Little surprise as to where we were headed today. Yesterday Ian Kerr identified a Cattle Egret on Holy Island with locals saying that an egret had been in the vicinity of the Crooked Lonnen for the last 3 days. Just shows it is worth checking these things out. Only the second for Northumberland with the previous one being on private land at Barrasford in 1986.
Have to say it was the most awkward Cattle Egret I have ever seen as it stayed in the woodland area to the back of the white house on the Crooked Lonnen. Brief views obtained and then it decided to play ball & at least gave scope views properly. Our cocker spaniel was being very patient and we walked up to the end of the Crooked Lonnen to let him off the lead well past the sheep. A Great Northern Diver passed north offshore. Seems to be several about at the moment. On the way back along the Crooked Lonnen battling against the wind & mud we had a flyover Waxwing which headed towards the village calling. Also on the rocket field pools a Black-tailed Godwit showed well. A deserved Sunday Roast at the Barn at Beal gave us another year tick with long distance views from the car park of a Little Egret flying near the wood at Beal Sluice.
Budle Bay was quiet as high tide and Stag Rocks at Bamburgh was also quiet with only the first Razorbill of the year offshore of any note.
TR&J Dean