Druridge Bay

Photo by Delia Todd
The Reserves of Druridge Bay

Overview

This seven mile bay stretches from Amble to Cresswell. Opencast mining in much of this previously flat and and almost featureless landscape has allowed the creation of many wetland areas and lakes which are a magnet for wild life. The planning of these goes back right to the 1960s when the Druridge Bay Country Park was first proposed as a joint effort between Northumberland County Council and the National Coal Board.

This was followed later by the creation of the Hauxley Nature Reserve, Druridge Pools and finally the 100 acre reedbed and deep water pools, purpose designed at East Chevington in the 1990s.

The deep-mining subsidence flash at Cresswell completes this chain of wetlands at the south end of the bay.

Birds

Notable Species

To do

Rarities

To do

Check-list

Birds you can see here include:

Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Eider, Goldeneye, Smew, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Red-throated Diver, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Merlin, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Jack Snipe, Curlew, Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Razorbill, Little Auk, Wood Pigeon, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Rock Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Reed Bunting
Summer visitors still to add.

Other Wildlife

To do

Site Information

Areas of Interest

Hauxley Nature Reserve

Photo by Delia Todd
A footpath at Hauxley

The lake with islands and reed beds, along with the surrounding trees attract large numbers of birds, including Bewick Swan, Shoveler, Lapwing and Purple Sandpiper

Hauxley

Druridge Bay Country Park

Swans and ducks on the lakes, which is also used by non-motorised water craft.

The meadows and dunes are home to four species of orchid and bloody cranesbill.

Druridge Bay Country Park

East Chevington Nature Reserve

Photo by Delia Todd
East Chevington

Two large lakes with reed beds, surrounding grassland and woodland. Greylag Goose and Pink-footed Goose are often seen, along with Skylark, Stonechat and Grasshopper Warbler.

East Chevington

Druridge Pools Nature Reserve

Photo by Delia Todd
Druridge Pools

This site consists of a lake and two wet fields and supports large numbers of winter wildfowl, mainly Wigeon and Teal, also breeding Great Crested Grebe

Druridge Pools

Cresswell Pond Nature Reserve

Photo by Delia Todd
Cresswell Pond

This SSSI is a shallow lagoon behind the sand dunes, with surrounding saltmarsh and reed bed.

Cresswell Pond

Cresswell Dunes and Foreshore Nature Reserve

Breeding grounds for Lapwing and Skylark with Barn Owl often seen hunting in the evening.

Cresswell Dunes and Foreshore Nature Reserve

Linton Lane Nature Reserve

This reserve consists of two ponds with surround woodland and grassland, which attracts Whooper Swan, Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow

Linton Lane Nature Reserve

Druridge Links

This National Trust Site adjacent Druridge Pools, is an extensive area of sand dunes. Wild flowers, such as Bloody Cranesbill and Restharrow, grow here, along with common blue butterflies.

Amble Dunes

At the north end of the bay, beside the village of Amble. Coastal birds can be seen here and the area consists of dunes, and rock pools.

Ellington Pond

A shallow pond in a small reserve run by local residents. It attracts many waders.

Access and Facilities

To do

External Links

Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Northumbrian Birding thread