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Widdrington Moor Lake

Northumberland  >  United Kingdom

A deep lake created from opencast mine reclamation, 1 km west of Widdrington Village. Wintering ducks and grebes. Poljska eja regular in winter months.

Added* by Rob Fox
Most recent update 22 mart 2023

Description

Scan the open vista across Widdrington Moor Lake from the road on the south side; there is limited off-road parking halfway along. The conifer plantation to the south attracts finches, including Mala brezova juričica. The open hillside to the north attracts raptors. The lake itself attracts wintering wildfowl, mostly Zviždara, Krdža, Veliki ronac, Kratkokljuna guska, and Divlja guska, but also Ušati gnjurac, Riđovrati gnjurac, and Veliki morski gnjurac. Up to 3 ringtail Poljska eja were regular in the 2022-23 winter, and Sivi soko is often present. Passage Ribar can occur in spring and autumn.

Details

Access

Off-road parking for c. 5 cars on minor road to south side. X18 and X20 buses (Newcastle to Alnwick) call at Widdrington Village, 1.2 km east on A1068. The Widdrington Inn (by A1068 roundabout) serves food.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Lake , Agriculture , Wetland

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

Winter , Spring , Autumn , Summer

Best time to visit

Winter

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Unfortunately, viewing of the lake is becoming restricted by young trees in the shelterbelt between the road and the lake. The entire site is also threatened by development schemes to convert it into a watersports centre.

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