Today first thing was cool and overcast with a hint of drizzle in odd spots. I headed off to work early to call in at Linton to see if the White Stork was still there. I reckoned that it wasn't going anywhere until the air warmed up to a nice 'soaring' level.
I met up with Trev Blake who was also looking for it. Although he had called in at 6.10am the bird was no where to be seen. We then got a pager message to say that it had still been roosting on the pylon at 6.05! We checked the likely looking froggy hunting spots without luck.
At work at 9.30, a message came through to tell me that the Stork was back on a distant pylon. I knew it hadn't gone far, although it could be back in Europe for all the good it was to me now. Later on, near lunchtime, it was seen flying south over the Tyne at Newburn for the last time... This is a bit of a habit now for me. I might call this new sport Stork Dipping. I have now missed 3 or 4 White Storks and 2 Black Storks in recent years.
Back at home this evening two House Martins were hawking insects overhead, the first I've seen this year. We walked around Seaton Point but there was no trace of yesterdays Black Redstart and still no Sandwich Terns.
4 comments:
What's bringing the storks over here? Global warming? Has their GPS stopped working?
I remember when I was very small there was a lot of fuss about a flamingo that was holidaying on Budle Bay...
Hi M, Storks migrate north from wintering in Africa at this time of year. Odd ones get drifted west and overshoot where they should be( south and eastern Europe) and end up here. They need a warmish spell so they can get on a thermal and soar. Large broad winged birds don't do crossings over a cold sea very well, they need a tail wind and some heat.
You're right we used to get odd flamingos in Northumberland, I've seen them at Hauxley and Cresswell in the past but they are of south american descent and are escapees from waterfowl parks like Washington. They must keep their wings clipped now cos I haven't seen one for ages...
Cheers S...
still not seen swifts or house martins here, I am suprised at this as the warm weather, maybe im not looking right...
Hi Nic, swifts are often May arrivals though you should see Houase Martins earlier than that...
S
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