Geoff Pain
Rural Member
Had a trip up to St.Mary's Island,Northumberland today.Arrived about 10am,parked in the pay and display and had a walk down to the sea front.Plenty of Terns about mainly Common and Sandwich but there amongst them yes a lifer :t: Roseate Tern.No sign af the Black Terns but a few Arctic Terns about.Plenty of Golden Plover about with Knot,Dunlin,Sanderling,Turnstone and Ringed Plover foraging amongst the rocks.
Had a walk out across the causway to the island to try a bit of sea watching but very quiet so had a walk back to view the Roseate's again.It was at this point we were approached by another birder asking if the Black Terns were about,who turned out to be Cuddy(BF tick No.1 for the day).
Our next target was the R.B.Shrike at Newbiggin.If it hadn't been for Cuddy giving us directions of how to get there I don't think we'd have found it,so a big thankyou Cuddy :t: .Bird was where he said,we even managed to walk right past it without noticing,and was giving good views.Managed to get some half decent pictures of it before leaving for the next target bird.
Down to Marsden Old Quarry next for the Wryneck and the recently reported Barred Warbler.No sign of the Barred Warbler,but did pick up BF tick No.2 for the day in the shape of IanF who told us where to look for the Wryneck before leaving for the Roseates I think.This too was giving good views and again managed to get some decent shots.
The weather was great,the birders we met were friendly and helpful.It was nice to be able to put faces to 2 more BF members.will definitely visit there again and I hope you managed to get a Wryneck the right side of the Tyne Cuddy.All in all a great day out.
Geoff
Had a walk out across the causway to the island to try a bit of sea watching but very quiet so had a walk back to view the Roseate's again.It was at this point we were approached by another birder asking if the Black Terns were about,who turned out to be Cuddy(BF tick No.1 for the day).
Our next target was the R.B.Shrike at Newbiggin.If it hadn't been for Cuddy giving us directions of how to get there I don't think we'd have found it,so a big thankyou Cuddy :t: .Bird was where he said,we even managed to walk right past it without noticing,and was giving good views.Managed to get some half decent pictures of it before leaving for the next target bird.
Down to Marsden Old Quarry next for the Wryneck and the recently reported Barred Warbler.No sign of the Barred Warbler,but did pick up BF tick No.2 for the day in the shape of IanF who told us where to look for the Wryneck before leaving for the Roseates I think.This too was giving good views and again managed to get some decent shots.
The weather was great,the birders we met were friendly and helpful.It was nice to be able to put faces to 2 more BF members.will definitely visit there again and I hope you managed to get a Wryneck the right side of the Tyne Cuddy.All in all a great day out.
Geoff