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The estuary of a small stream, and the sand dunes around it, on the north Northumberland coast.
The Long Nanny is notable for its important tern colony on the beach, and for waders using the estuary. In recent years, 1,000-2,000 pairs of Крячок полярний and 30-40 pairs of Крячок малий have bred, and since 2020, a single Крячок чорний of the American subspecies 'Chlidonias niger surinamensis' has spent its summers at the colony, attracting considerable interest; it has returned in 2024. Крячок рожевий and Крячок рябодзьобий also visit the colony regularly, but do not breed.
The tern colony is wardened round the clock in summer. Birders are welcome to visit the wardens' hut, where the terns can be seen at close range. The dunes hold breeding Трав'янка чорноголова and Щеврик лучний, and have good numbers of passage Кам’янка звичайна and other migrants. In winter, the saltmarsh often holds a Чечітка гірська flock, which can also attract occasional Жайворонок рогатий and Пуночка снігова. Brackish water channels in the saltmarsh attract breeding Галагаз євразійський and a good range of passage waders such as Кульон великий and Кульон середній. Many rarer species have been recorded, including Мородунка, Коловодник жовтоногий, Сорокопуд чорнолобий (2 records!), Жайворонок малий, and Щеврик азійський.
The site is a fairly long walk (about 2 km) from the nearest parking. There is no shelter, and no visitor facilities, so come prepared for both sunburn and bad weather! Most of the walk is easy, but some parts (particularly the final 300 m to the wardens' hut viewpoint) are narrow and loose sand. Parking is available at High Newton to the south (£), and Beadnell to the north (free up to 1 hour, then £). Click on a P in the map for directions. Bus X18 (Newcastle-Berwick) to Beadnell, about 2.5 km. The coastal path is open to cycles, but heavy going through loose sand in places; likewise, difficult for wheelchairs and all-terrain mobility scooters (and the path to the wardens' hut not accessible). It is important to stick to the paths; do not cross the ropes protecting the tern colony.
If visiting during the breeding season, please share your sightings with the wardens! They will be happy to help you find other birds in return.
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