Northumberland Park and Tynemouth RSPB Walk

21^st April.  Perhaps the poor weather forecast had kept numbers of participants down, but in the event the fourteen who did turn up were treated to a wonderful bright morning with sun and only a very short shower.  Fourteen is a nice number to lead.

We began at the entrance of Northumberland Park, Sam having scattered some seed in the park beforehand.  We were met by Michael C who has a long association to the park and he shared some of its secrets with us including the position of nest and roosting sites.  My thanks go to Michael for giving the time.  Sam too, reminded us that the park is well known for the high number of Blackbirds it holds.  We spent almost an hour considering some of the history and wildlife within the park.  Birds seen included Nuthatch at nest, Treecreeper, Stock Doves, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and numbers of other parkland species.  Chiffchaffs called throughout our stay.  Having said goodbye to Michael we wandered down Tanners Bank towards the quay, finding on the way another Great Spotted Woodpecker.

 

The tide was out, the cloud had broken and the sun shone most of the time as we walked towards Tynemouth picking up waders, Eider Duck, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, gulls and Cormorants along the way.  The terns were my first of the year as trips to the coast have been few.  The odd Swallow was also seen.  We headed for the pier.

Fulmars and Kittiwakes were watched as they flew close by their nest sites and the Rock Pipits that Sam had guaranteed me were found.  I think you will find some really good shots of Fulmar and Kittiwake on Sam’s blog later.  Purple Sandpiper was found on the rocks by the tide line and other waders seen were Oystercatcher, Turnstone and Redshank.  I could have stayed here in the sun for much longer had I not had to keep to timings.  It was good to be out on such a fine day after all the rain we have had of late, which seems to be going to continue for the foreseeable future.

On our return we watched displaying Sparrowhawks which circled high in the sky before dropping peregrine fashion and disappearing into the trees.  A singing Blackcap was found on the fringes of Priors Park and Linnet were seen on the return walk.  The walk had brought us a list of forty-six species and everyone seemed satisfied.  The six of us who headed for the fish and chip restraunt were even more satisfied once we had finished the meal.

Sam Mark and I later returned to check out roosting sites and found the Nuthatch still poking its head out of the nest hole every now and again.  Herring Gulls were feeding on the pond and it was interesting to watch their style.  The rain came quite heavily so we headed off, Sam and I back to Killingworth.  As the rain had stopped as we reached Killy Lake we had a wander around to see how pairs of birds were doing.

The Whooper Swan remains.  There were a few Swallows and the odd Sand Martin flying over the lake.  Reed Bunting was seen in the reeds of the smaller lake.

It was raining quite heavily by now and the cloud was getting darker.  It was about 3:30 pm so we decided to head for home.  As it happens by the time I got home the rain had eased off!  It had been a very enjoyable day and those Magpies keep winning!