Today at Swallow Pond, three species of Grebe present. Great Crested, Little and a pristine summer plumage Slavonian, only the second site record.  Also seen were Whitethroat, 4 Blackcaps, 12+ Willow Warblers. Arcot next , and good views of a singing Lesser Whitethroat, 10 Willow Warblers and a Tree Pipit. Holywell held 2 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, several Willow Warblers and 2 Yellow Wagtails.

AS Jack

Yellow Wagtail 7 this morning on south pool (6 males and a female).

A Tilmouth

Today the Pectoral Sandpiper reappeared at Holywell, at flash pools just to the N. E. of the main pond. Also here were 4 Yellow Wagtails and 2 White.

A Little Ringed Plover put in a brief appearance at a site in the south east, and at St Mary’s 4 Black tailed Godwits rested on the wetland.

At Backworth, a Whimbrel seen and then a nice sight for 2 lucky observers as a party of 6 Common Cranes flew N. E. They circled over Holywell , before being lost to view.

AS Jack.

A bright sunny morning saw me run up to Harwood. On the way up Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were singing at every suitable habitat, back in good numbers. A male Redstart was my first of the year near Ogle. I arrived near Winter’s Gibbet and saw 5 Buzzards whilst there.

Over to the army ranges at Holystone ,with the guns silent during lambing, and again Willow Warblers were in abundance, with 12 singing in one area and a Tree Pipit displayed above. Siskins, Redpolls and a single Crossbill also noted. 3 Buzzards circled together.    The river at Hepple held 3 pairs of Gooseanders and 5 very vocal Common Sandpipers. At Sharpeton, 7 Common Sandpipers vied for territory and Grey Wagtails and Swallows seen. Swallows seemed to be back now at almost every farm. Surely swept north on the recent gales. Yet more Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were near Alwinton,where a pair of Dippers held territory,as did a pair of Kestrels. 8 Wheatears seen alongside the road west and a second Kestrel pair. A small flock of Fieldfares fed on the ground to the south .

In Upper Coquetdale, another pair of Dippers seen and several more Common Sandpipers. A single House Martin was with 20+ Swallows and 10 Sand Martins in the dale. More Wheatears here, the males singing.   Heading home ,I called in at Backworth to see the Pectoral Sandpiper found there next to the road ,this morning. The 2nd spring bird this week in the county.  At St Mary’s 170 Sanderling gathered and 13 Wheatears in the mast fields. 3 White Wagtails on the beach.

AS Jack

A pleasant morning to be out birding with a few migrants around. Two Common Whitethroats were in scrub south of railway line though neither were singing. A loose flock of 24 Meadow Pipits were feeding on short turf towards the iron bridge. Summerhouse Lane produced a singing Willow Warbler.

Two Chiffchaffs and a female Blackcap fed along the Woodhorn hedge and a Grasshopper Warbler was seen briefly along the east side of the railway line, though not reeling and very elusive. As I drove to Newbiggin a Short-eared Owl flew north into the Ash Lagoons. Several Wheatears were in the area.

20+ Sand Martins fed around Beacon point and 5 Sandwich Terns flew north, some light Kittiwake passage was noted.

A Tilmouth

A trip out to the Farne Islands today to take a small party of Greek & Latvian visitors around. Turned out to be well timed as I thought I would stop at the flash at Bradford Kaims between Lucker & Bamburgh (NU159318). This is just north of the B1341 with safe parking just before Hoppen Kiln Farm on the verge. I had noticed this wetland filling up during winter visits to Bamburgh as it is en route from Purdy Lodge on the A1.

Not expecting much other than a Garganey maybe I was astonished to find a Pectoral Sandpiper in with the feeding Redshank ! A very clean bird with a stunning breast band and not too difficult an identification challenge even at long range. The flash looks very promising for spring waders with at least 30 Redshank dotted about plus Teal,Wigeon Lapwing etc.    The Pec Sandpiper is the first for the UK this year and the earliest Northumberland record in Spring. Spring records have become increasingly regular in recent years.

As for the Farne’s everyone enjoyed themselves but it seemed decidedly odd to walk around Inner Farne with so few birds present. Although 1500 Guillemot offshore they were only in numbers on Staple Island. Also only 50 Puffin seen ! Most of these were in one raft near Inner Farne accompanied by a Long-tailed Duck ! Gannets were moving steadily north in small groups. Also the only terns seen were four Sandwich over Inner Farne. TRD

A cold start this morning at Beacon Hill,stll in winter’s grip and 6 hardy Willow Warblers noted ,with 8 Chiffchaffs. A couple of Yellowhammers, displaying Curlews and Lapwings and a Marsh Tit seen.Nuthatch calling.  3 more Willow Warblers were just north of here. Swallows noted back at several farms.

Down to East Chevington, and a Common Tern and 5 Sandwich Terns on the north pool. Also there ,several Swallows and Sand Martins, then a Whimbrel flew past,calling.

At Hauxley Reserve, 3 Grey Plover and 4 Bar tailed Godwits ,300 Pink Feet and a singe Barnacle Goose with them. At least 30 Tree Sparrows seen. Swallows singing in the village.

At Druridge, a pair of Marsh Harriers were together to the north, with some talon touching seen. Common Buzzard noted and on the pools on the old coal road, were 8 White Wagtails, 35 Ringed Plover and 27 Dunlin. A drake Garganey from the Budge hide and Yellow Wagtail, and Wheatear.12 displaying Lapwings. Male Stonechat in the dunes and a female at Cresswell. Also at Cresswell,a pair of Avocets present, another Wheatear in the dunes.

Off Snab, several Sandwich Terns and a light passage of Kittiwakes. Good numbers of Sand Martins at lynemouth.

AS Jack

Flooded fields at South Newsham this morning produced a bonanza of migrants including a single Spotted Redshank that departed north in the company of 3 Redshanks, a single Whimbrel that flew south-east over the railway line, 8-10 Ringed Plovers, 4 Dunlins in summer plumage. Passerines included a male Yellow Wagtail, 4 White Wagtails, several Skylarks, Yellowhammers and Meadow Pipits.

Newbiggin was quiet with 3 Wheatears to south of Spital Burn and a further nine east of the Lark Field. Two Chiffchaffs fed along the ditch at Woodhorn hedge.

A Tilmouth

Today starting at Swallow Pond with a Swallow and a 5 Sand Martins. Arriving overnight were 6 singing Willow Warblers. A flock of 60 Redwings too.Up to Lynemouth and 1-2 Wheatears on the links.Sandwich Tern off Snab. Cresswell, very high water levels. Stonechat female noted,a few displaying Lapwings. 4 Reed Buntings.

Road to East Chevington closed.

Coquet Island, Gannet, 6 Goldeneye, 3 Puffins only! Common seal seen.

Branton Gravel Pits, Willow Warbler,3 Chiffchaffs, 6 Sand Martins. 3 House Martins and 2 Swallows near Powburn village. 2 Yellowhammers. Buzzard.4 Goldeneye. ( Common Sand .reported here on 11th)

Ingram, 15 Fieldfares,6 Redwings, 50 Chaffinches.3 Chiffchaffs Bullfinch ,Tree Sparrows.

AS Jack

At St Marys today, 2 Wheatears , 2 Ring Ousels, 10+ Sandwich Terns, Black Redstart at Hartley and a second In the cemetery. Swallow ( and another earlier at Bedlington), several Sand Martins. 6 singing Skylarks. Meadow Pipits moving through,north. 12 Purple Sands.

Slav. Grebe on sea( J. Bucknall).

In Holywell Dene Blackcap and Chiffchaff. At Swallow Pond Ring Ousel, Green Sandpiper, Swallow and on Thursday 11th Nuthatch -probable 1st for site.( JPD).

AS Jack

Today at Old Hartley the first sighting of this year’s Wheatears, with 2 nice males feeding among the goats. Another was at Swallow Pond. At St Marys, still over 400 Golden Plover in fields and 6 singing Skylarks. 68 Sanderling on the beach.

Chiffchaffs were seen/heard yesterday at Briar Dene Farm and today at Swallow Pond. also at Swallow Pond, several Woodcock and 13 Fieldfares,3 Redpoll and 5 Siskin.

Great crested Grebes displaying at Killingworth Lake today.

AS Jack

A quick trip along the coast on a cold April day.
First the waxwings at Park View Home Lynemouth. Splendid flock of 35 birds and lovely views.

Redhead Smew at Druridge Pools with about 20 drake Shovelers.

Bad news was two dead swans( mute?) under over-head lines just north of Cresswell Pond. It’s time markers were fitted to these lines as this makes at least three dead swans this winter at the same place on the flight path to Cresswell from Bell’s Pond.

A bittern was reported but not seen by me at Cresswell but I did see a Long-tailed Duck on land there, a first for me.

An absence was the lack of any Stonechats anywhere in the dunes, a traditional favoured spot. When will we see them again?

Steve Barrett/John Littleton

Another try for the Black Guillemot off Stag Rocks, Bamburgh as it had been seen well yesterday. Typically I was unable to get up there yesterday when it was in view as I was covering my son in his computer shop ! And of course no sign today !

Anyway Stag Rocks still gave us plenty to see with 3 Slavonian Grebes, 12 Long-tailed Ducks, around 200 Common Scoter fairly distant, many Gannets, Kittiwakes and Fulmars on the move plus 25 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks. 14 Whooper Swans moved N past the Farne Islands. A stop at Budle Bay had little to show but further on at Harper’s Heugh lay by Janet found a Hooded Crow in the sheep field happily stomping about with the lambs and occasionally joining the mixed Pinkfeet / Pale-bellied Brent Goose flock. Also four Barnacle Geese were in with the Greylag flock. Further stops at Fenham le Moor and Beal proved quiet but the Swan flock at Fenham Mill had at least 37 Whoopers present though many birds hard to scope properly.

TR&J Dean

A trip out to the S/E starting at Blyth harbour with just a Kittiwake & a Guillemot in the harbour. Then down to the Seaton Sluice toilet block in the dunes ! Not a normal birding stop but the Pinkfeet in the field there have been joined by two Tundra Bean Geese & both birds were easily picked out with the flock. Always easier with close views. On to St Mary’s but little of note then North Shields Fish Quay where the juvenile Glaucous Gull showed well on the fish quay roof. Surprisingly our first Glaucous at the Fish Quay in nine years, well it is a hike from Rothbury !

Lunch at the italian Sambuca restaurant on the quay was again a joint highlight of the day. Had a look at Swallow Pond on the way back but all seemed very quiet there.

TR&J Dean

An early start guiding today and 15 Waxwings in Ashington on the way to Seaton Sluice to kick off. I was surprised to find two Tundra Bean Geese amongst the small Pink-feet flock at Gloucester Lodge as I believed only one had been present and reported.

An attempt to visit Harwood was abandoned due to the road conditions and instead we moved on to Lindisfarne NNR. Perhaps 200 Pale-bellied Brents were to north of Beal Point and a Little Egret in saltmarsh near the causeway. Skylarks were in plentiful supply on the shore from teh Fenham Mill hide and a Common Scoter and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers visible.

At Stag Rocks in a very heavy swell 3 Slavonian Grebes, a single Long-tailed Duck and a few Common Scoters fed close in. A Merlin came in off the sea in pursuit of several Dunlin before moving off north. A flock of Twite remained distant and restless in the field behind.

Seahouses Harbour continues to host two stunning Long-tailed Ducks offering potential photographers great views in the harbour. Two Rock Pipits also here on the quay.

Further south two Whooper Swans remain at QEII Country Park showing down to a few feet.

A Tilmouth

At Fenham le moor today, several hundred each of Brent Geese and Shelduck,and Wigeon. 30+ Grey Plover, many Bar tailed Godwits, Knot and Dunlin feeding on the mud-flats.In fields to the north, 42 Whooper Swans grazed and a Merlin noted. 25 Yellowhammers and 19 Chaffinches ,several hundred Wood Pigeons were feeding in stubble.

At Budle, the wintering Greenshank present,as was a single Little Egret. 2 Lesser bb Gulls seen.

Stag Rocks and 9 Slavonian Grebes, 29 Long tailed Ducks,20 Red Throated Divers, 300 Common Scoter noted. Several Gannets and Fulmars offshore and 30+ Shag counted. 40-50 Purple Sandpipers ,43 Oystercatchers and 27 Turnstone on the rocks.

At Newton,a good number of 19 Rock Pipits counted,20 Purple Sands and a few Grey Plover and Bar Tails here too.

St Marys Island this morning- 17 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks ,with 8 Rock Pipits and 3 Grey Wagtails. On the beach 77 Sanderling,2 Bar tailed Godwits. Offshore a few Gannets, Fulmars and Kittiwakes noted.

In the fields, 5 Skylarks sang in the sunny intervals inbetween the snow showers. 6 Meadow Pipits seen too. The wetland held 120 Redshank and 5 Snipe. A Reed Bunting sang.

At North Shields quay, the Glaucous Gull again note on the shed roofs.

AS Jack

A first-winter Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus was watched in the Tyne river mouth this morning – resting for quite a while on the rocks below the Spanish Battery. This bird has been visiting the river mouth since at least late December and has also been present at St Mary’s Island since November – seemingly commuting between these areas. This is quite a dark bird about the head, face, neck and chest and of medium size. A recent sighting of an Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides (age unknown) in the area was also mentioned to me. At the Low Lights car park a Rook Corvus frugilecus showed (a rare appearance here) amongst the Carrion Crows Corvus corone. Other gulls included at least 199 Black-headed, 135 Herring, twenty Great Black-backed, five Common and three adult Kittiwakes. Quite a cool seven degrees Celcius today with a grey sky – making the day chillier than yesterday when the sun shone nicely in a clear blue sky for much of the time.

Dan Turner

A drive up to Bamburgh intent on finally connecting with Black Guillemot in the county as one reported yesterday off Stag Rocks. A thorough search of the sea revealed many birds but no Black Guillemot. Numbers were well up on recent visits with c300 Common Scoter in a distant flock, at least 35 Long-tailed Ducks spread out , 8 Slavonian Grebes close in plus many commoner species including 2 Kittiwake, 6 Razorbill, 8 Fulmar (now nesting on the castle),Shags, 6 Red-throated Divers and 40 Purple Sandpiper.

On to Budle Bay and a European White-front in with the Greylags plus the wintering Greenshank in the S/E corner and four adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls (first of year in county). Further stops at Fenham le Moor & Holy Island causeway were good for the soul but with no particular highlights. Finished as usual with a Roast Sunday lunch at Barn at Beal !

TR&J Dean

A wander around Druridge Bay starting at Druridge Bay CP where the male Scaup was still showing well at the western end. On to East Chevington and little of note. Next Druridge Pools and a surprise to find the redhead Smew from the Budge Screen. Seemed perfectly happy having a splash and bathing. No sign of any Long-tailed Ducks at the northerly pool. Cresswell Pond still had one female Long-tailed Duck present but only 3 Red-breasted Mergansers otherwise. Little on sea at Snab Pt and no geese at Woodhorn. The QE II CP was interesting as the ravenously tame Mute Swans had two Whoopers in the mele. Heard one before actually finding them. Excellent photographic opportunities ! Finally a stop at Bothal Pond still had Pochard in numbers i.e 16.

TR&J Dean

Glaucous Gull – 1 showing well on sheds this morning at 8:30 am. 5 Mute Swans swimming in river close by.

Paul Buskin

Another wander out to the coast starting at Bothal Pond where the only highlight was a group of 19 Pochard including 16 males, hard to see in any numbers in the county nowadays. On to QE II CP and a solitary male Goosander of note. No sign of the 4 Greenland White fronts or single Tundra Bean Goose from the Woodhorn old windmill. However c200 Pinkfeet present.

Next was a short sea watch at Snab Pt with little to report other than a solitary Purple Sandpiper on the rocks, sea deathly quiet lately. Cresswell Pond still had the female Long-tailed Duck present, Druridge Pools also had the male Long-tailed Duck on the north pool. Plenty of wildfowl and waders now present from the Budge Screen but nothing untoward. On to East Chevington and the redhead Smew still present on N Pool. Finally a stop at Druridge Bay CP revealed the drake Scaup showing well at the western end.

TR Dean

A grey miserable day but the dog still needs a walk so we headed up to Bolam Lake. Mute Swan and Mallard numbers continue to swell on the lake with both birds now in excess of fifty, and over twenty Canada Geese as well. Tufted Duck and Goldeneye were also in good numbers with a scattering of Teal tucked in the edges. A single female Goosander rounded off the busy lake alongside good numbers of both Common and Black headed Gulls.

The top car park was busy with Blue Tits, Robins, Blackbirds, Chaffinch and at least 4 vocal Nuthatches making use of the seed on the wall. Heading out of the car park two squabbling Blue Tits plunged out of the tree landing in front of us and continued to squabble until the dog got too close and they finally separated.
The remainder of the woodland walk produced the usual species with Treecreeper, Great Tit, Coal Tit all easy to find. Crossing the west car park Bullfinch were heard but not seen. The south edge of the lake saw views of single Coot and Moorhen and then all the gulls went up off the lake as a female Sparrowhawk flew across. The final bird of the day was a Great Spotted Woodpecker that briefly drummed on a tree before flying away from the path.

A brief hour post-work primarily to look for Short-eared Owls around the Ash Lagoons revealed a single bird hunting from c.16:50.

The goose flock opposite the old windmill provided some interest while I waited, 4 Greenland White-fronted Geese remain, along with c.100 Greylags and c.40 Pink-feet. I was a little surprised however to find a Tundra Bean Goose amongst the Pink-feet as they’ve been quite scarce on the ground this winter. Perhaps the Holywell/Seaton Sluice individual relocating?

A Tilmouth