1-1-07 St Mary's,Blyth Harbour,Woodhorn Flash,QEII,Linton,Cresswell

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Started the day off at St Mary's as there was a report of Pintail & Water rail a bright day but very strong cold wind Teal.Mallard,Shoveller Heron,Coot,Moorhen on the pond Stonechat nearby,Dunlin Oystercatcher,Purple Sandpiper,Sanderling,Turnstone,Golden Plover,Eider, Cormorrant,Pied Wagtail,next it was on to Blyth Harbour area for the Snow Buntings,there is a small carpark near the caravan storage compound from here you have to walk to the actual harbour ( disabled badge holders can drive through) a male hopped on to the wall as we walked past so I thought it best to check the harbour & river for Divers etc.but nothing else to add other than Shag.

Woodhorn Flash was the next stop park at the church and walk through to the pond area it is a puplic path,no sign of Green Winged Teal one reason being I had to hold on to the tripod & scope to stop it blowing over only added Pochard , Tufted,Mute , Greylags & Curlews with Goldcrest,Robin ,Dunnock in the church yard.

A quick stop at QEII lake for a look through the gulls and to check the pond at the North end ,only part of the lake can be viewed from the carpark , I find most duck prefer the South end it is worth a walk around the lake if time allows,there is also a carpark at the newly reopened museum but I think there is a charge of £2.Only Common Gull ,Goldeneye to add.

Linton was the next stop Bullfinches at the road end and I spent some time trying to get some photos before they left,through to the West pool with nothing to add through the copse and only Gadwall but a Water Rail flew into the reeds in front of the hide ,much the same at the East hide not as many gulls in the field no Lesser Black-backed just 250+ Canadas. So from here it was a drive past the Whoopers and onto Hauxley for the feeding station but the barrier was down so we had to walk to the small hide and feeding station with another Bullfinch on the way up but none of the expected Tree Sparrow ,this all took time which at this time of year is in short supply or rather daylight is ,decided to miss out East Chevington and go for the Twite & Shorelark for easy ticks but no luck on the Shorelark as the flock seemed to have split taking it with them ,by this time the light is fading fast and with the strong wind I thought the chance of a Barnowl at Cresswell was unlikely and by now the GN Diver had left so although not a bad day given the weather I only managed 60 for the start of the year list

BULLFINCH AT LINTON