Starting at St. Marys Island today, the Golden Plover flock has built up to around 300 birds showing well on the rocks. 4 Knot still largely in summer red, fed on the beach,as did 75 Sanderling, 23 Turnstone and 36 Oystercatchers. 29 Curlew were in a field. A few Chiffchaffs, Reed Buntings and a single juvenile Whitethroat seen in the bushes. A Grasshopper Warbler still reeled on and off in the long grass of one field.100+ swifts and 50 House Martins fed over the fields here.
On up to Lynemouth,where the Swift colony was very active as the morning warmed,with 40 or so birds in screaming parties above the houses. Perhaps the last days for them , as their departure will be any day now.
At Cresswell, the Stilt Sandpiper performed well,giving good views to the packed hide and surrounds,many folk from out of County coming to see it. Also here were up to 15 Ruff,Greenshank,Common Sandpiper (3), several Avocets,2-3 Black tailed Godwits , around 450 Lapwings,and a Little Egret and aYellow Wagtail.120 Sand Martins fed low over the pond. Druridge next, where an adult and juvenile Wood Sandpiper showed well with Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. 25 Snipe flushed by a Sparrowhawk. A Great crested Grebe seemed to be incubating on it’s nest. A juvenile Marsh Harrier seen by other birders. Now in hot sunshine, a great number of butterflies were evident. Painted Ladies, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Comma,Red Admiral, Common Blue, Tortoiseshell and many Whites of the 3 common species were all feeding in good numbers. A few Common Darters also seen. A family party of Stonechats in the dunes,where a male seen with 3 young. Several groups of juvenile Whitethroats were in the area too.
East Chevington was quiet,so on to Hauxley where a Greenshank and 3 Common Sandpipers noted. 12 Little Grebes included several youngsters. 123 Curlew was a good count,roosting on an island.
A.S.JACK