Spent a few hours in the East Allen valley this afternoon. Rather windy (Easterly) conditions bright at first though cold clouding over later with wintry showers. Waders very prominent with all the commoner species now displaying on territory and groups of Curlew, Lapwing and of course Golden Plover the latter in some very large groups in the usual spring gathering areas. Highlights included 13 male Blackcock in the usual field at Swinhope Shield 5 of which formed a circle and started lekking. Sipton Burn came up trumps with 2 Northern Wheatears both males, displaying Meadow Pipits, and a single Sand Martin flew over (all observations from the road bridge over the burn). Then a distinctive burst of song had me looking at a male Ring Ousel perched on the dry stone wall near the burn. As I left a Raven cronked overhead flying off to the SW. On route home stopped off for a walk along minor road near the Coanwood Burn, several groups of Lapwing, Curlew, Golden Plover and a party of 15 Redshank in roadside fields along with a large flock of 247 Fieldfare. 2 Blackcocks showed well in the usual field. As ever Snipe delighted with their drumming overhead. Stewart Hingston
