Brents, Bramblings, Berries and Bluethroat at Boulmer

 We were up before the larks and watched a flaming sunrise as we headed north to Lindisfarne hoping we would be one of the first cars to cross the causeway, and that proved to be the case.  As we drove over to the island we watched the brightly lit sky and water.  It was going to be a fresh but sunny autumnal morning.  Jokes were made about the vehicle in front of us being the one out of the TV programme Vera.  The lady driver did indeed have the Vera hat on and confirmation that it was in fact ‘her’ was made when we passed the film crew.  I was tempted to ask for a photograph when Vera parked opposite us in the carpark, but I thought better of it as she seemed to be engaged on some kind of communication system with the film crew.

Lindisfarne Light

Having walked through silent village we watched a growing flock of Brent Geese, a large flock of Golden Plover and of course the laid out Grey Seals which gave out a few mournful calls during the morning.  The vicarage garden brought nothing but a Robin, but Redwings were heard over head and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in the air.  We thought this would be a rarity for the island and it was confirmed later, by a regular island birder that the woodpecker is not even recoded annually here.  Two Brambling were found in the trees opposite the church and as I purchased a Cappuccino Sam found us a few more Brambling in the centre of the village.  A Chiffchaff was heard at some point.  Red Admiral Butterflies were making the most of the sun despite the cold air.  The atmosphere was good with the occasional sound of Grey Seals, Curlew, Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, Knot and other waders.  Unlike on our previous visit when the sea was calm, we could hear the rushing waves along the shores of the island today.

The lonnen was now aflush with berries but held few birds, but at the far end Willows we had sightings of Treecreeper and Yellow Browed Warbler.  A nicely coloured Speckled Wood Butterfly was well camouflaged as it took heat from the sun.   Instead of completing our regular circular walk past the lough we walked through the dunes in the opposite direction which would eventually take us back to the road and carpark.  There was a sparsity of birds but numbers of Meadow Pipits and Skylark passed overhead and one of the latter singing above the fields.  We also had a nice sighting of a female Sparrowhawk.  A Kestrel was also seen at some point.

Speckled Wood seeking warmth

Caterpillar of Garden Tiger Moth

I was pleased to see that there was still plenty of Grass of Parnassus in flower even if not at its best.  I had the macro lens at hand on this occasion.  Also, as we passed by what appeared to be the remains of old lime kiln workings we found lots of Carline Thistle benefiting from the calcareous ground.  A small specimen of Viper Buglos remained in flower close by.   This little area would to our minds be a good spot to explore for plants come next spring and summer.  A nice patch of Sea Aster was also passed.  Also found were some ‘Woolly Bears’ caterpillars of the Garden Tiger Moth.  I was carful not to touch them as I had learned that they can cause serious skin irritation in some people.

Grass of Parnassus

Viper's Buglos still attracting bees.

The Snook car park was taken over by the film crew’s vehicles but we found a space elsewhere and had a walk through the dunes before making off in the Direction of Budle Bay.  The film crew were in action and we resisted the temptation of trying to get in on the act.  Little Egret was seen as we left the island.

TV crew at work

Carline Thistle

Sea Aster

The highlight at Budle Bay for me was the numbers of skeins of Pink Footed Geese, their calls unmistakeable, flying across the bay and seeming to make inland to the fields.  Geese are one of the real joys of this time of year and I can think of nothing better than being surrounded by them.  Two more Little Egrets were seen along with the likes of Curlew, Black   tailed and Bar Tailed Godwits and parties of gulls and Shelduck.

Edges of Budle Bay

As we passed by Boulmer we thought it worth checking out for the Bluethroat and we were rewarded with an excellent sighting of this bird feeding not far from the carpark.  It kept to the ground except when disturbed by a dog at which point it flew onto the nearby bushes before returning to feed again.  Boulmer has been kind to us in the past two weeks.  A good ending to the day.  Cloud building up and a drop in temperatures suggested a change in the weather once again.

Bluethroat image courtesy of Samuel Hood

I missed out on the fall of migrants that occurred during the heavy downpours of the following day, although Sam braved the weather and was well rewarded.  Thankfully, another trip to Lindisfarne today made up for my missing out and eased the envy.  Details of this fantastic day of birding coming soon.