Northumberland is a birder's paradise.

Northumberland’s diverse landscape from heather clad moorlands to rocky shorelines makes for some of the best bird watching in the country all year round. Along the coast from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Druridge Bay you will see a large numbers of breeding birds, waders and wildfowl. Northumberland’s coal mining heritage has left numerous ponds which are now nature reserves. Druridge Bay has several of these ponds including Hauxley, East Chevington, Druridge Pool and Cresswell Pond all Northumberland Wildlife Trust reserves. Between them they have an impressive list of birds and other wildlife.

Northumberland is best known for its seabird colonies on the Farne Islands. Take a boat trip from Seahouses to the Farne Islands between May and July and enjoy the frantic, bustling colony of terns, puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes, shags and guillemots.

Further south around Coquet Island you can see Britain’s rarest breeding seabird, the roseate tern, and whilst landing is prohibited there are boat trips around this small island from Amble.

Inland Northumberland offers an opportunity to see many uncommon breeding species such as Black Grouse, Hen Harrier and Goshawk. The wide open spaces and special habitats of Northumberland National Park offer plenty of other opportunities. Simonside ridge near Rothbury is the home of red grouse, peregrine and ravens. In nearby Thrunton Wood look out for crossbill, coal tit, goldcrest and cuckoos in late spring, and on a good day the dedicated raptor viewpoint at Bakethin in Kielder can offer views of nine different raptors.

For more information visit the Links below. These should open in new windows.

• North Northumberland Bird Club
• Northumberland Wildlife Trust
• Bird Watching Northumbria
• Bird Guides