Early migration.

On Thursday quite a few people were on the coast looking for the Sooty Tern that unfortunately for those from as far away as Swansea and Barnsley, failed to show. The Barnsley birder came here and back twice! I had a look down on a dog walk and caught up with a few friends for a while before heading back to work. On my way home I was pleased to find the Boulmer Hooded Crow in the field beside our village. It flew off NW and I hoped I could scope it for my garden list but I couldn't find it in the 200+ strong flock of crows on the hill.  Visitors were pleased to see some very close in Bottle nosed Dolphin action as three of them came in hunting, slashing at the water at great speed before continuing north.

Facing north from Seaton Point to Boulmer village.

 

Sunday morning  was spent along at Boulmer. We started early to avoid the tourists. While I waited for John, a Tree Pipit flew low south over Foxton Golf Course, followed by a Yellow Wagtail. Around Seaton Point were reasonable numbers of common warblers. These are local breeders starting to disperse and move south on their long journey. There were 15+ Whitethroats, 8+ Willow Warblers, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warblers with another family still feeding young fledglings. 2 juv Whinchats were with Stonechats in an oilseed rape field. On the beach there were loads of Pied Wagtails, at least 33 with another 10 in the paddock behind the point . As the tide was well out there were no waders on show but 18 Arctic Terns circled around and 8 Goosanders were in the haven.

Loads of juv Pied Wagtails on the beach

Whinchat

Whinchat and Whitethroat

Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

   

After a tea break we headed up to the north end of the village towards Longhoughton Steel. 45+ Dunlin and 7+ Ringed Plover were close in behind the pub. Further along in the flattened corn field, 8+ Yellow Wagtails included the male Blue headed / Channel Wagtail just too far off for a photo. It looked more Blue headed than Channel to me with a darker blue head with white supercillium and a yellow throat rather than white but it is the nature of these hybrids to be very variable.

It was soon lunchtime and the place was filling up with visitors. Time to seek cover...

Different juvenile Dunlins.

One of a Wren family along the wall.

 

Foxton Beach south of Seaton Point

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.

Smuggy McSmugface...

Before reading this post please read my previous entry. Especially the last bit where I tell you about my plans for this morning. Its not often that bird predictions come true, unless you are talking about little auks that is, but today did just that. John picked me up a bit later than normal so we just popped down to Craster to have a look for some migrants. In my mind, I had Wheatears and maybe a Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel or Firecrest as outside bets coming off the light SE breeze and drizzle overnight.

Craster Harbour

At Craster I suggested the first spot to check was the harbour where there is often rotting seaweed to attract birds to feed on the attending insects. We had only walked a couple of paces when a bird flicked up the rocky south face of the harbour and back down. A sharp hiss at John to look at this and bingo there was our Black Redstart! First bird looked at in Craster. I didnt see one on patch last year so this was very welcome and, dare I say it, deserved. We could have gone south to Tynemouth for the bird that has been around for several weeks but whats the point of that? Black Redstarts are out there for the finding if you just keep a weather eye open and go to the right habitat. Today there have been a few dotted around Northumberland, but none are as good as one self found.

And you know, we never once asked anyone 'Can you tell me where the..... is'

Above - Black Redstart in various poses.

 Quite a few birds were feeding on a hatch of black flies in the harbour this morning, including 9 Purple Sandpipers, 10+ Turnstones, 2 Pied Wagtails, a Robin, several Jackdaws and a Rook.

Er, whats going on?

On our way back to the car, 5+ Chiffchaffs were singing in the Arnold Reserve and back at home, 6 Bramblings are still in the stubble near the Old Rectory. Not a bad two hours out....