Started the day early at Whittle Dene, a May frost covered the ground but soon melted away as the sun came up. A Common Tern left it’s roost and began to fish, Sand Martins and Swallows hawked over the glass-like lakes and Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats sang. Great crested Grebe, Teal, Shelduck and Wigeon were among the wildfowl noted. Roadside hedgerows held 7-8 singing Yellowhammers and several Skylarks were heard above.
Arriving later at forest/moorland near Blanchland,a Cuckoo called and 2 Tree Pipits noted. Siskin, Redpoll ,Song and Mistle Thrushes and several Red Grouse seen. On the moors, the breeding wader population remains very healthy, with many pairs of Lapwings with eggs or small young and much display. Also displaying were Golden Plover,Curlew,Snipe and Redshank. Skylarks here too.
At Derwent Reservoir, Redstart, Common Sandpiper and Cuckoo were among the birds seen. Many Red Grouse, Meadow Pipits, Wheatears ,Curlew and a Ring Ousel noted near the county boundary with Durham. A male Black Grouse seen at Rookhope with more Reds.
Into Allendale, and more Wheatears perched on roadside walls withMeadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails common. Breeding waders were again much in evidence,with at least 90 -100 pairs of nesting/displaying Lapwings present, youngsters again noted. Curlews, Snipe, and Redshank all displayed here. More Red Grouse seen too. A Buzzard circled, being mobbed by Lapwings. Dippers nesting under a bridge.On down to Allenbanks, where a riverside ,woodland walk revealed 4 singing Pied Flycatchers and a single Wood Warbler and Redstart. 3 Grey Wagtails and 2 Dippers. Finally, up to Grindon where another Cuckoo called and a summer plumage Dunlin probed the lough-side mud. Swallows and Sand Martins here low over the water in the cool conditions.
A.S.Jack