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Cresswell Pond

Northumberland  >  United Kingdom

A brackish lake close to a farm with a nice hide. It's worth the visit if you are birding in the area.

Added* by Eva Domingo Gómez
Most recent update 22 March 2023

Description

Cresswell Pond, at the south end of the Druridge Bay coastline, is a shallow brackish lagoon, providing a year-round haven for wading birds and wildfowl. The majority of the site is the lagoon but there are areas of reed bed, two smaller ponds, a path and boardwalk leading down towards a bird hide. There is a wide variety of birds, especially interesting during migration periods. In spring and summer, Avocet feed in front of the hide, and in autumn, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff are frequent. There are lots of ducks and geese, with Pink-footed Goose often in the thousands and Eurasian Wigeon in hundreds in the surrounding fields in the winter; the small pool southeast of the main pond can attract Garganey in spring. Barn Owl can be seen too in the area. Bird feeders in the willows behind the hide attract Eurasian Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer; these willows also attract a few coastal migrants like Firecrest and Yellow-browed Warbler in autumn. Rarities have included White-rumped Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, multiple Pectoral Sandpiper, Wilson's Phalarope, Long-billed Dowitcher, Isabelline Shrike, and Great Reed Warbler.

Details

Access

Better by car, although it is possible to get by public transport to Cresswell village and then walk. There is space for parking right after leaving the main road before getting to the farm (see the P on the map).

Note that after heavy rain, or very high tides, the adjacent road tends to get flooded. Be cautious if trying to go through, the water can get to around 30 cm deep.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Agriculture , Beach , Dunes , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Sea , Reedbeds

Conditions

Flat , Wet , Open landscape , High water possible

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

Cresswell Pond was created as the result of subsidence from old collapsed mine works, the pond’s proximity and connection to the sea means the water is a mix of fresh and salt (brackish), and as such it is an excellent feeding ground for wading birds. It is particularly good during the spring and autumn passage when rarities often occur. Avocet nested here in 2011, the most northerly site in the UK. Large numbers of waterfowl often roost here, with small numbers of Greylag Goose and Pink-footed Goose.

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