Yesterday, a run up the coast in bright,sunny conditions, starting at Newbiggin where 5 Med Gulls showed well on the beach. 1 first winter bird and 4 adults. Up to Snab Point south of cresswell, and the fields were busy with feeding waders including Lapwings, Golden Plover, Curlews and Redshanks,Turnstones and 19 Ringed Plover. On the rocks 82 Oystercatchers were roosting and a Red throated Diver flew south.
At Cresswell Pond, the board noted that the Jack snipe was seen on the 5th,but not today.Around a thousand Pink Feet were feeding north of the causeway,very close to the road ,attracting a succession of car-borne photographers. The female Long tailed duck remained but no sign of the male. 23 Dunlin fed along the west shore.
A pair of Stonechats noted in the grass and reeds s.e. of the pond. 3 Kestrels noted ,all on telegraph poles. At the farm,5 Yellowhammers and 15 Tree Sparrows seen.
Up to Bells Farm dunes where 46 Twite circled in a tight flock before landing to search for seeds . At the north end of the Druridge road a huge flock of Pink Feet were grazing, estimated at over 3,000, covering 3 fields! From the Budge screen duck seen included Pintail,Gadwall,Shoveler,Teal and Wigeon.
On down to Woodhorn,where 2 Greenland Whitefronted Geese fed among the Grey Lags next to the road/ Church Pool. Both Marsh and Willow Tit with Bullfinches ,Coal Tits ,Treecreeper and Siskin seen at the old colliery ,as were 3 rarities- Red Squirrels!