A tour around the local sites saw me at St. Marys and the first singing Skylarks of the year,as 2 birds noted on high. A Stonechat along the west fence line and 3 Reed Buntings seen. A few Rock Pipits,Grey Wagtail and an assortment of waders frequented the rocks and beach. Among these were a single Purple Sandpiper and 68 Sanderling , around 250 lapwings,19 Turnstone and flocks of Oystercatchers,Curlew and Redshank. The wetland held small numbers of Teal , Wigeon and Snipe.
Holywell was quiet, with a few Tree Sparrows and Great spotted Woodpecker at feeders. Dipper in the dene.
On to Killingworth Lake, where 5 Gooseander,12 Goldeneye and 4 Shoveler were among good numbers of Coot and Tufted Duck.
Swallow pond next, and 2 jays in the wood,then 1 flying n.w. towards Benton. Water Rail briefly and Siskin and Coal Tit in the woods. The Red Deer remains in residence with the horses.
Along the Bee Hive road at Earsdon, a flock of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings noted.
A.S. Jack
