8/9-05-08 Harthope Valley Northumberland

I missed these couple of shots from Killingworth Lake of Common Terns 6-05-08.
8/9-0508 Had a trip to the Harthope Valley for some year ticks started with a walk through Happy Valley, Cuckoo, and later 2, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, and plenty of Red Legged,
also numerous Garden Warblers along the stream edge and a large number of Chaffinch giving fleeting glimpses just enough to catch your eye so you had to check them out, more Willows than Chiffs singing, only the briefest glimpse of a Redstart and no Wood Warbler.
Next a walk along the Carey Burn not sure what time it was by now but only Whinchat, Buzzard and 2 Wheatears with a pair of Grey Wagtails on the stream.
Checked everywhere for Adders with no luck I have come across them often with no problems , I had a close up lens to get some portrait shots but I never saw a one, nor the next day as it warmed I searched and searched with no luck.
I did get Tree Pipit and Spotted Flycatcher , also Ring Ouzel + Whinchat they always kept there distance another Cuckoo, young Dippers on the stream also young Song Thrush around, GSW but no Green ,one Small Copper, Orange Tip, and loads of Peacocks everywhere
6-05-08 About 16 Common Terns at Killingworth Lakes a good place to get some photos if you are patient and just sit and wait
Common Tern on the fishing platform8-05-08 Small Copper Harthope Valley Northumberland
8-05-08 Harthope Valley plenty of Red Legged Partridge I struggled to see one near home earlier in the year.
A few Whinchat around but I could not get very close ,Harthope
Surprisingly I did not see many Wheatears given the distance covered
Mistle Thrush collecting sheeps wool for nest Harthope

Willow Warbler also collecting nesting material Harthope 9-05-08
1st Spotted Flycatcher of the year Harthope 9-05-08
Also Siskin in the neaxt tree
Swallows and House Martins gathering mud from the track Langleeford Harthope 9-05-08
This Ring Ouzel sang from the top of a tree and could be seen from the valley road .but when I hiked up and around to where it was ,it was always half hidden .9-05-08 Harthope