c

Newcastle Town Moor

Northumberland  >  United Kingdom

A large public open space very close to the heart of Newcastle, with good options for birding mainly in spring and late summer migration.

Added* by Nutcracker
Most recent update 8 Ocak 2025

Description

The Town Moor is a large area of open grassland, grazed by cattle in the summer - a relic of historical traditions, with grazing rights held by the Freemen of Newcastle for nearly 400 years. Because of its size - around 400 hectares - it is possible to 'escape' and imagine oneself in remote rural countryside far from the urban reality. It is an important breeding site for Tarlakuşu and Çayır incirkuşu, both normally rare in urban areas, and of interest for attracting passage migrants like Benekli sinekkapan, Çayır taşkuşu and Kuyrukkakan, and sometimes flocks of wintering Altın yağmurcun.

The adjacent public park, Exhibition Park, is also worth watching, holding a range of common birds, including water birds on a small lake; in recent years, the lake surrounds have been improved for birds by adding a reedbed and denser shrub planting. The entire area is open access at all times.

Details

Access

Newcastle Town Moor is only a short walk from the city centre. Numerous bus services pass along the roads round the edges of the Moor. Two tarmac-surfaced paths cross the Moor, which are open for cycling; the rest of the Moor is free access for pedestrians, but can be wet in winter.

Terrain and Habitat

Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , City/village , Plain

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration , Spring

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

Also nearby is the Great North Hancock Museum, the foremost natural history museum in northern England; its collections include two taxidermied Great Auks on public display.

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

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Give feedback
Rate this area