At Arcot this afternoon, Willow Warbler numbers were building with 11 -12 singing in the area. (10 at Backworth today too, per.Spp). Several singing Skylarks in the air and two displaying male Lapwings over an adjacent field. On the pond, ten Gadwall and a Little Grebe could be seen. A pair of Oystercatchers and 3 more Lapwings fed on some exposed mud.
Heading up to Stannington, where 5 pairs of Swallows having returned to their farm nesting site, were enjoyed singing and acrobatically chasing each other in courtship.
On up to Beacon Hill where the slight increase in elevation meant there was barely an open bud on the trees and bushes compared to the Wansbeck Valley below. Always a site where Willow Warbler numbers are high, again with a typical arrival week the lanes were full of their song, with 15 birds noted in the area. 10+ Chiffchaffs too. 6 Yellowhammers (one female) were feeding on flies on a manure heap, with a Reed bunting and 2 cock Pheasants. 4-5 singing Skylarks could be heard,then 2 hovering Kestrels noted. At one stop, a flash of red in the trees and a splendid male Redstart, newly arrived perched in a tree, then a second male flew in at speed to see off the rival. A burst of song followed as territories were disputed. A quick record picture was grabbed. A Blackcap sang from within an evergreen bush and a Swallow sang as it flew overhead. In the wood, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 5 Treecreepers seen, as were singing Coal ,Great and Blue Tits. A constant chattering came from a flock of around 120 Fieldfares gathered in the trees, no doubt soon to head north. In nearby fields, Curlews and a few Lapwings displayed. A few Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood and Peacock butterflies could be seen.
A.S.Jack
