An afternoon visit to Newton. Any thoughts of the wintering Black Redstart here were quickly set aside due to the strong southerly wind. Presumably sheltering somewhere. However we did eventually make it to the Newton Pool hide where a first-winter Long-tailed Duck was a surprise. Only a few Goldeneye & 1 Gadwall otherwise here. The flash to the north of the pool has become a lake and flooded the path hence a jcb doggedly digging out a flood channel to release the water. On the beach a high tide assemblage of waders included 75 Sanderling, 15 Purple Sandpiper, 30 Turnstone, 1 Knot & 2 Dunlin.
Our feeders in Rothbury have recently become popular with 3 Brambling, 3 Redpoll on the niger seed plus Bullfinches, Siskin, Nuthatch etc. Also along the river at Thrum Mill single Marsh & Willow Tits noted with Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Dipper etc.
TR&JDean