Tales From the Riverbank...Part Two...Dippers, Wagtails et al

16^th April. Target number one for the day was the Dippers. One of my favourite bird species and one that encouraged me to take up bird watching even before I had actually seen one in the field. Having just a passing interest in wildlife at that time, the experience taught me just how important it is to make others with passing interests fully aware of what is out there and try to ensure that they at least take a look. That is the only way we will ever ensure an interest in conservation. No doubt I have said that before, but I make no apology as I’ll no doubt say it many times again. It wasn’t long until we had found them, and Sam and I began and ended the day with two lengthy watches of the pair. This pair appears to still be nest building, putting them some way behind other pairs we have seen recently. We managed to gain a good understanding of the territory, flight patterns being covered and of the bird’s behaviour. I believe we heard them singing for a short period which I understand isn’t uncommon during nest building. We found the nest site, but obviously kept a discreet distance from it. As with another site we have visited, Grey Wagtails appear to be nesting or preparing to nest nearby.

Bird song is building up now and the notable song of the Blackcap was heard along with the inevitable Chiffchaffs and other woodland species. The song of the Song Thrush was once again well represented. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard, but never seen. Jays were heard then eventually seen as we walked up river. Seed had been put out in places and this attracted Nuthatches, one of which had a clearly deformed curved bill, Treecreeper, tits and finches.

Flora seen along the way included Common Comfrey, Violet species, Forgetmenot species, Bluebell, Wild Garlic, Red Campion and the most prolific, Wood Anemone.



Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa (The pure white being far more abundant than the purple).

The bird species which took our attention, almost as much as the Dippers, were the Grey Wagtails once again, with a pair showing really well. Lack of activity seemed to me to suggest that these birds have not yet nested, but I may have that wrong. We watched a lone male bird at length up river before finding the pair later in the day. I can’t be sure if the lone male bird was or was not one of this pair found later.

Our day ended with a Dipper watch. Sam managed to capture very well the bird’s image in flight. It certainly is not an easy bird to photograph in flight and it took time to get to know its flight lines and behaviour. I captured it too, but afraid I have to practice somewhat to match his standards.:-) I think we may be back up here soon and hopefully, may find the Kingfisher the next time. We were given some advice on that subject from the friendly angler that we spoke to who has in past years found the Kingfishers nesting site during his expeditions on the river. This showing how valuable the experience is of someone who really knows the patch. All in all, it had been a very nice and relaxing day that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks Sam.

17^th April. Today I’ve been on patch. It didn’t rain as forecast. Some interesting developments with the Great Crested Grebes. At least two Blackcaps, two Willow Warblers and numbers of Chiffchaff sang south of the village.

A recent political newsletter seems to suggest we can forget about any work being done on the floating reed-bed. The non-reedbed’s sad looking photo appears in the newsletter. It seems that even the new sports centre is threatened! That is according to the Conservatives and of course, and as far as they are concerned, it’s all the fault of the Labour Party. Oh, I see the local elections are coming up soon. Surprise, Surprise! The Labour Party newsletter has now arrived and low and behold I now see it is all the fault of the Conservatives! I best just go birding on 3^rd May

Tales From the Riverbank...Part One...Reflections

16^th April. Sam and I made for Plessey Woods today. We had a few targets in mind and whilst expecting to cover quite a bit of ground around the country park, as it turned out we spent all of the time on the banks of the River Blyth. It was a peaceful morning when we arrived and the sun shone brightly, especially from mid morning until early afternoon. This provided us with some very nice reflections on the river.

We sat by the bank for some lengthy periods, initially with only Dippers and insect for company. One of the latter has given me a rather nasty bite! When did stroll along the pathways and into the Blagdon Estate area, but there was little in the way of wildlife along there today so we soon retraced our steps, preferring to remain by the river rather than climbing up to the meadowland areas.

Thankfully it remained peaceful throughout our stay, although we did get chatting to a few folk along the way. The most interesting being an elderly angler who had obviously fished this and the surrounding areas for many, many years. So there was a little more reflection from him, as well as from the river, as he told us some tales from the past and mentioned some of the local characters he knows.

I’ll put up a few more photos and mention the bird life anon.

Flower Power!

River Blyth


River Blyth


Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa

Common Dog Violet Viola riviniana

Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scriptus

Water Avens Geum rivale

Bluebell Wood

8th May. I hate to say this, but I do remember when flower power was cool man, cool! It was certainly cool again today, in fact it was very cold at times. Anyway, I feel it is a while since I gave attention to my botanical side so today proved to be a recent exception.

Starting out at Prestwick Carr I did find that a walk I had planned there in January is a non starter as there seems to be no where to park cars even in Prestwick Village, so I’m having a re-think on that one. No parking spaces and not much in the way of birds today apart from Swifts, Swallows and numerous Willow Warblers. The red flags cut the walk short, although it didn’t seem to prevent others. I value my head however. We set off sooner than expected for Plessey Woods.

Many years since I went to Plessey Woods. I remember at school it was the favourite area for ‘conker’ collection. That game of violence, brute force and daring seems to have been hit by health and safety rules in some schools. I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. Let’s get the inconsiderate dog walker out of the way first. Now that’s a good idea, getting them out of the way, that is! The River Blyth seems to be used as a dog bath. I suppose when their pillock owners allow them to jump all over you they have at least been washed first. Sadly the area seems to be another ‘person’ walkers paradise. Someone should really get some control over this lot as it spoils, what is a really pleasant area. I did manage to see some birds despite the best efforts of this minority group. I hasten to add I do have good friends who are dog owners, or at least I did have before they read my blog!

Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff and Blackcaps were numerous. The later I found singing in several territories. Birds of the day were really good sightings of Jays, of which there were several. Early on the walk Dipper was found and a Grey Wagtail was spotted flying up River. I never did find it on likely spots along the river and suspect the constant string of dogs in and out of the river had something to do with that. More Swifts and Swallows were found along with House Martins.

It was the flowers which took the eye today with patches of Bluebells (the real thing not the uglier Spanish Bluebells) coming into flower and the woods being awash with Wood Anemone and Wild Garlic, the latter just beginning to come into flower in places. A nice flower, shame about its scent. Some people tell me they like it. Other flowers of note were Primrose, Common Dog Violet, Ground Ivy, Woodruff, Wood Sorrel, Wood Forget-me-not and Water Avens. I informed a friend that the leaf of the Wood Sorrel tastes of apple and can be eaten. Holywell Birding told me that and had me chewing some last year. So if anyone drops down with poisoning tonight I shall send the court summons your way Cain! :-) We could always blame the dogs!
So a very pleasant walk was had today with some wonderful views up the river. I finished the walk with a mug of hot chocolate, and warm.