Dipping...

Inland today started off cold, like winter really, with a few Fieldfares and Redwings, plus 4 Crossbills between Alnwick Moor, Thrunton and Calally, before we headed down to the River Breamish near Powburn. This is a lovely area and on a glorious spring day like today, it made for a pleasant morning out.

Along the river, 30 Sand Martins had returned to a breeding colony, whilst on some gravel pools, a Ringed Plover narrowly missed going in the book as Little Ringed, until we took a closer look. Never make assumptions, son.

Lots of wildfowl were quite active, squabbling for territories, but the highlights were a brief Green Sandpiper that flew in for a while then off again, lit up in the bright sunshine. Shame it was too fast and distant for a photo.

The local Dippers were not quite so reticent, so a few minutes were spent watching them nest building in a regular spot...Oh, and few Red legged Partridges were my first for 2017...

 

Inland...

Back in the day, when we used to frequent Druridge on a weekly basis, at this time of year the spring would encourage us to go 'inland'. This is not just anywhere away from the coast, it generally means one of about three or four spots - Kielder, Harthope Valley or even Harwood Forest. This week  'inland' meant a drive up to the Harthope, my favourite of the Cheviot valleys stretching from the steep hill called Skirl Naked, up to and beyond Langleeford.

So, no further ado, we took plenty of photos so here is a selection from Sunday morning...

The end of the road. No cars beyond here.

Oystercatcher

Pied Wagtail

Red legged Partridges were all over.

The burn.

Common Sandpiper

Dipper feeding young at nest under tree root overhang.

Grey Wagtail

The Hawsen Burn

Red Grouse

One of three Ring Ouzels

   

Wren on a post.

What to Look for in Spring...

...goes the title of the ladybird book first published in 1961. I had all of the 'seasons' series, beautifully illustrated by Charles Tunnicliffe. They were very evocative of halcyon days out in the field, before all people cared about was their XBox, OK magazine, Big Brother, Bankers Bonuses, Cuts, Libya and Stejnegers Scoters. I loved them.

Toady up at Branton Pits doing the count with Mr Rutter, was just like the Spring one.

A pair of Great Crested Grebes were keeping close, while Coots were territorial and the Reed Buntings looked lost as they had just returned to look for a place to call home.

Sallows bloomed around the margins, just waiting some warm sunshine to get the bees and moths to pollinate...

A Chiffchaff was in full song between flycatching sorties, and a Redwing looked ready to have a sing before heading north.

The Black headed Gull colony was starting to crowd up while down at the river, the Dippers were in full breeding fettle..

Sigh...

[Oh and I forgot to add a proper patch tick this morning. A single Red legged Partridge was along the lane end.]