There was an adult Hobby over Leaplish (Kielder Water) this afternoon (15.30 hours).

Paul Massey

The calls of migrating Meadow Pipits overhead each September, are one of the more obvious signs of the changing seasons. This past week has seen what must be many thousands heading south/south west through the county. Each day has seen large numbers on the move, with loose flocks of varying sizes flying over my Cullercoats house and at St. Mary’s Island where on one day, around 1,000 moved through in an hour and on another occasion around 1,500 in an hour reported at Alnmouth (T.C.) and 1,000 again at Druridge(I.R.)

Fields in Blyth on 10th were alive with birds as a resting flock of around 400 lined wires and fences, dropping down to feed, with many more passing overhead, some mobbing 3 young Kestrels, before they once more, resumed their journey south. Millions of Northern Europe’s Meadow Pipits spend the winter months in Iberia, up to 2.5 million estimated in one province alone recently, others pressing on into North Africa, and this scene in Blyth was reminiscent of a warm Winter’s morning in Southern Spain, with Pipits everywhere you look.

Also on the move this week, have been many Hirundines with again large numbers heading south. Monday 5th saw birds streaming through at St Mary’s, with hundreds of Swallows and House Martins together with lesser numbers of Sand Martins involved. Looking inland, I could see many more passing through and this scene was repeated on several other days last week. Around 100 House Martins in one flock passed the resting Pipits at Blyth on 10th. Large Hirundine numbers being reported at other coastal sites.

A.S.Jack

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

4 Bar tailed Godwit at Snab Point Creswell 18.45……1 adult ID slight upturned bill 3 juveniles shorter bill and browner.

Also a female Wheatear.

Neil Cairns

We have been watching a Kingfisher on our pond in Hepscott, Morpeth, behind NE61 6LH for the last couple of days.  It was still there this morning.

Nick Tompkins

Earlier this year birdwatchers flocked to Big Waters Nature Reserve to catch up with some visiting Black Terns, which remained for a few hours one bright and sunny Sunday afternoon. In July however, one very lucky birder was extremely lucky to witness a visit from the world’s largest Tern; a Caspian Tern.

Photos below by Brian Bullough

 
A selection of photos from Jonathan Farooqi of recent sightings in the County. 
 

A Great White Egret from Druridge Pools – September 2016

The Caspian Gull from Amble – August 2016

The Black Tern from Queen Elizabeth II Country Park – August 2016

The White rumped Sandpiper from Amble – August 2016

Hundreds more photos of birds recorded in the County are available to view in our Galleries section of this website.

September, and just one Kittiwake left on Tyne.  All quiet on waders too, no Blackwits or G’shank on mud this summer.

M.P.Frankis

A Great White Egret was at Durridge Pools at 16.45.

Neil Cairns

2 Curlew Sandpiper were at  Lynemouth Flash at 08.05 today.

Rob Stonehouse

This sunday, birders flocked to Amble to catch up with the returning Caspian Gull, which has returned for it’s fourth year.  Despite the busy sunday market and crowds at Amble, the Caspian Gull, relaxed on the sand.  Some lucky birders also found a Juvenile
Yellow-legged Gull.

The Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull from Amble this Sunday.  Still around on Monday 22nd.

Photos below by Chris Barlow
Juvenile Yellow-legged Gull – Amble 

The Northumberland Wildlife Trust opened up Hauxley Nature Reserve on the 13th-14th August, to share the progress of the exciting development work happening at the moment.  Some visitors came from far and wide, including a Spotted Sandpiper which came all the way from America.

Hauxley is still closed again, due to construction work, however the NWT will be holding another open day on the 10th-11th September 9.30 am-3.30 pm. There will also be tours of new buildings at 11 am and  1pm on the Sunday.  More information can be found at www.nwt.org.uk 

Photo below by Jonathan Farooqi
Spotted Sandpiper at Hauxley on 13-14th August

A quick halt at Lynemouth today, on the way to Cresswell and Druridge Bay revealed a Ruff and a pair of juvenile Curlew Sandpipers on the shrinking flash pool. A Yellow Wagtail fed with a few Pieds and 2 Dunlin dropped in. On to Cresswell, where a large flock of Sandwich and Common Terns loafed on the rocks off the village. 15 House Martin nests in the village, though a few unoccupied. At Cresswell Pond 11 Little Egrets were counted, 2 Greenshank, 3 Avocets, 2 Ruff and another group of Terns here, of the same species as offshore. Later in the afternoon an Icterine Warbler was found on the path to the hide (M.J.Carr).

Up to Druridge Pools next, and a very good selection of waders present. These involved 20+ Black tailed Godwits, 7-8 Curlew Sands,2 Wood Sands, 2- 3 Little Stints, 17 Ruff, Greenshank and Dunlin. An Osprey flew north at approx. 10 30 am, with it or another seen later up the coast at Warkworth, but a second bird appeared to the west of Druridge at 11am. before drifting off west. Panic among the waders ensued when a Peregrine came in low over the pools, no catch this time for what was thought to be a juvenile bird. A pair of Stonechats perched on a fenceline here. The juvenile Cuckoo, present for a while now, remained in the nearby dunes. A passage Redstart near them, flycatching from fence posts. Good numbers of hirundines hawked above, with a Swift among them. Word broke of a good find to the north at Amble, a White Rumped Sandpiper (TFA/JFA), which was easy to see as I arrived feeding out on the mudflats with several Curlew Sandpipers, Knot and Dunlin. A Little Egret here too.

Heading south now to Q E 11 Lake, where a nice Black Tern fed over the lake before flying off to the North East at 5 50pm. Hopefully, it may return. Back at home in Whitley Bay, 12 Swifts remain at their nest sites, 10-11 days later than in recent years.

At St Mary’s today Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and 3 Whinchats. 2 Roseate Terns (SPP).

A.S.Jack

Caspian Gull at Amble last Thursday. Always distant…

Damian Money 

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

During a short stroll from Collingwood’s Monument to have a pint at the Fish Quay, I checked a small group of Common and Arctic Terns on the rocks . Amongst them were two
Roseate Terns.

C D Hampton

Druridge Bay was full of life this weekend with a good selection of waders on show.   At Cresswell Pond and Druridge Pools, these included  2-3 Greenshank, up to 12 Dunlin, up to 15 Black-tailed Godwits, (some in their handsome summer plumage), up to 42 Curlew, up to five Knot and a couple of Common Sandpiper, L-R- Plover, Ruff, Snipe and Whimbrel.

Cresswell Pond was very popular on Saturday evening with seven Little Egrets, five Grey Herons and twelve Mediterranean Gulls enjoying the sunny weather. A juv Cuckoo, was present at Druridge Pools on the Sunday.

The highlight over the past week, has been up to three Little Stints, which have been spending time on both reserves.  Water Rails and Peregrines have also been reported.  At this time of year, anything can turn up and I’m hoping a Spotted Redshank, Pectoral Sandpiper or perhaps even something rarer comes to visit.

Paul Buskin

A moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper from Cresswell Pond, Northumberland.

This bird remained in the area till early August.

Photo below by Mike S Hodgson

Holywell Pond can be great for waders July-October with Green, Common and Wood Sandpipers, Greenshanks and if your lucky Spotted Redshanks coming to visit.

An Adult Greenshank by Mike S Hodgson

Blyth estuary totals this am – Redshank 395, Oystercatcher 165, Curlew 92, Goosander 46, Whimbrel & Bar tailed Godwit, pleasant start.

Steve Holliday

Newton Pool is looking great for waders at the moment and there has been good variety of waders recorded over the past couple of weeks.  Highlights have included Little Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper   During my recent visit on Sunday 31st July, I particularly enjoyed the local Stonechats. This site is well worth a visit.

Paul Buskin

An attempt to re-find the Caspian Tern seen yesterday briefly at Big Waters drew a blank unfortunately. Started at East Chevington where the single Roseate Tern was still in with the tern flock on the beach by the South Burn outlet. 70 Sanderling there a sign of returning waders. Little on North Pool unsurprisingly as the water level is still too high. On to Druridge Pools and a Greenshank seemingly all of note. The muck field north of Bell’s Pond between Cresswell & Druridge held a large gathering of Mediterranean Gulls with at least 30 present though undoubtedly more as hard to pick out all birds. Cresswell Pond was quiet with a Ruff, Common Sandpiper, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Little Egrets, a female Goosander and a Water Rail. No sign of the recently present Curlew Sandpiper.

Have added a pic of the Pectoral Sandpiper seen on Tuesday at Newton. It has been pointed out that this is more likely to be an adult as juveniles rarely arrive from the breeding grounds in the high Arctic this early. Looking at the photo again even though the white tramlines on mantle are very pronounced and scalloping of coverts pronounced it lacks the rufous neat scapular edging of a juvenile. Pectoral Sandpipers were thought to have bred in Scotland in 2004 & also in Svalbard in 2013 so early juveniles may be possible in the future.

Tim Dean

Migrant waders were starting to appear yesterday at Druridge Bay with a fine part-summer plumaged Curlew sandpiper at Cresswell Pond together with single Green Sandpiper, Greenshank & juvenile Little Ringed Plover. 53 Dunlin present & 20 Black-tailed Godwits. Druridge Pools & East Chevington were much quieter though a single Roseate Tern was with the tern group at the South Pool outlet at East Chevington.

Today was spent at Newton where a juvenile Cuckoo was perching on rocks between Newton Point & Low Newton village. Unconcerned by my presence & some nice pics. Two Garden Tiger moths were very busy with each other so let me very close. Met Ian Davidson who had just found a Pectoral Sandpiper at the scrape just north of Newton Pool and found this feeding on far side of scrape. Always fascinating to guess where this juvenile hatched ! Few other waders on the scrape other than a few Dunlin & 11 Black-tailed Godwits. Ian also mentioned a Hobby in the area that dive bombed the beach just before I arrived.

Tim Dean

First Whinchat of the autumn at West Hartford this pm.

Steve Holliday

A Female Red-necked Phalarope was still present at the east end of Grindon Lough this morning.  There was also an adult Sanderling.

Paul Massey

A Temminck’s Stint at Newton Scrape at 07.05 on the 12th July 2016.

Rob Stonehouse