Birding sites near Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1 Viewer)

[pandachris]

Hi. I'm working in Newcastle for two weeks from Thursday. I'll have a vehicle and will be working odd shifts, sometimes starting at 14:00 and sometimes finishing at 06:30, plus a few days off. I barely know the region at all. Can anyone suggest any birding sites that I could visit? Also any reasonably sheltered sea-watching locations? I'll have a 'scope.

 

[Nutcracker]

Close to Newcastle:
Gosforth Park, just north of Newcastle (permits from Nat. Hist. Soc. Northumbria at Hancock Museum)
Swallow Pond, Wallsend
Big Waters, Wideopen
Prestwick Carr, NE of airport (GG Shrike currently)

Plenty other sites further afield, like Cresswell, Druridge, etc. (appx. 30 mins drive from Newcastle), up to Holy Island (1h 10 min from Newcastle)

Seawatching: St Mary's Island (hide open during visitor centre open hours; low tide only), at high tide limited shelter behind toilet block in car park); also Newbiggin (effectively no shelter, but sticks further out to sea so birds a bit closer)

Can meet up if you want, drop a PM.

 

[pandachris]

Cheers. That's really helpful. My days off are dispersed around the week because of the unusual nature of the work. I've managed to secure both Saturdays off, with late-ish starts on the Sundays so my partner is coming up to join me for a couple of nights. She's also not familiar with the area. Are you free on weekdays? If so I'll drop you a message.

 

[Nutcracker]

Yep, usually :t: