Prestwick Carr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prestwick Carr |
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Prestwick Carr SSSI plantation (afar)
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 Location in Tyne and Wear
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| Location | Tyne and Wear, England, UK |
| OS grid | NZ195735 |
| Coordinates | 55°03′22″N 1°41′46″W / 55.056°N 1.696°W |
Prestwick Carr is a special natural area in northeastern England. It's a big, low-lying wetland located near Newcastle upon Tyne. This amazing place is found between the towns of Dinnington and Ponteland. Prestwick Carr is famous for being home to many different kinds of birds that love wetlands and open spaces.
Because it's so important for nature, Prestwick Carr is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It's also a nature reserve, looked after by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. A large part of this area is owned by the Ministry of Defence.
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What is Prestwick Carr Like?
Prestwick Carr is located in a low area filled with a type of soil called peat. This peat helps create different kinds of wetland habitats. A habitat is a natural home for plants and animals.
Wetland Habitats
You can find several types of wetlands here:
- Tall fen: This is a wet, grassy area with plants like soft rush and reed canary-grass.
- Carr: This is a type of wet woodland. At Prestwick Carr, you'll see trees like Common alder and downy birch growing in the wet ground.
- Raised bog: This is a special kind of wetland that gets its water only from rain. It's like a big, spongy mound. Today, a forest of conifer trees surrounds this bog.
In the past, these wetlands were much bigger. But over time, people drained some of the water away. The parts that are still wet have many different water-loving plants and animals. The remaining raised bog is home to a rare plant called bog rosemary.
Birds of Prestwick Carr
Prestwick Carr is a fantastic place for birdwatching! Many different birds visit or live here throughout the year.
Winter Visitors
In winter, the area is busy with wildfowl (like ducks and geese) and waders (birds with long legs that walk in shallow water). They come here to find food and shelter during the colder months.
Summer Residents
During the summer, several bird species choose Prestwick Carr to build their nests and raise their young. These include:
Owls and Rare Sightings
You might also spot different types of owls hunting here, such as barn owls and short-eared owls. Prestwick Carr has even had some very unusual bird visitors over the years. For example, in 1853, a pair of wood sandpipers nested here, which was very rare for England. More recently, in 2019-2020, an Eastern yellow wagtail spent the winter at the site. Other rare birds seen here include the great grey shrike and the little gull.
Dragonflies at Prestwick Carr
Prestwick Carr is also a great spot for dragonflies! These beautiful insects love the wetland environment. Early naturalists (people who study nature) made the first records of two types of dragonflies in Northumberland right here at Prestwick Carr. These were the four-spotted chaser and the common darter.
