PM birding

Tuesday 7th April saw me heading up the coast late afternoon. First stop was at Lynemouth where Tim Cleeves and ST were already watching the very smart water pipit, feeding on the western shore of the flash. It's been a good run of late for water pipit in Northumberland, an it's nice to see some in their summer finery. The northern shores of Cresswell Pond were yellow wagtail-less, nor were there any northern wheatear.

From the Budge screen at Druridge Pool the drake garganey was on show, although the duck was not to be seen. A single black-tailed godwit was feeding in the shallows among redshank and lapwing. I didn't have time the venture to the main pool or hides, which probably is the reason why the little egret was not seen, nor Brians' little ringed plover - hopefully I'll catch up with another soon.

Later in the evening I spent an hour at West Hartford; Two SEO were on show along with one common buzzard. The SEO and CB had a bit of interaction, with the CB coming out on top - both owls drifted east, returning only as dusk turned to dark. No sign of the barn owl, I may have left to early, but there was a steady stream of LBBGs/HGs dropping into the pool for refreshment prior to roost.

Couple of Waters

This afternoon saw me head back to St Mary's - cast was similar to yesterday, with the un-photogenic drake garganey still present, the flighty water pipit on the northern part of the wetland and added bonus birds - one showy water rail in the south west corner of the pool and three sandwich tern north. A marsh harrier had flown north earlier in the afternoon.

West Hartford was quiet - thirteen oystercatcher, thirtyish lapwing and teal, two shelduck and the usual array of gulls.

Garganey and Wheatear

A nice bright morning got me out of the house and down to St Mary's for a look at the freshly arrived drake garganey.

St Mary's is proving to be a reliable spot for this enigmatic duck, with sightings on the wetland becoming regular over the past few years.

Today's drake was hanging out with gadwall and teal, but was a little distant for photographs loitering on the west side of the pool and on the island - so today's photograph is from April 2007 (when a pair arrived on the wetland).

Annoyingly I did not take opportunity to take a photograph of the water pipit that dropped into the wetland for a few minutes - it's now transforming into cracking fresh plumage.

In the north bay a bright male northern wheatear was flighty, but was a nice spring compliment to the garganey. A walk through the "gut" revealed little else, with a couple of linnet, reed bunting, goldcrest and dunnock being about the lot.

Early Doors

An early morning birding with Mark began at Blyth South Harbour, where the two immature iceland gull were readily available, standing (almost) together on the harbour buildings next to the gated pier. After a quick cuppa we headed off to St Mary's, where the long staying water pipit was soon located on the beach, along with several rock and one meadow pipit, plus some purple sandpiper, ringed plover,oyc etc. One red-throated diver headed north, while the wetland held gadwall, teal, mallard and wigeon.

Northumberland reports on the pager and blogs today include green-winged teal at Bothal Pond, adult iceland gull at Amble Harbour, smew at Bolam Lake... so a bit more stuff in the county to get me out the house tomorrow... ?

Water on the shore

A quick morning visit to the north beach at St Mary's produced some nice views of the wintering water pipit that was feeding with some very tame rock pipit. A single grey wagtail was thrown in for good measure. Otherwise quiet, no sign of the two brent geese that have frequented the area recently.

A cold forecast for the weekend...

Water Pipit

Quiet potter on fresh winter morning with newly retired Dad to St Mary's - the single water pipit was commuting (actively, no chance of a photo) between the north beach and promanard area with a couple of rock pipit for company, purple sandpiper on the rocks and the brent goose still lingers.

Fields around Backworth and Holywell were checked for the snow goose but no immediate sign - it had been reported on 24th near Crow Hall Farm, just NE of the Beehive Flash. I suspect there will be a few more (wild?) goose chases' over the next few weeks - ferel or not, I'd still like a stab at better photographs.