Still Waiting for the ....

Classic breeding birds on the patch. 

All five of the terns appearing on the beach (not all in the photos), including a colour-ringed Little Tern, probably a Seaton Carew bird.

Little Stint

Black-tailed Godwit

Wood Sandpiper (Newton Scrapes)

Lesser Whitethroat

At least 6 Singing birds on the patch. They are on the up, but Stonechats suffered badly this winter and only one pair breeding on the patch.

Still

Bulbous Buttercup

Anticipation

Reed Warblers feeding frantically before heading South. Some of them choose the Willows and Hawthorns.

Sparrowhawk sightings increase as more birds appear in the dune areas. One I watched today caught a Meadow Pipit. (Meadow Pipit numbers are increasing with several small flocks coming in off the sea.)

Druridge still worth a look. My prediction for the next wader there is Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Lesser Whitethroats, Common Whitethroats and Blackaps all quite common early morning in the dunes at Chevington. Time for a Red-backed Shrike, but it seems Whitburn is getting in first.

...and they keep arriving.

An unexpected find outside the DBCP visitor centre.

This Reed Warbler also arrived on Thursday and today (22/04/16) it was still the only one on the patch.

My very early start was rewarded with great views of Grasshopper Warblers. Six of last years eight plus territories now occupied.

This was taken before the early clouds cleared. Later when it was sunny the Sedge Warblers weren't so 

co-operative.

Avoducks (not enjoying the deep water at Druridge). A lot of Whimbrel on the move today (One flock of 30 being notable.) with their call being heard all over the bay.

Meadow Pipit

Anticipation

Yellow Flag

Recent reports of Bee Eaters have added to the anticipation of patch visits. Sadly none have been seen but it certainly prevented the post holiday lethargy.

Small patches of reeds in the Country Park are now home to Reed Warblers. Strange to think that  not so long ago Reed Warblers were a scarce bird in Northumberland.

My search for Bee Orchids continued and I found 4 new spikes.

Moorhen chick ... not the prettiest.

Skippers at Druridge

Later I found an Otter close to the hide at Druridge (I dashed to tell the people in the hide opposite, one was delighted the other didn't bother to come and look a it ... aren't some people strange?)

Druridge Otter

I finally managed a photo of Reed Warbler at Chevington. They haven't been very showy this year despite being very vocal. All the time I hoped the Saltholme  Squacco might have relocated North ... not yet!

Finally, you get a better class of litter from film crews ... Harrogate Spring Water (not the usual Fosters and Macdonalds). I did get a prompt reply from the management team to assure me that they will leave the site free from litter.