Great to be back in the North East for another yomp round
some excellent bird spots. We started with a visit to Newbiggin for a walk with
the family and were rewarded with Mediterranean gull and an Oystercatcher with
a sense of dignity as it posed on a tombstone in the church. All the following photos were taken by my friend and birding mate David who was experimenting with his new camera - a Christmas present from his wife.
 |
| Med gull |
 |
| At rest! |
Next day we set
off for Linton Lane to start the dawn to dusk odyssey. As predicted Linton was quiet with only small
numbers of wildfowl but we racked up 10 – 12 species including the only pochard
of the day. On to the QE2 Country Park and loads of gulls (including a Med
gull) and ducks. We could not find the Iceland gull and there were no Goosanders
on view but a lot of common stuff was duly ticked especially when the lady came with the bread.
 |
| Gull fest |
Next stop was Snab Point and fulmars were there despite a raw biting east wind. This was a feature of the
day on any exposed coastal section. It was actually easier to set up and use a
scope rather than try to hold binoculars still.
 |
| Even looks cold |
 |
| Solitude |
Cresswell gave distant views of
the long-billed dowitcher as well as the only shelduck of the day. The
dowitcher was found for us by a gentleman en route from Yorkshire to Inverness
who couldn’t stay long as his wife was in the car!! We moved to the Causeway
car park for better views but never saw it again.The feeders were busy but for the first year in a long time we could not find yellowhammer.
 |
| Litle grebes |
 |
| Look at me I am colourful...... |
 |
| ..... and I am not bad either |
 |
| Teal, wigeon and no dowitcher |
The threatened rain had not appeared and the sun had come out. We managed to work round the hail showers by driving or sitting in a hide until they passed. As the road was closed we had
to drive up to Widdrington so we detoured for the Widdrington waxwing that was
exactly where we were told he would be.
 |
| Billy Nomates, the Widdrington waxwing |
Back down to Druridge Pools we passed a
field which was covered in Lapwing, Golden plover, Fieldfare and Redwing as
well as large numbers of gulls. We were able to scope a field of Pink-footed
geese and two White fronts from the end of the track at Druridge. Then we backtracked to the car and drove to Druridge
Bay CP for Goosander and the feeders.
 |
| Goosander coming to bread!! |
We then walked south to Chevington Burn
and back and were able to pick up the Black-necked grebe, Marsh harrier, Stonechat,
Scoter and Twite. Thanks to Neil and “Even Sparrows” for their assistance. We
then had a choice as time was running on whether to return to Cresswell for a
Barn owl or go to QE2 for the Iceland. We chose the former and dipped. Nevertheless
we finished with 77 species and a lifer in the form of the Dowitcher, not a bad
day at all. From 0715 in the hide at Linton till 1715 in the hide at Cresswell
we had a cracking day and ten hours quality birding. Looking forward to next
year when Hauxley will re-open with a circular walk. Thanks to all who helped
on the Forum and in the field. If you ever fancy a visit to Strangford Lough
let me know and I will see what I can do to assist.
 |
| East Chevington in the late afternoon light |
2016 totals:
104 Black-necked grebe
104 Black-necked grebe
105 Fulmar
106 Pink-footed goose
107 White-fronted goose
108 Scoter
109 Goosander
110 Sanderling
111 Long-billed dowitcher
112Mediterranean gull
113 Meadow pipit
114 Waxwing
115 Twite
