Peregrine here in recent years. The winter gull roost here is spectacular - -mainly Common Gull. It won't be that big yet, but numbers of Common Gull in this part of Northumberland are starting to build up.
Kielder Water & Forest
May seem rather quiet at this time of the year and it has been a bad summer for midges! The reservoir is much less attractive to wildfowl then others in the region, so can seem very empty. The Bakethin end holds most waterfowl, although the dam end is best for lost seabirds! Has held Long-tailed Duck, Smew, Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern in recent years. Also good chance of Mandarin in Bakethin and Lewis Burn areas, plus Goosander etc. Ospreys may still be around and there will be other raptors in the area, including Peregrine and Merlin, plus Raven.
Black Grouse will still be available in the North Pennines - try Sinderhope area and Stublick Chimney area in East Allen Valley.
Cheers
Paul
Newbiggin is 3/4 hour drive from Hexham, Druridge Bay 1 1/4 hours drive and Holy Island 1 3/4 hours.
Much more local sites to Hexham, and all well worth a visit would include:
Grindon Lough
Water levels very high at the moment, so the chance of an unusual wader rather slim, but good numbers of duck now building up - mostly Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Duck, but chance of Shoveler, Gadwall, Pintail and Garganey. Raptors & owls in area could include Osprey, SEOwl & LEOwl, whilst nearby plantations hold Crossbill, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll etc.
Whilst in Grindon area, if you fancy a walk then Greenlee Lough and Broomlee Lough could be worth a look, although be warned it could be a lot of exercise for little reward! However, both will have a selection of duck on, and have produced birds such as Marsh Harrier, Scaup and Black Tern in past years.
Derwent Reservoir
A rather underwatched site, holding large numbers of duck, geese and post-breeding flocks of waders. Always worth a good look as Pec Sand, Green-winged Teal and Yellow-legged Gull have been seen in recent years, not to mention the Spotted Sand... Good number of raptors in the area too - I've seen Osprey, Red Kite, Merlin & Peregrine here in recent years. The winter gull roost here is spectacular - -mainly Common Gull. It won't be that big yet, but numbers of Common Gull in this part of Northumberland are starting to build up.
Kielder Water & Forest
May seem rather quiet at this time of the year and it has been a bad summer for midges! The reservoir is much less attractive to wildfowl then others in the region, so can seem very empty. The Bakethin end holds most waterfowl, although the dam end is best for lost seabirds! Has held Long-tailed Duck, Smew, Kittiwake and Sandwich Tern in recent years. Also good chance of Mandarin in Bakethin and Lewis Burn areas, plus Goosander etc. Ospreys may still be around and there will be other raptors in the area, including Peregrine and Merlin, plus Raven.
Black Grouse will still be available in the North Pennines - try Sinderhope area and Stublick Chimney area in East Allen Valley.
Cheers
Paul
