Up early in anticipation! Pleased to see yesterday’s find was still present, a fine female Woodchat Shrike at end of hedgerow half way between Druridge & Hemscott Hill farm. Seeing as this is the first multi-observed bird in the county since the late 1990’s it must have proved very popular yesterday. We were meanwhile having a late afternoon wander around Caistron where a Wood Sandpiper seemed lesser fare to the text staring at me on my phone. Still for once the bird does the decent thing and stayed with distant views obtained and many happy birders, apparently still present in evening. Nine Swift went through north whilst there after our first for the year yesterday in Rothbury. Other sites seemed quiet with water level too high again at Cresswell. Druridge Pools is still hosting the Great White Egret though and good views obtained in flight & on the ground. 36 Whimbrel here in a one flock were impressive though apparently up to 95 seen recently here. Habitat still superb for spring waders. Lunch at Widdrington Inn and afternoon at East Chevington. Four Grasshopper Wablers reeling and one seen well with two Reed Warblers in now on South Pool. Plenty of other warblers and 25 Common Terns feeding. TRD/JD
