Ninety-nine and Lifer Ends Day

 It had been a long day in the field, so some refreshment in the shape of a ninety-nine ice cream was most welcome before we made off to our last stop of the day at Newbiggin.  I can recommend the ice cream parlour at Cresswell, which my father visited with his cycling club in the 1930s.  Cresswell must have had a vastly different feel to it all those years ago.  I learned from the owner that the parlour first opened in 1932 but that he had been owner a mere ten years.  After a refreshing few minutes we made off on what is the nearest to twitching I ever do in the hope of seeing the Rose-coloured Starling.  This twitching lark is amazingly easy I reckon, as no sooner had we parked the car we found our target bird perched and waiting for us.  Giving a little time we had excellent sightings as the bird came out into the open.  A lifer for Sam and a UK tick for me.  I have seen the species more distantly only once before and that was in Romania within the bird’s more natural range.  It seemed content to be alone until eventually joining the small Starling flock.  I have some empathy, as in general I too feel happier away from the flock, especially when enjoying nature.

Rose Coloured Staring courtesy of Samuel Hood

We had begun the day close to home at Gosforth Park Nature Reserve.  Oh, how the reserve is changing, with the work done to improve a meadowland area paying great dividends, walkways repaired and work going on for a new centre which will have some empathise on encouraging youngsters’ interest in nature.  I would guess that there are many more visitors to the reserve than in past years, but it has lost none of its atmosphere and I would encourage anyone local, with the slightest interest in Natural History, to join the Natural History Society of Northumbria.  Botanical interest was the primary reason for the visit and in particular a wish to photograph Coralroot Orchid.  Sadly, it has been another poor year for this orchid and we were unable to find any, although we did find a developing Broad Leave Helleborine, Early Purple Orchid, Northern Marsh Orchid, Common Spotted Orchid and what we think were hybrids.  It could be argued all of these are more attractive than the insipid Coralroot Orchid, but to a large extent what attracts us is the rarity and the fact that it is largely dependent on nutrients it obtains from the fungi associated with the surrounding trees.  This orchid gives nothing in return so is therefore parasitic.

At the reserve we we greeted by the manager, volunteers and a posing spider.

Along the pathway

Yellow Flag Iris

Many other plants took our interest as did Orange Tip Butterfly, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselfly, Grey Squirrel and birds seen and heard included Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Bullfinch and Grey Heron.  Admittedly, we gave little attention to the birds in general whilst in the reserve.

Emerging Broad Leaved Helleborine

Having spent longer than planned at the reserve we made off for Amble where we watched over the sea towards Coquet Island and we were able to add Roseate Tern, Gannet, and Puffin to the bird list.  Grey Seals were also seen.

Next stop was East Chevington where we spent an enjoyable time watching a female Hen Harrier hunting over the reedbed before spending time watching and listening to the Great Reed Warbler.  This latter bird was another UK tick for me and brought back happy memories of having watched these birds in Europe.  Because of the distance the full effect of the sound that this large warbler can make could not be fully appreciated.  The North Pool was quiet but it was enjoyable seeing two pairs of Great Crested Grebes, one of the pair carrying young.  A Little Grebe was heard and Sandwich Terns were bathing and large numbers of Cormorants were on the island.

Pignut

Dovesfoot Cranesbill

A walk was taken to Chevington Burn as we searched for more botanical interest.  The Bloody Cranesbill, Northumberland’s county flower was especially numerous and attractive.  We were studiously watched by the Belted Galloway cattle as we returned vis the dunes, and we assumed that these were being used to aid conservation.

Belted Galloway

Bloody Cranesbill

Bloody Cranesbill

Druridge Pools were quiet but we enjoyed the stop here and watched birds such as Avocet, Little Ringed Plover and Black Tailed Godwit.  The Willow Warblers and Sedge Warblers provided a nice sound scape and we found some attractive Vipers Bugloss along the path to the hides, and not far away from it a Small Skipper Butterfly.

Bladder Campion

Mouse-ear Hawkweed

By the time we reached Cresswell Pond the sea breezes were adding not a little coolness to the air.  Unusually the water was exceptionally low.  Birdlife initially looked minimal but our watch was rewarded by nice sightings of a Spoonbill which on this occasion was not asleep but feeding, a Little Gull and more Avocets.  The Avocet certainly must be one of our most attractive waders.

Then we were off with fingers crossed that the ice cream parlour was still open, before going for our mini twitch and the sighting of the Rose-Coloured Starling, which was a great way to end a long day.  I have not included all the birds seen today, and mention only a few of the plants.  A wonderful day of natural history.