A quieter day today with a walk at Doddington. One of our favourite areas for getting away from crowds and proved very productive today. Best sighting by far was an inland Little Egret , only our second inland sighting in Northumberland with the other at Caistron. It flew along the river past the new bridge overlooking the marshes. Here were 300 Pinkfeet , normally more present here at one of the few inland localities for the species. Also on the marshes was a fine female Merlin seen twice. Only our second sighting here. Eight Whooper Swans were also unusual. A fine array of other birds included Grey Wagtail, Grey Partridge, Tree Sparrows all in this unspoilt corner. Yesterday saw us after the Grey Phalarope at Stag Rocks,Bamburgh but with no success, also seen today apparently. A Great Northern Diver was seen flying south. TRD/JD
