A long day out starting with a walk round the outskirts of Holy Island. A Barn Owl at the north end of the Straight Lonnen was still hunting at 10 am. Further along towards Emmanuel Head were two Short-eared Owls showing well by the wall. At the head the sea proved quiet with only 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar and a few Shags noted. The lough also quiet with 8 Goldeneye. On to the Crooked Lonnen only to find that the Cattle Egret had not been seen at all this morning. This will not be for want of looking as the Teesmouth Bird Club were encamped on the lonnen. Hopefully the egret has not succumbed and will turn up elsewhere. Around to the heugh off the castle & the hoped for Red-necked Grebe did not materialise in the strong westerly wind.
Coming off the island I noticed two Long-tailed Ducks close in by the bridge on the causeway. Backing up the car I managed to get some fairly close photos of the male but the female there showed better. Photographing with our dog’s head resting on my shoulder proved taxing but reasonable pics of both birds shown here. Lunch next at Barn at Beal where the place was almost full to capacity. On to Fenham Mill in search of the Whooper Swan flock but no luck. Two Bewick’s were reported last week with the Whoopers. Further stops at Fenham le Moor where around 40 Pintail were showing quite well then Budle Bay with no highlights, Stag Rocks at Bamburgh with only one Slavonian Grebe, 3 Long-tailed Duck & 20 Common Scoter, and no surprises at Monk’s House Pool & Seahouses.
TR Dean