Two days birding covering Druridge Bay on 7th & Bamburgh to Holy Island on 8th. Mostly quiet after a frenetic September. Walked from Druridge to East Chevington with the South Pool now low enough for waders. 19 Ruff flew in and settled with Lapwings. On North Pool conditions still ideal but few birds seem to know hence 30 Dunlin & 19 Golden Plover the only passage waders. 14 Pintail though were of note. On to Cresswell Pond and the Little Stint still showing by the hide with 11 Snipe & 5 Bar-tailed Godwit. Best sighting was undoubtedly the immature Peregrine hunting Duck on the Eastern edge. At one point it managed to nail a Mallard but dropped it as presumably too heavy ! Finished off the day at Hauxley where a female Scaup has now joined the drake. 15 Tree Sparrows were showing well on feeders seen from the ‘sea watch’ hide. Next day up to Bamburgh where a productive spell saw a variety of species but not the hoped for Velvet Scoter. Janet is now only 3 species behind me for the year with one of her missing birds being Velvet Scoter ! Any amount of grilling the nine Common Scoter present proved unsuccessful. Also close in to shore though was a fine drake Scaup. Otherwise highlights included 14 Common Tern still present on beach off Budle Point plus single Arctic & Sandwich. An Arctic Skua was constantly harrying them. Three late House Martin were a surprise especially as they were heading North ! 34 Knot, 20 Kittiwake and up to 50 Shags also seen here. On to Fenham le Moor where the tide was still well out. Distant views of impressive Wigeon numbers with maybe 5,000 gathering. Budle Bay & Holy Island causeway also proved quiet. Tim & Janet Dean
