Arriving this morning at Castle Island, Ashington at high tide, the remaining exposed mud held a good selection of waders. These included 66 Black Tailed Godwits ( 74 later counted by others), 4 Curlew Sandpiper juveniles, a Green Sandpiper and a Greenshank, 2 Juvenile Little Ringed Plovers and 3 Ruff (one female). Around 100 Lapwings, 10 Grey Herons, a Little Egret and around 40 Teal, 19 Gadwall and several Shoveler and Mallard completed a busy scene.
Moving on to Cresswell next, where the nesting House Martins remained in the village, as others flew south. Several Sandwich Terns fished offshore. The pond held 7 Avocets, 3 Greenshank, 15 Little Egrets and 3 Great Crested Grebes. 3 young Wheatears were catching insects in the reed beds ,looking out of place here and a Redstart did likewise along the hide path. A Yellow Wagtail and Sedge Warbler seen and a Water Rail heard.
On up to Druridge , where a flock of 30 or so Common Scoter were seen on the sea. With them was a juvenile Great Crested Grebe and 5 Red Throated divers, some still sporting their red throats. More Sandwich Terns here. A male Stonechat with 2 juveniles in the dune bushes and several Willow Warblers seen in roadside bushes. A Greenshank at the quiet pools, the highlight being a juvenile Marsh Harrier coming in from the north, over the hides to land in the pools area.
A.S.Jack