[Fledgling666]

I was given an old book by someone entitled 'Birds in Northumbria'. It is a record of the birds in this area for 1970 as reported by 'The Tyneside Birdclub', whose chairman was Ian Armstrong.
Anyway here is a sample of the more eye catching accounts from it :
Smew - 3 records of this scarce visitor, White Fronted Goose - 3 records of this, the uncommonest of the visiting geese, Common Buzzard - 8 records (no breeding), Hobby - 2 records, Merlin - 10 pairs bred, Corncrake - rare breeding species in area, destroyed nest found at Riding Mill, Roseate tern 150 pairs (Coquet) 80 pairs (Farnes), Razorbill - 10 pairs, Farnes, Puffin - 3,000 pairs Farnes, Kingfisher - Very small numbers of breeding pairs, Nuthatch - Breeds in very small numbers.
There were no noticeable differences with most other species.
Rarities spotted include : Booby (1st one seen in Europe) and Albatross (both spotted of St Mary’s by the same Birder . . . . hmm !), Hoopoe, Ross’s Gull, red breasted flycatcher and Whiskered Tern.
We tend to be pessimistic about bird populations but these records, from 40 years ago, show that a lot of things have improved, e.g. look at the Puffin, Kingfisher, Buzzard and Razorbill.
Also improvements are obvious re pollution, mentioned are Swans being 'oiled' in the Tyne and 1,000 Guillemots being washed up oiled on our beaches after an E wind (normal occurrence).

Terry