NORTHUMBERLAND WILDLIFE TRUST
Nearest Town: Craster
OS Map: NU255197 (OS 50 000 Sheet 81)
This 1.2ha SNCI site is an old quarry within Craster Heugh, a whinstone outcrop.
Location and access: South west of Craster village, car parking in the public car park beside the reserve. Access is from the car park.
The reserve, an old quarry, is within Craster Heugh - a whinstone outcrop. The secondary scrub and woodland, together with its coastal location makes the reserve particularly important for both migrant and breeding birds. The woodland and scrub includes sycamore, ash, elm, Scots pine, elder and gorse with willow fringing the stream. Below the crags grow foxgloves, wood sage and the non-native lesser periwinkle, amongst other species. At the streamside are meadowsweet and water avens. There are patches of bracken and rosebay willowherb marking the sites of former gardens. Breeding bird species include sedge and willow warbler, chiffchaff and blackcap. Amongst the migrants, a number of rarities have been recorded including wryneck, icterine, reed and barred warblers, redbreasted flycatcher and bluethroat. The reserve is a moulting site for lesser redpoll. Alnwick Tourist Information Centre is located at the entrance to the reserve (open during summer). Picnic area and public toilets (including disabled toilets with RADAR lock) in the car park.