To Mull and Back

Since my last post I have been to Mull and back.

I've also been Druridge.

Mull was great, a lads weekend away, plenty of eagles and beer but no otters. Good to catch up with Bryan too.

Back on the patch for a wander about proved profitable on Bank Hallada Monday (A bit of Ashington-speak slipping in there, sorry). After we checked some meadow pipits nests, we headed for the Budge Screen, wood sandpiper and spotted redshank had been reported whilst I was away on Mull.

A wood sandpiper showed briefly, but no spotshanks remained. A fly-through house martin picked up by ADMc was also a year-tick and two yellow wagtails were by the little hide. On the main pool the highlight was a pair of great-crested grebes. Once a regular at Druridge these birds are becoming really scarce in these parts now. Also of note was fly-though greenshank and a drake pochard.

rusty returns - Swallows on the gutters at Druridge

drake shoveler, shoveling, on the big pool

 Today was 'Visit E' of my territory mapping thingy, so an early(ish) start. Again, many species are getting into the serious business of breeding, so not as many singing birds, the newly arrived whitethroats were blasting out their scratchy song and there was at least five of them. Three grasshopper warblers were also reeling, they'll quieten down soon too.

It was nice to see at least one of the stonechats pullis we ringed last week have now fledged, there were probably more in the grass still being fed. I think this events deserves more stonechat pictures.

Stonechat juvenile complete with shiny new ring

And a couple of pictures of the proud father!

This evening a quick look out to sea produced my first common tern and just as the sun was setting a whimbrel flew north, calling.

112 wood sandpiper
113 house martin
114 great-crested grebe
115 common tern
116 whimbrel