A blustery morning at Cresswell and 2 Marsh Harriers were causing panic among the waders and duck present,with another harrier at Druridge, possibly one of these? Several Greenshank,Common Sandpiper and 2 Yellow Wagtails were among the Cresswell birds. A Whimbrel called overhead at Druridge.
East Chevington and migrating flocks of Ruff and Black tailed Godwits were evident throughout the afternoon. 59 Godwits and 36 Ruff flew in as I arrived and began drinking in the shallows before heading off south. Then in came another 32 Ruff and 17 Godwits,high from the north east,which immediately began to drink and preen, followed by 20 more Ruff and 7 Godwits. The two species always keeping close together. The vast majority being juvenile birds. A single Curlew Sandpiper also noted with several Dunlin.
The long-staying juv. Spotted Crake showed very well all afternoon and around 250 Grey Lags also present.
Down to Woodhorn,where large numbers of gulls fed in fields where tractors had been working. Among them at the south flash I saw 11 Med. Gulls and at the Church Pool a further 10 ( these from A. Tilmouth).
3 Little Egrets today at Alnmouth road bridge and 6 Curlew Sands at Amble Braid.
A.S.J.