Frequent visits to my local patch at St. Mary’s Island over recent weeks produced a good variety of sightings. A Great Northern Diver flying north was a surprise (two past Newbiggin too ). Wintering and passage waders have been evident, increasing in number with 2 Golden Plover in early July, increasing to around 400 by August. 700+ now in fields at Backworth, this week may well be the same increasing flock? Curlews have been arriving post-breeding, with a handful increasing to 150 this week, feeding in nearby stubble. Sanderling can be present here in every month of the year, but are now arriving back from northern breeding areas, some continuing south, but around 60-70 regularly feeding on the beaches or roosting on the island at high tide. Although, 145-150 were present on one recent day. Other waders include Turnstones, still looking splendid in summer garb (20), Ringed Plover, often engaged in disputes with one another (18), Redshank, Knot (4)
Dunlin and Lapwings in small numbers. Four Rock Pipits were closely watched feeding on the tide wrack, with 20+ Pied Wagtails and a dozen Meadow Pipits. A pair of the latter were still feeding young in a nest into August, with a few males songflighting. A small number of Skylarks remain in the fields, with the last songster, sadly heard on July 5th.
A local bred brood of 4 Stonechats frequented fence lines, with their mother, being joined on occasion by several passage Whinchats and mainly juvenile Wheatears. 4 of the latter present as I write. 2 Redpolls and a Pied Flycatcher today (Aug.20th) were further evidence that birds are on the move as Summer approaches it’s close. A small number of Swifts fed today over fields, with the majority of local birds having left for the year. 25 on territory in nearby Whitley Bay up until 16th.
Four family parties of Whitethroats have been noted in bushes, with most vacating the area in early August. Sedge Warblers finally went quiet into August, with a brood of 3 young seen. The local Coot pair raising 5 young. Sand Martins are now feeding second brood young in a few cliff nests, with 3 pairs fledging 9 young in June. (15-20 nesting pairs in total along the cliffs). A fledged brood of Swallows were being fed at the wetland this week.
A Kingfisher seen today and a juvenile Marsh Harrier briefly hunted the wetland before heading off south. ( N.Tinlin/ J. Bucknall).
Terns of several species have been passing south in good numbers , with groups resting on the rocks at times or roosting on the island. Sandwich (60-70 max.) Common (30+) Arctic(15+) and Roseate (5) all seen on the rocks.
The many wild flowers have been attracting a flock of 50-60 Goldfinches recently and an impressive gathering of up to 180-200 House Sparrows. Small groups of linnets and Greenfinches too.
On the many sunny days, butterflies have been present in good numbers, with Common Blues, Small Skippers, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Speckled Woods (fewer than in recent years), Red Admirals, Tortoiseshells and Large Whites noted. Also a few Common Darters.
A.S.Jack