Busy couple of days at Druridge Bay ! Yesterday we managed to re-find the Little Stint on the flash 150 metres N of Druridge Pools with a few Dunlin & Ringed Plover. Also the Wood Sandpiper behaved admirably at Lynemouth Flash giving close views by the road. Then a sea watch at Snab Pt gave us our first Manx Shearwaters of the year with 9 N in 15 minutes. Cresswell Pond was quiet with just 1 Black-tailed Godwit of note.
Then today saw us back at the bay looking for the Icterine Warbler at Druridge Pools. Astonishingly it behaved well and gave excellent views in the new coppiced area at the start of the walk to the two hides. Even my first digital pic of one. Then tried for the Common Rosefinch seen earlier by Dave Elliott (He found the ‘icky’ as well !). Lo & behold a bird performs after some wait & a brief wolf whistle song gave us brief views of this first-summer male. It flew into bushes nearer the Budge Screen and was still being seen later in the afternoon. Also present was the Great White Egret from the Budge screen with two Little Egrets for company.
Happy with our day, we adjourned for a meal at the Drift Cafe at Cresswell (always recommended). On to Castle Island in afternoon and no sign of the Bonaparte’s Gull seen earlier again this morning. However a smart drake Garganey was noted on the S side of the main island. Just to confirm that movement was still ongoing two Glossy Ibis were found late afternoon at Newton scrape N of Newton Pool. What will the weekend bring with more pairs of eyes and easterlies still ongoing!
T.R.Dean/J.Dean
