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Description
A former opencast coal mine, the fields are grazed in the autumn and winter to maintain the value of the habitat. A public footpath runs between the lake and fields leading to two bird hides, one facing north and one facing south, then beyond to the ruins of Chibburn Preceptory.
The deep lake to the north provides an opportunity to catch a glimpse of Otter, while wading birds feed along the shores, and hohol severní and potápka roháč use the water. The two wet fields to the south support large flocks of wintering wildfowl, mostly hvízdák eurasijský and čírka obecná, and in spring, čírka modrá as well as kopřivka obecná and lžičák pestrý; they are very good feeding sites for waders including bekasina otavní, vodouš rudonohý, břehouš černoocasý, vodouš bahenní, and others; kolpík bílý has also become regular in recent years, and scan for linduška horská in winter. In autumn, check the bushes and shelterbelts after east winds for species like budníček pruhohlavý and králíček ohnivý as well as numerous králíček obecný and čížek lesní.
Numerous rarities have occurred, including jespáček ploskozobý, lyskonoh úzkozobý, ibis hnědý, poštolka rudonohá, pěnice vousatá and others, making it a popular location for bird watchers and wildlife photographers alike.
The dunes hold cvrčilka zelená and bramborníček černohlavý as well as the more abundant skřivan polní and linduška luční. The highest dune, roughly in the middle of the bay, gives a good vantage point for scanning the sea; here you can often see kajka mořská, turpan černý, morčák prostřední, terej bílý, potáplice malá, chaluha příživná, alkoun úzkozobý, papuchalk severní, and also jespák písečný on the beach if there are not too many dog-walkers around. A telescope is useful for this.
Details
Access
There is roadside car parking at the adjacent National Trust Druridge Links site. Access is from a minor road running alongside Druridge Links and through a wide gap onto a level grass path. A further entrance gives access to a viewing area on another grass path, 400m south, alongside the same minor road. There are two viewing hides, one with level access and one accessed by four steps. There is also a viewing platform at the southern end of the reserve which is accessed by three broad steps.
There are access points leading to a screen overlooking the southern fields and along the public right of way through the centre of the site. The terrain is level and flat, but paths can be wet and muddy.