The Friends of Saltwell Park have announced a series of four seasonal bird walks for 2026 to help residents discover local wildlife in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. These guided tours are designed to show how the bird population changes throughout the year in the 55-acre Victorian park, a popular local green space.
Local ornithologist Michael Turner — Chairman of the Friends of Saltwell Park — will lead the groups on four separate Sundays: 12 April 2026, 12 July 2026, 11 October 2026 and 13 December 2026. Each walk lasts for approximately two hours and meets at 10:00am by the lake in Saltwell Park. The sessions are intended to illustrate how the park’s environment shifts from spring through to mid-winter.
Over 70 species of birds have been recorded in the park, according to Birdingplaces. Visitors on the walks can expect to see commonly recorded residents such as kingfishers; summer visits often feature swifts and swallows, while winter months frequently bring species like redwings, mute swans and tufted ducks.
The walks are open to the public and require pre-booking through the Friends of Saltwell Park events page. The Friends list a small charge for these events—£1 for members and £2 for non-members—payable on the day; this contributes to the Friends’ activities in support of the park. Participants with specific accessibility needs should contact the organisers in advance, and the event listing has full booking details.
Saltwell Park is managed by Gateshead Council and has received Green Flag and other awards recognising its quality as a public green space. Often called “The People’s Park,” Saltwell opened to the public in 1876. The seasonal bird walks form part of the Friends of Saltwell Park’s ongoing community and wildlife engagement programme.
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