One hundred and eighty for the year, reached courtesy of a somewhat wet hour on the River Blyth near the orange outfall marker.
One Spotted Redshank (summer plumage) was on the south shore of the river, west of the Sleek Burn, with two Greenshank, one Whimbrel and three Bar-tailed Godwit (one summer plumage), as well as a summer plumage Knot, and loads of BHG, HG, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Curlew and Ringed Plover.
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Early Rise
Woken by Herself at 5:16 and so out birding by 6:00!
West Hartford had three Wood Sandpipers (six now reported on BirdGuides so off for a look in a minute).
Arcot was relatively quiet.
Snab Point was steady - Kittiwakes south, along with Guillemots and Razorbills. Puffins north, and Gannets both ways.
Cresswell had two Avocet pairs, one either side of the causeway, a Greenshank, Redshank and Curlew (and several ducks species).
The Budge was quite still.
East Chev. was equally sedate on the North Pool but some superb raptors views over the South.
Bothal was, well, at risk of getting more boring than usual, bott all! ST's company was, as ever, entertaining (never have I heard anyone describing the virtues of a ham and egg pie with such enthusiasm!!!).
West Hartford had three Wood Sandpipers (six now reported on BirdGuides so off for a look in a minute).
Arcot was relatively quiet.
Snab Point was steady - Kittiwakes south, along with Guillemots and Razorbills. Puffins north, and Gannets both ways.
Cresswell had two Avocet pairs, one either side of the causeway, a Greenshank, Redshank and Curlew (and several ducks species).
The Budge was quite still.
East Chev. was equally sedate on the North Pool but some superb raptors views over the South.
Bothal was, well, at risk of getting more boring than usual, bott all! ST's company was, as ever, entertaining (never have I heard anyone describing the virtues of a ham and egg pie with such enthusiasm!!!).
Friday, 6 May 2011
If at first you don't succeed.....
Harthope again this morning - arrival at 8:20 am with five targets; Cuckoo; Whinchat; Garden Warbler; Green Woodpecker and Spotted Flycatcher.
The weather person ballsed up again, the hot, dry, sunny weather failed to show until after noon, replaced by cool, breezy, light rain.
Walking SW past Langleeford, plenty of Swallows, Sand Martins, Willow Warblers and Red Grouse.
Garden Warbler located beyond the second gate.
Little else to add as I walked further, so a U-turn and by now, plenty of vocal Cuckoos (three or four). Two seen to the south of Langleeford Farm.
Up Hawsen Burn next. Wheatear, Mipits, no Ring Ouzel, but on the heather-lined NE side of the valley, 3 or 4 male Whinchats. These really are the lookers of the bird world - quite simply stunning!
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Common Buzzards also abounded.
So two species left, and left they remained. Not a hint of a yaffle all morning.
Beacon Hill Wood was busy. GSW, Pied Flycatcher, Cuckoo (heard), a crackin' male Redstart, various tits and more besides. No Spotties here yet either.
The weather person ballsed up again, the hot, dry, sunny weather failed to show until after noon, replaced by cool, breezy, light rain.
Walking SW past Langleeford, plenty of Swallows, Sand Martins, Willow Warblers and Red Grouse.
Garden Warbler located beyond the second gate.
Little else to add as I walked further, so a U-turn and by now, plenty of vocal Cuckoos (three or four). Two seen to the south of Langleeford Farm.
Up Hawsen Burn next. Wheatear, Mipits, no Ring Ouzel, but on the heather-lined NE side of the valley, 3 or 4 male Whinchats. These really are the lookers of the bird world - quite simply stunning!
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Common Buzzards also abounded.
So two species left, and left they remained. Not a hint of a yaffle all morning.
Beacon Hill Wood was busy. GSW, Pied Flycatcher, Cuckoo (heard), a crackin' male Redstart, various tits and more besides. No Spotties here yet either.
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