August...

August can be a good month in Northumberland, and especially in a local patch context where its not just rare birds that get the pulse going. At this time there is a post breeding dispersal of commoner species that might not occur on a given patch or in a bit of habitat.  So, get out there as often as possible and watch the daily changing tide of birds as they head out to pastures new...

On 24th July, a hint of autumn was already happening. A Grey Plover flew S over our house calling strongly, a garden first. Nearby were an adult and a 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull but, on the patch the best bird was commoner than both of these, a Dunlin [135] flew over calling twice in the darkness. My fully rocky coast doesnt get mud puddlers like this so fly by's are the best I can hope for...

On 28th July warblers were on the move with Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs all showing in tall hogweed and bushes on the coast. The now famous influx of Painted Lady butterflies had begun when we had 70 in and around our garden alone.

On 1st August a short seawatch from Cullernose Point had an adult Little Gull and more expected at this time, 1 ad and 1 juv Roseate Tern [136]. These are rare birds on most patches and well sought after but in Northumberland they are found all along the coast in August as the young fledge and roam widely.

With perfect timing, a Hobby [137] flashed past our garden on 4th only a day later than the 2018 sighting. Still rare in Northumberland but sightings are increasing...

A few days later on 8th, a blue, male, Merlin [138] flew over the village mobbed by swallows. In contrast to the previous raptor, Merlin sightings on the coast are decreasing. 20 years ago they were a day bird anywhere on the coast from late July to December, but now I only get one or two sightings per year.

Most days at the beginning of August had showers or even heavy downpours, but even this failed to ground any scarce migrants.

A party of 4 juv Knot [139] on 17th were my first here since 2011, and only my second record ever. This is the value of patch birding as Knot is not scarce along the muddier reaches of the Northumberland coast and even on the rocky skeers, the fingers that jut out into the sea. Unfortunately here, our rocks are more 'bunched up' so most waders give them a miss.

And finally, last night a nice walk down the Teepee track to Howick Burn mouth turned up 5 Wheatears and a juv Whinchat [140], both good sightings here.

First thing in the mornings now, hirundines are moving south in tight flocks and Golden Plovers gather on the shore...It'll soon be real autumn. Lets hope the weather changes from this bland southerly pattern...