A temporary change of home to house and dog sit for my parents saw the day start at the nearby Whittledene reservoirs to walk the dog. Spring and winter were in direct competition for attention with the fields on the left containing 6 Skylarks singing off against each other while the hedge on the right held both Fieldfare and Redwing. 3 pairs of Grey Partridge were also in the fields, with Yellowhammers, Bullfinch, Blue & Great Tits, Robins and a Wren all bombarding the air with song. Back by the stream along the bottom of the Northern reservoir and a Buzzard launched out of the conifers over the water heading east and the unmistakeable piping call of a Green Sandpiper preceded the bird itself as it launched itself over the wall and disappeared under the near bank.

With the sunshine forecast to develop during the day from the north another trip to the coast was in order and the first stop was Seahouses. Two Long tailed Ducks were in the harbour, both female types although one could have been a first winter male, the bill had more pink in it than the females and it had more of a tail than the other. The Eider’s were also on form, charging up the beach at anyone who came near in search of food, the ‘comedy’ run always makes me smile !! In the end though most of my time was spent listening to and watching the male Starlings sing, the colours standing out superbly in the sun.

The harbour was getting busy with boat trips heading to the Farnes so I moved on to Stag Rocks with the tide now well out. 3 more Long tails were off the rocks with a female Common Scoter and a Slavonian Grebe close in with Purple Sandpipers, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Turnstone feeding on the tideline.

Heading south the stretch of water between Warkworth and Amble saw a resting seal on the large rock above the weir with Wigeon, Goldeneye, Curlew and plenty of bathing Gulls along with a lone Heron.

Druridge Pools was the final stop in the hope the male Long tail might be more active in the afternoon than my numerous recent morning visits. Leaving a photographic posse in the dunes watching for Owls I had the pool to myself and as I arrived around 400 Pink Footed Geese were having a wash just beyond the island before hopping back into the field to the north. The single Shelduck of the day before was now up to 3 and the female Long tail were in the Western corner.

The male was in the water swimming towards the north eastern corner and swam along the east side before starting to head back towards the island. With my 3.30pm deadline approaching though he suddenly changed direction and headed straight for the hide coming to within around 20 metres to give excellent views before the female finally responded to his calls and he flew off to join her. Persistance finally paid off having spent many hours waiting.

C Barlow

With the sun finally bursting out on Sunday I decided to return to Druridge Bay (along with what seemed to be most of the population of the north east!!) I managed to find solitude at Druridge Pools and was once again treated to a close pass by the female Long tailed Duck as she swam across right in front of the hide but she suddenly took off and flew to the far side of the pond as all the other wildfowl scattered, the cause turning out to be some idiot who started to walk down the bank to stand in front of the hide to look through his binoculars! I somehow managed to be polite where many others would not have been and he retreated and came into the hide instead, I didn’t bother speaking to him.

Shortly after his departure a Shelduck flew in from the north and 4 Whooper Swans flew over heading up to Chevington. The male Long tail remained on the island throughout, only leaving briefly when he was evicted by the 7 Canada Geese while 300+ Black headed Gulls arrived from the west for a quick wash before heading on south.

Just as I was preparing to leave the 4 Whooper Swans flew back down and landed on the pool and set to cruising back and forth and were still there as I left just before 2pm.

Cresswell was extremely quiet, 2 Little Grebes, 6 Snipe and a female Long tailed Duck with just a handful of Wigeon and Lapwing for company. The fields south of the farm held several thousand Pink footed Geese, I wouldn’t be surprised if the flock exceeded 8,000. By the parking area 9 Yellowhammers were sat on the wall.

Final stop of the day was at Woodhorn church where there was a smaller group of around 100 Pink foots that were flying up in small groups to near the road.

The difference a week makes, out doing the same route last week and no Black Grouse or Lapwing.

This afternoon near Acton Moor we came across 19 Greyhens perched atop a dry-stone wall with 3 males in the grass below. This is my highest ever count of Greyhens in a single group in many years of birding this area. Also present were a group of 34 Lapwing and a pair displaying on territory.

Again in the East Allen in the Knockshield area a group of 8 Black Grouse included 6 Greyhens and 3 displaying Lapwing. The usual field at Swinhope Shield held 9 Black-cocks, 2 were half heartedly displaying to each other. Also present were a large group of 100+ lapwing and a party of 8 Stock Dove.

1-3 Black-cocks present at several other locations and small numbers of Lapwing

At Carrshield 9 Black-cocks were showing well and another large group of 120+ Lapwing were present. 23 Red Grouse also seen.

Good birding all

SJ Hingston

With the sunshine breaking through a lone Waxwing from the kitchen window in Fawdon encouraged me out to the coast to walk the bay starting at Druridge Pools. The assault course into the main pond at the pools has become even more extreme since my last visit with thick mud replacing the paths, two patches of deep standing water at either end of the collapsed boardwalk and now one of the willows by the Oddie hide has fallen over to block the path unless you are willing to crawl under! Having battled in the pond was quiet with 32 Greylag, 8 Canada and a lone Pink footed Goose on the opposite bank with a dozen Mallard and 6 Tufted Ducks on the water. The female Long tailed Duck was still present but highly agitated, travelling the length and width of the pond including some close passes of the hide while calling constantly and regularly flying. Evenually I spotted the male who was virtually motionless on the island and stayed there through the hour I was there. The absence of ducks on the pond became clear from the Small hide with large numbers of Wigeon and Teal on the flooded ground.
Walking up the dunes 4 Grey Partridge flew out of the cattle fields and with the tide coming in Chevington Burn mouth held 23 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin and 5 Pied Wagtail. Chevington North Pool had 27 Goldeneye, 5 Male Pochard, 3 Gadwall, with 2 pairs of Red breasted Merganser and 6 Great Black backed Gulls roosting on the far island.
The Country park lake had a single male Scaup near the visitor centre and a flock of 40 calling Whooper Swans appeared from the north and dropped onto the water.The source of their arrival became clear as a low flying microlight then buzzed the lake and set up 15 Crossbill from just north of the visitor centre and they headed into the evergreens at the north of the lake, the group contained at least 4 males but the circling ‘aerial pest’ sent them off into the thicker plantation.
The Ponteland hide at Hauxley is still suffering from far too much water although the field to the south held 200 Curlew with a further 100 from the Tern hide.  The high tide roost contained on the island included 11 Grey Plover, 50 Lapwing, 15 Dunlin and 10 Bar tailed Godwit with 140 Wigeon also on the site. The Hadston shoreline had a flock of 50 Turnstone and 12 Rock Pipits on the seaweed but sadly also two dead Shags floating in the surf.
The return trip was started at 2.30pm and the birdlife was much quieter. The Whooper Swans were still cruising around the country park and at the south end of Chevington a Barn Owl was hunting over the settling ponds and adjacent reedbed. Back at the pools there was better news with the male Long tailed Duck now feeding on the pond although for want of a better description he did appear to keep sneezing – bird flu ? A Short eared Owl was hunting the fields to the north of the pond and a final stop at Cresswell at last light revealed another Long tailed Duck, a much browner female than the one at the pools to end a very successful day.

Yesterday, a run out north west proved that inland ,winter Northumbs can be very quiet.

Killingworth lake held 10 displaying Goldeneye and 2 smart drake Gooseander and a few Little Grebes. Buzzard seen on wires along the A1 near Morpeth. Then off up to Rayburn Lake ,where a solitary Whooper Swan was the only noteworthy bird.

Out across the fell at Wingates towards Simonside, one of my favourite county routes saw for me , once more, the horror that comes in the form of the dreaded wind turbines that are now being erected to destroy the splendid views to the Simonside and Cheviot hills. Here, hundreds of recently planted saplings have been dug up to accommodate the turbines,and many signs put up by locals adorn posts and trees protesting ,in vain at the forthcoming installation of the giant windmills.

On over Simonside ,and a few Red Grouse provided a year tick in the otherwise quiet hills/forest. The minor roads around Gt Tosson are now only passable with care ,due to dozens of large, crumbling potholes. Jumping in the roadside grasses was a nice ,mostly white Stoat, his coat now showing patches of brown ,right on cue ,as the snow melts away. Caistron ,and around 300 Grey Lags grazed the fields, Heron ,Buzzard and a Kestrel were added to the notebook.Over Billsmoor,where snow piled high at the roadside by the plough but had largely melted on the moors. 3 Fallow Deer grazed but little in the way of birdlife.

In and around Elsdon, yet more protesting posters for another imminent wind turbine installation near the Gibbet. A lunch halt at the Gibbet, then down to Harwood village ,where a Brambling noted , as last year , near the garden feeders with 20+ Chaffinches ,several Coal Tits ,Blue and Greats. A Red Squirrel also appeared at the feeders. Some Goldeneye on Bolam Lake rounded off a quiet day for the notebook.

AS Jack

An afternoon foray to Low Newton. The main highlight was a female Velvet Scoter offshore from the chalets to the east of Newton Pool. Excellent views from the sheltered chalets with the Velvet consorting with 7 Common Scoter, 5 Long-tailed Ducks including two males and 7 Goldeneye. On Newton Flash north of Newton Pool the young male Long-tailed Duck was still present seemingly at home in this unlikely habitat. At Newton Point there were seven Red-throated Divers & a Guillemot. Waders on the beach at high tide included 5 Grey Plover, 30 Sanderling, 20 Purple Sandpipers & 40 Turnstone. No sign of the recent Black Redstart though quite possible it is still present somewhere in the area.

TR Dean

Good to get out of the house.

Chief sightings on a south east county tour were;

Holywell Pond:  400+ Lapwing, 7 Gadwall, 30 Curlew, one Buzzard.

Newbiggin Bay:  Good selection of waders plus one Med Gull.

Cresswell Pond:  Many Wigeon.  Two drake plus a female R b Merganser.
One Long-tailed Duck.  Sadly a dead Swan (mute?) under an overhead line at north end of pond.

Bothal Pond:  Loads of Canadas and sprinkling of other water fowl.

Woodhorn field near Alcan entrance:  Four Greenland Whitefronts with Pink Feet flock.

SRB/KSB

During a stroll around the Blagdon area monday starting at ‘Northumberlandia’ a fair range of winter birds were seen despite the gale.

The most interesting species were:  Green Sandpiper on a flooded field near A1, Lesser Black Backed Gull with Herring Gulls.  A covey of eight Grey Partridges

SR Barrett

A long day out starting with a walk round the outskirts of Holy Island. A Barn Owl at the north end of the Straight Lonnen was still hunting at 10 am. Further along towards Emmanuel Head were two Short-eared Owls showing well by the wall. At the head the sea proved quiet with only 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Fulmar and a few Shags noted. The lough also quiet with 8 Goldeneye. On to the Crooked Lonnen only to find that the Cattle Egret had not been seen at all this morning. This will not be for want of looking as the Teesmouth Bird Club were encamped on the lonnen. Hopefully the egret has not succumbed and will turn up elsewhere. Around to the heugh off the castle & the hoped for Red-necked Grebe did not materialise in the strong westerly wind.

Coming off the island I noticed two Long-tailed Ducks close in by the bridge on the causeway. Backing up the car I managed to get some fairly close photos of the male but the female there showed better. Photographing with our dog’s head resting on my shoulder proved taxing but reasonable pics of both birds shown here. Lunch next at Barn at Beal where the place was almost full to capacity. On to Fenham Mill in search of the Whooper Swan flock but no luck. Two Bewick’s were reported last week with the Whoopers. Further stops at Fenham le Moor where around 40 Pintail were showing quite well then Budle Bay with no highlights, Stag Rocks at Bamburgh with only one Slavonian Grebe, 3 Long-tailed Duck & 20 Common Scoter, and no surprises at Monk’s House Pool & Seahouses.

TR Dean

Three Short-eared Owls hunting at 15.30 hours, plus 3 Common Crossbill (2 males & a female).

PR Massey

An almost balmy morning, I was pleased to find 9 Whooper Swans in a field to the west just southeast of High Steads Farm. A single Willow Tit moved along the hedge on the main road opposite the turn for Linton Lane.

On an unfrozen pond a Bittern was a surprise find in reeds c.10m left of the hide. A Buzzard seemed entranced by the ducks as it sat atop Alders on the north side. Wildfowl included 2 Pochard and 60 Teal.

Around 600 Fieldfares and Redwings moved inland near Ulgham Lane as I walked home.

A Tilmouth

An afternoon visit to Newton. Any thoughts of the wintering Black Redstart here were quickly set aside due to the strong southerly wind. Presumably sheltering somewhere. However we did eventually make it to the Newton Pool hide where a first-winter Long-tailed Duck was a surprise. Only a few Goldeneye & 1 Gadwall otherwise here. The flash to the north of the pool has become a lake and flooded the path hence a jcb doggedly digging out a flood channel to release the water. On the beach a high tide assemblage of waders included 75 Sanderling, 15 Purple Sandpiper, 30 Turnstone, 1 Knot & 2 Dunlin.

Our feeders in Rothbury have recently become popular with 3 Brambling, 3 Redpoll on the niger seed plus Bullfinches, Siskin, Nuthatch etc. Also along the river at Thrum Mill single Marsh & Willow Tits noted with Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Dipper etc.

TR&JDean

As with many of the county’s birders , I twitched the Holy Island Cattle Egret today. Whilst there a 1st winter Kittiwake flew around the assembled throng and Black t. Godwit on the Rocket Pools. A female Merlin glimpsed near the castle, as were 75 Dark bellied Brents and offshore, a Long tailed Duck and a few Mergansers. An unconfirmed report was heard of a pair of Bewick’s Swans with some Whoopers in the Lindisfarne area.

At Fenham 3 Perergrines were on show,causing havoc among the many waders and duck.

Stag Rocks produced a Great n. Diver ,Slavonian Grebe ,several Long tailed Duck and Common Scoter.

At Beadnell a flock of 80 Linnets were noted. Several hundred Golden Plover fed in a field.

Down to Newton where the Black Redstart performed well at the village/beach. Here also, were around 20 Rock Pipits, 20 Chaffinches on the beach and 27 Purple Sands.

35 Whooper Swans fed in fields just north of Warkworth as dusk fell.

Throughout the day, Fieldfares and Redwings could be seen near the snow free coast.

AS Jack

Little surprise as to where we were headed today. Yesterday Ian Kerr identified a Cattle Egret on Holy Island with locals saying that an egret had been in the vicinity of the Crooked Lonnen for the last 3 days. Just shows it is worth checking these things out. Only the second for Northumberland with the previous one being on private land at Barrasford in 1986.

Have to say it was the most awkward Cattle Egret I have ever seen as it stayed in the woodland area to the back of the white house on the Crooked Lonnen. Brief views obtained and then it decided to play ball & at least gave scope views properly. Our cocker spaniel was being very patient and we walked up to the end of the Crooked Lonnen to let him off the lead well past the sheep. A Great Northern Diver passed north offshore. Seems to be several about at the moment. On the way back along the Crooked Lonnen battling against the wind & mud we had a flyover Waxwing which headed towards the village calling. Also on the rocket field pools a Black-tailed Godwit showed well. A deserved Sunday Roast at the Barn at Beal gave us another year tick with long distance views from the car park of a Little Egret flying near the wood at Beal Sluice.

Budle Bay was quiet as high tide and Stag Rocks at Bamburgh was also quiet with only the first Razorbill of the year offshore of any note.

TR&J Dean

Offshore this morning a notable influx of Red-throated Divers off Church Point with at least 10 on the sea. Three Common Scoters and a Razorbill were also noted.

On the Moor/Golf Course a Lesser Redpoll was flushed from one of the ditches, 3 Redwings were in bushes on south side of football pitch and a Jack Snipe was found. A small flock of c.20 Siskins were on The Mound.

Waders in the north bay included 4 Grey Plovers and a decent count of Dunlin with 153 present though strangely not a single Sanderling to be found.

Having finally dug ourselves out we were glad to wander far afield again. Decided on a spell at Holy Island causeway first and walked up to Beal Sluice. Sometimes one feels a decision was the right one as we managed views of a Merlin flying along the saltmarsh heading up to Beal Pt & a Peregrine on a post to the south towards Fenham Mill. Then a flock of finches behaved admirably perching in small trees towards Beal Point with most turning out to be Twite ! We estimated 90-100 Twite with 20 Goldfinches and only the odd Linnet. Excellent close scope views obtained. Next were a few Skylark and 7 Grey Partridge (our first of the year) . At Beal Point Janet picked up the Merlin again and it landed on one of the posts in the saltmarsh. A fine female & a rare chance to scope one properly. On to Beal Sluice & Janet’s long distance vision again proved useful as another Peregrine was found looking towards Goswick. Four Pale-bellied Brent nonchalantly meandered down the channel at the sluice. On the way back another Peregrine sighting though this may have been the one seen earlier from the causeway.

On to Fenham le Moor where 30 Pintail were the main interest. Then Budle Bay & Janet again scored with the scope as she picked up the wintering Greenshank in the S/E corner of the bay. Finally Stag Rocks in gathering gloom & only one Slavonian Grebe , 3 Red-throated Diver & 40 Common Scoter noted. A Great Northern Diver was reported off here today. Excellent afternoon’s birding !

TR&J Dean

Two Short eared Owls hunting from 14.30 and Long eared Owl perched on fence near pine plantation south of bumpy road at 15.30.

A couple of Lesser Redpoll still present and Robins feeding from the hand.

P Fletcher

At the coast today, we were snow free at last, with the white stuff having melted to around a mile inland. At St Marys, a male Pintail,35 snipe and 30+ Teal were on the wetland. Offshore, an adult Med Gull noted and on the rocks, 100 Knot counted.

Up to the Blyth estuary,where a male Peregrine chased a group of 30 Bar tailed Godwits, failing to catch any. He then joined his mate , and the pair flew to a nearby pylon . 17 Shelduck, 7 Goldeneye and a pair of Gadwall on the river. In the nearby trees,were 30-40 Fieldfares .

At Woodhorn, opposite the old windmill, 2 Greenland Whitefronts and 1 Eurasian fed not 50 metres from the roadside hedge , affording close approach. They were totally unconcerned by my presence. A Short eared Owl hunted over the Alcan Lagoon, then around 100 mixed Fieldfares and Redwings flew out of a small conifer wood nearby.

On up to Cresswell, where 2 pairs of Stonechats noted and at the pond 4 Knot with 150 Dunlin and a single Grey Plover. Also 3 R.B. Mergansers. The road past the pond was well flooded ,with several cars not attempting to drive through .

The pair of Long tailed Duck seem to have relocated to Druridge Pools.

Back down to Seaton Sluice next, and the Tundra Bean Goose was feeding with around 200 Pink Feet in the roadside fields. While watching it, a female Merlin flew in and landed on a fence post. Presumably the goose that was at Holywell recently?

Up to Swallow Pond and a Jack Snipe seen in flight, attracting the unwanted attention of a local Sparrowhawk,which later seemed to briefly show an interest in some Teal on the pond, they quickly scattered. A Short eared Owl noted and a Stoat crossed the path ahead of me. A Crossbill heard calling ,then a few Siskins and Redpolls overhead.

Near the visitor centre, a singing bird flew towards me ,I recognised the song as a splendid Lapland Bunting flew overhead and turned s.w. over the wood. Great to hear it’s song in the depths of winter. Goldfinches and Robins were singing, but this song capped off a very good day.

AS Jack

Today,Bittern seen again in flight.

Also Jack Snipe ,Little Owl and Short eared Owl.

Glaucous Gull flew north at St Marys.

AS Jack

A brief visit to the Mound and football pitch produced a single Woodcock, 20 Meadow Pipits and a handful of Redwings.

The south pool at Woodhorn is becoming a regular haunt of some of Newbiggin’s Mediterranean Gulls and four were present this monring, 3 adults and a 2nd-winter. Coot numbers were up to 56 due in part to the cold weather and a pair of Gadwall were the first of the year there (for me).

Around 80 Fieldfares fed in stubble and horse fields at the south end of Newbiggin.

On 9th January I watched a pair of Long Tailed Ducks on Druridge Pool. In perfect photography weather (blue skies) I watched them for 3 hours but they stayed at the west end of the pool out of my camera range (Dash!).

Went back today (18th Jan.) braving the snow showers and the flooded path (wellies required) and they were still there. This time they drifted close to the hide giving excellent photographic opportunities. Alas, today the light was lousy- murky grey through the snow flakes (again Dash!)- so the attached are my best efforts.

P Tapsell

Lough 90% frozen, but did still hold Goldeneye (12), Tufted Duck (2), Wigeon (87), Teal (38) & Greylag Goose (28) amongst others.  Also, single Raven noted.

PR Massey

East Chevington:  Long-tailed Duck on North Pool & approx 4,500 Pink-footed Goose in fields just south of South Pool but nothing unusual found amongst them.

Druridge Bay Country Park:  Nothing of note.

Druridge Pools:  Approx 5,000 Pink-footed Geese in fields just south of the pools (presumably same birds as seen at East Chevington previously) with a single Tundra Bean Goose amongst them.

Cresswell Pond:  Long-tailed Duck on pool – different bird to that seen at East Chev earlier. Plus 12 Pink-footed Geese.

PR Massey

A fine morning if a little cold, several groups of thrushes including Redwings and Mistle Thrushes around Woodhorn Church, Fieldfares in hawthorns east of the pools and Song Thrushes in scrub at the ash lagoon banks.

A single Waxwing was feeding on rosehips east of the south pool then flew off south, c.20 Siskin and a single Lesser Redpoll were east of Summerhouse Lane Pool as were 4 Meadow Pipits a Skylark and 6 Grey Partridge.

At Newbiggin 2 Grey Plovers and 3 Purple Sandpipers were still present, 6 Meadow Pipits were on the beach and around Beacon Point and a single Dark-bellied Brent Goose was on Newbiggin Golf Course.

An eye examination in Morpeth (free at last !) gave an opportunity to wander along the coast. Hence without dog in tow managed to cover several sites i.e Bothal Pond, QE II CP, Woodhorn fields, Snab Pt, Cresswell Pond, East Chevington and Amble Harbour. Nearly all had concentrations of wildfowl but nothing out of the ordinary but this does mean all had some open water. Main highlight were 28 Whooper Swans S of Alnmouth in coastal fields seen from road. Quite possible for a Bewick’s to be found here again. The Long-tailed Duck was still showing at East Chevington at the N end of N Pool. Also again the Tundra Bean Goose was reported in the Pinkfoot flock in field S of Druridge Pools. Already had a description of this bird from Dave Elliott.

TR Dean