On Friday 1st April, there was a large movement of thrushes but not in the direction you would expect - in a south westerly direction! There were at least 6 flocks of between 40 and 100+ birds of mainly Redwings and Fieldfares. Presumably this movement was a result of easterly winds pushing migratory flocks back into the UK?
Saturday, Jill and I had a stroll along Warkworth beach. Highlights included a good selection of common waders on the estuary, Little egret, 5 Whooper swans flying north, 1 Stonechat, 3 Sandwich terns and a Great crested grebe on the sea.
U15's rugby was in Newcastle on Sunday morning. A detour on the way home via Druridge Bay produced 6 Avocets, adult male Peregrine and the Long-billed dowitcher at Cresswell. The Peregrine was interesting as it was a couple of Dunlin and their slinking behaviour that suggested that there was a bird of prey in the air. Sure enough, a Peregrine and Common buzzard were located circling north. The Dunlin's eye-sight must be fantastic as the falcon was a mere dot to me. The Dunlin maintained slinking behaviour well after the birds had disappeared. This is not the first time I have found birds of prey whilst watching waders change of behaviour.
The Budge Pool, Drurige Bay NWT reserve produce a good number of Shoveler, a pair of Pintail, displaying Lapwing, 2+ Sand martins and a male Marsh harrier. A Small tortoiseshell butterfly was seen in the dunes.
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