Our Coast, Our Sea - Bird by Bus

20 April 2011

The Northumberland Coast is a remarkable place for birds and at this time of year there’s plenty to see. Birds are on the move; some are passing through Northumberland on their way to the arctic whilst others are here for the breeding season.

There are some great places to watch birds on the Northumberland Coast, the offshore islands of the Farnes and Coquet are now teeming with breeding seabirds and are arguably Britain’s greatest wildlife spectacle. One the land, coastal pools, beaches and rocky headlands are busy with birds stocking up on food for their trip north.

The area around Low Newton-by-the-Sea provides some of the best places to see birds on the coast at any time of the year, however spring and early summer is really special. The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership and the National Trust have teamed up with Arriva North East to produce a tailor-made birdwatching itinerary for Low Newton-by-the-Sea by bus.

Iain Robson, Assistant AONB Officer thinks using the bus is a great way to visit the coast “Print off the itinerary, jump on the bus and go birdwatching” he said, “You get superb views of the coast from the top deck and when you arrive there’s no worries about parking the car, just get off and go. Using the bus to visit the coast is fun with great ticket deals available and discounts at many of the attractions, it doesn’t cost the Earth.

Kevin Redgrave, Coastal Warden for the National Trust agreed “The coast is a linear thing and using the bus means that you can walk along it without having to turn back on yourself. I recommend a walk to the tern colony between High Newton and Beadnell. Our Wardens will be on hand to show you the birds during the summer, you can then continue onto to Beadnell to catch the bus home”

The Low Newton ‘Birds by Bus’ itinerary is one of a series developed by the Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership. There are walking, birdwatching and cultural itineraries for you to download and print off.

Itineraries can be downloaded at www.northumberlandcoastaonb.org or http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coastandcastles/ where you will also find details of tickets deals and discounts at major attractions.