Gateshead Birders

Barlow Fell

Red Kites over Barlow Fell [Photo: Gary Elliot]

Red Kites [Steven Fryer]

Where is it?

Barlow Fell is a general area, basically north of Barlow and south of Greenside, west of Blaydon Burn and east of Coalburns. It contains Reeley Mires farm and the Barlow Burn. Red Kites are very easy to observe here. One of the best stop-off points to see kites in the Project area is the Black Horse public house car park, at Barlow village (NZ156609). This location gives a good overview of the area. Drive to the back of the car park and scan west and north-west (towards Greenside village). Birds are usually noted above Reeley Mires Wood.

How to get there

From Central Gateshead – head west on the A184, join the A1 west, past the Gateshead MetroCentre, then take either of the next two turn-offs, the first for Swalwell, or the second for Blaydon (follow the signs for the A694, signposted for Consett). Head south along the A694 for approximately 3.5 km, into Rowlands Gill. From here, keep an eye open for kites overhead. For Barlow Fell and Barlow village, turn right up Hollin Hill Lane (this is a small, winding country lane, signposted for Thornley Nursery and Thornley Bank Kennels). Once at the top of the hill, turn left at Ashtree Lane and then right on to Barlow Fell Road to get to the village (c.1.5km). Turn right into the village for the Black Horse pub, which opens at 3 pm on Saturdays.

There are several footpaths that cross the fell but they can be wet after heavy rain.

What to see

The Red Kites are the main attraction now as this is probably the easiest place to see them as they usually play and perform acrobatics before and after roosting, usually in the trees by Reeley Mires farm and alongside the Barlow Burn. Because of the numbers of these birds they have attarcted Common Buzzards on a quite regular basis. It is also a good spot for winter thrushes with some large flocks of Redwing and Fieldfares recorded. Recent records in 2005 include Stonechat and fly-over Whooper Swans. A fair amount of shooting and hunting, both legal and illega,l takes place, and the are is apparently particularly good for Woodcock. Walking in the suitable areas frequently flushes a bird and several pairs of Little Owl can be seen the area. Summer usually produces a record of two of Cuckoo and Wheatear.

A Peregrine was in the area in November 2004.

Wall Brown Butterfly [Steven Fryer]

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