A quick halt at Lynemouth today, on the way to Cresswell and Druridge Bay revealed a Ruff and a pair of juvenile Curlew Sandpipers on the shrinking flash pool. A Yellow Wagtail fed with a few Pieds and 2 Dunlin dropped in. On to Cresswell, where a large flock of Sandwich and Common Terns loafed on the rocks off the village. 15 House Martin nests in the village, though a few unoccupied. At Cresswell Pond 11 Little Egrets were counted, 2 Greenshank, 3 Avocets, 2 Ruff and another group of Terns here, of the same species as offshore. Later in the afternoon an Icterine Warbler was found on the path to the hide (M.J.Carr).
Up to Druridge Pools next, and a very good selection of waders present. These involved 20+ Black tailed Godwits, 7-8 Curlew Sands,2 Wood Sands, 2- 3 Little Stints, 17 Ruff, Greenshank and Dunlin. An Osprey flew north at approx. 10 30 am, with it or another seen later up the coast at Warkworth, but a second bird appeared to the west of Druridge at 11am. before drifting off west. Panic among the waders ensued when a Peregrine came in low over the pools, no catch this time for what was thought to be a juvenile bird. A pair of Stonechats perched on a fenceline here. The juvenile Cuckoo, present for a while now, remained in the nearby dunes. A passage Redstart near them, flycatching from fence posts. Good numbers of hirundines hawked above, with a Swift among them. Word broke of a good find to the north at Amble, a White Rumped Sandpiper (TFA/JFA), which was easy to see as I arrived feeding out on the mudflats with several Curlew Sandpipers, Knot and Dunlin. A Little Egret here too.
Heading south now to Q E 11 Lake, where a nice Black Tern fed over the lake before flying off to the North East at 5 50pm. Hopefully, it may return. Back at home in Whitley Bay, 12 Swifts remain at their nest sites, 10-11 days later than in recent years.
At St Mary’s today Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and 3 Whinchats. 2 Roseate Terns (SPP).
A.S.Jack
