Early Viking?

Had another morning out with LMcD today starting at West Hartford and Arcot Pond. WH was dead and Arcot wasn't much better although I finally managed to catch up with the Garganey and clawed back a female Shoveler.

Next we headed for Druridge Bay. On the way we stopped at a dried out Lynemouth Flash but did see something unusual there. A Jackdaw amongst a flock of 50 or so had a full white collar all the way around its neck. Seen quite closely it definitely wasn't molt feathers but it seems too early for a bird showing Nordic characteristics. Any suggestions? Also 30+ Linnet were on the mud

Not much else to report for Cresswell other than four Greenshank and an Avocet. The last month was and continues to be hard work.

Coincidence?

After reading Stewart's latest post: http://boulmerbirder.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/mystic-meg.html
It got me thinking about when I was out last week with LMcD. At a few separate locations we heard either individual or small parties of Crossbill passing over. There aren't many around anywhere at the moment and Lindsay said that when he was in the scottish highlands in May he only heard and saw three!
The day we heard them roughly coincided with the first Two-barred Crossbill sightings in the country. One place we had a few pass over was East Cramlington LNR, there are probably a few in the plantations around there.

I have tried a few times this week for the female Garganey at Arcot Pond but without a scope and in poor light. Yesterday I got there a bit earlier and thought I was onto it when another swam out form behind the island making me think that I was probably looking at Teal rather than two female Garganey.

Wader Waters

Was out with LMcD yesterday morning for a few hours. We stayed local starting with West Hartford. Now topped up with rain the pools look in much better shape for the autumn but they were deserted yesterday. It was a similar story at Arcot Pond until a Black-tailed Godwit appeared from behind the NE island and wandered around.

East Cramlington NWT was also quiet as was Holywell Pond. There were none of the recent waders at Holywell but four Bar-headed Geese were amongst the usual Canadas and Greylags in front of the public hide. They soon moved from the water onto the meadow and all four birds were not ringed.
St.Mary's Wetland was too overgrown to see properly but we could hear a Reed Warbler singing form the reeds at the north end.

next we decided to check the coastal fields between Seaton Sluice and Blyth as they often flood and can hold water for a while. The fields near Gloucester Lodge Farm opposite the toilet block held the only pool attracting any birds. 100 Lapwing, 50 Black Headed Gull, masses of Starlings, a juvenile Shelduck, 5 Black-tailed Godwit and a Whimbrel were all taking advantage of the flood. The Godwits and Whimbrel were all on the edge of the pool but were spooked by a tractor coming down the lane opposite.

Spotted a Crake

I went to East Chevington late afternoon yesterday with SH. Despite the rainfall from recent nights the water level on the north pool remains very low. Two Ruff, Greenshank and a Curlew Sandpiper-looking Dunlin were all on the pool along with the bathing gulls and terns.

We scanned the edge of the reeds where the Spotted Crake has been seen but could only see young Moorhen. The presence of a Grey Heron unsettle the Moorhen and eventually the Spotted Crake made a brief appearance running along the edge of the reeds before diving into cover again. 

This is the second Spotted Crake I have seen in Northumberland but there  must been more lurking out there, Arcot Pond maybe? 

On the way back we quickly called in at Newbiggin where on the breakwater rocks next to the maritime centre, three juvenile Roseate Terns were being fed by an adult.

Spotted a Sandpiper

I was down in Wales visiting family last week. No chance to do any real birding but Red Kites were everywhere and even came into gardens for scraps that had been left out.

I did manage to see the Little Egret at Arcot Pond last Wednesday evening before we left. It was standing into top of a small bush in the middle of the pond.

Yesterday I had a quick look at Arcot. No sign of the showy Water Rail family but two Wood Sandpipers were on the mud in the NW corner together.

This morning I went up to Foxton Bends, Alnmouth with GM for the Spotted Sandpiper- lifer. Alongside a few Common Sandpipers on the mud bank viewing was difficult due to the long grass obscuring our view but still managed to see it a few times. 

Ashington area

Myself and West Hartford are not good in the heat and along with its water supply my birding has dried up over recent weeks.

This morning I was out with LMcD. We started at Arcot Pond where three separate Little Grebe families with a total of five young were. A moulting Wigeon, Teal and Common Gull were surprise finds.

With most places drying or dried up we had been reliably informed that Castle Island was good at the moment. I have been visiting Castle Island as part of WEBS for four years now and today it was the best I have ever seen it. Almost half the water in the river has gone and large areas of mud are exposed although there was no sign of yesterdays 17 Black Tailed Godwits, Greenshank or Ruddy Shelduck.

At least 2 Common Sandpipers were amongst ten Redshank on the south shore of the island. Further along the shore were four resting Avocet which eventually moved around, a good inland record.

We walked further along the path than usual and checked the river from Stakeford Bridge. Although a lot of mud there were no more waders just some juvenile BH Gulls begging to adult birds.

A few young Chiffchaff flitted around the trees bordering the path and we heard a jay and Willow Tit near the bridge.

Next we called in at Wansbeck Business Park. Two female Tufted Duck have broods of 7 and 5 young whilst a Muscovey Duck watched us from one of the islands.

Woodhorn south flash was quiet but did hold 67 Coot.

Bridled Tern

Continuing what has been an unbelievable run of lifers for me this year, yesterday I caught up with the stunning Bridled Tern on Inner Farne. No early boat trip, myself and LMcD played it cool and went accross on the 10:30 boat, a decision that nearly cost us the bird.
It had last been seen at 10:02 and there was no sign during the first hour we waited on the jetty. At one point a birder said he could hear it calling but we couldn't see it. The mass of Arctic Terns on the rocks kept flying around and at some point it must have sneaked back in as with only 5 minutes until the boat headed back to the mainland I spotted it on the rocks under a group of Puffins. It was surprisingly well camouflaged amongst the grey rocks and Terns. Eventually it took to the skies and showed amazingly well looking more like a frigate bird in flight!