With the sun finally bursting out on Sunday I decided to return to Druridge Bay (along with what seemed to be most of the population of the north east!!) I managed to find solitude at Druridge Pools and was once again treated to a close pass by the female Long tailed Duck as she swam across right in front of the hide but she suddenly took off and flew to the far side of the pond as all the other wildfowl scattered, the cause turning out to be some idiot who started to walk down the bank to stand in front of the hide to look through his binoculars! I somehow managed to be polite where many others would not have been and he retreated and came into the hide instead, I didn’t bother speaking to him.
Shortly after his departure a Shelduck flew in from the north and 4 Whooper Swans flew over heading up to Chevington. The male Long tail remained on the island throughout, only leaving briefly when he was evicted by the 7 Canada Geese while 300+ Black headed Gulls arrived from the west for a quick wash before heading on south.
Just as I was preparing to leave the 4 Whooper Swans flew back down and landed on the pool and set to cruising back and forth and were still there as I left just before 2pm.
Cresswell was extremely quiet, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Snipe and a female Long tailed Duck with just a handful of Wigeon and Lapwing for company. The fields south of the farm held several thousand Pink footed Geese, I wouldn’t be surprised if the flock exceeded 8,000. By the parking area 9 Yellowhammers were sat on the wall.
Final stop of the day was at Woodhorn church where there was a smaller group of around 100 Pink foots that were flying up in small groups to near the road.
