The calls of migrating Meadow Pipits overhead each September, are one of the more obvious signs of the changing seasons. This past week has seen what must be many thousands heading south/south west through the county. Each day has seen large numbers on the move, with loose flocks of varying sizes flying over my Cullercoats house and at St. Mary’s Island where on one day, around 1,000 moved through in an hour and on another occasion around 1,500 in an hour reported at Alnmouth (T.C.) and 1,000 again at Druridge(I.R.)
Fields in Blyth on 10th were alive with birds as a resting flock of around 400 lined wires and fences, dropping down to feed, with many more passing overhead, some mobbing 3 young Kestrels, before they once more, resumed their journey south. Millions of Northern Europe’s Meadow Pipits spend the winter months in Iberia, up to 2.5 million estimated in one province alone recently, others pressing on into North Africa, and this scene in Blyth was reminiscent of a warm Winter’s morning in Southern Spain, with Pipits everywhere you look.
Also on the move this week, have been many Hirundines with again large numbers heading south. Monday 5th saw birds streaming through at St Mary’s, with hundreds of Swallows and House Martins together with lesser numbers of Sand Martins involved. Looking inland, I could see many more passing through and this scene was repeated on several other days last week. Around 100 House Martins in one flock passed the resting Pipits at Blyth on 10th. Large Hirundine numbers being reported at other coastal sites.
A.S.Jack