Northumberland in High Summer

Northumberland is one of the most picturesque and unspoilt corners of England, and this slow-paced single-centre holiday takes in the highlights of the coast, islands, uplands, farmland and forest of this beautiful region in summer, with a range of birds and wildlife on offer, and including visits to iconic cultural and historical sites along the way.

The Farnes are our primary target, gauging our best day to visit by tide and weather conditions.  This is one of Britain’s greatest wildlife spectacles, especially during the summer breeding season with colonies of thousands of terns (including a few rare Roseate), Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Eider, Kittiwake, Shag and Atlantic Grey Seal. All of your senses will be engaged, as you stand toe-to-toe and face-to-face amongst the clamouring throng of seabird life. Departing from the harbour at Seahouses we aim to spend all day visiting the two main islands, Staple Island in the morning, and to Inner Farne in the afternoon. Late-June and early-July is a great time to visit; some birds will have fledged young, others small chicks whilst some will be on eggs. A photographers paradise with time to fully enjoy and appreciate the experience.

In the Cheviot Hills, a land of few people but a number of narrow secluded valleys that penetrate into the heart, we explore the typical upland habitat and birdlife including Dipper, Raven, Peregrine, Red Grouse, Grey Wagtail, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper and maybe a few Wild Goats. The unique atmosphere of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne is an undoubted highlight, and if tides are suitable we will intentionally become stranded as the causeway floods twice daily. The island is famed for its Christian and bloody Viking past, the Castle, Gertrude Jekyll garden and of course the Priory.

Derwent Valley is a great area to see Red Kite, with river and woodland species nearby. Further afield, we venture to RSPB Saltholme and Seal Sands to see one of the northernmost colonies of breeding Avocet. We may see Bittern and Marsh Harrier, too. We also visit Kielder Forest and Kielder Water, good in summer for forest, woodland and moorland birds with Osprey and Goshawk both possible in the skies. Our return takes us along the Military Road, running parallel to Hadrian’s Wall where we may have time to walk a section.

With so many great birding options, there are more than enough places, habitats and experiences to fill an absorbing week in and around Northumberland with a potential birdlist of over 100+ species.

Day 1 - Saturday        Arrival
After arriving by train, road or other means we gather at our comfortable hotel, our base for the next 7 nights, for our first group meal and an introduction to the week ahead. Please note, if travelling by train your guide will meet you at Alnmouth station at 15:00 on arrival day.  If travelling by car, we will meet at our hotel at approx. 16:00. You can leave your vehicle parked here for the duration of your holiday.

Day 2 - Sunday         The Farne Islands
The Farnes are our primary target for the week - gauging our best day to visit by tide and weather conditions. The Farnes are one of Britain’s greatest wildlife spectacles – especially during the summer breeding season with huge colonies of thousands of terns (including a few nesting Roseate), Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Eider, Kittiwake, Shag and Atlantic Grey Seal. All of your senses will be engaged, as you stand toe-to-toe and face-to-face amongst the clamouring throng of seabird life. Departing from the harbour at Seahouses we aim to spend all day visiting the two main islands, Staple Island in the morning, transferring to Inner Farne in the afternoon. Late-June and early-July is a great time to visit; some birds will have fledged young, others small chicks whilst some will be on eggs. A photographers paradise with time to fully enjoy and appreciate the experience.

Day 3 - Monday        The Cheviot Hills
Today we head inland to the Cheviot Hills and Northumberland National Park, to the west and north of the county. A huge block of wild, untamed lands with few people but a number of narrow secluded valleys that penetrate into the heart. We will visit two or three of these valleys, choosing from College, Harthope, Alwin, Ingram and Coquet, exploring the typical upland habitat and wildlife. We might see Dipper, Raven, Peregrine, Red Grouse, Grey Wagtail, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Common Sandpiper and maybe a few Wild Goats too.

Day 4 - Tuesday          The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
If the tides are suitable we will intentionally become stranded and cut off by the sea on The Holy Island of Lindisfarne - where the causeway floods twice daily. It is comprised of 3500 hectares of dunes, saltmarsh and mudflats; great for walks through the interior and rocky shore and for breeding birds, flowers, butterflies and sea-watching with both Grey & Common Seal resident. The island is famed for its Christian and bloody Viking past, the Castle, Gertrude Jekyll garden and of course the Priory. When the tide is high the island relaxes from the pressures of modern life and takes on a discernable spiritual tranquility similar to Iona, where there are ancient monastic connections. Later, we may visit other coastal locations which can be good for birds. Hauxley Reserve, Druridge Bay & Pools, Cresswell Ponds or Newbiggin Bay are all great sites, and we choose the best according to the weather and recent sightings.

Day 5 – Wednesday        RSPB Saltholme, Teesmouth and Cleveland
Today we venture south of the Tyne to the RSPB Saltholme reserve on Teesside. An area of wetland, reedbeds, grassland and meadow, great for birds and visiting migrants with the backdrop of industry and post-industrial architecture. This fairly newly constructed reserve has developed well during its short life span and the area attracts one of the northernmost colonies of breeding Avocet. A reserve rapidly becoming famed for migrant waders too, we can expect to build a high bird-list today as we explore the site via well-placed hides. We may also see Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Reed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail and terns, with chances of late-spring and early-summer rarities. With several other good coastal birding options within striking distance, we will be sure of a great day’s birding wherever we spend our time.   

Day 6 - Thursday        Derwent Valley and Northumberland/Durham Moors
The Derwent Valley on the fringes of Tyneside is the only UK urban release site for Red Kites and is a great area to see these magnificent birds. A variety river and woodland species may also be seen nearby, and scarce Honey Buzzard is a possibility in good weather. In the moors we search for Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Wheatear and Whinchat, while other raptors on this day might include Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Merlin. With time to investigate Hadrian’s Wall too, a series of local lakes and pools can often yield surprises and the area is also good for dragonflies and butterflies.

Day 7 - Friday        Kielder Forest
Heading inland again we go west over the Otterburn Moors and Ministry of Defence Training area to Kielder Forest and Kielder Water, very good in summer for forest, woodland and moorland birds with breeding Osprey, Goshawk and Crossbill all possible. Our return will take us back along the Military Road, running parallel to Hadrian’s Wall where we may have time to walk a section (at Steel Rigg or Cawfields) that typifies this ancient site.

Should weather and conditions seriously affect our plans through the week we still have many places all along the Northumberland coast to potentially visit for mainland seabird colonies, geological features and other points of interest. These include Beadnell Bay, the Long Nanny Reserve for Little and Arctic Tern, Embleton Bay, Craster, Dunstanburgh Castle, Howick and the Cullernose Point Kittiwake colony, beaches at Boulmer and Alnmouth, and the Coquet River at Amble/Warkworth.  Away from the coast we have chance to visit The Chillingham Wild Cattle (entrance fee), an 800 year-old herd of truly wild, untamed, undomesticated, unique group of animals that hark back to medieval times. Run by a charitable trust they have a DNA unmatched by any other cattle in the world and speculation is still uncertain as to their origins. So, whatever the weather, there are more than enough places, habitats and experiences to fill a week long tour in and around Northumberland with a potential birdlist of over 100+ species.

Day 8 - Saturday         Departure
After our final breakfast, guests will be dropped off at Alnmouth railway station for ongoing trains departing from 09:30 onwards.

What's included in your holiday price

• Seven nights comfortable en-suite hotel accommodation. We choose from our personally inspected shortlist, where birders are welcome and the hospitality is special. Guests are never expected to share. All rooms are en-suite. Full details with your joining pack.
• Full English breakfast and dinner from Saturday evening till Saturday morning, packed lunch each day from Sunday to Friday.
• All ferry crossings
• All entrance fees for reserves
• All transport by comfortable minibus.
• Guidance from a professional Group Leader.

What's not included in your holiday price

• Insurance, drinks and other items of a personal nature.

Field Notes

Expect a wide variation in weather conditions, which can be wild and unpredictable, with temperatures perhaps averaging around 16 degrees Celsius. Sunshine, rain and strong winds are all possible, and you will probably experience a bit of everything. Biting insects are not expected. Please bring waterproof walking boots or shoes, weatherproof clothing and a small rucksack. Boat trips and exposed coastal locations can be cold at any time of year if the wind picks up, please pack accordingly. The holiday will be run at a relaxed pace, with time for photography, general wildlife and botany as well as fabulous birdwatching in a spectacular setting! There will be short to moderate (1 to 3 mile) walks most days mainly on well walked tracks and paths, nothing over strenuous, usually on well marked paths without too much climbing but a reasonable level of health would be an advantage to be able to get off the beaten track and away from vehicular access.

Travel

Easily accessible by car with good road connections (A1, A69, A19) or by mainline London-Edinburgh rail services – collection available from Alnmouth rail station. Newcastle Airport is not too distant with good taxi/public transport links for transfer too. Any questions please just contact the office.