Harthope...A Pleasant Valley Sunday.

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land
Mothers complain about how hard life is
And the kids just don't understand

Creature comfort goals
They only numb my soul and make it hard for me to see
My thoughts all seem to stray, to places far away
I need a change of scenery

Lyrics by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and sung by the Monkees.

19^th May.  Recent years have always included a spring trip to Harthope Valley in the Cheviots and this year was to be no exception.  I enjoy the area so much, at least partially because of its remoteness, as once away from the small parking areas you can have the place and its wildlife to yourself, well away from the rest of generally noisy humanity.  As Andy, Sam and I approached Wooler today we were glad to have left the thick mist that marred part of the journey behind us.  That’s not to say that the morning was fine spring weather, as it was far from that, with thin mist never far away from us.  However at least the previous days heavy rains had departed and we were free to enjoy the area to the full.  The burns ran fast and at least in places the trees appeared to be coming into some colour.  We had seen a Common Buzzard on our journey north and this was to be the only raptor seen today.  Our short stop at the bridge at Carey Burn brought us sightings of Dipper and five Red Legged Partridges, whilst Chiffchaff called.  We were passed here by the small NTBC group I knew were also visiting today.

It wasn’t long before we were climbing o higher ground in the Hawsen Burn area.  This path seems to get more difficult to negotiate as each year passes.  I know later in the summer it can be very difficult once plant growth is high.  I had promised Andy Whinchats and Ring Ouzels aplenty today.  The Whinchats certainly obliged with I’d estimate at least five or six pairs of this species.  At least one pair seemed to be nesting on higher ground than I had noted them in the past.  Red Grouse were about in numbers and were often lifting from the heather and showing well in flight.  Skylarks were heard and there were numbers of Meadow Pipit about.  Willow Warblers were quite numerous too.  The odd Curlew was heard as it flew over the area.  Unfortunate we found no sign of Ring Ouzel apart from detecting what we thought was calling on one occasion.  We spent a good bit of time in this area and it wasn’t for the want of trying that we failed to spot this species.  This is the first time I have walked this area in spring and not seem them, usually seeing them in some numbers.  It’ll be interesting to find out if the other group had better luck in the afternoon.  Sam did get his eye on a Grey Partridge which Andy and I saw briefly as it flew across the heather.  Wheatear was seen briefly and again later as we left the valley.

No shortage of Whinchats

 

One thing which made up for the lack of Ring Ouzels (fortunately we had had a sighting in Teesdale last weekend) was the finding of Slow Worm.  The first Slow Worm I have ever found and a very interesting reptile it is.  Having read the Northumbrian Naturalist, Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles of the North East, I see that Slow Worms can live perhaps 10-15 years.  I have actually just read on the internet that 30 years is perhaps not uncommon and that in fact the record age for a Slow Worm in captivity is held by one which lived until 54 years of age at spent much of that time at Copenhagen Zoo.  Sam had told me how attractively marked that this species can be and having looked closely I can see what he means.

My first ever Slow Worm.  Wonderfully marked.

 

Once back down by Harthope Burn we set off to walk up the valley, passing the NTBC group on their way back.  We exchanged a few words as to what had or hadn’t been seen.

Under the Hood Photography...a name you'll hear more of in the future I'm sure!

 

I expressed surprise that we hadn’t heard Cuckoo.  In fact initially the area seemed very sparse of birdlife apart from Swifts, Swallows and House Martins.  We did eventually pick up some decent sightings which included a pair of Common Sandpipers, a pair of Spotted Flycatchers and a pair of Grey Wagtails.  Yet another pair of vocal Whinchat were found.  A third Grey Wagtail was seen on our return walk.  A pair of Pied Wagtail were seen at Langleeford Farm.  Song Thrush was heard singing and Mistle Thrushes seen and heard in flight.

No shortage of Chaffinches in the valley.

 By now the skies had cleared and the sun was hot as we sat and overlooked the burn and watched the Common Sandpipers.  We’d dressed for the conditions of the morning so a layer or two had to be removed.  As we began our return walk we each picked up the call of Cuckoo.  It was difficult to attempt reach a point where we knew how many Cuckoos were about.  We saw one briefly as it flew across the valley.  Then later when Andy was sure he had seen a Ring Ouzel in flight we had a rather better sighting of Cuckoo.  I was lucky as I happened to have my binoculars at my eyes when it flew past so I have a very good but very brief sighting.  I’d estimate that there were at least three Cuckoos about this area.   We saw more Oystercatchers and Curlews, the latter birds displaying above the valley sides.  House Martins were busily collecting mud for their nests that were about the farm area, but we were only able to get a distant image with the cameras.  Some more general interest was added when we found a Common Toad and a Green-veined Butterfly.

Green-veined White Butterfly

Common Toad

 

After having made the most of our day we set off, stopping at Carey Burn again where we found the Red-legged Partridges were still about the area.  Lesser Black Backed Gulls flew up the valley.  Our first Lapwing and Greater Black Backed Gulls were seen as we approached Wooler again.  I don’t think I was the only one that was tired.  I reckon we had walked a good few miles.  I reckoned we’d seen very few people on our walk but Sam and Andy took delight in listing the ones we had seen which eventually formed a little list.  I think it is that when I’m in such areas I’m focussed on the area and the wildlife and people tend to pass me by in more ways than one.  It had been another pleasant valley Sunday!

Great White Night!

16^th May.  Marsden was blessed with sun today, but it was still cold!  I’d gone down there for lunch with a friend and we took advantage of the fine day to walk the cliffs and beach.  I’m always in my element when there are sea bird colonies to watch.  The cliffs were covered with the nests of Kittiwakes and Fulmars of course.  Several pairs of Razorbill were also seen on nests and visiting the sea to fish.  We commented about our initial view along the cliff edge and past what remains of Marsden Rock that surely if this landscape was on some hot continental coastline that there would be much show made of such an area.  Thankfully it isn’t and it was cold so quite quiet and peaceful.  I do think I was tanned a little.

Kittiwake, Kittiwake.

 

We walked along to the Sand Martin colony and watched the birds flying in and out of the nest site.  I looked north and picked up many familiar sites on the coastline.  At one point on the walk I almost convinced myself that I’d picked out a Red-rumped Swallow, but then accepted that it had probably been a trick of the light (although I am left wondering).  A pair of Kestrels was watched copulating near what I think was the likely nesting site.

Before leaving we took a walk south of Souter Lighthouse. Initially I thought there was little about but I soon picked up the song of Common Whitethroat and Blackcap.  It had been a really nice way to spend a few hours and Razorbill was a year tick. 

Souter Lighthouse

 

I spoke to Sam on the way home and we agreed our arrangements for a visit to Holywell in the evening.  The sun was shining when we arrived at Holywell Village, but there was still that nip of cold in the air.  We arrived at the members hide to be told that a Cuckoo had been seen and heard.  Surely enough after a few minutes we heard the call of Cuckoo.  Not only a first of the year for me, but a first for me on this walk.  Sam picked up the song of Reed Warbler and there were numbers of Sedge Warbler singing that manic song of theirs.  Swallows were flying over the pond.  We later found larger numbers of House Martins and occasionally Swifts swooped low past our heads making quite some noise as they did so.  Other birds on or near the pond included Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Mallard, Gadwall, Shelduck, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Grey Heron.  We found a pair of Common Sandpiper near to the public hide.  Lapwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark and Reed Bunting flew in the area.

It was the intention of Sam and me to walk down to the dene and then walk back across the open fields.  This is such a pleasant way to spend such an evening.  By the time we had walked to the east flash and checked it out our plans changed and we just continued walking northwards.  Our walk was a slow one as we were trying to capture images of the many Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Goldfinch, Linnet and Yellowhammer.

The light went quite quickly this evening as the clouds quickly came in from the south and west.  We took a stop in the open fields on our return hoping for sightings of owls, but we had no luck with that, finding only distant Pheasants.  We walked back to the public hide and the Common Sandpipers were showing well.  I saw no sign of Green Sandpiper as reported in the hide when we looked.

Malcolm had kindly offered to pick us up.  When Sam made contact he was out walking the dog so said he’d be thirty minutes.  I suggested checking out the members hide again.  I thought this would fill in the time on a very nice evening before we went home.  I hadn’t expected to find anything of importance.  As we chatted in the hide and prepared to close the shutters and leave for home I caught, from the corner of my eye, something flying in from the west end of the pond.  I took a look and it was an egret being mobbed by corvids.  It was a split second when I called Great White Egret. The bird gave a great sighting as it flew to the east end of the pond and landed in on the edge of the reed-bed.  Sam was off, texting Malcolm on the way to say we might be a little longer arriving at the village.  I locked up and followed.  As it happens the bird wasn’t visble from the public hide, but it soon took off again and flew back across the pond.  The hole in the hedge gave us a good viewing point.  It flew into the reed-bed again than onto the top of the trees.  It was for a short time accompanied by a Grey Heron giving a really good perspective of size.  We did check for Purple Heron!  We watched it on top of the trees for several minutes as I sent a txt to Holywell Birding who unfortunately was otherwise engaged.  We knew we couldn’t hang around much longer in the now dimming light so we agreed to make of home with apologies ready for keeping Malcolm waiting.:-)  As we prepared to go the Great White Egret took to flight again and eventually flew behind the tree line, I thought probably getting prepared to roost for the night.  I note that Great White Egret was reported at Druridge Pools today and assume this is the bird that has been showing around Northumberland the past week or two.

Common Whitethroat

 

On my travels outside of the UK I have seen I estimate hundreds of Great White Egrets.  I’ve been on trips where they are almost completely ignored as they are so common and the birders prefer to concentrate on finding other species.  They’ve always attracted me, but this is only the second Great White Egret I’ve seen in the UK.   Sam and I are very rarely involved with twitching as we prefer to do our own thing in our own way.  I have to say though, that finding such a species ones self on what is really our ‘second patch’ gives a very rewarding feeling and I’m pleased that I can still get excited about bird watching.  I was delighted that Sam had only his second sighting of this species and certainly his best by a long chalk.  Made even better as we had so narrowly missed the species at Prestwick Carr recently, presumably the same bird.

Yeah I know!  You had to be there really. 

On reflection I realised that had not Malcolm taken the dog for a walk, we would have missed the Great White Egret.  We definitely owe one to the dog!

So another typical, more than pleasant, Holywell evening, offering quite a bit of botanical interest now too, along with great birding.  This all meant that it was better than ‘All Right on the Night’.

All Weather Birder Title Awarded in Teesdale!

11^th May.  Sam and I left Newcastle with the RSPB group at 9.00am.  It was dry, but it didn’t last!

Shortly after 10.30am we were at Langdon Beck having fairly distant but none the less very good sightings of Black Grouse.  It wasn’t long before we were watching five of them and I was pleased that Sam got the chance of sightings rather closer than the ones we had at Geltsddale in the mist last year.  The rain had started and it was cold!  Lapwing, Osytercatcher and Curlew also flew in the area.  We had seen Red Grouse in some number as we crossed the moors and a Kestrel on the journey was the only raptor we saw all day.

Shortly after 11.00am it was decision time.  Did we want to walk to Widdybank Farm and look for the target bird, Ring Ouzel, or stay on the coach until it reached the reservoir and look for the target bird Dotterel?  I was fairly confident that Dotterel would not be found (although we have had great views of them in this area some years ago), so despite the downpour I was off the coach with what I can only call the hard core of the group.  The temptation of Dotterel, or perhaps more to the point in some cases, a warm coach, was a temptation that many could not resist!

We headed off towards Widdybank Farm with rain and wind in our faces.  I forecast sunshine within thirty minutes and I was correct, but unfortunately the rain just got heavier and heavier.  Sam and I dropped back from the group and found Common Snipe in the air.  There seemed to be little else about.  We caught up with the group again and we did find Wheatears.  There didn’t seem to be any Ring Ouzel about and I began to wonder if they had sought shelter further up the valley.  The wind made it near by impossible to hear any calls.  Once close to the river we did have good, but distant views of a pair of Whinchat and numbers of Willow Warblers.  Our good friend AS’s voice echoed in the valley as he called out some information in gentle tones.  This did wonders in flushing our first Common Sandpiper of the day and my first of the year!  By now water seemed to be soaking through my outer layers and the only time Sam and I were out of the rain was when we nipped into the barn for a short time.  It was tempting to stay there, but we resisted.

As we chatted in the area of the farm I think we had all given up on Ring Ouzel.  I’d never been to this area and not seen them.  Just before we turned to make the return journey with the heavy rain at our back, our trip leader spotted a Ring Ouzel on the fence.  Sadly by now some of the hard core had found their softer centres and were heading back to our pick up point.  I’m happy to say however that most of us had an excellent sighting of the Ring Ouzel.  Our wetness and discomfort was forgotten.  Also seen in the vicinity were Redshank and another Common Sandpiper.  I think everyone managed to see the Common Snipe when we returned to the pick up area.  The coach was waiting for us.  We climbed on board and dripped as we warmed up.  I do believe one of the other party asked if there had been much rain!  There had certainly been no Dotterel and many looked too dry to be true.  I didn’t like to ask if they had even left the coach.

Our short rest stop at the High Force Hotel was lengthened for a couple of reasons.  Firstly even the hard core were tempted by the warmth of the tea room and bar.  Secondly there had been a serious road accident on the road to Bowlees Vistor Centre and therefore the road had been closed.  The sun came out as we entered the tea room!

Sam and I weren’t going to sit drinking tea when the sun came out so we ate our lunch quickly, knocked back some water and went for a walk.  We walked along to the area where Sam remembers identifying his first ever Lapwing!  He and I then had a further decision to make as the rain began to pour down again.  Do we walk to High Force for photographs, or in the other direction and concentrate on the birding?  We decided on the latter, and as it happens I’m very pleased we did.  In any event it simply wasn’t photography weather and we hadn’t brought the filters of tripods.

Down by the River Tees we did have some very good sightings.  There were numbers of Willow Warbler along the edge of the river and it wasn’t long before I’d picked up a male Redstart.  We had excellent sightings of two Spotted Flycatchers, at least another two Common Sandpipers, Dipper, Great Spotted Woodpecker and an odd Chiffchaff.  By now the rain was lashing down, together with a mix of hail.  I was beginning to feel the chill of dampness.  What warmed me though was the finding of the male Redstart again and watching this for at least twenty minutes.  I don’t ever remember having the chance to watch this fantastic species before, for this length of time without interruption.  I’m pleased that many of our group managed to get decent sightings.

We did eventually make back towards the coach ad I think even the hardest of the hard core were pleased to get back to their seats to warm up and dry out.  A Song Thrush appeared next to the coach just before we left.

What happened next?  Yes the sun came out and the skies cleared to give a perfect evening.  Ahh well, as I said at the time, I’d rather be out in the wilderness even in heavy rain, than sitting about elsewhere and especially when such great, if at times difficult, birding was available.

On the way home Sam alerted us to two Roe Deer, Common Tern and Greylag Geese.  The group list came to fifty-four bird species which given the habitat and conditions was I think a good enough count.  My own personal total came to fifty.

Sam has now qualified as a fully fledged all weather birder.  I have to say a title he has been after for a while, and I have to say well earned.  A really good day giving me five new year ticks.  A bit wet and uncomfortable at times, but all part of the fun of the outdoors.  Last time I was as wet was on Islay about three years ago, and similarly for Sam when soaked on Holy Island.  It’s only water and water soon dries.  Oh and yes, eight Black Grouse were noted as we again passed Langdon Beck.

A Swift Return

8^th May.  At last, the Swifts have returned to Killingworth Lake.  Eight, maybe ten flew in the area this evening.

Forget-me-not species probably growing as a garden escape.

 

The light was really good for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the storm clouds began to accumulate.  I didn’t hang around too long, as heavy rain looked a certainty, although I fact it hasn’t started even now.  The Grey Heron flew up and down by the reed-bed as Swallows and at least five Common Terns flew over the lake.

Grey Heron

Before the rains came.

Wagtail and Warbler Fest.

6^th May.  I took a walk down to the lake after dinner and expected to get little further than this, which didn’t matter at all as the atmosphere on a quiet, warm and sunny evening was grand.  Dry, sunny and warm, could it really be a Bank Holiday?  The changing of seasons was more noticeable than at any time this spring, which at times has threatened to be a non-event.  The Great Crested Grebes were busy at the nest, with the sitting bird deciding to take to the water for a few seconds, then with seeming difficulty, climb back on the nest and almost Penguin like, stand and move part of the nest around.  A Grey Heron looked at its best as it stood by the small reed-bed for some minutes before taking to the air and flying across the lake.  A group of youngsters walked past engrossed in their chat and totally oblivious as to what was going on next to them on the water.  Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler sang, and a Common Tern dived and skimmed the water.  My peace was broken when my mobile phone rang, but not before I had picked up the call of Reed Warbler.  (I was unable to locate the bird, but will be back)  Lee wanted to know if I fancied a quick trip up the coast.  It would have to be quick as it was now 6.45pm.  I warned him that the Purple Heron and Great White Egret were no longer being reported.  Lee often needs a rarity to keep his interest going.  He mentioned Temminck’s Stint. :-)  I thought a quick trip would be worthwhile anyway, so prepared to be picked up within a few minutes.  We had an interesting journey as Lee’s friend from Kurdistan accompanied him and we had a chat about our various travel experiences and her brother who had recently visited Newcastle.  I believe he has just returned to Erbil in Kurdistan.  Anyway he is a keen photographer, so I await details of his website, and I must read up about Erbil as in all honesty I can’t say I’ve heard of it.  Although with recent history surely I must of, and it has now just slipped my mind!

We soon arrived at Druridge Pools, although not as early as we had expected, as engrossed in the chat we found ourselves heading past Red Row!  We found a Common Snipe right outside of the hide and Little Grebe close to the edge of the water, but the lowering sun made a photograph pointless.  It was a flying visit so we didn’t have long to search for birds so I made that clear when someone asked me ‘if we had seen much’.  I am always fearful that when I say ‘no there’s not much about’ that they go along the path and find a first for Northumberland and then wonder which clown they had just spoken to.  Not that I’m too concerned as to my image in birding circles, as there are far more important things in life to concern me.  I never the less wouldn’t like to bump into the same person five minutes later  only to be told what I’d missed.:-)

Willow Warblers were singing and showing well right outside of the hide, Sedge Warbler song was more distant and a Grey Wagtail was near the flashes.  We watched the likes of Grey Heron, Shoveller, Teal and Redshank whilst the call of Curlew was in the air.  Lapwings were dotted about the area.  We then made off quickly for Cresswell Pond so as to arrive before sundown. Lee remained keen, as the person we had spoken too had told us that the Temminck’s Stints (now two of them) had relocated to the spit at the pond.

The air was full of midges, but thankfully nothing appeared to be biting.  Sadly we have too few evenings like this in the UK, and especially on the Northumberland coast, but when they do happen they ought to be enjoyed.  We stopped at the causeway and immediately spotted two of the Avocets and then Yellow Wagtails.  There was at least seven or eight Yellow Wagtails here amongst the Pied Wagtails.  Avocet and Yellow Wagtail were both year ticks for me.

I got my sunset but not a sundowner!

 

I took a look through the bins at the hide and noticed eyes pointed towards the sand bank.  This had Lee going thinking that the Temmink’s Stint were being watched, so as the sun was going to be lost very soon we made off towards the hide.  We found Tree Sparrows in the hedges.  The sound of Sedge Warblers was everywhere.   If I’m honest, I just couldn’t begin to estimate numbers.  Once in the hide we also had a reeling Grasshopper Warbler close by.  We also found a friendly group of local’s drinking wine.  Not sure if Lee thought this was appropriate in a bird hide, but I was just hoping that they might offer me a glass of red wine!  Sadly the bottle or bottles now appeared empty.  I wondered if the group were seeing birds that I wasn’t.:-)  There were no Temminck’s Stint, but Lee seemed to cope.  However there was another pair of Avocet showing really nicely and at least eight more Yellow Wagtails on the sand bank.  These were definitely not the same birds seen by us at the other end of the pond as our friendly wine drinkers had been photographing them while we were watching the other birds.  I eventually got my eye upon Sedge Warblers, still singing loudly across the reed beds.  Along with them were number of Reed Bunting and at least another six Yellow Wagtails which had taken to the reeds.

It had been a short, but very rewarding visit.  I had almost become intoxicated with the song from warblers and the stunning colour of the wagtails, and sadly only the smell of red wine!  If I ever gate crash one of your hide wine evenings I can let you know now I prefer red to white.  Perhaps I need to think about taking my own in future.

As we left the sun had been down below the horizon for sometime and I thought it was ideal conditions for the Barn Owl to be out.  The owl itself obviously thought differently and we didn’t catch sight of it.  A very nice evening all the same.  A conservative estimate of Yellow Wagtails seen came to twenty-two and I didn’t even try to estimate the number of warblers.

Black Day.

4^th May.  I was awake at 3.30am this morning listening to Blackbirds singing, soon to be joined by other songsters.  I wondered if was such a good idea to be getting up at 4.15am and heading for the Rising Sun Country Park for the Dawn Chorus event.  Surely the climax is going to be over before I even get there I thought!  As it happens I think I was probably correct and a 5.30am start to the walk seemed to be too late.  Although I’m not so sure that a dawn chorus, as such, ever really got started.  Even the organiser acknowledged that we were a bit late.  Not to worry as I have my own dawn chorus adventure planned.  Make sure your alarm is in working order Sam!

Anyway as we walked around the park I noticed I wasn’t the only one with a running nose.  As well as the cold air I think the pollen count must have been high and the smell of pine was strong.  The heavy rain didn’t help either, and I do recall Mistle Thrushes singing before the downpour.  The ‘storm cock’ never lets me down.  I was soaked, so a good breakfast at the end of the walk was more than welcomed.  Yes folks it did rain very heavily early on today, but I’m guessing quite a few of you were still tucked up in bed.  Warblers heard and seen were Common Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap.  Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed loudly.  My highlight was watching two Grey Partridge slowly meandering across the fields.  I’m not sure many of the group saw them as by this point everyone seemed to have given up and chatted as they headed for the centre and breakfast.  I have to say that the chatting throughout the morning was a problem.  Why get up so early in the morning to listen for a dawn chorus if your going to chat throughout?   A major problem with any kind of group bird watching activity I suppose and the main reason I’m less and less keen on such situations.  I did make a comment about this on the feedback and I feel participants should have been asked to keep the chat down.  I’m sure I can’t have been the only one who noticed this.

Best part of the morning as far as I’m concerned was a later visit to Holywell.  Much more peaceful and despite it being later in the morning, much more bird song including my first Sedge Warblers of the year.  A short visit was made to the pond area where Shoveller and Goldeneye were included in birds seen.  I can’t remember my last visit to Holywell when I didn’t see Tree Sparrows, but I didn’t see any today.  More Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, in some number, and three pairs of Blackcap in a relatively small space in the dene.  Yellowhammer, Linnet and a Grey Wagtail near to the nesting site of last year were seen along with the likes of Stock Dove.  Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard again.

This evening, as I try to recover from my very early start to the day, what should come into the garden and take water from the bird bath, but a male Blackcap.  The first of this species I have seen in the garden for several years.  A much under-rated species, and one of many seen today.  The Blackbird is singing from its perch, in the exact spot it was yesterday evening and I can listen in peace.

Glibby gloop gloopy Nibby Nabby Noopy La La La Lo Lo
Sabba sibby sabba nooby abba nabba Le Le Lo Lo
Tooby ooby walla Nooby abba nabba
Early mornin' singin' song

Yes the above are actual song lyrics and I guess kind of sum up my line of thinking at 4.00am!

Come First of May.

When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall,
We used to love while others used to play.
Don't ask me why, but time has passed us by,
Some one else moved in from far away.

Now we are tall, and Christmas trees are small,
And you don't ask the time of day.
But you and I, our love will never die,
But guess well cry come first of May.

Lyrics by the Bee Gees.

April 30^th + May 1^st.  Despite the slow beginnings of signs of spring, April has been a great month for me.  Highlights have included a pre-arranged stranding on St Mary’s Island, a great few days staying at Bamburgh which allowed birding and other activities and much laughter, my first Badgers in the wild (joined by Otter and other mammals), a trip to the Pennine uplands and the chance to visit several of my favourite on the doorstep areas including Holywell, Gosforth Park Nature Reserve, Prestwick Carr and of course our local patch.  The last day of April allowed me to visit the coast and take photographs in the main of Wheatears, without doubt my species of the month and a species guaranteed to fill a spot in my top ten birds.  I even think I’m making progress with the photography.  So no great early waves of spring migrants, but the trickle has now built up.  In any event I think it may have sunk into most people by now that global warming doesn’t necessarily mean we are going to be living in dry and warm conditions.  Rapid ice cap break ups and changing wind patterns have seen to that.

Yesterday, April 30^th was just too good an opportunity to let pass by so Sam and I visited a sunny Whitley Bay.  Sunny, but cold.  Our fingers were turning red after a bit of photography!  The Yellow Wagtails seemed to have moved on, but we still had numbers of Pied and White Wagtails, and best of all the Wheatears.  It was good just to sit in amongst the birds and get some decent photographic opportunities and we had the area more or less to ourselves.  Afterwards we couldn’t resist taking some images of the Sanderling.  Some of these birds are now moving quickly to summer plumage.  Sam got his eye on a couple of Dunlin in amongst the Sanderling flock and they too weren’t far off full summer plumage.  Eider ducks were swimming close to shore.  Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins were seen.

Wheatears

 

After taking a look at the wetland area and willows and finding the only bird of note here was a Common Whitethroat we headed off towards Seaton Sluice with the sound of Skylarks in the air.  Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were heard during the evening and a Pheasant called from the field.  Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Turnstone were the other waders noted.  There wasn’t a lot of species to be seen on the way, but it was an enjoyable walk anyway.  The Fulmars entertained and I think a stop would have been made for some photography had it not been so windy and chilly.  Perhaps our noses had also picked up the aroma of fish and chips.  Yes we ended what had been a very well spent few hours by visiting the fish and chip café.  It had been an unexpected but special evening.

Sanderling

 

1^st May.  I decided to look on patch today in the hope that I would find Swifts.  I had hoped in vain and in fact even numbers of Swallow, House Martins and Sand Martins appeared to have fallen as I looked out over the lake.  The Great Crested Grebes remain busy and two pairs of Shoveller are still on the lake.  I think that there were four Common Terns and a few Lesser Black Backed Gulls.

I heard Skylark song which has been a rarity on patch this year and found only an odd Chiffchaff in the hedge where a few days ago there had been numbers.  A pair of Blackcap was also seen here today and it appears to be their nesting site.  I listened for signs of Reed and Sedge Warbler, but heard nothing.

I eventually made for the village and surrounds and happily found numbers of Chiffchaff and after some wandering heard the song of Willow Warbler.  I managed to get some photographs taken, but the bird seemed to be very aware as to how to get into poor light.  I’ve yet to check the photos on screen.

Willow Warbler

 

I wandered into an area that is clearly used as a drinking den (or worse) as the small burn was full of empty beer cans.  As I was photographing the Willow Warbler I noticed the area had a visit from two community police officers.  I hope they don’t think it was I who had been in there supping back the cans!    I was quite pleased to find that on my short wander I had accumulated forty species.   I noticed a sign along the footpath asking for volunteers for a spring clean up.  I can certainly volunteer to point them in the direction of areas needing a clean!