South Gare, Redcar.

South Gare

A man-made breakwater at the mouth of the River Tees. The mixture of rough ground, sand dunes, tidal mud flats and both freshwater and saltwater pools make this a good spot for watching birds, if somewhat exposed in poor weather (though the access road allows for viewing on both sides from the comfort of your car). South Gare's bird list of 260+ is the best for any site in our region.

The "Shrike" bushes, is an area of the Gare which is near the slag plateau also known as the Quarries. This part of the Gare consists of a small marsh now mostly overgrown with Phragmites. There are also bushes that can hold small birds during migration periods. The insect laden elders and sycamores give some of the warblers a chance to refuel before they set off again. This is especially so if they have been blown off-course by easterly winds and have become disoriented.

The majority of bushes on the Gare have been planted by birders, to provide weary migrants with a place to stop off, rest and feed up before resuming their journey.

The cabin rocks is the  desert-like area, almost devoid of soil near to the fishermans huts.