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Birding Teesmouth (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR136A day on the estuary of the River Tees exploring the wonder of bird migration on the wetlands and mudflats of the north east coastline, an important flyway for migrants heading south from northern Europe.
£50 (land only)
Highlights
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Summary
Teesmouth is an astonishing area. Initially the juxtaposition of heavy industry with mudflats seems an odd one for a site of international importance for wildlife.
Quickly though one can see why it is such a brilliant place. The River Tees flows into the North Sea just north of Middlesbrough. Seal Sands, Teesmouth National Nature Reserve and the North Tees marshes (with RSPB Saltholme reserve) are vitally important feeding areas for birds. The RSPB, Natural England and many partners have invested heavily in expanding opportunities for wildlife in this area which has huge numbers of waders and wildfowl, as well as many summer migrants which choose this area to breed.
We will be visiting Saltholme RSPB reserve, the nearby Dorman’s pool, exploring the Common Seal haul-out at Greatham creek and finally looking for waders on the muddy expanses of Seal Sands. Please note that entry to Saltholme RSPB reserve for non-members (£3) is not included in the price of the Day Trip, and currently all facilities here other than the car park and trails remain closed.
We will explore these habitats on gentle walks, of no more than 3 or 4 miles in total, interspersed with short drives to maximise the number of habitats explored.
Please look at the detailed information below to read about the seasonal highlights of this Day Trip in spring and summer.
- Shimmering flocks of Golden Plover, Lapwing and other waders gradually being replaced by returning martins and terns
- Displaying Lapwing and nesting Common Terns (spring & summer)
- Large groups of Wigeon, Shoveler, Tufted Ducks, etc (autumn & winter)
- Look out for Peregrine and other raptors harrying the flocks
- Seals hauled out on shore
Early Spring
The waders and wildfowl such as golden plover, lapwing, curlew, wigeon, teal, shoveler and gadwall that gather in their thousands during the winter are developing their breeding plumage and are starting to leave for their breeding grounds. This number of birds still attracts the attention of various raptors and we may see an explosion of wings as a peregrine puts panic into flocks of feeding or roosting birds. During the winter large flocks of starlings often roost in the extensive reedbeds their murmurations a captivating spectacle which can linger on into early spring before breeding dispersal.
Lapwings, resplendent in their shining green plumage, are returning to breed in the wet grasslands of the area and their wonderful ‘peewit’ call can be heard as they stoop and dive over their nesting sites.
Sand martins are early returners from Africa too and are seen swooping low over pools to catch insects and Chiff-Chaff can call from just about any clump of trees.
Common seals are a speciality here and some wonderful views can be had at Greatham Creek.
Late Spring/Summer
The pools and wet areas of Teesmouth are perfect for insects which in turn attract a host of summer migrants. Swallows, Sand and House Martins swoop over the grassland and small pools scooping up the flying insects. Parties of screaming Swifts may also be seen during their all too brief visit to the UK. Bird song is at its peak now with warblers singing from reeds, bushes and trees and, overhead, the evocative song of the Skylark.
May sees the return of Common Terns as they establish themselves on shingle islands and other safe breeding sites. As the year progresses an almost continuous conveyor belt of terns can be seen flying out to sea and then back with fish to feed their insatiable chicks.
Chicks can be evidence out on the water as well with Great Crested Grebes carrying their young on their backs and ducklings such as gadwall, pochard, tufted duck, shelduck and mallard scuttling along after their parents.
Autumn & Winter
Autumn migration, running from late summer through October, brings large numbers of wading birds passing through from the Arctic to Africa, wintering thrushes such as Redwing and Fieldfare and large numbers of ducks and geese coming down to winter and escape the cold of Iceland and northern Europe.
Dates & Prices
2021

Tour Leader: Andy Bunten
Andy Bunten has been an obsessive enthusiast about wildlife ever since he can remember. Educated at Cambridge, Newcastle and Imperial College, he then embarked on a career in nature conservation. He has worked for local government, wildlife trusts and, for 26 years, the RSPB. He initially worked in RSPB Scotland then headed south to be the Regional Director for the South East of England for 5 years before, in 1991, moving to the North of England to take up the reins of Director there. An experienced lecturer, Andy has cruised extensively completing over 20 trips ranging from South America to the Philippines and from Argentina to Svalbard. Now an Environmental Consultant, Andy is an enthusiastic traveller and has led wildlife groups to numerous places around the world including the Seychelles, France, Egypt, Costa Rica, Panama, Borneo, Norway and Spitsbergen. Over the last few years, he has led Naturetrek holidays in France, Romania, Hungary, Sweden, Spain and Scotland. He loves leading trips!
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