Saturday 15 October
It was still dark when I passed Torness power station, so no chance of twitching the PW. It was a nice clear dawn though. The first birds I saw just after leaving Edinburgh were Crows and it was still dark!
It was heavy drizzle when I got to Lindisfarne and the tide was right out. Crossing the causeway the first bird to catch my eye was an Oystercatcher, then Redshank, Curlew, and a Heron. I’m sure I saw a Spotted Redshank but, would you believe, a car came up behind me and I couldn’t stop to get a good look. I parked about half way along the causeway and had some breakfast. Several groups of Starlings entertained me whooshing up into their ball-shapes then swooping down to feed. A few Meadow Pipits were flying around.
I went for a walk then over the dunes to see the other side, the sea was miles out and there were just a few crows pecking at the edge of the beach. Wandered back to the car, being careful not to tread on the numerous snails.
Then I walked back along the causeway and stopped and chatted to a Newcastle guy who was just getting out of his car. He heard some Redwing flying over but we couldn’t see them for the mist. I didn’t hear them at all! Oh dear. He said there were a few Yellow Browed Warblers near the Priory, but time was beginning to press and I didn’t go up there, and I was already rather damp.
Returning along the causeway at the bridge, there were some Eider, Mute Swans and Bar Tailed Godwit. I stopped in the first lay-by after the bridge and saw a Great Black Back Gull and about 6 Shelduck flying over. Of course there were all the usual gulls of varying ages.
It was now 10.30 and time to be moving on.
Driving down towards Newcastle I saw another Heron and several Magpies. I don’t see them at home so it’s always special when I come south.
My lunch spot was a Rainton Meadows and I got there at about 12.45. Had some lunch in the car overlooking the first pool. Coots and a pair of Mute Swans. After I had eaten I walked along the path and discovered another pool to the left. That had a lot of Greylag and a few Canada Geese, Lapwing, Common Gull, Great Black Back Gull, and a Moorhen. Thought I saw 2 Pinkfeet fly over. Suddenly all the Greylag took to the air, but I couldn’t see what had disturbed them. They flew round and round for ages before they settled again. Lots of little things flying around in the trees but…
Next stop was planned for Fairburn Ings. Uh mm - missed it didn’t I.
Think the junction must have been in the middle of the road works. Oh well another time. Pulled into a really crummy stop just after Ferrybridge and parked the car beside some bushes. Great Tits there and another Magpie. Really tired now so settled back for an hour’s kip. Felt much better after that.Continued on to Cottesmore and B&B arriving about 6pm. All set for Rutland Water in the morning.
