Terns Turn-up at Beadnall Bay
In mid-May The National Trust cordoned off a section of the beach Beadnall Bay, about 8 miles east of Alnwick, to safeguard a colony of rare little terns who seem to have chosen it as a nest site.
Presumably encouraged by the choice of their rarer cousins, a much larger colony of arctic terns also appear to be choosing nesting sites at the same spot.
Both birds are normally exclusively island dwellers and make a rare sight on a fairly popular mainland beach, indeed little terns are Britain's second rarest seabird. Their choice however is proving a headache for The National Trust who have posted a warden to live on the site during the nesting season.
Whilst walkers are diverted around the beach close to the site, the Trust has created a secluded path to an observation post close to the nesting terns. The terns, whilst normally quite shy, seem quite accepting of the little wooden hut and its resident warden, making it possible to get really close views of these beautifully delicate and streamlined birds.
Whether you are a dedicated bird watcher of not, this is a great natural spectacle and well worth a walk, from either Newton-by-the-Sea or Beadnall Village.