Hide and seek

03/03/2006

Spot on new nature hides have been built at water company reserves.

Bird watchers and wildlife lovers will benefit from Northumbrian Water’s two new bird hides, which cost more than £6,000 each to build, located in Northumberland and the Tyne Valley.

The woodland hide at Kielder Water, Northumberland, is especially good for spotting the rare red squirrel as it looks over a feeding station hidden within the forest.  On-lookers nestled in the hide may be lucky to see deer too.

A wide range of birds can also be seen swooping through the trees including Nuthatch, Woodpecker, Chaffinch, Blue Tits, Coal Tits and Great Tits.

Whittle Dene reservoir, in the Tyne Valley, lies alongside Hadrian’s Wall and the new bird hide over-looks the vast expanse of water.  A variety of birds can be seen on and around the reservoir which vary depending on the season.

In summer, feathered visitors continue to increase at Whittle Dene including large numbers of swallows and swifts.  Yellow Wagtails have been seen in recent years accompanied by the rarer White Wagtail.

Spring migration often sees Black-necked Grebe, Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Osprey and Temminck’s Stint.

Mallard and Wigeon are popular residents during the winter.  Small numbers of Teal, Pintail, Goldeneye and Goosander may also be seen along with Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Ferruginous duck, Long-tailed duck, Glaucous gull, Rock Pipit, Waxwing and Snow Bunting.

Northumbrian Water has eight bird hides in total within its supply area from Berwick down to North Yorkshire and across to the Pennines.

As well as the two new bird hides at Kielder and Whittle Dene, other bird hides are located at Bakethin reservoir (adjacent to Kielder), Northumberland; Blackton reservoir, Teesdale; Scaling Dam reservoir, North York Moors; Grassholme reservoir, Teesdale; Wearhead wetland site, Wear Valley; Derwent reservoir, County Durham (access through Durham Wildlife Trust).

Arrange a ‘wild’ day out for the family and see nature’s feather and fur friends at Northumbrian Water’s sites, while taking in the beautiful surroundings and scenery.

For further information please contact Joanne Dye on 0191 301 6733.