Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers' Northumberland trip report

29^th June 2007 - 1st July 2007
Trip Report by Andy Hall
Photographs by Lynne Demaine, Ron Demaine & Tony Wardell

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The day before we were due to depart on this trip, I was beginning to think that we were going to be well and truly scuppered by the weather. Indeed when I was picked up on the ring road in pouring rain, my stomach had a sinking feeling and I had visions of a soggy Notts Birdwatchers playing dominoes in some Northumberland watering hole. However, as we headed north clear skies developed and we made good progress at exactly 62mph thanks to the minibus governer, spotting a Red Kite near Harewood House and one Common Buzzard a bit later on somewhere in North Yorkshire.

We arrived at Bamburgh in the late afternoon and made a couple of birding stops locally including at Budle Bay where a single Whimbrel on the mudflats was very much the pick of the bunch, although a redhead Red-breasted Merganser was a nice bonus along with lots of Shelduck. A few tummies were starting to rumble by now and we drove the short distance to East Burton and our accommodation at Burton Hall, an opulent 18th Century farmhouse set in 470 acres of prime Curlew loafing habitat. A quick wash and brush up and we hit the road again and had a slap-up fish and chip supper in Seahouses, some people opting for the jumbo cod or haddock, which filled the plate three times over.

Neil had earlier suggested that we have an evening sea-watch, thinking that the recent inclement weather had displaced some breeding birds from further north. This turned out to be an inspired move. We parked up at Stag Rocks at Bamburgh and scoped numerous auks and terns feeding off shore. A good number of Gannets were also present although these all appeared to be going south. Eagle-eyed Cliff then shouted 'Skua!, and a superb dark morph Arctic Skua was flying past just off shore. Five minutes later we had another one harrying a tern. Although the best of the light had gone Neil picked up bird of the day with a close in Manx Shearwater skimming the waves. This was arguably the most unexpected bird of the trip and not one I had even considered. We weren't going to top this and we packed up and headed back to the Hall and made the log call with complimentary liqueurs, courtesy of Eve our host.

The next morning held much promise and miraculously was beautifully sunny, despite the forecast and a few intrepid members went on a pre-breakfast ramble. The nearby Burton quarry lake held four Greylag Geese, Coot and Mute Swan on the nest and several Willow Warblers zipped from tree to tree, the odd one breaking into song. Brian's desire to get good views of Yellowhammer was not to be disappointed as we explored the country lanes and got several excellent males in the hedgerows, as well as Linnet, Common Whitethroat and Reed Bunting. After breakfast we headed off and checked out St. Aidan's Pool at North Sunderland where there was a family of Shelduck, Dunlin, Common Redshank and Common Snipe. Several Sand Martin and Swift swooped over the water affording close views. Behind us in the dunes there were Meadow Pipits, Linnets and a stonking male Greenfinch. Next port of call was Bamburgh Golf Course where we had good views of a family of Stonechats as golf balls whizzed past our heads.

With the weather still holding we took a break in Seahouses, some heading to cafes and others going in search of Rock Pipit, which had somehow eluded us so far. The group rendezvoused at the quay at 13:00 and we were soon at sea heading for the island of Inner Farne. The so-called walk of death as you are bombarded by Arctic Terns in protection of their chicks was a little tame compared to previous years and the number of adult Puffins above ground and not carrying bills full of sand eels suggested that burrows had been flooded in the recent downpour. Never the less the group enjoyed excellent views of Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns, Guillemot, Razorbill, Puffin and Shag. On the beach near the landing stage were five Turnstones and a Ringed Plover. This is the third year in a row I have been to Inner Farne and it never ceases to amaze. It has a certain magic that every birder should experience. You might even get Arctic Terns perching on your head as they did for Andrew and Tracey on their way down the jetty!

By the time we got off the island the rain had reached us and most people had donned heavier gear for the journey back to Bamburgh and we played that well-known game of 'My coat is more waterproof than yours'. Back on dry land we headed straight back to Burton Hall and got changed for dinner. This time we got seats in the newly refurbished Castle Hotel for an excellent evening meal. Then it was straight back to the Farmhouse for the evening log-call, liqueurs and a game of find the bird (don't ask.)

Sunday started with somewhat more drab weather than the previous day, but most of the group embarked on a pre-morning walk, where we saw a nice flock of Curlews over the farmhouse. The fields and hedgerows yielded Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler and Yellow Wagtail as well as the usual Tree Sparrow and Linnet etc. After breakfast we bade farewell to Eve and headed in land to a hilly area south of Woller on the edge of the Northumberland National Park. At the car park was a Spotted Flycatcher and nearby woods held Goldcrest and Siskin, while a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in flight. Further on up hill and down dale we reached an area of grassy moorland and babbling river. Here we had excellent views of a pair of Grey Wagtail and a fine male Whinchat. As we meandered along the river we added Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Garden Warbler. In now fine, warm weather an area of forestry provided red-legged Partridge, Jay, Song Thrush and Tree Creeper.

With the list boosted and the group much fitter we got back to the car park in the early afternoon and set off for Amble in the south of the county and our prearranged boat trip. In Amble it was apparently still 1985 and if it wasn't for Coquet Island, it's hard to see why anyone would want to go to there. We boarded the boat and set off at full steam getting good views of Puffin and various tern species. The Island is owned and managed by the RSPB and landing is prohibited but Neil had arranged for us to moor the boat on the steps and we were treated to outstanding views of at least 10 pairs of Roseate Terns on the nest.

Thus ended a great trip to Northumberland. The total species list including Feral Rock Dove was 97. Mammals included Pipistrelle sp, Roe Deer, Rabbit, Brown Hare and Rocking Horse.

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Birds seen in Northumberland June 29th - July 1st 2007 [except *]

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