Description
Marden Quarry local nature reserve has mature woodland and limestone grassland, virtually the only exposure of magnesium limestone north of the River Tyne. A large wildfowl lake supporting breeding birds such as the (Βουβός) Κύκνος, Πρασινοκέφαλη Πάπια, (Κοινή) Φαλαρίδα, and Αρκοπετείναρο. Other common birds you can observe in the area include Σταχτόχηνα, Canada Goose, Καπακλής, Γκισάρι, (Κοινή) Φάσσα, Κεδρότσιχλα, Κοκκινότσιχλα, Χρυσοβασιλίσκος, Αιγίθαλος, Πευκοδρυοκολάπτης and (Κοινή) Σταχτάρα.
The natural cover provided here, only half a mile from the coast, can also attract migrants/vagrants. This has in the past included (Κοινή) Ροδόσπιζα, Πρασινοφυλλοσκόπος, Χιονοφυλλοσκόπος, Νανομυγοχάφτης and Κιτρινόφρυδος Φυλλοσκόπος.
Details
Access
Marden Quarry is situated just 10 minutes walk from Whitley Bay town centre. Grid reference: NZ 35543 71483. What3words: range.mash.action. There is a car park on site. Press P on the map for directions. The area is best explored on foot.


