Out to Druridge Bay area today starting at East Chevington. At the N end of N Pool at 10:10 I noticed that all the gulls had suddenly got up from the islands and hence scoured the sky. Picked up a large bird of prey and was pleasantly surprised to see it was a Red Kite ! Only the second coastal record for me in the county. Janet picked it up too and obtained a ‘blob’ pic on her Bridge camera. I was meanwhile scoping it to see if there were any wing tags and none seen. Views were excellent in the scope & tags would have been seen if present. Cannot though be claimed as a continental migrant as not all the young kites from the Derwent Valley in recent years have been tagged. Also had the male Marsh Harrier, almost summer-plumaged Red-necked Grebe, Peregrine and three Long-tailed Duck. I gather the Black-throated Diver was also present later on. Singing Willow Warbler (our first this year) at Druridge Bay CP. On to the Drift Cafe at Cresswell for a welcome cuppa (Newly opened between Cresswell village & Cresswell Pond). Cresswell Pond had five Black-tailed Godwit and two Sand Martin plus a smart second-summer Mediterranean Gull with a full hood. Also a look at Druridge Pools and Shoveler numbers now well down but the male & female Pintail still present and a Ruff reported apparently. TRD/JD
