30-12-06

Today I went up the coast to Woodhorn Flash to try for the Green Winged Teal,passing through the church yard a well spread party of Long Tailed Tits where feeding some going on the ground included was one Goldcrest,on to the pond area I find it easier to go up the path and look back over the pond thus birds are not flushed as when you walk along the shore,the Teal which was on show at the northern edge of the pool sitting on the bank with a female Teal,this trip was sort of a recce for the 1st of the year I like to start the year of as best as I can.The usual other species where here,Tufted,pochard,Redshanks and in the field Mute Swans,Greylag & a couple of Pinkfeet.From here a quick stop at QEII lake with nothing to add but its always worth looking at for Duck & Gulls.
Next stop Linton here we went left first through the copse usually find Bullfinch here but not today Redwing & Great Spotted Woodpecker nothing special on the pond always a large amount of gulls bathing its a great little hide but not much to keep you there for long,back on the road up to Warkworth Lane Pond or the roadside nearby here the Whoopers have gathered I checked for Bewicks and gave a quick count of about 125,doubled back and drove to just beyond Cresswell for the Shorelark in with a flock of Twite, it showed as we pulled up the flock being very mobile the Shorelark looking much larger and keeping on the edge of the flock they eventually settled and gave great views one of my favourite winter birds

Long Tailed Tit

Whoopers at Warkworth lane