During this five-day small group tour, we visit the key wildlife locations along the coast and the interior of Northumberland to enjoy the diversity of species that this county plays host to in the autumn.
During the autumn months, tens of thousands of ducks, geese and wading birds descend on the coastline of Northumberland, creating a wonderful wildlife spectacle. Light-bellied brent geese, barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, wigeon, grey plovers and bar-tailed godwits are just some of the species that can be encountered during a few days exploring this beautiful region of north-east England.
Many of these birds will have travelled from the Arctic Circle or from icy realms further east to winter in the UK. Major numbers of wintering thrushes such as redwing and fieldfare can also be seen arriving, along with hen harriers, long-eared and short-eared owls, and other raptors that are attracted by the abundance of life.
We are based in the small coastal village of Seahouses with views of the Farne Islands. This is the perfect place from which to explore all the key locations and reserves along the coast and the interior of Northumberland, including Druridge Bay, Lindisfarne Nature Reserve and the rarity hotspot of Holy Island. We are led throughout the itinerary by local expert naturalist, Martin Kitching who, in addition to knowing the local wildlife exceptionally well, is also an exceptional astronomer. If the weather is conducive, we head out in the evening on clear nights to enjoy the wonders of the night sky.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Arrive in Seahouses
We meet in the afternoon at our hotel in Seahouses, where we check in before heading out to a local nature reserve to see our first glimpse of Northumberland wildlife.
We have three full days to explore Northumberland’s stunning coastline and coastal islands, the majority of which is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and experience its diverse habitats as we search for their birds and other wildlife.
During our time in Northumberland, we experience the magnificent Farne Islands from Seahouses on a grey seal boat cruise. Pupping season typically starts in early October, and the bull seals struggle for dominance as the cows become receptive (or not!) to the idea of mating.
We visit Holy Island too, planning our visit around the tide, which covers the causeway twice a day. Holy Island is special for several reasons, including an extraordinary density of wintering wildfowl and waders, which should be building in number by mid-October. Depending on the prevailing weather conditions, this can also be an excellent time of year to watch for incoming migrants and search for scarcities.
On the southern half of the Northumberland Coast, we visit Druridge Bay, with its extraordinary ‘string of pearls’ – a series of nature reserves developed from former coal mining sites. Pools, rushy marshes and reedbeds play host to waders, wildfowl, raptors, owls and the elusive, and enigmatic, Eurasian otter.
With Northumberland having a low population density and little heavy industry, it isn’t difficult to get away from light pollution and appreciate the sort of views of the night sky that most of the UK population aren’t easily able to experience. Depending on cloud cover during our time in Northumberland, there may be ad hoc opportunities to venture out after dinner and escape the ‘bustling metropolis’ of Seahouses for somewhere slightly more rural.
Day5: Final birding excursion & departure
We have a last morning to explore coastal habitat close to our hotel, prior to our tour ending around midday.
Please note: This itinerary is kept flexible to respond to weather conditions, wildlife sightings or tide timings.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 5 daysfrom £995 pp
Born in East Yorkshire, but having now spent more than half of his life north of the Tyne, Martin is a wildlife, photography and astronomy guide.
For the last 12 years he’s coordinated the North East Cetacean Project, mapping cetacean and seabird abundance and distribution off the Northumberland coast, to inform marine protected area decision-making processes, and he was the main cetacean species account author for Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles of the North East. He’s a past author, and editor, of Birds in Northumbria, who’s had a fascination with everything in the natural world around him since a very young age.
The northernmost county in England, Northumberland is noted for its undeveloped landscape of high moorland and rugged coastline much of which is largely protected. Whilst exceptional wildlife can be seen throughout the year in the county, it is the early summer which is particularly magical.
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Where: Northeast England
Ideal for viewing: Atlantic puffin, roseate tern, dipper, Arctic tern, grey seal
Situated in the village of Seahouses overlooking the harbour, the Bamburgh Castle Inn is the perfect place to stay whilst exploring the county of Northumberland and its stunning wildlife. The hotel is close to many of the county’s key wildlife locations and offers excellent accommodation.
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