Description
Amble and the Coquet Estuary has sand and mud flats that attract resident, passage and wintering waders, gulls, and wildfowl. Passage migrants, including passerines, are regular. Coquet Island is the main UK breeding site for Розовая крачка, and also supports breeding Пестроносая крачка, Полярная крачка, Обыкновенная гага, and Тупик. There are several car parks in Amble village (the fish quay is a good starting point) and lay-bys on the A1068 as it follows the River Coquet between Amble and Warkworth.
Лебедь-кликун are often in the fields around the River Coquet, while the upper tidal part of the river has regular Малая белая цапля and wintering Большой крохаль, Длинноносый крохаль, and Гоголь. The mudflats have good numbers of waders, including Исландский песочник, Чернозобик, Краснозобик, Средний кроншнеп, and Травник. A colour-ringed Хохотунья, with yellow 'PKCS' ring, has been present in late summer for several years. Offshore, between the river mouth and Coquet Island, Синьга, Краснозобая гагара, and Черноклювая гагара can be present. Rarer visitors have included Люрик, Варакушка, Белопоясничный стриж and Рюм (in dunes to north).
Details
Access
Two car parks central in Amble, another off A1068 near the yacht club. Click on a P in the map for directions. Amble is in the England Coastal Footpath and N1 Cycle route. Bus services X18 and X20 operate between Newcastle and Alnwick, both passing through Amble and calling at Alnmouth rail station (8km north).
Terrain and Habitat
Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , River , Sea , Dunes , Beach , Plain , Mud flats , Agriculture , City/villageConditions
Flat , Sandy , Dry , Open landscape , High water possibleCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring , Autumn , Summer , Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , Car , Boat , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Coquet Island is operated as a bird reserve by the RSPB and landing is prohibited. Boat trips around the island operate from Amble harbour and are recommended during the breeding season. See the link below.
Note that the harbour breakwater paths are dangerous during east winds, with large waves breaking over them; do not attempt to walk on these in rough weather!


