Prestwick Carr
A low-lying area of farmland with extensive areas of wet and semi-wet grassland, ditches, woodland and hedges.
Owls
At specific sites including Big Waters and Weetslade there are reclaimed mine workings with a wide range of habitats and facilities that provide opportunities for the development of wildlife and ‘wildlife corridors’ linking habitats.
There is a hidden and diverse range of wildlife including the otter and all five native species of owl. There are also a wide range of wetland plant species and ground nesting birds such as snipe and redshank. Suburban housing around the fringes of the city and in in Wideopen, Hazelrigg, Dinnington and Ponteland. There is also a Ministry of Defence firing range within the area.
Regular short-eared owl (inset picture) and possible hen harrier , merlin in Winter. The site has also seen great-grey shrike in Winter.
Birds you may hear at Prestwick Carr
This is primarily a winter birdwatching site. Although there are breeding waders in the spring, the site is best for wintering owls and regular great-grey shrike.
