Introducing: My Coastal Birds of North Northumberland Collection

One of the great things about living in Northumberland is having the opportunity to see a huge variety of wildlife, right on my doorstep. The coastline, in particular, is a haven for bird life, with our dramatic rocky cliffs, wide sandy beaches, salt marshes, mud flats and isolated islands providing the perfect nesting and breeding grounds for a huge diversity of bird species, from the common -such as herring gulls - to the more unusual, like the migratory arctic tern, diving gannets and comical puffins. It is no wonder, then, that the Northumberland Coast was given Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) status in 1958, covering an area of 138sq km along 64km of coastline between Berwick-upon-Tweed and the Coquet Estuary at Amble.

Regularly spotting so many coastal birds is the inspiration behind my newest collection, celebrating seven species that can often be seen here. The collection features detailed watercolour and pen illustrations of Arctic Terns, Brent Geese, Cormorants, Eider Duck, Oystercatcher, Purple Sandpiper and Puffins.

Coastal Birds of North Northumberland - the collection

My Coastal Birds collection includes art prints, cards, a tea towel and coasters.

Set of x5 Large Square Note Cards

Each card features a watercolour illustration of one coastal bird, including the Arctic Tern, Brent Geese, Purple Sandpiper, Eider Duck, and Puffins, with a hand-written name label. Blank inside for your own message. Printed in the UK on to recycled cardstock and with a kraft envelope.

Art Prints - Coastal Birds and Coastal Birds Illustrated Map

One A4 art print features all seven bird illustrations with their name labels. The other is composed as an illustrated map of the North Northumberland Coast stretching from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Seahouses, available as A4 or A3 size. The map base was drawn digitally and depicts the North Northumberland coastline stretching from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Seahouses. The map is coloured in muted, earthy tones and includes sea depths in different shades of blue. The map’s cartouche is hand-drawn and features two of the main habitats for these coastal birds – the Farne Islands and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. At the bottom of the map, I have included a description of the birds and their habitats, making the piece a captivating blend of illustration and education.

Tea Towels

This illustrated map artwork has also been printed onto a generously-sized, 100% organic cotton tea towel - a lovely and practical addition to any kitchen!

Set of x4 Wooden Coasters

Each square coaster features a watercolour illustration of one coastal bird, including the Arctic Tern, Brent Geese, Purple Sandpiper and Puffins, with a hand-written name label and accompanied by a hand-drawn title illustration featuring the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne. Made from sustainably-sourced wood with a cork base and UV-resistant coating, these coasters combine natural elegance with functional durability.

Fine Bone China Mugs

A lovely quality, light-weight fine bone china mug, printed in the UK and featuring watercolour illustrations of the Arctic Tern, Brent Geese, Puffins and Purple Sandpipers with their hand-written name labels and accompanied by a hand-drawn title illustration featuring the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne.

Birdwatching Hotspots

Go anywhere along the North Northumberland coast and you'll be guaranteed some bird sightings, but some of my absolute favourite places to visit are:

• Berwick Lighthouse: walk along the pier out to Berwick Lighthouse and you'll have a fantastic view out across the estuary and into the North Sea. I've seen gannets, cormorants, kittiwake and gulls (as well as the odd seal and dolphin). This year the Tweed has had an even more exciting visitor - a minke whale - but sadly I've not been lucky enough to spot him!

• The Farne Islands: Take a boat trip from Seahouses harbour out to the Farne Islands in the breeding season and you'll be able to get up close to a number of large breeding colonies of birds like shag, kittiwake, guilliemots, gulls, and arctic, roseate and little terns.

• The Holy Island of Lindisfarne: Autumn is a great time to visit this island, which is reached by a causeway and only accessible at certain times of day (check before travelling). Internationally important species of wildfowl and wading birds overwinter on the island, including light-bellied brent geese, barnacle geese, pink-footed geese, wigeon, grey plovers and more. If you can't get over to the island, you can see a similar range of birds on the mud flats at Budle Bay on the opposite side of the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.