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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment