Wildlife Spotting in Northumberland from Herding Hill

Welcome to Herding Hill Farm, our 5 star campsite in Northumberland just a mile from Hadrian’s Wall and the market town of Haltwhistle. If you’re searching for wildlife spotting in Northumberland, you’ve picked the perfect base. From red squirrels and otters to curlews, owls and—on coastal day trips—puffins and seals, the region’s big skies and unspoilt habitats make it one of the UK’s best places to reconnect with nature. With hen harriers, ospreys and an occasional eagle bird-watching in Northumberland can be full of surprises.

Why choose Herding Hill Farm for a Northumberland nature break? 

• Central rural location: Minutes from Northumberland National Park landscapes, the South Tyne river corridor and Hadrian’s Wall country. Dark skies and Northumberland sunsets
• Wildlife on the doorstep: Hedgerows, meadows and the dramatic Haltwhistle Burn Gorge offer frequent sightings right from or near the site. 
• Nature-friendly stays: Quiet hours, spectacular stargazing and dark-sky lighting
• Comfort after exploring: Luxury amenity block, sauna for hire, licensed shop and hot-tub accommodation for star-filled wind-downs

What wildlife can I see through the seasons? 

• Spring (March–May): Courtship songs, curlew and lapwing on uplands; woodland arrivals like willow warbler; early wildflowers and frogspawn in ponds
• Summer (June–August): Dragonflies, butterflies and meadow blooms; puffins on coastal day trips; bat-watching at dusk; chance of osprey around Kielder
• Autumn (September–November): Fungi forays, migrating thrushes, rutting deer; grey seal pupping on the coast late autumn
• Winter (December–February): Starling murmurations, mixed finch flocks, visiting geese and swans; clear dark skies for nocturnal wildlife listening

Family-Friendly Nature Activities 

• Mini wildlife safaris: Spot pollinators and beetles along campsite hedgerows; count birds at feeders
• Pond & burn dipping: Try the calm waters of Haltwhistle Burn (supervise small children closely). 
• Wiildlife spotting checklist: Red squirrel, dippers, deer tracks, owl hoots, star gazing—how many can you tick off?

Local Wildlife Spotting Hotspots in Northumberland

Walltown Quarry

Walltown Country Park lies on the line of Hadrian's Wall, near the village of Greenhead, less than 5-minutes drive. or a scenic walk West from Cawfields Quarry. In respect of bird-watching in Northumberland you can expect to see ducks and buzzards so why not feed the ducks on your next visit? Accessible paths.

Habitat: Limestone crags, ponds, wildflower meadows. 

Look for: Skylark, meadow pipit, kestrel, dragonflies and orchids in summer; mixed flocks and raptors in winter. 

Haltwhistle Burn Gorge 

The Haltwhistle Burn is a river which lies to the east of Haltwhistle. It will take you just under 10 minutes to get there by foot from our Northumberland campsite and is the most scenic route from Herding Hill Farm into Haltwhistle. Our Local Dog Walks page includes a map.

Habitat: Ancient woodland and fast-flowing burn. 

Look for: Dippers, grey wagtails, red squirrels, otter signs, great spotted woodpecker, roe deer at dawn/dusk. 

Family tip: Gentle sections for mini-explorers; bring binoculars and a pond-dipping net.

Northumberland RSPB Geltsdale Nature Reserve 

Northumberland RSPB Geltsdale Nature Reserve (20-minute drive) is hidden away in the north-west corner of the North Pennines and is a beautiful nature reserve that encompasses two hill farms - Geltsdale and Tarnhouse. Here, whilst birdwatching in Northumberland you might see a hen harrier. 

Habitat: Moorland, hay meadows, upland rivers. 

Look for: Curlew, lapwing, golden plover, black grouse, hen harrier, short-eared owl; ring ouzel on stony slopes in spring

Allen Banks and Staward Gorge

Allen Banks (10-minute drive) is a 617-acre site which provides the perfect setting for an adventure and a woodland walk. Operated by the National Trust.

Habitat: Oak woodland and riverside

Look for: Redstart, wood warbler, treecreeper, fungi in autumn, and colourful spring wildflowers. Red squirrels

Northumberland Nature on the  Coast

Farne Islands

Operated by the National Trust, the Northumberland nature reserve of the Farne Islands, a group of islands off the coast of Seahouses, is a must-see. They are normally accessed via organised boat trips from Seahouses Harbour, a 90 minute drive from Herding Hill Farm. Operators such as Billy Shiels and Serenity Farne Islands operate locally, reservations are stronglt recommended.

Spot puffins and arctic tern on your visit (late Spring to mid-Summer), in recent years visitors have also been treated to dolphins and orcas.

Habitat: Marine reserve, dunes, rocky islets

Look for (seasonal): Puffins (spring–summer), guillemots, shags, Arctic terns, grey seals year-round (pups in late autumn).

Coquet Island

Lying just one mile off the coast at Amble, Coquet Island is a Northumberland RSPB nature reserve. It is a safe haven for over 30,000 pairs of seabirds. Here you may find puffins and arctic tern. Amble can be reached by car from Herding Hill Farm in around 75 minutes.

Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre

A Northumberland Wildlife Trust nature reserve, Hauxley is one of the best wildlife-watching spots in the North East, renowned for its bird life. Right next to the beach, it offers fantastic views across the length of Druridge Bay and is perfect for bird-watching in Northumberland.

Our blog Enjoy Wonderful Wildlife in Northumberland is a useful read for additional information.

Responsible Wildlife Watching 

• Keep dogs under control, especially during ground-nesting bird or lambing season (March–July)
• Use binoculars/zoom—avoid approaching snakes, nests or pups
• Stick to paths on sensitive habitats; leave no trace
• Dawn and dusk are best for shy mammals; move quietly and wear muted colours