Wing Your Way Over To The North Pennines Big Birdwatch

28th April 2011

Categories: Visitor News

Visitors are expected to flock to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty over the weekend of Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May when the first ever Big Birdwatch takes place.

The weekend, organised by the North Pennines AONB Partnership, will be packed full of events and activities for all ages inspired by the fantastic birdlife found in the area.

On Sunday 15 May there’s a whole day of birdy goings-on for all the family when staff from the North Pennines AONB Partnership and their partners hold a Big Birdwatch Family Day in Blanchland Village Hall. From 10am – 4pm there’ll be lots of children’s craft activities, short walks and storytelling throughout the day, and visitors will be able to make nestboxes and bird feeders. There’s no need to book for this event – families can just turn up on the day. Admission is free, but there will be a charge for nestboxes/feeders and craft activities.

The day before, on Saturday 14 May, walkers will have the choice of three different outings, depending on where, when and how long you want to be out…

You’ll need to be up with the larks for the Dawn Chorus Walk which starts at 4.45am and explores the ancient woodland of the Derwent Gorge, County Durham to listen for the captivating calls of species such as chiffchaff, redstart and wood warbler. This early morning meander is 4km (2.4 miles) of medium grade walking, with some hills, stiles and muddy paths. The event is free of charge but booking is necessary by phoning the AONB Partnership office on 01388 528801.

Cuckoo Calling at the RSPB’s National Nature Reserve at Geltsdale in Cumbria is an easy 3km (2 miles) amble through the Reserve in search of the cuckoo. The walk starts at 8am and finishes at 10am. Bookings for this walk must be made through the the RSPB, tel 016977 46717. The event is free for members and children, others pay £3.

The people who are going Dancing with Dotterel get a lie-in as this all-day walk starts at 10am and ends at 5pm. The group will ascend to Cross Fell summit in search of the dotterel, an arctic mountain bird that can sometimes be found on migration on the highest points of the Pennines. This 14km (9 miles) walk is graded hard walking – steep strenuous climbs over rough moorland – and includes a 600m ascent. The event is free of charge but booking is necessary by phoning the AONB Partnership office on 01388 528801.

The Big Birdwatch events are just a few of the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s exciting programme of events running throughout the summer and into the autumn. For more information on the AONB Partnership’s events, visit the website www.northpennines.org.uk  email info@northpenninesaonb.org.uk or phone the AONB Partnership office on 01388 528801.

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