Birds of the North Pennines

We have chosen ten birds to look out for on a visit to Upper Teesdale, and also to feature on our beer mats, which can be found at the Langdon Beck Hotel. Many of these birds are scarce in other parts of the country due to the loss of the habitats they need. The North Pennines National Landscape team is working with farmers and landowners to help manage habitats for these birds in Upper Teesdale. We have been creating scrapes and shallow pools where curlew and other ground-nesting birds can feed. We also provide advice on rush management. Rushes provide cover for birds but they also need open ground between the rushes to feed.

Curlew

The haunting cry of the curlew can be heard in Teesdale in the spring when they return to the dale to breed having spent the winter months feeding in coastal areas. The curlew has a distinctive curved bill, making it is easy to distinguish from other birds. It is the largest wading bird in the UK. Curlews are on the Red List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more and hear the cry of the curlew follow this link: Curlew | BTO – British Trust for Ornithology

Lapwing

In the spring lapwings tumble through the air as they make a strange call that gives them their other name ‘peewit’. Lapwings are black and white with green and purple feathers on their wings. They also have a distinctive crest on their head. Lapwings are on the Red List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more and hear the lapwings call follow this link: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/lapwing

Black Grouse

The male black grouse is easy to spot with its distinctive black plumage and white tail feathers. The females are much harder to find as their grey and brown plumage provides camouflage as they sit on their nests. In the spring males will gather in a ‘lek’ to make ostentatious displays to attract a mate. Black grouse are on the Red List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/black-grouse

Snipe

Snipe are recognised by their long straight bill which they use to probe around in shallow pools and mud for invertebrates. They are more easily seen on a roadside fence post in the upper dale.  Both male and female snipe can make a drumming sound with their outer tail feathers while flying. These feathers are specially shaped to vibrate when the bird takes a shallow dive. Snipe are on the Amber List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more and to hear the snipe’s drumming sound follow this link: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/snipe

Ring Ouzel

The Ring Ouzel is a thrush which visits the uplands of the UK in the summer months. The male is black with a distinctive white breast band. These markings are not as well-defined on female and juvenile birds which may be confused with blackbirds. Ring Ouzels are on the Red List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more follow this link: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/ring-ouzel

Sand martin

The sand martin is a seasonal visitor to Upper Teesdale. They can be seen in the spring flying over the river catching insects. They are brown and their tails are shorter and not as forked as those of house martins. They nest in the sandy banks of the river. Sand martins are on the Green List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more follow this link: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/sand-martin

Oystercatcher

Their black and white plumage, orange beak and loud piping call make oystercatchers hard to miss. They are often seen calling on top of drystone walls. They return to Upper Teesdale in the spring to nest having spent the winter near the coast. The parent birds feed their well-camouflaged chicks as their bills are not long enough to probe into the mud to find food. Oystercatchers are on the Amber List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more follow this link: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/dipper

Redshank

As the name suggests adult redshanks have long red legs to match their long red bills. They are sometimes called the ‘sentinel of the marshes’ due to their loud alarm calls. Redshanks need taller vegetation to hide their chicks, preferably next to damp ground where they hunt for invertebrates. Redshanks are on the Amber list of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/redshank

Dipper

A swiftly flowing river is the perfect habitat for dippers. They often nest behind waterfalls and fly through the torrents to reach their nests. They wade into the river and continue walking underwater along the riverbed looking for aquatic insects. Dippers are on the Amber List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more follow this link: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/dipper

Red Grouse

The red grouse is endemic to the UK. Grouse shooting is widespread in the uplands and much of the moorland in the UK is managed to provide a good habitat for these birds. When you look across moorland it often looks like a patchwork for these birds. Grouse feed on new shoots of heather and need taller heather for cover. Red Grouse are on the Green List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

To find out more: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/birdfacts/red-grouse