Wildlife and nature

The sheer variety of habitats in Kielder Water & Forest Park, from woodland to marshy grasslands and bogs, create homes for a whole host of wildlife and is impressive and unique in the UK. Explorers can expect to encounter badgers, roe deer, otters, shrews, seven species of bat, many woodland birds and, especially in spring, birds of prey including ospreys.

What you might see while you’re here

The Park is also home to around 50% of England’s native red squirrel population, the last remaining stronghold in the country. The best place to catch a glimpse of one is at the red squirrel hide at Leaplish Waterside Park. Britain's Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009, Will Nicholls, snapped his winning image here. For more information go to latest news.

A refurbished hatchery and visitor centre at Kielder Salmon Centre features state of the art facilities for rearing both salmon and other rare species such as freshwater pearl mussel.

By keeping the water at a constant level at Bakethin Nature Reserve we have created a nature reserve, including three islands, which provide an important sanctuary for local plants, birds and other wildlife including otters. In addition, there is a bird hide.

There are also wildlife events throughout the park all year round including pond dipping, deer safaris, mini-beast hunts, family nature walks and bat nights, details of which can be found to the right of this page.

The spring is an excellent time to view birds of prey. Also, dragonflies and damselflies can be seen in the summer. Migrating birds are frequent sights in the autumn including fieldfare and redwing.

And in the winter, wildfowl, siskins, crossbills and hungry red squirrels are common sights.

The wildlife garden at Leaplish Waterside Park is open all year round and comprises a raised pond and butterfly shaped bed, a bog and drought garden and a nest box demonstration area. Adders, butterflies, stoats and amphibiants inhabit the garden. Nearby, the Kielder Water Birds of Prey Centre is open all year round except Christmas Day.

New at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre is the red squirrel room and also the new red squirrel hide is nearby. It was officially opened in 2010 by Axel Scheffler, author of the Gruffalo, as he launched his new book, How to keep a pet Squirrel.

We are delighted to confirm a pair of adult ospreys nested in the Park. They successfully hatched three chicks in 2009 - the first born in Northumberland for at least 200 years – and again in 2010. Experts are hopeful the adult ospreys will return to the same nest in 2011 and visitors can enjoy unique views of the birds thanks to special cameras we have on the nest.

Click here for top tips on spotting wildlife or click here to discover the best places in Kielder Water & Forest Park to see wildlife.