I had looked forward all week to a day’s birding at Druridge Bay this Saturday and I was reluctant to give in to the wet and windy weather. I started at Killingworth Lake, in the hope that yesterdays red head Smew was still around. No sign today however. As the rain showers become more persistent, I considered my options. I was thinking of driving instead to Holywell and the shelter of the NWT bird hide, when I noticed on my twitter, an Iceland Gull was at Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Country Park, Local Nature Reserve. Filled with new enthusiasm, I made my way to the A189 and up to Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Great choice as I was rewarded with very close views, from the car park, whilst sitting in my car, sheltered from the rain.
As the weather started to settle, I drove up to Druridge Pools, where On the main pool there were seven Pochard and a moutling male Scaup. I find Pochard are more difficult to find early January, at my local sites.
Nearby at Widdrington Moor Lake, a Great Northern Diver which I had seen on New Year’s Eve was still present to the right of the lake.
Paul Buskin
