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Whitburn Coastal Park

County Durham  >  United Kingdom

Whitburn Coastal Park is nicely sandwiched between Souter Lighthouse and Whitburn Point Local Nature Reserve. Good place to watch seabirds and migrating birds.

Added* by Mark Harper
Most recent update 5 travnja 2023

Description

Whitburn Coastal Park is a migration hotspot in Spring and even more in Autumn, when countless rarities have been seen here. It is also an excellent seawatching point. A great for bird watching, and often a chance to see Morski Vranac, Gavka, Troprsti galeb, Sjeverni zovoj, Galeb Klaukavac and other seabirds. Marsden Rock has a Veliki Vranac colony that is easy to watch; Oštrokljuna njorka also nest here, but mostly on the seaward side of the rock so not so easily seen. Morski žalar, Oštrigar and Kameničak are regular in winter along with many other waders. Seawatching in autumn produces Crvenonoga guska, Grivasta guska, Sjevernomorska guska, Žutokljuni Labud, and in winter, divers, grebes, Crna patka, etc. Bijela strnadica are regular in winter along the path and particularly at 'Jackies Beach'; also look for wintering Laponska strnadica on the wider grassy area toward the north end of the site. 'Jackies Beach' has also breeding Kulik Blatarić in summer. Sivi Sokol and Mali Sokol are also regular. The large coastal field at the south end of the site often holds a flock of roosting waders; mainly Veliki Pozviždač and Troprsti Zlatar, but check for rarer species like American Golden Plover and Buff-breasted Sandpiper, which have occurred here. Depending on season the coastal park will always offer a good day's birding. You can combine the birding with walking the coastal trail around the Souter Lighthouse, Whitburn Coastal Park and Lizard Point on the South Shields coast (for the 8 km route, see the map below).

Details

Access

The park and lighthouse are located just to the south of South Shields at the village of Marsden. You can park at the Souter Lighthouse car park off the A183 at Marsden Quarry. There is also a car park south of Whitburn on Mill lane. For the parking places see the P on the map and click on a P to go there directly)

Terrain and Habitat

Sea , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland

Conditions

Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

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