4th Jan.
Unlike English cricketers I was praying that rain wouldn’t stop play today. As
the clouds darkened overhead I was so sure that we were in for a drenching that
I informed participants that Sam and I would finish today’s walk what ever the
weather, but that I would understand if others wanted to drop out and return to
their vehicles. A Coal Tit fed in the pine trees as I spoke and as we left a Pied Wagtail flew in the car-park. As we had approached our starting point we
had found a large flock of Greylag Geese
near Woodhorn along with Mute Swans,
Wigeon and Gadwall. A Kestrel
was also in the area and another perched in trees just before we parked up.
We soon set off from Druridge Country
Park car park and headed
long the beach towards Hauxley with the wind behind our backs. The warmth ensured that the beach walk was
not as bracing as everyone had been led to expect. The grey skies ensured that the light was not
good for sea watching, but some good birds were seen never the less, including
ten plus Red Throated Divers, one Great Northern Diver flying south (a
welcome sighting as I hadn’t seen one during 2013), Eiders, Common Scoters, Red-breasted Mergansers, auk
species and gulls. Waders seen
included Lapwing, Oystercatcher,
Sanderling, Turnstone and Curlew. As we left the beach and got back onto the
pathway we found that there was a dearth of small passerines.
Once up to Hauxley Nature Reserve the Ponteland Hide
provided nice sightings of Goldeneye
and a pair of Little Grebe. There were large flocks of Curlew and Canada Geese near to the reserve.
I’d noticed the water in the reserve was very high.
We timed it nicely to ensure that participants could take
their lunch in the hides. I thought by
now that they would all be glad to get out of the rain, but up to this point
there hadn’t been any! I think folk were
impressed by the number of Tree Sparrows
that were feeding and I’m pleased to say everyone had good close sightings of a
Water Rail. Participants seemed less taken with the over
fed Brown Rats which are the first
mammal to appear on my and Sam’s 2014 list.
The rats seemed to ensure that the Water
Rail wasn’t going to hang around to long, although I noticed that the Moorhen wasn’t phased by them at
all. I found my first Chaffinches of 2014 in this area along
with a beautifully coloured Pheasant. Just to return to the Tree Sparrows I have to say that the work of NWT and others is to
be applauded in ensuring that this species has been given a chance in
Northumberland.
As participants watched the Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck and Little
Grebes (I was unable to find the Black necked Grebe which may have been in
the corner of the pool that we didn’t reach), one or two visitors seems shocked
to find the hide full.
Having added some energy everyone was happy to make the
return walk. I couldn’t believe that it
still wasn’t raining and folk were commenting on the fact that they were too
warm as they removed gloves and hats.
Sam looked over the beach and found us Ringed Plovers and Bar-tailed
Godwit to add to the list and at least one Goldcrest was found feeding frantically. Wrens
and Rock Pipits then took our
attention and a Common Buzzard was
watched flying before it perched on a fence.
We had a chat about the archaeological dig that has taken
place in the area and before to long we were back at the car-park in Druridge
CP. We’d managed to find fifty-seven
species during our four hour walk and I think everyone had enjoyed the habitat. I do think a few had struggled with some of
the seabird sightings, but it didn’t seem to concern them too much and Sam and
I were always at hand with the telescope for those who wanted to share it. Amazingly it still hadn’t rained! Sam and I along with others enjoyed a drink
in the café (Sam in shirt sleeves by now) which I hadn’t expected to be open at
this time of year. We then set off for a
return which was to include a stop at Cresswell Pond.
Our stop at Cresswell Pond was a fairly short one but a very
enjoyable one. Sam had hoped for Whooper Swans today and despite missing
the fifty plus which we have learnt were present on the pond in the afternoon
we did at least have a nice sighting of three that remained. Other additions to the day list were Song Thrush, Dunlin (around in
numbers), Common Snipe and Collared Dove. More Tree
Sparrows were also seen. This
brought the list up to sixty-two for the day and gave me thirty-three new
species for the year.
Three remaining Whooper Swans
We reluctantly left Creswell as the sunset and the Lapwing flock flew over the peaceful
area whilst the rather handsome farm cat was on the prowl.
Tranquility
There were thirteen participants on the walk today. It was a nice number to have. When we get higher numbers the group tends to
split making for a less friendly feel I think.
This is the third New Year walk that I have been involved with and
thankfully the weather has been very good on all three. I enjoy the walks because they tend to
attract people who are really interested in birds, habitat and conservation
rather than those simply looking for a day out.
My thanks to all who took part, especially Sam for his co-leading and
general input. We already have the plans
made for our New year walk in 2015.
Sounds like a great day! Wish I'd been there.
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