Birdlife and Wildlife on Annstead Farm, Beadnell, Northumberland

The east side of the huge Ash tree seemed to burst into life: A small flock of tree creepers searched amongst the cracks and crevices in the bark for insects. All the while two great tits that appeared, by their manner, to be the owners of the ash tree, were watching them.

I watched their performances for several minutes; the tree creepers were certain the tree was theirs, while the tits ran up and down the lower branches chirping aggressively in a determined bid to see off the intruders. Suddenly, all went quiet, the tree creepers pressed themselves against the bark, and the great tits flew into a thick stubby hawthorn bush.

Overhead there was a harsh cry as a female buzzard slowly flew past. To the small birds, witnessing this it was frightening, but they had nothing to fear from the huge buzzard. Last year, the buzzards nested in a lone pine tree in the Dene. They raised one chick successfully and the three birds have spent the winter in the area searching for food. From their manner, they are looking to use the same tree again this year. These hawks are carrion eaters and rarely take live birds.

The tree creepers soon began their persistent search for insects once the shadow had swept off along the tree line. The great tits decided to submit to the flock of tree creepers and wandered off along the burn-side.

Rural Northumberland is a special place: its remoteness ensures large numbers of birds spend the winter in and around the area. Geese of various types are fast becoming regular visitors to flooded fields and wetlands along the coast. The nearness to the sea helps keep snow to a minimum so rape and grass often remain accessible as food when the higher ground is under several inches of snow cover. Recently swans have become common on fields they were never seen on. Flying off to roost on the mud flats of Budle Bay or Holy Island at night, they quickly turn up once more as the weak winter sun reluctantly pops its head over the horizon the following morning.



The resident roe deer population display the same aggressive tendencies as the great tits in as much as they consider the swans to be eating their food, and sometimes give them withering looks, which has little effect on the huge mute swans that have fear for few predators.

Over on the seashore flocks of waders spend their time prodding and poking amongst the rocks and sand for crustaceans before flying off as the returning tide chases them over the dunes into the coastal fields beyond. This year, a flock of Brent Geese have taken up winter quarters on a large sea pool, which emerges shortly after the high tide begins to ebb. They, like the swans, trek back to the safety of the mud flats as darkness looms.

Migratory birds of very many species pass up and down the coast, some stopping off for a rest or a feed. From huge mute swans to tiny chiff-chaffs to find a source of food, or shelter in the woods and coverts that grow close to the sea. Woodcock and wood pigeons fly in from Scandinavian woodlands and settle down to the relatively mild climate of Northumberland for the winter months. Watching their numbers dwindle as spring begins to appear is reassuring: if they are leaving for their summer haunts then we can be assured summer is just around the corner. It is then we begin to see the summer migrants.

Summer or winter, there is always something to feast our eyes upon. Sea birds, land birds big and small, there is always something on view at Annstead Farm near Seahouses for the specialist or the casual visitor to admire and appreciate.

Summer birds, and summer tourists flock to our area: all are welcome: all bring with them an individual charm that we residents hope to witness every year.

For your holiday in Northumbria, why not stay at Annstead Farm Holiday Accommodation, which has a range of luxury holiday cottage/cottages, a small hostel The Tackroom Bunkhouse, a secluded touring caravan and tent camping site or for those who prefer a more comfortable camping experience, or glamping as it is called nowadays, The Walled Garden. Annstead is situated between the seaside villages of Beadnell and Seahouses, just two minutes walk from miles of undiscovered sandy beaches and a short drive from Bamburgh, Alnwick and Holy Island (Lindisfarne). In The Lindisfarne Nature Reserve, it is a bird watchers paradise.

For more information on Annstead Farm Holiday Accommodation, Beadnell, Northumberland. NE67 5BT go to www.annstead.co.uk or email stay@annstead.co.uk. Telephone 01665 720387.