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Kielder Forest

Northumberland  >  United Kingdom

The biggest man-made reservoir and forest in Britain is a great area for birding. There is an Falco pescatore viewing area and miles and miles of forest.

Aggiunto* da David
Ultimo aggiornamento 23 settembre 2024

Descrizione

Kielder Forest is in a place of beauty with an array of different species. But the main pull is the Falco pescatore. Between late March and early September Falco pescatore often hunt over the water. The birds use all parts of the reservoir, but some favourite areas are either side of the water at the dam, the area between Bull Crag and Leaplish Bay, and Leaplish Bay itself. The Falco pescatore regularly hunt soon after first light and again in the early evening, around 17.30-18.00, but can be active at any time of the day. In 2022, the 14th successive year of Falco pescatore breeding in Kielder Forest, 7 nests were occupied and 14 young fledged successfully.

Aquila reale was present in the past until around the turn of the century, and is showing encouraging signs of returning with the current ongoing re-introduction project in the nearby Scottish Borders.

Other birds you can see here are Albanella reale, Astore, Sparviere, Poiana, Allocco, Falco pellegrino, Corvo imperiale, Merlo acquaiolo, Topino, Cincia mora, Regolo, Ballerina gialla, Lucherino, and Crociere comune, this last sometimes in huge numbers after good cone crops - sample counts after one heavy cone crop indicated a total of over 40,000 in the forest.

Most of Kielder Forest is plantations of Sitka Spruce and Norway Spruce, but an area of semi-natural Oak woodland is just below Kielder Castle; here you can see deciduous woodland species like Picchio verde, Codirosso, Balia nera, and with luck, Cincia bigia, though this population may now have died out.

On clear-felled and newly replanted areas of spruce plantation, look for Stiaccino and Prispolone in summer, and Averla maggiore in winter.

On the reservoir itself, look out for Cigno selvatico, Smergo maggiore, Quattrocchi, and in the quieter creeks, a good population of feral Anatra mandarina, the best site in northern England for these.

Among mammals, Roe Deer are abundant, and Otter and Pine Marten are both present, but not easy to see.

Dettagli

Accesso

The best way to explore Kielder is to start at one of the three visitor centres, Tower Knowe, Kielder Waterside or Kielder Castle. There are many cycling tracks, and a main road making it easily accessible. Using the Lakeside Way (see the map below), this circular cycling and walking route is 36 km long and follows the shoreline of the reservoir on a lovely multi-user track. You can cycle or walk around one of the circular trails. You can use the Osprey ferry to reach a destination and cycle or walk the return journey. The ferry must be pre-booked by contacting or visiting Kielder Waterside or Tower Knowe Visitor Centre where you can also check the ferry timetable before setting off on your journey. See the link below for more info.

Please note it is not necessary to purchase a car parking ticket at every visitor centre you visit. Just buy one £5.00 ticket at your first stop off and it is valid to use at the other visitor centres throughout the whole day. Alternatively, if you only park for one hour or less, the charge will be £2.00.

Terreno e habitat

Foresta , Zona umida , Brughiere/lande , Lago , Prateria/pascolo , Fiume , Valle

Caratteristiche dell’area

Collinoso , Paesaggio aperto , Scivoloso , Paludoso

Percorso ad anello

Si

È utile un cannocchiale?

Può essere utile

Buona stagione per il BW

Tutto l'anno

Miglior periodo per visitare

Migrazione primaverile , Estate , Primavera

Percorso

Sentiero stretto , Strada sterrata , Strada asfaltata

Grado di difficoltà del percorso a piedi

Difficoltà media

Modalità di accesso

A piedi , Macchina , Bicicletta , Barca

Capanno/torretta di osservazione

Si

Informazioni aggiuntive

Vast area with vellum marked signs.

Link

Visualizza siti in questa area pubblicati su Birdingplaces

Mappa

Le 5 migliori specie

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