Bird watching
The North Pennines is a wonderful place to watch birds. The rich mix of habitats, wildlife and stunning landscapes in the AONB is unique in England. The thrilling swoop and cry of the lapwing during its breeding display and the ethereal bubbling song of the curlew are just two of the wonders to be found.
The moorlands of the North Pennines support a wide variety of birds such as the abundant red grouse, 80% of England’s black grouse and nationally important populations of golden plover, curlew, short-eared owl and merlin. Other breeding birds using the moors include dunlin, redshank, oystercatcher and meadow pipit.
Our woodlands support uncommon species like migratory wood warbler, pied flycatcher, redstart and tree pipit as well as a range of common resident species. The woodlands of Allen Banks and Staward Gorge are home to a population of the fish eating gossander. While upland hay meadows are of great importance to breeding birds such as yellow wagtail, redshank and lapwing.
Our bird walks will introduce you to the North Pennines, its special habitats and birds. Alternatively book a place on a wildlife tour or take part in one of the events at the Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve and Geltsdale RSPB Nature Reserve.
Allen Banks & Staward Gorge: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 3
![Pied flycatcher © NPAP Pied flycatcher © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp004_0.jpg?itok=oYZTOkcP)
Allendale: Hay Time Walk 1
![Great burnet © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett Great burnet © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp044.jpg?itok=2eecV8J9)
Ark on the Edge - Animal Rescue Centre, Teesdale
![Ark on the Edge © Ark on the Edge Ark on the Edge © Ark on the Edge](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp116.jpg?itok=k5p5fc5k)
Baldersdale: Hay Time Walk 3
![Species rich meadow © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett Species rich meadow © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp046.jpg?itok=iSNPhwWi)
Baybridge Picnic Area
Blackton Reservoir: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 14
![Oystercatcher © NPAP Oystercatcher © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp015_0.jpg?itok=BI5KQ66e)
Blanchland: Along the river bank (A trail of three tails!)
![Blanchland in bloom © NPAP/Shane Harris Blanchland in bloom © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp056_0.jpg?itok=BwswrLzT)
Blanchland: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 5
![Dipper © NPAP Dipper © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp006_0.jpg?itok=waqf8w5u)
Bowlees Picnic Area
![Gibsons cave © NPAP/Beck Baker Gibsons cave © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp075_0.jpg?itok=eKcBXJ3s)
Bowlees Visitor Centre
![Bowlees Visitor Centre © NPAP Bowlees Visitor Centre © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_19.jpg?itok=Z9HzuFBE)
Burnhope Head: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 7
![Merlin © NPAP Merlin © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp008_0.jpg?itok=XXWTWfzF)
Cowshill (Weardale): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 8
![Short-eared owl © NPAP Short-eared owl © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp009_0.jpg?itok=95tPUu0B)
Derwent Gorge: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 6
![Redstart © NPAP Redstart © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp007_0.jpg?itok=O3Be9fbn)
Derwent Reservoir - Walks, rides and wildlife
![Derwent Reservoir © NPAP/Shane Harris Derwent Reservoir © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_22.jpg?itok=ByF0vKIV)
Derwent Reservoir and Pow Hill Country Park
![Couple walking at Pow Hill Country Park © NPAP Couple walking at Pow Hill Country Park © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp057_0.jpg?itok=mPPyL5s8)
Derwent Reservoir: North Pennine Birdwalks - Site 1
![Black headed gull © NPAP Black headed gull © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp016_0.jpg?itok=px8Gtxux)
Dufton Pike: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 11
![Wheatear © NPAP Wheatear © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp012_0.jpg?itok=p4o8vgsS)
Egglesburn Wood
![Dipper © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk Dipper © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_20.jpg?itok=p65YJQi5)
Garrigill: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 10
![Common sandpiper © NPAP Common sandpiper © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp011_1.jpg?itok=ZQmYTICm)
Hamsterley Forest
![Hamsterley Forest © NPAP/Louise Taylor Hamsterley Forest © NPAP/Louise Taylor](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_23.jpg?itok=lv-4Mgf-)
Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve
![Hannah's Meadow © NPAP/Shane Harris Hannah's Meadow © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp119.jpg?itok=Vi30x48c)
Harwood Beck and Widdybank: North Pennine Birdwalks - Site 3
![Redshank © NPAP Redshank © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp018_0.jpg?itok=Z4bHEXJa)
Hayberries Nature Reserve
![Sand martins © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk Sand martins © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_21.jpg?itok=eyOq8F1O)
High Force and Bowlees Geotrail
![High Force © High Force ©](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/test001.jpg?itok=xpFI-9VP)
Howden Burn (Weardale): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 13
![Lapwing © NPAP Lapwing © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp014_0.jpg?itok=KCb_zlsP)
Ireshopeburn (Weardale): Hay Time Walk 2
![Path to the hay meadows in Ireshopeburn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Path to the hay meadows in Ireshopeburn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp045.jpg?itok=AmkldBH5)
Lambley and the South Tyne: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 1
![Curlew © NPAP Curlew © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp003_0.jpg?itok=7dxyoqjw)
Low Barns Nature Reserve
![Red Kite © www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer/blogspot.com Red Kite © www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer/blogspot.com](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp120.jpg?itok=dWH3XUfC)
Newbiggin and the Carriers’ Way
![Walkers on the heather moors © NPAP/Shane Harris Walkers on the heather moors © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp054.jpg?itok=oyqwjqj-)
North Pennine Birdwalks Site 2: Ouston Fell
![Swallow © NPAP Swallow © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp017_0.jpg?itok=Cq2q_uCt)
Over the hill to Cowbyre Farm
![Derwent Reservoir from above Blanchland © NPAP Derwent Reservoir from above Blanchland © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp055.jpg?itok=Ewo9LB_O)
RSPB Geltsdale Walking Trails
![Stagsike Cottage at RSPB Geltsdale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Stagsike Cottage at RSPB Geltsdale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp104.jpg?itok=8nBIeZZn)
Slitt Wood and West Rigg Geotrail
![Slitt Wood waterfall © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Slitt Wood waterfall © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp022.jpg?itok=wP5ldXI9)
Teesdale Reservoir Walk
![Hury Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker Hury Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp103.jpg?itok=ZdIh0Eic)
The Chimneys and Dryburn Moor (Allen Valleys): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 4
![Golden plover © NPAP Golden plover © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp005.jpg?itok=LAVl2N1l)
The National Trust - Allen Banks and Staward Gorge woodland walk
![Bluebells at Allen Banks © NPAP/Shane Harris Bluebells at Allen Banks © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp071_0.jpg?itok=czxoVU0w)
Tindale Tarn: North Pennine Birdwalks Walk 2
![Wigeon © NPAP Wigeon © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp002_0.jpg?itok=FxVIlCAi)
Tunstall Reservoir Walk
![Backstone Bank wood beside Tunstall Reservoir © NPAP/Ruth Starr-Keddle Backstone Bank wood beside Tunstall Reservoir © NPAP/Ruth Starr-Keddle](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp102.jpg?itok=KjB2b401)
Tyne Train Trails - Riding Mill to Corbridge
Up on the ridge: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![Knock Pike and the Eden Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Knock Pike and the Eden Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp078.jpg?itok=hD6rLsTR)
Upper Teesdale (Hanging Shaw): North Pennine Birdwalks Walk 12
![Black grouse © NPAP Black grouse © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp013_0.jpg?itok=CpHK4uO-)
Upper Teesdale Wildflower Walk
![Upper Teesdale walk © The North Pennines AONB Partnership Upper Teesdale walk © The North Pennines AONB Partnership](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_3.jpg?itok=55rOrfIh)
Waterfalls and wildlife walk: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![High Force © DCC/Mike Ogden High Force © DCC/Mike Ogden](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp077.jpg?itok=KCbxAI_v)
Wellhope Moor (Nent Valley): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 9
![Grey partridge © NPAP Grey partridge © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp010_0.jpg?itok=WnggNTDn)
Widdybank Fell Nature Trail: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![Cow Green Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker Cow Green Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp076.jpg?itok=8uVkjaco)
Wild North Discovery
![Wild North Discovery © Wild North Discovery Wild North Discovery © Wild North Discovery](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_10.jpg?itok=gro1K41Y)