A bright sunny morning saw me run up to Harwood. On the way up Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were singing at every suitable habitat, back in good numbers. A male Redstart was my first of the year near Ogle. I arrived near Winter’s Gibbet and saw 5 Buzzards whilst there.
Over to the army ranges at Holystone ,with the guns silent during lambing, and again Willow Warblers were in abundance, with 12 singing in one area and a Tree Pipit displayed above. Siskins, Redpolls and a single Crossbill also noted. 3 Buzzards circled together. The river at Hepple held 3 pairs of Gooseanders and 5 very vocal Common Sandpipers. At Sharpeton, 7 Common Sandpipers vied for territory and Grey Wagtails and Swallows seen. Swallows seemed to be back now at almost every farm. Surely swept north on the recent gales. Yet more Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were near Alwinton,where a pair of Dippers held territory,as did a pair of Kestrels. 8 Wheatears seen alongside the road west and a second Kestrel pair. A small flock of Fieldfares fed on the ground to the south .
In Upper Coquetdale, another pair of Dippers seen and several more Common Sandpipers. A single House Martin was with 20+ Swallows and 10 Sand Martins in the dale. More Wheatears here, the males singing. Heading home ,I called in at Backworth to see the Pectoral Sandpiper found there next to the road ,this morning. The 2nd spring bird this week in the county. At St Mary’s 170 Sanderling gathered and 13 Wheatears in the mast fields. 3 White Wagtails on the beach.
AS Jack