Short birdwatching visit · Northumberland Wildlife Trust / The Land Trust
Weetslade Country Park
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- Winter for Hen Harrier; spring for Skylark
- Headline birds
- Hen Harrier
- Parking
- Use the eastern car park beside High Weetslade Farm on the B1319, NZ260723.
- Hides
- Not stated by the operator
- Step-free
- Main tracks are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs; hilltop and off-track slopes are more demanding.
Between Wide Open and Dudley, North Tyneside
Weetslade is a managed wildlife reserve on a restored colliery site between Wide Open and Dudley. Northumberland Wildlife Trust names Grey Partridge in its habitat mosaic, spring Skylark over the grassland and Reed Bunting around the reedbeds. The combination makes a slow circuit of the public tracks more useful than heading straight for the hilltop viewpoint. Open ground, scrub and wet vegetation can be watched from the route without entering the grazing areas. The hill and its industrial landmark add an optional climb, while the main tracks offer a gentler approach through the reserve.
Birds and seasons
- Grey Partridge — Season not stated Source for Grey Partridge
- Skylark — Spring Source for Skylark
- Reed Bunting — Season not stated Source for Reed Bunting
- Hen Harrier · Headline bird — Winter Source for Hen Harrier
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Paths
- Main tracks are level and well surfaced; the climb to the hilltop is moderately steep and some eastern tracks are eroded.
- Toilets
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Parking
- Use the eastern car park beside High Weetslade Farm on the B1319, NZ260723.
- Dogs
- Dogs are permitted; keep them on a lead around grazing animals.
- Access notes
- Main tracks are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs; hilltop and off-track slopes are more demanding.
- Step-free access
- Main tracks are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs; hilltop and off-track slopes are more demanding.
Getting there: The main arrival is beside High Weetslade Farm near the B1319/A189 junction. The pin follows the Trust’s explicit public car park grid. Public bridleways also enter from Wide Open to the west, with level surfaced tracks; follow the signed route and current grazing notices when planning a circuit.
Sources
Social preview: original typographic artwork by Does Your Duck Quack.
Nearby special trips
- Souter Lighthouse, The Leas and Whitburn coast · 10.4 straight-line miles
- Cresswell Pond · 13.8 straight-line miles
- Druridge Pools · 15.0 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: WWT Washington, 11.0 miles away in a straight line.
- Big Waters: public eastern country park · 2.0 miles in a straight line
- Rising Sun: Swallow Pond nature reserve · 3.1 miles in a straight line
- Holywell Pond · 4.1 miles in a straight line