Woodpigeons

A totally non-birding weekend, but found this Woodpigeon nesting at the end of the garden. Very active, feeding young.

Great Knot

Spot the difference between the pictures below, and the pictures from the 18th..



There's a Great Knot in these ones! Decent views. Only stayed an hour so didn't see an awful lot else, but some nice summer plumaged Little Gulls and Mediterranean Gull.

Titchwell
21 June 2016 18:05 - 19:10
Patchy cloud 18C 10SW
Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Moorhen, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Great Knot, Knot, Ruff, Dunlin, Redshank, Snipe (heard), Black-headed Gull, Little Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Magpie, Jackdaw, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler, Starling, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail

Tottenhoe Knolls

I really don't do to well as an Orchid hunter. Think I should stick to birds. Went to Tottenhoe Knolls to look for Frog Orchid. Found Man, Pyramidal, Common Twayblade, Common Spotted, and even Musk (with the help of a flag). But no Frog. Oh well.

Totternhoe Knoll
19 June 2016 15:30 - 18:10
Overcast 16C 12SW
Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap (heard), Blackbird, Linnet, Corn Bunting (heard), Common Twayblade, Musk Orchid, Man Orchid, Common Spotted-orchid, Pyramidal Orchid

Norfolk

Not the best of days. Went to Titchwell for the Great Knot that had been present a few days. Had been missing for a couple of hours when I left but decided to continue as I expected it to be found on the way. It wasn't.



Gave up when the sun came out as decided to go to Upton Fen for Swallowtails, Norfolk Hawker, and hopefully Fen Orchid. By the time I arrived it was overcast and cold again. Nothing flying apart from a couple of Four-spotted Chasers. Couldn't find the Orchid either! Sun came out last thing, but was getting late by that point so gave up. Did manage flight views of Crane and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing (though not seen).

Titchwell
18 June 2016 12:10 - 16:00
Overcast with light showers 13C 15NNW
Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Cormorant, Little Egret, Moorhen, Coot, Avocet, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Turnstone, Knot, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Magpie, Blue Tit (heard), Great Tit (heard), Skylark, Swallow, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler, Wren (heard), Blackbird (heard), Robin (heard), House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Black-tailed Godwit (limosa), Black-tailed Godwit (islandica)

Upton Fen
18 June 2016 17:10 - 18:45
Overcast but sunny later 15C 16NW
Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Crane, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Grasshopper Warbler (heard), Reed Warbler, Blackbird, Four-spotted Chaser

Edit (19/06/2016): Great Knot on the Beach at Titchwell, and I get a message to say the Fen Orchids are out.

Swifts

The Swifts in the roof have young. Just about audible, and the parents are returning to the nests frequently and seen leaving with fecal sacks. Also a very good number of birds flying around the garden and church (40+), presumably all adults.

Not seen the Wrens since they fledged. Presumably over in the church yard somewhere. Other birds feeding young in the garden include a couple of very busy Dunnocks and Blackbirds. I suspect a Blue Tit has young somewhere close by too, but can't find the nest; likewise.for House Sparrows.

Thriplow Meadows

A somewhat disappointing number of Orchids at Thriplow Meadows. Just four spikes of Southern Marsh Orchid. There may have been more, but certainly not good numbers. Ragged Robin seems to be doing quite well though.

Purple Heron

A Purple Heron just east of the RSPB reserve along the toll road. First summer. Flew off west about half an hour of me watching it. Checked Amwell in case it had gone there, but apparently it went to the much more suitable RSPB reserve.

Amwell
11 June 2016 12:05 - 13:01
Cloudy 21C 6SW
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Egyptian Goose, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Red Kite, Buzzard, Moorhen, Coot, Lapwing, Common Tern, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit (heard), Swallow, House Martin, Cetti's Warbler (heard), Blackcap (heard), Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldfinch

Wrens

Three young Wrens in the nest-box on the side of the house.

Northumberland and North Pennines

Final day in Northumberland. Started off with a big breakfast in the Running Fox in Felton, followed by a coastal walk around Alnmouth. Then another quick look at Coquet Island; today was sunny so thought (and did) get better views of the Roseatte Terns; still no sailing to here (or the Farnes) as all week due to the strong northerlies. Then a quick final look in Druridge which had been my home for the week.



Late afternoon headed south, stopping at Hexham and Hardian's Wall which Michelle had wanted to visit. Then after eating at nearby Langley (a lovely pub with Curlew calling and flying in the background) decided to head south across the Pennines. Looked for Grouse but couldn't remember the exact location of where to see Black and had no internet, so only managed a few sightings of Red Grouse as well as a Short-eared Owl. Then the long drive home.

Druridge Bay
04 June 2016 15:01 - 15:28
Sunny 16C 14N
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Greater Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Redshank, Arctic Tern, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Chiffchaff (heard), Willow Warbler, Whitethroat (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Yellow Wagtail (heard), Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Chaffinch (heard), Linnet, Wall

Stanhope
04 June 2016 20:35 - 20:55
Sunny 12C 12N
Red Grouse, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Short-eared Owl, Meadow Pipit, Rabbit

Northumberland

Druridge to start and end. Inbetween lunch at Crastor and a walk to Dunstanburgh Castle where year-ticked Razorbill. Coquet Island viewed from Amble where just about managed views of Roseatte Tern as well year ticking Puffin.

Druridge Bay
03 June 2016 09:16 - 11:33
Cloudy 12C 14NE
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Greater Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Redshank, Sandwich Tern, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Swift, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Skylark (heard), Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Willow Warbler (heard), Whitethroat (heard), Sedge Warbler (heard), Wren (heard), Starling, Blackbird, Dunnock (heard), Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail (heard), Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Western Roe Deer

Dunstanburgh Castle
03 June 2016 14:30 - 15:00
Cloudy 14C 14N
Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Fulmar, Gannet, Kestrel, Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Skylark, Swallow, Meadow Pipit

Coquet Island
03 June 2016 16:35 - 16:45
Cloudy 13C 14N
Gannet, Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern, Roseate Tern, Arctic Tern, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull

Druridge Bay
03 June 2016 18:13 - 20:07
Cloudy 11C 15N
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Greater Canada Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Goosander, Pheasant, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Dunlin, Redshank, Snipe, Sandwich Tern (heard), Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Swift, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Starling, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Stonechat, Yellow Wagtail (heard), Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch (heard), Linnet, Reed Bunting (heard), Rabbit, Brown Hare

Holy Island

Holy Island with the family. Failed on the second and final target Orchid of the trip, despite haveing detailed directions. Maybe the Coral Roots aren't out yet? Lots of Northern Marsh and a few Early Purple. A very good day non-the-less.

Holy Island
02 June 2016 09:59 - 18:35
Patchy cloud 11C 13N
Mute Swan, Barnacle Goose, Gadwall, Mallard, Eider, Fulmar, Gannet, Shag, Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Turnstone, Sanderling, Redshank, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, Swift, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Sedge Warbler, Wren, Starling, Blackbird, Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Wall, Early-purple Orchid, Northern Marsh-orchid, Western Roe Deer

Northumberland

Druridge Bay first thing. Hide to myself again without yesterday's excitement. Just the drake Garganey. Then a very pleasant inland and coastal walk from Craster to Howick and back. Took a few photos on the way...