Turned out nice again...

Success did not give itself up lightly today. A lovely dawn saw me with a few others waiting patiently at Druridge for the Glossy Ibis to appear out of its roost.

Unforunately for us, it didn't seem to have roosted here at all. Our wait intil 9.30am drew a blank. The only thing of note were the 2 Otters hunting in tandem on the main pool the whole time we were there.

Then as we were regrouping with a view to spreading further afield, the call came - LONGHIRST FLASH!

That was like a starting pistol. We all leapt into our own cars and formed a convoy at breakneck ( though within the speed limits you understand)speed along the next 5 miles. On arrival John Richardson and Alan Hart had the bird staked out in tall vegetation where only its head could be seen. Within seconds it took flight and began circling to gain height before heading due south to Bothal Pond.

Relief and elation as we realised that our dash had been well timed. The bird was seen again at Bothal, this time stopping briefly befor heading back north to Cresswell where it showed well for the rest of the day, allowing those who had taken a lie in to catch up.




Above - My effort at flight photography...



Above - A much better portrait by Roger Forster, cheers Roger...



Above the lads seem intent on showing me up with these excellent shots...top Alan Gilbertson and below Richard Dunn.






Above - Some scribbled notes drawn at the time, coloured at home...

So, that was good then, only my second new British bird this year after last winter's Glaucous winged Gull, and even better it 'unblocks' a historical Northumberland species after a cool 20 years taking me to...

GB - 391 Northumberland - 319.


Back to reality now, and at home 130 Pinkfeet and 17 Skylarks flew S over our garden, and I was pleased to find this worn Pink barred Sallow ( below) nectaring on Ivy flowers last night.


I had read that at this time of year several moth species rely on Ivy flowers for sustainance, so checked some nearby bushes with the torch. This one was taken home and released back in daylight to allow for photos.

Moth trapping tonight had -

Silver Y 8
Spruce Carpet 1
Red Green Carpet 6
Brick 1 a new species, picture to follow.
Frosted Orange 3
Rosy Rustic 5
Setaceous Hebrew Character 2
Large Yellow Underwing 2
Lunar Underwing 1
Snout 1
Dark Arches 1
Grey Pine Carpet 1

32 of 12 species.