By Bewick's Byways: Wildlife, Walking and Art

Today was the first in a series of walks along the River Tyne, all relating to Thomas Bewick:

"The ‘To Bewick and Back: From Cherryburn into History’ project, which celebrates renowned engraver Thomas Bewick, is leading a series of guided walks. In four stages, these explore the wildlife and heritage of a 45km route along the River Tyne, between Bewick’s house in Gateshead and his birthplace at Cherryburn in Northumberland."

Today 18 of us set off for an 12 km walk in very sunny, dry weather. The views across the river were clear and dramatic. The birds included osprey, redshank, gulls, shags, cormorants, goldfinch. There were common seals on the mud flats. The modern sculptures along the way invited discussion. We found a tiny habitat of salt marsh by the path with sea spurrey, sea aster and other salt loving plants.

We stopped for lunch by a new housing development overlooking the river. I'm not sure I would want to look at Dunstan staithes as the view from my bedroom, certainly not in the winter!

Next installment in 1 week's time.

PS Thanks to all of you who put yesterday's blip on the Spotlight page.