Saturday saw a run up to Hauxley in the hope that the sun would break through, New Year it might be but the BBC weather forecast remains as incorrect as ever when they claim it will be good weather !!
Walking in from Hadston a group of flycatching birds near the Ponteland hide turned out to be 15 Waxwing which soon flew over towards the visitor centre when mobbed by 3 Magpies. 2 Little Grebe and a Moorhen the only birds on view as even the normally resident Goose flock seem to have abandoned the site (they appear to be taking on the grazing challenge at Druridge Pools). On round to Tern hide turned up the first Shelduck and Tree Sparrow’s of the year and a lone Bar tailed Godwit.
On down to Cresswell and numbers were better highlights being a Red breasted Merganser, 2 Long tailed Duck along with a single male Pintail asleep on the smaller pond. A stop off at the north end car park was necessary while leaving to watch a Short eared Owl hunting and 4 Stonechat were visible at the same time in the same area.
Sunday morning started at Tynemouth Boating Lake where the single lone Barnacle Goose was still in residence, shunning the offer of bread from the locals and not looking particularly well.
On up to St Mary’s Island for just after High Tide and a good scattering of 20 Purple Sandpipers were amongst the plentiful Turnstone, Oystercatchers, Lapwings and Golden Plover with a lone preening Knot over on the isalnd a good spot amongst the Redshank. As the tide retreated the Sanderling flock grew past 30 with Ringed Plover flying in as well.
Killingworth Lake was next and a ringed Whooper Swan had arrived since the 5th and stood amongst the Mutes finally showing off its ring after 20 minutes (ZY4495). 3 male Goosanders on the lake and good numbers of Goldeneye and Pochard as well.
With light failing (12.30 !) Gosforth Park was the final stop and a Bittern was seen twice in flight with a couple of Gadwall also on the lake.
Chris Barlow