A combination today of upland moors and coastal shore produced a good selection of species. Starting at the Alnwick moors, 5 Common Buzzards were mainly perched in trees and bushes watching for prey to move, as was a male Kestrel. A turnip field held Yellowhammer, 26 Skylarks and a Grey Partridge ,while 5 Red legged Partridges ran along the road.22 Golden Plover were calling as they flew west and two flocks of Fieldfare had gathered in trees – 140 in total and a single Redwing was with them.
A drive to my next destination below some crags, and a Raven perched above , calling. Then, over 500 Wood Pigeons erupted from a wood as a female Goshawk appeared overhead and stooped through the flock causing panic.
Heading on , I checked out a good looking area with one species in mind, and to my delight not one ,but two ringtail Hen Harriers were found hunting, giving a great show as I ate lunch. A pair of Ravens here too, both flew north, calling. 4 more Kestrels and 3 Buzzards noted too.
To the coast now, and Fenham le Moor, where I arrived as the tide was coming in creating ideal viewing of the thousands of duck,geese and waders present. At least 1,000 Shelduck and 500 Brent Geese fed out on the flats. 146 Pintail was a good count, as was 58 Grey Plover and many uncounted Bar tailed Godwits,Dunlin,Knot,Redshanks,Curlew, Teal, Wigeon and Mallard. A pair of Shoveler too. A flock of 6 Shags flew north. The only passerines seen here were 3 Meadow Pipits ,a Skylark and a Linnet. At the nearby farm, 27 Collared Doves matched the count here on my last visit.
Down to Budle Bay and a Red breasted Merganser fed among the many Teal and Wigeon. Around 500 Lapwings took to the air , and more Godwits and Grey Plover here too.
At Stag Rocks , no sign of yesterdays Grey Phalaropes ,but a fairly close Great Northern Diver was nice. Probably 30+ Red throateds were spread out,easy to see on the flat,calm sea , as were 20 Long tailed Duck, a single Razorbill among many Guillemots , and a single Slavonian Grebe. Fulmar and Gannet noted too. Purple Sandpipers and Oystercatchers roosted on the rocks.
A.S.Jack