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Description
At Weetslade Country Park the old mine spoil heap, now landscaped and grassed over, offers a good lookout point for visible migration. The area is nesting habitat for Eurasian Skylark and Meadow Pipit, and feeding habitat for migrating Northern Wheatear on the north and west sides, and Greater Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Yellowhammer and other scrubland birds on the Gorse- and Hawthorn-covered south and east sides. Elsewhere, the small bird feeding station attracts many birds including Willow Tit. Two pools and their surrounding wetland hold Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler, and often one or two Little Egret, a recent colonist this far north. In winter, Redwing and Fieldfare are common on the fields at the west end of the site. Raptors include regular Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, and Eurasian Kestrel, and occasional passage Red Kite and others.
Details
Access
National Cycle Route 10 (Reivers Way) crosses Weetslade Country Park, and is the best way to cover it. Bus services 43 and 45 from Newcastle upon Tyne are 5 minutes walk from the west end of the site, and there is a car park at the east end (plus limited on-street parking at the west end).
Note that most of the paths become very wet throughout the winter, and after heavy rain at any time of year, as the ground is heavily compacted and with poor drainage.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Agriculture , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Plateau , Reedbeds , City/villageConditions
Flat , Hilly , Wet , No shadow , Open landscape , High water possible , SlipperyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , Spring migration , Autumn migration , SpringRoute
Wide path , Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Please approach the feeding station slowly, to avoid spooking birds using it! The seats for the feeding station are usually wet, so a sit-mat is useful.