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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, Sabljarka feed in front of the hide, and in autumn, Muljača and Sprudnik ubojica are frequent. There are lots of ducks and geese, with Kratkokljuna guska often in the thousands and Zviždara in hundreds in the surrounding fields in the winter; the small pool southeast of the main pond can attract Grogotovac in spring. Kukuvija can be seen too in the area. Bird feeders in the willows behind the hide attract Poljski vrabac and Strnadica žutovoljka; these willows also attract a few coastal migrants like Vatroglavi kraljić and Šarenokrili azijski zviždak in autumn. Rarities have included Beloleđa sprutka, Dugonoga sprutka, multiple Crnogruda sprutka, Trobojna liskonoga, Dugokljuna šljukolika, Pustinjski svračak, and Veliki trstenjak.
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 , ReedbedsConditions
Flat , Wet , Open landscape , High water possibleCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Unpaved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra 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. Sabljarka nested here in 2011, the most northerly site in the UK. Large numbers of waterfowl often roost here, with small numbers of Divlja guska and Kratkokljuna guska.