The weather forecast held true and a superb warm, sunny day prompted an eary start as I arrived at Beacon Hill at 7 a.m. en-route to the Cheviot valleys. It was well worth an hour or so as bird activity was full on,with many spring migrants and local residents in great voice,many singing in between nest building or feeding young. The usual chorus of Willow Warblers,Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, together with Redstarts,Garden Warblers and several Whitethroats filled the air,then a distant Cuckoo was attracted in with an imitation of it’s call. It landed in the tree above me,with a chuckling call,then flew again “Cuckooing” as it flew.A Willow Tit foraged for food nearby,occasionally calling. Other species here included,Redpoll,Siskin,Skylark(6),Yellowhammer (5),Tree Pipit in display flight on a heath,Lapwing and Curlew. In the woods,Nuthatch,Great Spotted Woodpecker and Treecreeper and Goldcrest seen.
On up to the Ingram Valley next,where a Tawny Owl was seen from the car, perched in a tree hole and on the first of six Song Thushes was seen. Five or six Mistle Thrushes here too. Along the river, several pairs of Common Sandpipers were nesting alongside Oystercatchers and Ringed Plover. A Sand Martin colony of around 30 birds occupied the river bank and Grey and Pied Wagtails, Dipper and a Heron noted. Five singing Yellowhammers and seven Whitethroats,Linnets(common here) and suprisingly two singing Sedge Warblers here too. At the car park, a Spotted Flycatcher was a nice find and Willow Warblers sang in good numbers. Further up this upland valley, the first of 13 splendid male Whinchats sang from a fence post perch ( 3 females also seen). Always a great spot for this species, pairs allowed close approach as they fed,not as yet nesting with very little growth from their favoured bracken nesting sites.
To Harthope Valley now for more upland species,with a pair of Ring Ousels feeding together on an open heath and a third bird in song. A pair of Stonechats scolded me as they had two fledged young nearby and Red Grouse called all around . More Whinchats here with five males seen. A fledged young Dipper on the river with Common Sandpipers and Oystercatchers,Grey and Pied Wagtails. Then several more Spotted Flycatchers seen in riverside trees. A Cuckoo called ,then two flew out of a wood together, with a third calling in the distance.Overhead, three Buzzards circled together. Redpolls and Siskins noted too. Around 30 Willow Warblers seen/heard in the valley. Driving out of the valley later, two stops revealed pairs of Spotted Flycatchers at each.
A.S.Jack
