Lindisfarne...Birds, Turneresque Skies and Rough Seas

6^th Jan.  I know it’s just another date on the calendar, but birding during the first few days of a New Year always feels exciting and a challenge which brings rewards, so on waking I wasn’t going to be put off by the sound of wind and sleet upon the window.  Yes, tomorrow was to be a nicer day, but I was eager to get out so when Sam arrived we were soon on our way north to Lindisfarne, almost running over some dare devil Pheasants along the route and finding our first flock of Lapwing of the year.

On arrival and stepping out onto the causeway it was immediately clear we needed several layers of clothing to protect us from the cold winds which were worth braving in order to breath in that fresh air, take in the almost silent surroundings and the Turneresque skies that were for ever changing as the sun rose whilst occasionally showing through forever moving cloud patterns that were pouring rain in areas not far from us, but thankfully not onto us.  Between the land and cloud formations to the south of us was a bright yellow strip of sunlight.  We soon had our eye on a close by Little Egret feeding just off the causeway as we picked up the sound of Curlews, Oystercatchers and in Sam’s case Fieldfare.

There were very few cars in pot-holed car park when we arrived.  Message to authorities, I agree that folk should be charged to park, but don’t you think you ought to use the cash taken to provide a car-park that is fit for purpose?  We walked down to and through the village barely seeing a soul but being serenaded by large numbers of House Sparrows.  We were soon watching one Slavonian Grebe, then two, then four as they swam as a group although constantly diving.  This was to be one of our sightings of the day s they did show very well.  As we took the path towards the harbour numbers of Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin and Grey Plover were noted, as were Red breasted Mergansers, Red throated Divers and 2 Great Northern Divers.  Shags passed as we watched the divers and the occasional Grey Seal showed its head above water.  This reminded me that the NHSN has a talk this Friday evening concerning Grey Seals which is to be given by a speaker with diving experience along with years of research concerning Grey Seals.  During our walk the Golden Plover flocks put on a good flying display as they flew lit by a now bright and occasionally warm sun (warm if you were sheltered from the wind).  We had a quiet laugh to ourselves when someone told their family that they were Swallows.  Well we all make mistakes!   By now a few more folk were on the island, but it never at any point become busy and most of the time we had areas to ourselves.  We were also blessed with another rainbow, this one across the island.  A Rock Pipit was added to our list.

The harbour held a few waders including Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew and Bar tailed Godwit.  We checked out the pool and found the likes of Shoveler, Teal and Lapwing.  By now we had seen a small number of Brent Geese in flight and thought larger numbers would be in the fields taking shelter, so we made off past Gertrude Jekyll’s garden.  Sea watching didn’t appeal for long, with the sea being so rough, although Sam did pick up Long tailed Duck and Eiders were easily seen.  All the time the sky continued to put on a good display of cloud formation and we noted that it appeared to be either rain, snow or sleet out over patches of the sea and also inland just a little south from where we were.  Happily, we went all day without getting wet.  We heard that there were White Billed Divers coming north but we had no intention of hanging around on the off chance we might see them.

At some point Sam had a laugh when I told him I wasn’t interested in lists and then I got excited when I added Turnstone to my year list.  Excited, as they had been difficult to find.  We did find a flock of about 200 Brent Geese in the fields and watched as others flew in to join them, some flying along the tide line which gave a very good and wild like view as the waves met the rocky shoreline.  A small number of Brent Geese were also found among the rocks.  On our return walk we came across a flock of Fieldfare and some Long -tailed Tits.

More than satisfied with our shortened visit to Lindisfarne we made off to Buddle Bay, but not before a last watch of the sky and the Little Egret which was now only feet from the car) where we found the birds were well along way out in the estuary.  Shelduck and Oystercatchers could be easily made out, but we decided not to hang around and return at a later date.  The quick move on maybe partially explained by our hunger and the imagined aroma of fish and chips blown in the air from Seahouses which was to be our next stop before returning to Stag Rock.  There was little on Monk House pond as we passed by, but we did add Wigeon to our list.  Lunch enjoyed, we headed off to Bamburgh.

By now conditions were deplorable, high rough seas and strong winds.  We found nothing but the odd Eider Duck and Oystercatchers.  Even the Purple Sandpipers were no where to be seen.  We’ll make another return in better conditions.

We were well satisfied with our bird count today, but more so with the day in general and it was only 6^th January so there is no rush and we remain laid back birders!  Our day hadn’t ended however as we headed for Alnwick and more precisely, Barter Books.  A very nice way to end our day.  Oh, and we added two more species outside of the bookshop, Goldcrest and Pied Wagtail.  I’d set a target of 30 species to add to the year list today.  Because of difficulties at both Buddle Bay and Stag Rock because of conditions we thought we had fallen below that target.  On writing up my list I found that I had added 29 species and if taking into account the Long-tailed Duck seen by Sam we were exactly on the 30 targets.