10th April and the sun was shining, if only just, and I had a decision to make as to where to go birding. I plumped for the old favourite pond, wood and coast walk as I knew I would be guaranteed variety even if wet by the end of the day. In actual fact the period up until 1.00pm was generally a wonderful spring day and as we set of from the village near by the reserve pond I got my eye on a single Swallow, my first of 2008, hunting insects over the roof tops. Before reaching the private hide Greylag Geese, Herring Gulls and a single Greater Black Backed Gull were seen in the fields. The pond was actually very quiet, the most significant birds being a pair of Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Grey Heron, a pair of Shoveller near the hide and Goldeneye. Wonderful cloud formations over the pool and in the distance made up for the scarcity of birds on the water as did conversation with a fellow birder in the hide to whom we talked about, well what else, birds and a mutual friend, a birder! The song of Chiffchaffs filled the air and continued to do so until we reached the sea with barely a break in the sound of the song. Is it me listening out for them more this year or are there many more around, I think the latter? As we moved to the public hide Skylark song rung out and again I have noticed this has been very evident so far this spring. There wasn’t too much about at this end of the pond either, but a Meadow Pipit did land on the edge of the water and since my mix up with the Water, cum littoralis Rock Pipit, I’m taking much more notice and care of these difficult LBJs now.
We walked down the muddy path to the Gorse Ulex europeus, (yes it certainly does smell of coconut) lined track leading to the wooded dene and on climbing up from the low track found two Hares in the field. On entering the wood we found a pair of Grey Wagtails on the stream. The woods were full of Blue and Great Tits (I remember Long Tailed Tits somewhere too) and the song of Chiffchaffs. At one point I got my eye on 3 or 4 Chiffchaffs chasing one another in a tree. Perhaps newly arrived and a contest for territory. A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers appeared to be involved in courtship and certainly one of the star species of the day, a pair of Bullfinch were seen briefly, the male looking wonderful in pristine breeding plumage. In places trees lay across the stream, probably as a result of the winters violent winds. To be honest I am surprised there are not more down! The woodland floor was carpeted in many places with Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria and other flowers seen included Common Dog Violet Viola riviniana (lots), Bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scriptus, Primrose Primula vulgaris, out of reach on the other side of the stream and Cowslip Primula veris. There was a sprinkling of rain in the air at one point, but generally the sun shone and it was very warm, encouraging insects, and in any event we were protected by the trees. Taking a look through the trees however I noticed a build up of thunderous looking cloud becoming rather threatening and I assumed we would at some point get wet during the day. I wasn’t wrong! On reflection I remember seeing very few people in the dene today apart from a father and son cycling along the path who politely thanked us for letting them past. That’s in stark contrast to some cyclist I’ve come across who seem to think all paths belong to themselves and seem to expect that you have eyes in the back of your head and should move out of their way. I’m sure they belong to a small minority, just like inconsiderate birders I suppose and you do come across them from time to time. In fact some people are just xxxxxx selfish and think only of themselves, but I drift.
On leaving the wooded area we were soon making for the small saltmarsh and this was well covered with Common Scurvy Grass Cochlearia officinalis which on close inspection has a rather nice delicate flower. This is a plant of saltmarsh and sea cliffs so may not be well known to everyone. Its kidney shaped leaves contain high amounts of vitamin C and were used to prevent scurvy aboard ships before the wider availability of citrus fruits. In the hedge on the edge of the saltmarsh I found more Common Dog Violet and some Red Campion Silene dioica. I have this area pencilled in for further exploration of the plant life this year. There were not too many birds about this area although the Wrens seemed busy and in song, and it began to rain so we made to the fish and chip café in a rather wet state.
The sky seemed to clear as we took lunch and we were soon back out into the rather cooler sea air now and walking along the cliffs. I got my eye on a single Purple Sandpiper before the heavens opened again and we took shelter in a rather dirty shelter of the type I remember my family using on wet days at the seaside when I was a child. The wind was blowing the rain in so we decided just to continue the walk and hope it would stop raining eventually which it did after we were once again given a good soaking. I noticed some False White Dead Nettle Lamium album in flower and there was lots of English Stonecrop Sedum anglicum, but not yet in flower. My first Razorbill of the year was seen well out at sea and my first Fulmars of the year too, were seen nesting in pairs on the cliff sides. I got my telescope fixed on them and have to say I have never quite seen the bill and tube nose quite so well. Looking up the noses of those Fulmars gave me quite a thrill. One or two were seen in flight with that very pronounced stiff/straight wing effect. Cormorants flew over the sea in singles and in groups and the ever present Eider Ducks were about. Other Waders seen were Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Knot, Sanderling, Curlew and Redshank. I had wondered about not seeing Redshank beside the saltmarsh, but there were several large flocks of them along the tidal edge. A Kestrel seemed to get into an argument with a Carrion Crow and was chased off as Rock Pipits and Meadow Pipits flew along the cliff sides. Then we had Skylark song again and this time even managed to spot one or two!
The cloud broke up and we had sunshine again, although there was dark grey clouds all around us and the storm which had hit us earlier could now be seen a little further north over Blyth. It was looking none to bright out at sea too, although the sea itself was very calm. We decided to take a look at the wetland area where a pair of Garganey had been but I’m confident they were not there now although we did add Teal, Linnet and Reed Bunting to the list. There was time for a last quick look over the rocks as the tide came in and then we thought it best to make off as the sky darkened and hailstones began to fall. The skies that ended the journey were very different from those that had been with us at the start, but we had had a very good day so there were no complaints at all. This walk offers something different every time I walk it and is the reason it has become my favourite. We ended up with 63 species, oddly enough exactly the same number as the last time we did the walk in March, although some different species of course. Fulmar, Razorbill and Swallow were new ones for the year list. Dead heat for star bird being Bullfinch, which would have had the award to themselves if it had not been for those wonderful tube noses looking down my telescope. I mustn’t forget some very good plant finds too and the Hares. Taking in the wider picture has great benefits. Talking of pictures I have some which I will share with you.;-) Take Care.
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