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Description
The Harthope is one of Northumberland's best upland valleys, with a mix of semi-natural Alder-Oak-Birch-Hazel woodland, Hawthorn scrub, sheep-grazed grass, and higher up, heather moors and some rocky crags and scree. The highest ground, on The Cheviot (815 m), is topped with blanket Sphagnum bog. If you are very lucky, the strenuous climb to the top may be rewarded with Šareni kulik on migration in May or September.
In the higher, steeper parts of the valley, Planinski kos breed, together with Sivkasta Bjeloguza. Large numbers of Livadna Trepetljka (the commonest bird here!) and Poljska Ševa breed on the more open grassy slopes. The heather moors have large populations of Red Grouse, sadly now managed for shooting; shooters also release large numbers of Crvenonoga jarebica and Fazan every year, likely with major detrimental effects on native ground-nesting birds. The lower slopes and woods hold Zelena žuna and Kukavica, and Crnoglavi Batić is a recent colonist with milder winters allowing their survival. Warblers include Brezov Zviždak, Zviždak, Siva Grmuša, Crnokapa Grmuša and Grmuša Pjenica. Few waders are present, but Šumska šljuka are resident in small numbers and Oštrigar and Mala Prutka breed along the Harthope Burn; there are also good numbers of Vodenkos and Gorska Pastirica on the burn.
Sadly, the site has not escaped the general declines in so many species; several have disappeared or become very scarce in recent years. Prugasta Trepetljka, Crnoglava Muharica, Crnoglava sjenica and Šumski Zviždak have all been lost or become hard to find, and even Šumska Crvenperka and Smeđoglavi Batić are much harder to find than just a few years ago. Raptors too have also become less easy to find, with just a few Škanjac and the odd Gavran, while Eja Strnjarica and Sivi Sokol have largely disappeared, probably due to illegal persecution related to the grouse shooting.
Like most upland sites, the area is bleak in winter, though deep snow seems to be largely a thing of the past. Despite this, good numbers of Mali Drozd and Drozd Bravenjak can be found, and the Birch and Alder woods attract Lesser Redpoll and Čižak additional to the resident breeding numbers.
Details
Access
Unfortunately, only accessible by car; no public transport nearby. Steep slopes on the road in make the site difficult for cyclists. Click on a P in the map for directions.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Mountain , Canyon/cliff , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Plateau , Valley , Moors/heathland , RiverConditions
Mountainous , Flat , Wet , Hilly , Rocky , Open landscapeCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Spring , SummerBest time to visit
SpringRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
StrenuousAccessible by
Foot , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
This is one of the best places in Northumberland to see Adders (Vipera berus), Britain's only venomous snake, though they are not easy to find. Cool but sunny days in spring offer the best chances, when they come out into the open to bask in the sun. For their (and your own!) safety, do not touch them. Other 'non-birds' to look for include Common Toad, Roe Deer and Brown Hare.