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“It might be titled ‘Farnes’ but this tour is far more than just that, as we visit all corners of . A visit to this fantastic island group however, is a major highlight, with its cacophony of and seals. I love re-acquainting myself with this NE coastal county each year, as there’s always a surprise or two.” Julian Sykes

Dates Sat 09 - Sat16 Jul 2022 Fabulous summer birdwatching, as we explore the coastlines, Price £2,095 forests and moorlands of this corner of historic Northumberland, Deposit £400 Single Supp £525 around the famous Farne Islands. Full day on Staple and Inner Farne, experiencing a spectacle - not to be missed! The famous Kielder Forest for Red Squirrel, Osprey and Common Crossbill Leaders Julian Sykes and Sally Nowell Full day on Holy Island for birds, butterflies and botany Weather Variable, with a good chance of Beautiful coastline with long sandy , jagged rocks and migrant waders sunshine, (10°-20°C) but on the boat trips waterproofs, warm Superb RHIB tour into the for seabirds and cetaceans clothing and walking boots are A trip out to to see breeding Roseate and Grey Seals needed Staying in a wonderful hotel in the shadow of the iconic Castle Walking Walks of up to two miles, mainly on level tracks around Reserves We are based in the beautiful, coastal town Offshore we shall find Eider, or the local ‘Cuddy of Bamburgh, in the shadow of its famous Ducks’ (after St ’s) loafing around the bays, Boat Trips Our trip to the Farne Islands lasts 1 6 hrs, including 2 hrs onshore historic castle, perfectly placed to explore the along with Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant, on both Staple and Inner Farne. wonderful scenery and fantastic wildlife of this Guillemot and possibly Common Scoter. South The trip to Coquet Island lasts 1 hr fabulous north east county. This quaint hotel of Bamburgh is Newton by the Sea, where a stop & North Sea RHIB tour lasts 5 hrs. is noted for its excellent local and wholesome overlooking the North Sea can produce a Little This trip can be over choppy seas cuisine, with portions to satisfy the keenest of fishing in the beautiful bay, along with more Meals All included from dinner on Day 1 appetites. If time allows we might get a chance potential seaduck.. There are a couple of excellent to breakfast on Day 8 to venture out locally for a short time at Monks pools here that are always worthy of investigation, House Pool or Stag Rocks, to kickstart our daily as migrant waders tend to make a stop here on Insects Could be a problem, especially on the inland day checklist. their journey south. Accom Double, twin and single rooms all ensuite This is a full and diverse week, where a Our longest drive is further south to an area certain amount of flexibility is required, close to Newcastle Airport, where we search for Group 10 2-7 due to the uncertainty of the weather and wildlife two key species – Red Kite and Willow Tit. We on offer, with a possibility of scarce and rare shall spend the day around here visiting some migrants. Our lovely hotel is within easy reach of the productive local Reserves, which will also produce Just some of what we hope to see: North Sea and an easy walk along the many coastal some of the commoner species found in the Common Scoter Little Tern paths can produce Northern Wheatear, Linnet, county. Manx Shearwater auks singing Reed Bunting and possibly Yellow Wagtail. Spoonbill Rock Pipit Osprey Dipper Red Kite Willow Tit Goshawk Common Crossbill Avocet Red Squirrel Spotted Redshank White-beaked Dolphin Black-tailed Godwit Bottlenose Dolphin Great Skua Little Gull Dark Green Fritillary Helliborine Pyramidal Orchid

[email protected] | 01479 812498 www.speysidewildlife.co.uk “Northumberland is arguably my favourite English county after , which is my own! It has a beautiful unspoilt coastline, along with historic towns and villages, rugged upland moors and mixed forest. However, it’s the three very different boat trips that make this special, looking for cetaceans and loads of seabirds - just a fabulous combination!” Julian Sykes

Thousands of seabirds breed in Northumberland Druridge Bay. Reed and Sedge Warblers sing and we’ll enjoy special boat trips to see them from the extensive phragmite beds, along with astonishingly close up. A visit to the Farne Islands the more difficult Grasshopper Warbler. We hope needs no introduction and will be one of the to encounter the UK’s most northerly breeding highlights of the week. Our day here includes Avocets at one of the Reserves, along with landings on both Inner Farne and Staple and we Common Snipe, Redshank, Dunlin and Green shall see birds at incredibly close range - expect Sandpiper. There are usually a few surprises, with , Guillemots, , Puffins, Shags and Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull or Spoonbill being Eider at your feet - a photographer’s dream! distinct possibilities.

Arctic Terns nest beside the paths and dive-bomb One day we drive inland to the mighty Kielder you as you walk - a good hat or a stick held aloft Water – a huge reservoir that’s surrounded by will keep us safe from their sharp bills! Colonies coniferous forest. Due to the construction of of Sandwich and Common Terns are here too platforms, it offers the chance of finding the nest and inquisitive Grey Seals lift their heads from of an Osprey and if our luck is in, one fishing in the the water as we pass. A second boat trip takes lake itself. A stop enroute could also produce Grey us to RSPB Coquet Island (no landing) where Wagtail on the river and we shall also be keeping Outline Itinerary 90% of the UK’s Roseate Terns breed. It’s a great an eye out for game birds on the drive across the opportunity to see this scarce breeding species moorland. Typical Pine forest species all breed in Day 1 We meet at Newcastle train station or The Victoria Hotel, Bamburgh fishing and loafing around on the rocks adjacent Kielder and we shall look for Common Crossbill for a 7 night stay to their nesting boxes. and Red Squirrel in this vast forest - there’s always a chance of finding a Goshawk here too. Days 2-7 Exploration of the coast, forest and The target of our third boat trip is to glimpse one moorland, including three boat trips of the small groups of White-beaked Dolphins in After our last ‘full English’ breakfast we say for The Farne Islands, the Farnes Deeps these waters. This little known cetacean spends our fond farewells and conclude this ‘canny’ and Coquet Island 8 its summer along the Northumberland coastline, visit to the north east. Day 8 We say our farewells and depart after feeding in the fish-rich waters and trying to avoid breakfast their larger cousins who they see as a threat. This 10m RHIB tour takes us out into deeper water and as a consequence we have a chance to see Lesley Gadsden: Puffins Gannets fishing, Great Skua and possibly Manx James Glover: Arctic Terns, , Shearwater. Kittiwakes Jane Hope: Bottlenose Dophin Our coastal hopscotch day is punctuated with Julian Sykes: Seabird colony, Grey Seal visits to the pools and wetlands just inland from

www.speysidewildlife.co.uk 01479 812498 | [email protected]