Gateshead Birders

There are many different sites in the borough with various habitats ranging from large woodland, old heath, farmland, stands of fresh water, tidal river mud and upland pasture. Some of the sites are shown below with the aim of have having all the sites detailed before too long. For an essentially urban area Gateshead has a rich variety of interesting birdwatching sites. There are a wide range of different habitats, and these attract many different species of bird. Most of the borough's best places for birds are in the west, in the lower Derwent Valley for instance, but in the east the Gateshead stretch of the River Tyne will reward careful watching, as will the various pond and wetland sites scattered across the area.

What types of birds can a birdwatcher expect to see? As one might expect the woodlands hold a wide range of typical species: titmice, woodpeckers, Jays, and Chaffinches, Robins, Wrens and thrushes. Some of the woodlands have the added bonus of specialist woodland species such as Nuthatch, Wood Warbler and Hawfinch. In the various conifer plantations Siskins, and occasionally Crossbills, can be found whilst along the woodland rides on summer evenings Woodcock can be seen "roding". The three main rivers which pass through the borough, being different in character, tend to attract different types of birds. The Tyne is favoured by large numbers of Cormorant and, along its' low tide mudbanks, Redshank and occasionally Curlew can be found feeding alongside Teal and Lapwing. During the latter part of summer large gatherings of terns come up the river to feed on small fish. The meandering R.Team, above the industrialised section, cuts through sandy banksides and hosts Kingfisher and Sand Martins, whilst Yellow Wagtails breed in the meadows along its flood plain. The Derwent flows fast and freely, and there can be found Dipper, Grey Wagtails and, occasionally, Goosander and Common Sandpiper. A variety of ponds and wetlands across the borough host a wide range of wintering wildfowl, both dabbling and diving ducks, as well as Little Grebe, Herons and Mute Swans. Wetlands also attract many passage migrants, both wetland species, such as Green Sandpiper, and insectivorous birds like warblers, which are attracted to the abundance of prey which marshes and ponds provide. Above the river valleys rise steep "fell" areas, such as Barlow Fell, and on these can be seen the last vestiges of Gateshead's upland bird fauna. At one time such places had breeding Hen Harrier and Black Grouse, but very little of the "heath" now remains and the observer must be content with an occasional Wheatear, Whinchat or Curlew.

The best places for birdwatching in the borough vary according to season and weather conditions, and the observer will ultimately find there own favourite spots. The list of sites below attempts to satisfy the curiosity of the observer new to the area and to direct the visitor as to what is likely to be seen and the best time of year to visit.

The best covered sites have their own bird lists and these can be seen on the bird lists page. Some sites also have their own pages ......enjoy.

The Sites

Barlow Fell

Blaydon Burn

Site List

Burdon Moor

Click flag for map

Crawcrook Quarry

Derwenthaugh

Gibside Woods

Metrocentre Pools (now destroyed)

Grid Ref. NZ206628 Shallow pool just to the west of the Metro Centre. Good for passage waders and gulls. Since 2002/2003 these have subsequently been lost to the expansion of the Metrocentre.

Pathhead Quarry (under threat)

Pelaw Quarry

Pelaw Quarry proposed LNR is a partially reclaimed former quarry, including an established wetland, surrounded by areas of herb-rich grassland and scrub.

River Tyne

See Bill Quay Riverside, Dunston Riverside Mudflats and Ryton Willows.

Sunniside Park