Trifter

NORTHUMBRIAN BIRDWATCHING. THE wonder of flight continues to fascinate human beings and every loves watching birds wheel around the skies. Birdwatch Northumbria is a group that leads guided birdwatching and wildlife tours on the rugged coasts, moors and hills of England’s most remote and wildest county. It was along this coastline that St Cuthbert established the world’s first bird and animal sanctuary during the late 8th Century. Birdwatch Northumbria runs breaks for new and experienced birdwatchers on the Holy Island of Lindesfarne and the Farne Islands, in Coquetdale, around Alnwick and across the solitary Cheviot Hills on the English/Scottish Border. Friendly and knowledgeable guides share their wealth of experience of local birds and wildlife with really infectious enthusiasm. Visitors are taking in small parties that rarely exceed eight people per guide on either day tours or weekend breaks.

There are also illustrated presentations to accompany each tour or break. The events are based at Bamburgh, Beadnel or Holy Island for the coast, Otterburn for the moors, Wooler in the Cheviot Hills, Rothbury in the heart of Coquetdale and Alnwick. Birdwatch Northumbria gives full details on their website: www.birdwatchnorthumbria,co.uk about which birds can be seen in each area. It may be that Black Grouse are out at Otterburn, Merlin on Holy Island, red shanks in the Cheviot Hills and the host of ducks, waders and grebes that live along the Northumbrian Coast. Northumberland is possibly the richest wildlife area in Britain with masses of birds, such mammals as grey seals, otters, wild goats and the endangered red squirrel. There are also such beautiful flowers as the Pyramidal Orchid, March Helleborine and the grass of Parnassus. Visitors are able to experience a sense of wilderness in the Cheviot Hills or stroll along a beautiful and empty Northumbrian sandy beach. Tours with Birdwatch Northumbria can be made on 01670 783451.