... but not sore!
News of a Bluethroat at Newbiggin certainly made the start to April memorable especially for the finder Gary Storey. Patch birding well rewarded!
The visiting birders were amazingly well behaved and although telescopes were essential for good views it enabled the bird to feed undisturbed.
I made two further visits later in the week but on both occasions I left without seeing the bird. Probably because of the less patient behaviour of some of the visitors.
Black Redstarts also put on a good show. I managed separate birds at Snab, Cresswell Village, Cresswell Pond, DBCP and East Chevington.
This little Merlin although distant was a nice surprise at East Chevington. A female Marsh Harrier (minus two inner primaries on left wing) failed to linger.
Today these Whoopers arrived. One has a very distinctive/unusual bill pattern.
Wheatear, 100+ Sand Martins, 1 Swallow were nice to see back on the Patch.
Wellies Essential for Druridge birding.
However the Budge Field is alive with waders and worth the visit. 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff and 20 Snipe. (The one above pretending to be a duck?)
Water Pipits at Chev and Druridge still. The Druridge bird is moulting an starting to show some pink colouring. Hope it stays a little longer.
