brianfm
Botanical Birder
May 4th. Today’s trip was to the Coquet valley and Cheviot area. I just didn’t know what to wear. Not because I’m vain, but because of this changeable weather! Anyway it did appear quite warm although showers of rain were forecast. First stop was just outside of Rothbury for a cuppa coffee over looking the river. Blue and Long Tailed Tit entertained. Then a short drive was taken to Harbottle Crags Nature Reserve. On getting out of the car I noticed a distinct chill in the air and the lightest of showers was with us for a short time although not enough to even suggest water proofs were going to be required. The light was poor however which did not help in the identification of a female Crossbill high in the pines. Siskins were about too. We walked through sodden heather, bilberry and sphagnum moss to reach the well known Drake Stone outcrop and Harbottle pool which held only Tufted Duck. Most of the way we had listened to Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers, occasionally spotting one. At times we were ankle deep in water and mud. It was a pleasant walk however up to the Drake Stone, which give us good views across the heather moor land and down the valley in the direction of Rothbury. My first Cuckoo of the year was heard distinctly as were the calls of Red Grouse. Wrens and Meadow Pipits could be heard, but seldom seen.
The Drake Stone is interesting in itself because of the cuts and patterning on the rock caused by ice during the ice age. Time here for a few photographs and taking in of the view. On the return a Whitethroat was heard and then seen flying around its territory and a Mistle Thrush was seen. By the time we were back at the car park the light was much better, but unfortunately there were no Crossbills about now, but Treecreepers and Chaffinch were seen. After our bait we were off further up the valley to Alwinton and by now the weather was getting better and better. We were to do a 4.5 mile walk here.
Just outside of the village I found a rather nice patch of Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea, far bluer that the local Ground Ivy which I am thinking is likely be related to the acidic soil in the area. Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria was to feature throughout the walk. We were quickly on to the old drove road footpath known as Clennel Street. This has been used for hundreds of years by walkers, drovers and smugglers. We come under the first category! It was quite steep here and having just recovered from flu I was thinking I might need an oxygen mask! Happily I coped without it. This area was not rich in birds it has to be said, apart from corvids, Meadow Pipits and the odd Gull. The views were excellent and well worth the effort involved. Before to long we were looking down into the valley of the River Alwin and our return path although there was still a good walk to get to it, but it was on flat ground or down hill from now on. We had little living company, but sheep. I wish now that I had taken a photo of some of those black faced cheviot lambs. That’s my sensitive side showing through. I think they are rather tasty too mind you.
Before we reached the turning point and the river I noticed an interesting looking pond below us at the entrance to Kidland Forest, the largest plantation in the Cheviots I believe. On investigation the pond held no birds, but we did hear Willow Warbler here. Now at this point on a curve in the river we suddenly hit what was a feast of birds in comparison to the rest of the walk. First there were Grey Wagtails, then several Pied Wagtails and Common Sandpiper. A Dipper called as it flew up the narrow river. We stopped for a coffee here and found Wheatears flying over the scree. We had been wondering all day where the Wheatears were, but this was an ideal nesting area. A little further down river we found a pair of Stonechat and just before the end of the walk Oystercatcher. The coffee and birds perked me up no end for the return walk. There was a fairly strong, but warm wind blowing up the valley but the sun was also out now.
Now the birding was good and perhaps the views even better, but for me the highlight of the day has to be the Primroses Primula vulgaria. I had begun to see carpets of them, but nothing had prepared me for the whole sides of the fells being carpeted in yellow. What a magnificent sight. I simply have not seen anything like this before, but there again as I mentioned to someone, I have led a sheltered life! I was tempted to get onto the fell side for some photographs, but as it happened we did come into closer contact with Primroses in the valley, although not in such abundance. There was also a very large patch of Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris coming into flower which will look very nice once all the flowers are out. Mixed with it was White dead Nettle Lamium album.
Well it wasn’t too long before we were back to the car, but the day was not yet over as it was decided to take a look at another area of interest at a local quarry. We found it eventually, but didn’t have enough time for exploration. The detour was not wasted however as during the journey we ticked off Red Legged Partridge and Yellowhammer and found a flock of Canada Geese near the quarry. I also discovered a new plant, Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens, a member of the borage family.
Then we were off towards home, after what had turned out to be a wonderful day, with the weather forecasters wrong yet again! For an area not especially rich in bird species I think a day list of 43 is good going. I had another five to add to the year list, Red Legged Partridge, Common Sandpiper, Cuckoo, Wheatear and Crossbill. I almost fell asleep on the way home. Don’t worry I wasn’t driving! I should be back there next weekend, this time with the group. Hopefully we shall have another splendid day.
The Drake Stone is interesting in itself because of the cuts and patterning on the rock caused by ice during the ice age. Time here for a few photographs and taking in of the view. On the return a Whitethroat was heard and then seen flying around its territory and a Mistle Thrush was seen. By the time we were back at the car park the light was much better, but unfortunately there were no Crossbills about now, but Treecreepers and Chaffinch were seen. After our bait we were off further up the valley to Alwinton and by now the weather was getting better and better. We were to do a 4.5 mile walk here.
Just outside of the village I found a rather nice patch of Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea, far bluer that the local Ground Ivy which I am thinking is likely be related to the acidic soil in the area. Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria was to feature throughout the walk. We were quickly on to the old drove road footpath known as Clennel Street. This has been used for hundreds of years by walkers, drovers and smugglers. We come under the first category! It was quite steep here and having just recovered from flu I was thinking I might need an oxygen mask! Happily I coped without it. This area was not rich in birds it has to be said, apart from corvids, Meadow Pipits and the odd Gull. The views were excellent and well worth the effort involved. Before to long we were looking down into the valley of the River Alwin and our return path although there was still a good walk to get to it, but it was on flat ground or down hill from now on. We had little living company, but sheep. I wish now that I had taken a photo of some of those black faced cheviot lambs. That’s my sensitive side showing through. I think they are rather tasty too mind you.
Before we reached the turning point and the river I noticed an interesting looking pond below us at the entrance to Kidland Forest, the largest plantation in the Cheviots I believe. On investigation the pond held no birds, but we did hear Willow Warbler here. Now at this point on a curve in the river we suddenly hit what was a feast of birds in comparison to the rest of the walk. First there were Grey Wagtails, then several Pied Wagtails and Common Sandpiper. A Dipper called as it flew up the narrow river. We stopped for a coffee here and found Wheatears flying over the scree. We had been wondering all day where the Wheatears were, but this was an ideal nesting area. A little further down river we found a pair of Stonechat and just before the end of the walk Oystercatcher. The coffee and birds perked me up no end for the return walk. There was a fairly strong, but warm wind blowing up the valley but the sun was also out now.
Now the birding was good and perhaps the views even better, but for me the highlight of the day has to be the Primroses Primula vulgaria. I had begun to see carpets of them, but nothing had prepared me for the whole sides of the fells being carpeted in yellow. What a magnificent sight. I simply have not seen anything like this before, but there again as I mentioned to someone, I have led a sheltered life! I was tempted to get onto the fell side for some photographs, but as it happened we did come into closer contact with Primroses in the valley, although not in such abundance. There was also a very large patch of Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris coming into flower which will look very nice once all the flowers are out. Mixed with it was White dead Nettle Lamium album.
Well it wasn’t too long before we were back to the car, but the day was not yet over as it was decided to take a look at another area of interest at a local quarry. We found it eventually, but didn’t have enough time for exploration. The detour was not wasted however as during the journey we ticked off Red Legged Partridge and Yellowhammer and found a flock of Canada Geese near the quarry. I also discovered a new plant, Green Alkanet Pentaglottis sempervirens, a member of the borage family.
Then we were off towards home, after what had turned out to be a wonderful day, with the weather forecasters wrong yet again! For an area not especially rich in bird species I think a day list of 43 is good going. I had another five to add to the year list, Red Legged Partridge, Common Sandpiper, Cuckoo, Wheatear and Crossbill. I almost fell asleep on the way home. Don’t worry I wasn’t driving! I should be back there next weekend, this time with the group. Hopefully we shall have another splendid day.
