A bike ride this morning on waggonways and farm tracks, starting at Monkseaton, where 2 Song Thrushes were in full voice. Garden feeders attracted 7-8 Tree Sparrows and a pair of Bullfinches nipped off emerging buds. Double figures of both Greenfinches and Goldfinches sang, each male establishing a territory. Robins and Dunnocks did likewise, again into double figures. The first of 3 pairs of Long tailed Tits appeared too. Farmland hedgerows held 8 Yellowhammer males, calling. I halted to listen to the first singing one of the year. Over the fields near Holywell Dene, 2 Lapwings displayed, calling. Both these species always a delight in Spring. A few Skylarks were in full songflight mode and others chased each other,calling.
A Kestrel hovered here, then at the Pond several Curlews and more Lapwings. Pairs of Oystercatchers and Shelduck noted, as were a pair of Little Grebes,also calling. Teal, Mallard, Pochard,Tufted Duck and Gadwall seen on the Pond. Down into the Dene next, where 2 Nuthatches called,one inspecting a possible nest hole.
The Dene was alive with birdsong, despite the cool, dull conditions. Great,Blue and Coal Tits sang, along with Chaffinches,more Gold and Greenfinches,Wrens,Dunnocks and Robins. Then a Treecreeper heard, another 2 Song Thrushes and several Blackbirds. A Dipper flashed by,calling ,then a male Grey Wagtail perched on rock mid-stream. A Kingfisher was seen here earlier in the week. At the east end of the Dene, the rookery was busy,with 80 or so birds noisily repairing old nests.
On to Old Hartley next, but no hoped for Wheatears. Plenty of Fulmars on the cliffs and a small group of Eiders offshore. A Stonechat perched on a fence and 4-5 singing Skylarks here over the fields. St Mary’s held 5 or 6 Reed Buntings, males now with black headgear,singing from bushtops. On the rocks, good numbers of Redshank and Oystercatchers,Curlews and Turnstones. 2-3 Rock Pipits seen and a Meadow Pipit overhead.
West of Whitley Bay Golf Course, 10 more Reed Buntings were along a good sized hedgerow,one singing male.Then a flock of 40 or so Skylarks took flight from stubble with much courtship activity,birds chasing each other and rising to sing ,with 5 singing in the area at one point. More Meadow Pipits here too. Back along a waggonway and 2 more pairs of Bullfinches completed a good morning.
A.S.Jack