A riverside site, hailed as a “hidden gem,” is preparing for its annual surge of wildlife activity, experts report. Dunston Staiths, once a coal-loading hub on the River Tyne at Gateshead, now hosts a variety of species that claim its mudflats. Birds including curlews and lapwings will arrive over the winter during migration, while crustaceans and mammals such as otters make their home along the riverbank.
Heather Devey, of the Wild Intrigue nature group, calls the site an “under-rated” oasis for both wildlife and visitors.
A historic structure supporting nature
Built in the 1890s, the Grade II-listed Dunston Staiths once belonged to a network of 30 similar structures along the River Tyne during the industrial boom of northeast England. Stretching more than 500 metres, the timber framework resembles a pier and ranks as one of the largest timber structures in Europe.
Ms Devey says, “It feels like stepping back in time. Despite extensive development along the river, the Staiths provides a vital threshold where the estuary can thrive.” She explains that the framework traps mud and silt from the Tyne and the River Teams, creating rich habitats for marine invertebrates, crustaceans, and shellfish. Migrant birds feed on these abundant resources.
Migrating birds and autumn activity
Hundreds of redshanks, with bright orange legs, will share the mudflats with a similar number of lapwings. Ms Devey notes that lapwings stop for about a month before continuing their migration. “Their long bills allow them to reach the hidden life beneath the mud. They travel vast distances but remain loyal to their nesting and wintering sites.”
She adds, “From now until November, the wildlife activity peaks. Summer offers visual beauty, but autumn brings a remarkable soundscape.”
From industrial past to protected heritage
The Staiths ceased operations in the 1970s and endured several fires over the following decades. The Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust and the National Trust now maintain the listed structure. It forms part of the Tyne Derwent Way, a nine-mile trail linking historic riverside sites.
Wild Intrigue, a non-profit based in Ouseburn, Newcastle, leads nature-focused activities at Dunston Staiths. The organisation hosts public events throughout the year, including bird-watching walks and riverside nature safaris.
Ms Devey concludes, “Dunston Staiths is remarkably peaceful. You leave the hustle of Newcastle and Gateshead and enter a wild oasis that many overlook. It truly is a hidden gem.”
