An Autumnal Southeast Northumberland

So mild, so quiet breathes the balmy air,

 Scenting the perfume of decaying leaves

Such fragrance and such loveliness they wear-

Trees, hedgerows, bushes – that the heart receives

Joys for which language owneth words too few

To paint that glowing richness which I view.

From Colours of Autumn.  John Clare

 It was more mid-morning than early morning when Sam and I headed for Widdrington Pond.  It was a morning of blue skies, relative warmth, only the slightest of breezes and a millpond sea.  A perfect autumnal day.  I was even warm watching over Widdrington Pond, and that is a rarity even in summer.  Even the wind turbines looked good against blue the sky today.  This area has become a real magnet for birds, although I fear as the tress grow watching will not be easy unless special provision is made.

Whatever one thinks you have to recognise the beautiful mechanical design

As we basked in the sun, some very good sightings were made including four grebe species, Slavonian, Red necked, Great Crested and Little Grebe.  A Marsh Harrier made a fly past, flying parallel to the pond, a Kestrel hovered directly in front of us, a Common Buzzard flew by, a Sparrowhawk flew in the far distance and a Peregrine Falcon flew swiftly past and away from us.  So not a bad way to begin the day, four grebes and five raptors from that one spot.  Unfortunately, were unable to pick up the Great Northern Diver which must have been hidden by the side of the pond.  Even after we returned later in the day we had no luck in finding this one.

Grey Herons were posted equally spaced and sentinel like along the bank at the back of the pond, a Common Snipe lifted at the edge of the pond, a skein of calling Pink-footed Geese flew northwards and a small party of Whooper Swans were also in the air.  Waterfowl on the water included Canada Geese, Wigeon, Teal, Goldeneye and Tufted Duck.  A Roe Deer moved through the field behind the lake, half hidden by growth of similar pastel colouring to itself.  Calls from or over the trees behind us included that of Siskin, Coal Tit and Goldcrest.  A Water Rail called from the pond area.  A confiding Robin watched us walk by.

Aspens

Many of the trees were colourful, but none more so than the Aspens which showed so well against the blue sky.  The rustling of the leaves recalled Edward Thomas’s poem Aspens.  Having taken a photo or two we headed off to East Chevington, with a quick stop off at Druridge Park for a Long Tailed Duck, where we walked to the mouth of the burn.  On the walk we spotted several Dragonflies on the wing, reflecting what a mild autumn we have experienced, all Common Darters I think, including a mature male and over mature females.  The reed beds looked most attractive in the bright sunlight.

And it would be the same were no house near,

Over all sorts of weather, men, and times

Aspens must shake their leaves and men may hear

But need not listen, more than to my rhymes.

 

Whatever wind blows, while they and I have leaves

We cannot other than an Aspen be

That ceaselessly, unreasonably grieves,

Or so men think that like a different tree.

From Aspens by Edward Thomas (July 1915), Edward Thomas died in the Great War at Arras in 1917)

Aspens

Over mature Common Darter

We found little birdlife by the mouth of the burn which meandered attractively seawards.  Gulls and a few Sanderlings were at the tideline, Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail were present and a flock of Goldfinch flew by.  A few walkers were seen but overall, it was a peaceful experience here.  One of the good experiences in life is watching and listening the tide as it meets the shoreline.  The sea was as calm as it ever is in these parts.  We walked back past the Sea Buckthorn and found a pair of Stonechat before reaching the car.

Natures shapes

Sea Buckthorn

The North Pool provided another Slavonian Grebe along with 250/300 Lapwing, and a large flock of Gadwall.  The Lapwing looked spectacular in the sun as they lifted in two or three flocks before merging into one large flock prior to settling on the island again.  I love to watch flocks of waders in flight.  Other birds on the water included a male Pintail, Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Moorhen and Cormorants.  A Water Rail squealed three times in quick succession from the reed-bed, and a Cetti’s Warbler called from the left of us.  From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a bird fly in front of the reeds at the edge of the pool.  I watched the gap in the reeds and saw the Kingfisher fly past which Sam later heard calling.  In the sun it looked of emerald colouring.

As we made off towards the car we watched another Marsh Harrier.

Sunlit reedbed

We had lunch a late lunch at Cresswell before looking at the north end of Cresswell Pond.  A Little Egret was seen flying over the pond.  It was quiet here and the light was beginning to fade but that did not spoil our watch of another hunting Marsh Harrier close by.  This was the same bird that we had seen at Widdrington Pond, identified by missing primary feathers.

Now in fading light we decided to give the hide a miss.   Content with our few hours birding in wonderful autumnal conditions we made for home.

Qeesti giorni guando vien il belle sole Questi giorni guando vieni belle sole

On Days like these when skies are blue and fields are green

I look around and think of what might have been.

Matt Monro et al

 

Phalarope, Shearwater and Atmosphere

 Generally, we are not ones to twitch but the opportunity of a Wilson’s Phalarope was not one we were going to dismiss so we began our day with a trip to Newstead Flash, Northumberland.  I was prepared to be hit by chilly air but standing in the sun at Newstead felt almost summer like.  The Wilson’s Phalarope was easily found as it spent most of it’s time spinning on the pool.  It’s spinning believed to be a feeding technique in which food is drawn to the surface.  Although mainly on the water, it did lift and fly and spent time on land edging the flash, so giving us a very good sighting.  Although small when seen against the Black Headed Gulls it did appear the stouter of the three phalarope species.  This will certainly be a memorable sighting and perhaps my sighting of the year.  A first winter bird, its yellow legs were very distinctive as was the needle like bill.

 

Wilson's Phalarope in a spin.  Video courtesy of Samuel Hood.

My interest in ornithological history and naming of birds later had me rereading of the American Ornithologist Alexander Wilson.  In my view Wilson is certainly the equal to John James Audubon of whom we hear so much about.  Wilson was originally from Paisley, Scotland and emigrated to America when twenty-seven years of age.  I confess that I have just learned that there is a statue of Wilson in the town of Paisley which commemorates his standing in the ornithological world.  He was a true ornithological pioneer in the USA, travelling thousands of miles, much of it on foot, when much of Eastern America was still true wilderness and many birds remained unknown.  Wilson on one occasion met Audubon and showed him his drawings, perhaps igniting in Audubon thoughts of achieving similar work.  Wilson's greatest achievement was the 9 volumes of  American Ornithology.  The 9th volume was completed after his death by  George Ord.   Whilst searching Wilsons material of notes and drawings Ord found a drawing of an unknown phalarope later described by Louis Vieillot in 1819.   Joseph Sabine described the bird as Phalraropus wilsoni in 1823, not knowing that the bird had already been described.  Of course, this name was thus deemed invalid, but the common name Wilson’s Phalarope has stood the test of time.

We eventually moved on from our relaxing watch of the phalarope and stopped off at a more hectic Stag Rock.  There were several groups of birders, so we guessed that the Great Shearwater was still showing.  Having noted the crowds of walkers on Bamburgh beach, we soon had the Great Shearwater in our sights and had good views of it both on the water and in flight.  It was difficult at times picking it out when it joined the frenzy of feeding gulls.  It had been a good start to the day.  Numbers of Purple Sandpipers and Dunlin had gathered on the rocks and other seabirds seen included Red Throated Divers, Common Scoter, Eider, Little Gulls in number, Razorbill, Guillemot, Puffin and Gannet.  We did tire a little of the constant directions to birds, often unclear ones being called out and we were happy to move on to more peaceful surroundings, but not before finding a flock of Linnets, Bramblings calling as they flew along the tide coast, Skylark and Meadow Pipit and watching a distant inland Peregrine Falcon.

Our next search was for somewhere to eat.  Lucker was a childhood haunt of mine, so we tried the Apple Inn there, but there were no meals until 3.00pm.  We were turned away from another pub as it was too late for lunch at 1.30pm!  Ending up in Belford we found one pub was not serving food and another two were closed.  I was beginning to understand how Mary and Joseph felt.  I have not been to Belford since childhood but noticed that there is still a toyshop there.  I later wondered if this was the shop I bought my toy microscope almost 60 years ago.  We finally had a nice meal close to Lindisfarne.  Later, although the sea covered the causeway, we stopped at the land side and spent a short but very enjoyable time just taking in the atmosphere, the land, sea and skyscapes, and listening to the silence being broken only by evocative bird calls and the very occasional car.  The air remained mild and still as I began to imagine all the events that have taken place here over millennium.  Dark storm clouds began to appear out at sea and colouration from a minor rainbow emerged in the cloud filled sky.  Calling skeins of Pink footed Geese flew overhead in arrow like shapes, two Common Snipe lifted and called as they passed over us, Curlews and Redshank called nearby, and Grey Partridges called from the nearby fields.  A large distant flock of Golden Plover seemed like a magic carpet of smoke in the air, and two Little Egrets showed at their very best in the now fading light.  In the distance there were flocks of Brent and Barnacle Geese.  Nearby quiet calls of Robin and Wren could be heard.  It wasn’t easy to leave this tranquil spot, but we wanted to reach Fenham Flats before the light disappeared entirely.  Kestrels and Red legged Partridges were seen along the way

The tranquillity continued at Fenham Flats where we found a few Brent Geese, Redshank, Oystercatchers and a Grey Plover directly in front of the hide.  There were more bird calls in the still air, especially that of whistling Wigeon. Large flocks of waders, and waterfowl were gathered further north, including Brent Geese, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Grey Plover and Dunlin.  I closed my eyes for a time and simply listened from the hide.

We left for home as the rain began with our minds at peace.  The Wilson’s Phalarope had been the star bird of the day followed closely by the Great Shearwater, a bird that breeds on island in the southern hemisphere and is a great ocean traveller.  However equally enjoyable was the atmospheric ending to our day, and  thank goodness we can still enjoy this, all away from the maddening crowd.