Up to Stag Rocks at Bamburgh today and a superb spell. Highlight though had to be the Sandwich Tern which flew past at close range going south. This was found yesterday by Richard Dunn and comprises the first January record in Northumberland. In fact the first Tern record in January barring a Common Tern in 1884 ! A fine supporting cast though with single Black-throated & Great Northern Divers plus a Red-necked Grebe & three Slavonians. Also five Velvet Scoters including three males. New for the year were two Gannets and six Razorbills. On to Budle Bay but very quiet. The Barnacle Goose flock was visible from Harper’s Heugh nearby with at least 270 present. An outstanding Yellowhammer flock of at least 100 were along the roadside hedges north west of Elwick with a single Skylark (also first for year). A brief visit to Fenham le Moor but at low tide little of note other than the Pintail flock of c50 birds. Finally a wander to Swinhoe as news of a juvenile Iceland Gull in sheep fields west of the village. Found plenty of Gulls mostly Herring but no sign. Tried checking other fields nearby but without success. TRD/JD
