A great weekend of warm sunshine and Spring-like conditions saw me once again in what is the best area in the county for nesting wading birds, Allendale. A good variety and good numbers of the various species which make these uplands their summer home, were very much in evidence, with Lapwing being the most numerous.
Many were paired off and having arrived recently from their winter coastal haunts or warmer climes were beginning courtship and nesting. The late cold snap and snow of the previous week had quickly disappeared. Many males were performing their tumbling display flights, “singing” their evocative song, impressing females and seeing off rivals, with at least 120 pairs noted over several kilometres of heath and moorland. Some flocks too which had yet to disperse.
A few females were already sitting tight on nests and males were calling and “up-ending” on prospective nest sites, displaying their red undertails. Curlews too displayed and called in good numbers all over the area. Redshanks and Snipe sang and drummed over many fields.
A flock of 200+ Golden Plover fed in one field and a few called and displayed at great heights. Oystercatchers fed in fields not yet settled on their river nest sites. Also returned to breed were Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails, though not yet in great numbers and several Skylarks sang above.
Up on the moors, Red Grouse were common and a pair of Stonechats were flycatching, the male singing at times. Siskin, Redpoll, Grey Wagtail and Dipper seen. At one spot, a pair of Black Grouse quietly fed.
A total of 5 Common Buzzards were noted and Hares were common in the area, which was good to see. A search for Ring Ousels and Wheatears drew a blank however.
Alan Jack
