As the weather is so wonderful at the moment, we've taken a short break in the area around Druridge bay. Beginning in the small village of Cresswell, a visit was made to the pond where, the local Barn Owl was still out hunting at 11-00 am. There was little activity at the pond other than Common Terns, breeding Tufted Ducks and Great Crested Grebe. A walk on the beach at Cresswell led me to find a 1st summer Little Gull resting with a number of Black-headed Gulls. Druridge bay stretches from Cresswell, North towards Amble. The North Sea was looking its best and as the temperature kept rising, there was little to do except enjoy the walk and watch the passing seabirds. Plenty of Sandwich Terns passing through. I was surprised to see several large rafts of what I thought would be Eiders, but in fact were Common Scoters. The group I photographed numbered around 120 ducks, the entire flock would dive for a while and all re-surface together Apart from a few attending gulls, there was nothing else among the Scoters however, some smart Red-breasted Mergansers were frequently seen in company with Eiders. Not many waders seen, mainly Curlew, a few Redshank, one Ringed Plover and resident Oystercatchers. The star bird at Druridge Pools at the moment is a Pectoral Sandpiper. It was seen on the rapidly drying up shallow pools from the viewing screen, the heat haze prevented any chance of a decent photo. These pools are well known for rarities dropping in and this N. American visitor was a welcome sight in my recent struggle to encounter something interesting! A Wood Sandpiper and Ruff were showing on and off between the reeds and I was also pleased to see an adult Water Rail emerge briefly. Birds in the hedgerows were few, Blackcaps were heard and Chiffchaffs included some juveniles too. 3 Common Buzzards passed over the Pools, one of which was clearly a young one. Common Tern alighting on the main pool. Cocquet Island off Amble - home to breeding Roseate Terns (in the heat haze!) Two views of Amble harbour - a great place to get close to Eiders. Female Eider with young. In an attempt to find some shade, we made a return visit to NT Cragside, which has some picturesque woodland habitats. Siskins are common here and I heard the occasional Crossbill flying over. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were about and Common Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk flew over. It was good to spend time in an area of the North I know quite well now and in excellent weather too. I did take plenty of photos of other sightings, but the heat haze after about twenty yards made them just too fuzzy!
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