Events Our events programme for 2025 is now live. In addition to the scheduled events listed below, there will also be pop-up events and the Welcome Wagon will be roaming the Reserve and beyond, so if you see us out and about come and say hi – follow our social media for up to date information about what is happening. We look forward to meeting you and sharing the special place that is Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. All events are free and don't require booking unless stated. You can print your own copy of the poster by clicking on the events tab. If you need more info please ring the Reserve office on 01289381470 or email mandy.fall@naturalengland.org.uk.

Goose Festival!!

           Come and join us for a week of Goose festivities at Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve!!

GOOSE GALA - 21st and 23rd October - 11am - 2pm. Come to the Window on Wild Lindisfarne building on Holy Island where we will have lots of information about the Geese that spend the winter here. There will also be lots of goose related fun and games for all the family.

DAWN CHORUS - 29th, 31st October and 2nd November - 7am - 9am. We will have staff and volunteers stationed at the Budle Bay platform along the white railings at the crack of dawn to view the spectacular flight of wintering geese as they leave their overnight roost to head to feeding grounds. Marvel at the sight and sounds of thousands of geese flying above your head. It is an amazing way to start the day!

GOOSE WATCH - 30th October and 1st November - 11am - 2pm. If the early morning is not your thing, you can join staff and volunteers at Harpers Heugh overlooking Budle Bay to view thousands of birds utilising the bay and surrounding farmland. Get great views with the provided telescopes and binoculars as well as expert knowledge.

                                                   Locations of events around Budle Bay

All events are free and don't require any booking.

Celebrating 60 years of Lindisfarne NNR - Festival Of Nature - 26th August

Looking for something to do on the bank holiday?

Come join the team from Lindisfarne NNR for a hunt around Holy Island, complete your question sheet and return for a prize.

Shorebird season update

It has been a really busy time for the Shorebirds on the Reserve. Little Terns and Ringed Plovers have been raising young for the past few weeks now and many of the chicks are now well on their way to fledgling. However, this is still an incredibly critical time for them as they become even more vulnerable instead of less.  Small chicks running around are more likely to draw the attention of predators such as Crows, Kestrels and Foxes amongst others. The chicks are also now freely roaming outside the netted areas and have resulted in us restricting access to the foreshore in certain areas to allow them time and space to feed and roost. It is incredibly important to give the birds this space as many have to make huge migrations to there wintering grounds to Africa and beyond. This is also true of the chicks whose first long flights might take them thousands of miles away from where they bred on the shores of the Reserve.

Little Tern chick. Can you spot it?

Fledgling Little Terns have been using the foreshore

Early indications are that it has been a good season. Despite the cool, wet start to spring and summer the tides have been kind and there was no tidal innundation of any of the nesting sites. We will give a full round up with all the breeding numbers at the end of the season

Poster you will see out and about on the Reserve

Fulmar Watch cancelled

 Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances the Fulmar watch that was scheduled for Saturday 13th July is cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience caused

Shorebird Season Starts

 

Over the last week the NNR team have been out putting up protective fencing around the reserve - Goswick, Ross Sands and Holy Island. We experienced sun, bitterly cold wind and hail. Over 200 posts have been erected at Goswick alone! 

The fenced areas provide a refuge area where Ringed Plover and Little Tern can feed, rest and breed in safety. The fences are a barrier to predators and also stop visitors from trampling on camouflaged nests.

There is currently no access beyond the Wide Open on Ross Back Sands to the Beacon, there are many Ringed Plovers on nests and this is also an important area for roosting waders and resting seals. Staff will be on-site and more than happy to show you the wildlife around.

Shorebird Awareness Festival!

 

Come and join us for a fantastic week of events highlighting the Shorebirds on the Reserve and the beginning of the breeding season. Find out all about how the different species breed, what we do on the Reserve to protect them and how you can help these red listed species come back from the brink.