A weekend off saw me cover several of my favourite inland Northumberland sites, including Beacon Hill, Simonside, Upper Coquetdale Allenbanks/Allendale and Ingram in search of newly arrived summer migrants. Here are some of the highlights.
Beacon Hill near Longhorsley, a lifetime favourite haunt of mine, has long been a good site for woodland/heath species. Today I saw 4 male Redstarts, singing from high tree tops, 4 Tree Pipits in display flights. A pair of Willow Tits and 26 singing Willow Warblers over 2 km of trees and scrub. Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Swallows back at the farms, Common Buzzard, Redpolls, Bullfinches , Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Skylarks on the heath made a good supporting cast.
On north towards Wingates, and several more singing Redstarts and displaying Tree Pipits seen/heard. At an area of young trees, many more Willow Warblers were singing along with Whitethroat, 4 more Tree Pipits, Chiffchaffs and several Song Thrushes.
Nunnykirk next and 3 singing Pied Flycatchers were back ,one nest building in it’s box. Feeders attracted many Siskins, Nuthatch and a Marsh Tit. More Willow Warblers of course. Simonside followed where Red Grouse were common. 5 male Wheatears were nice to see, one at a nest hole used last year. Around a dozen Skylarks sang in the air, with more on the ground. Redpolls ,Siskins, Crossbills and yet more Willow Warblers added to the scene.
A pair of Stonechats nearby. Coquetdale was cold and quiet, the most obvious returning species was Common Sandpiper with many pairs back on the river, noisily establishing territories. A few Wheatears and Dippers seen here. Several pairs of nesting Lapwings was encouraging.
Next day, and an early start at Allenbanks where the main path along the river is still closed after last year’s landslips. A stronghold for the declining Wood Warbler, the oak woods produced a newly arrived singing male. 3-4 male Pied Flycatchers were also in song, as were a few Redstarts. On up to Allendale with it’s wader filled fells, where once again I was treated to a great display from the Lapwings, Curlews, Snipe and Redshanks. Many of the Lapwings having small young.
I headed now up to Grindon Lough, where I was pleased to discover a feeding Black Tern , a rare passage visitor. A Little Ringed Plover here and 4 Dunlin sporting splendid summer plumage.
Next day, and another superb area of the county, the Ingram Valley. Another Little Ringed Plover discovered here was good to see, with displaying Redshanks and Lapwings. Common Sandpipers lived up to their name with 11 pairs noted along about 3 km of river! The riverside trees and bushes were alive with birdsong, with a minimum of 40 Willow Warblers heard along the valley.
Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats, Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Chaffinches and many Wrens joined in the chorus. A group of Sand Martins back at the river and 6 Swallows at a farm. 8 House Martins too back at the village. A pair of Dippers were watched feeding two noisy fledged young on the riverbank, giving great views.
On up the valley and a Garden Warbler sang giving good views too. I was hoping the local Whinchats had returned and wasn’t disappointed with 8 males discovered, all singing from low ground perches in the cool wind. A Cuckoo was heard and a distant Raven flew over. Also here were Skylarks, many Meadow Pipits a pair of Wheatears investigating a nest site in a rabbit hole. Heron, Kestrel and Buzzard seen and a suprising upland Grasshopper Warbler reeled. All in all a great weekend.
A.S.Jack