A bright,sunny but cool day,with a fresh wind whipping off the moors found me in one of my favourite Spring haunts, Allendale in the County’s south west. At this time of year,the moors and fells come alive with displaying upland waders. It is without doubt,the best area in Northumberland for these species and the display calls of the various species,recently arrived from their winter haunts,filled the air at every turn.
Lapwings predominate,with flocks gathered, feeding in open fields and many more paired up on the fells,males performing their fabulous display flights. Well over 400 birds seen. Curlews too have a breeding stronghold here, and easily 40+ pairs were noted , again males filling the air with display song. Redshanks and Snipe also in good numbers, also song-flighting all around me. Like the Lapwings, Golden Plover were back in flocks numbering 350+ but none in pairs as yet. One or two males were song-flighting though,their far-carrying calls heard several times. At one spot each March, they gather and close views can be had with care. Two soaring Buzzards appeared overhead. A search for Wheatears and Ring Ousels drew a blank,then the sight of a poor Mink which must have had a long, slow painful death in a trap on a fence above a stream. Vicious killers they may be, but a sorry way to die for any animal.
Red Grouse could be seen and heard all around,then at one site, six Black Grouse males fed almost in the front garden of one farmhouse, allowing great views.
A few Pied Wagtails back in the area, 7-8 and perhaps 40 Meadow Pipits,some displaying. Skylarks too back but as with the other two species, so far in small numbers.Many more will arrive soon. The same could be said for Oystercatchers,with only a few noted. Redpoll,Siskin,Dipper,Nuthatch and Song and Mistle Thrushes were among other species seen,then a pair of Grey Wagtails,the male singing ,were at the Sipton Burn.
Alan S. Jack.
