) to insert bird names in your own language. The birdnames will automatically be translated for other users!
Upload images
Allowed image types are jpeg,png,gif
Max file size is 20MB
Description
Holy Island is a tidal island off Northumberland’s coast that becomes inaccessible when the tide covers its causeway. When it is safe to cross the causeway, it is a great destination for birders. Holy Island is part of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, and considered to be one of the best birdwatching sites in Northumberland, with a large range of resident and visiting birds throughout the year. It is a regional hotspot for migrants in spring and autumn. Check tide tables before visiting (see the link below).
The island and the adjacent mudflats are the wintering range for almost the entire Svalbard population of Pale-bellied Grivasta guska, and are also important for Crvenonoga guska and Žutokljuni Labud, along with large numbers of ducks (notably Utva, Zviždara, Kržulja, Patka Lastarka) and waders (Zlatar Pijukavac, Rđasti Žalar, Žalar Cirikavac, Riđa muljača, Crvenonoga Prutka, and many others). In late May, the north shore is a major staging post for large flocks of Kulik Blatarić and Bijeli Žalar heading for the high arctic, while Krivokljuni Žalar and Mali Žalar can often be found in late summer and autum. The large autumn flocks of Troprsti Zlatar in the fields are also worth checking carefully for regular vagrant American Golden Plover; Pacific Golden Plover has also been recorded several times.
In October and November, look for large arrivals of thrushes, mostly Mali Drozd and Drozd Bravenjak, but also Drozd Cikelj and Kos, and a few Planinski kos; the fields around the Straight Lonnen often have the largest numbers. At the same time, the hedges on the Straight Lonnen and the scattered bushes in the dunes often have many warblers and chats, with Crnokapa Grmuša, Zviždak and Šumska Crvenperka the most conspicuous, but also regularly other species like Šarenokrili azijski zviždak, Pallas's Leaf Warbler, Pjegava Grmuša, Mala muharica, Crnoglava Muharica, and Modrovoljka.
Recent rarities have included Guska Glogovnjača, Tundra guska, Ušati gnjurac, Lastorepi galeb, Žutokljuni plijenor, Crvenonoga Vjetruša, Smeđi svračak, Sivi Svračak,Sibirski zviždak, Zelenkasti zviždak, Dusky Warbler, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, Azijska pustinjska grmuša, Ružičasti čvorak, White's Thrush, Sibirska plavorepka, Isabelline Wheatear, Mala strnadica.
Details
Access
Signposted east off the A1 at Beal; head east for 8 km on minor raod, across tidal causeway. Parking on left just before entering village. Limited parking off road in western part of the island. Nearest train station is Berwick, 12 km north. Possible to cycle but research before trying. On the map below you see a selection of walks around the island.
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Wetland , Plain , Moors/heathland , Sea , Lake , Beach , Dunes , Reedbeds , Mud flats , AgricultureConditions
Flat , Open landscape , High water possible , SandyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migration , Winter , Spring , Autumn , SummerRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Bicycle , FootBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Holy Island is also known as Lindisfarne. Single bird hide overlooking The Lough (a small lake on the east side of the island). Viewpoint over small wetland (good for waders) on path from village to castle. Paths criss-cross the island and various circular walks can be made. Stay on marked paths as far as possible. Cattle graze the dunes. One site worth visiting is the Vicar's garden, in the SW corner of the village across the lane from the church (look over the wall from the adjacent pony field); vagrant warblers can be seen here after east winds in migration periods.