Temminck's Stint

Bank Holiday Monday we  headed  up the coast  ,first stop Lynemouth Flash  with only Sand martins feeding and a few Black-headed's , Cresswell next the water level very high apparently washing out the Avocets ,a pair of Sedge warblers near the Car park but nothing at the North end , 3 Barnacle Geese and a single little Gull present on the west side with some Common Terns sitting on the fence line , surprisingly cold after the weekend numerous Swifts , Swallows and Martins feeding over the area . Druridge Pools was also quiet it was marginally warmer with the shelter of the trees but no Butterflies seen at all. The message of a Temminck's Stint having dropped in at Cresswell so we headed back, but it was not to be seen anywhere , eventually it came into sight though distant , giving us a good opportunity to view this very small wader  it seemed size wise on a par with Linnet and slightly smaller than Pied Wagtail , I tried to digiscope it with these but I was too slow so decided on a bit of video instead.

I tried to find out more about Temminck the BTO lists him as 

Conrad Temminck (1778-1858) Dutch Ornithologist and Collector      

In Dutch it's called Temmincks Strandloper

The tertials hung down as though they where about to be shed ,this was a good chance to get a good look at one of these cracking little waders

This shot showing the darker under feathering of presumably  the upper breast band !

The video turned out slightly better than the stills was hoping to get it with a nearby Pied Wagtail  or Linnets  but they wouldn't contribute .

Marsden Rock

Just been over to South Shields via the ferry to have a look at Marsden Rock I knew there were nesting Kittiwakes there but was surprised at the sheer number with many also nesting on the cliffs to the side , a few pairs of Cormorants on the top and a handfull of Razorbills on the North side this is a fantastic bit of coastline it differs greatly with that just north of the Tyne, I was wanting to check out the coves for access from land and the sea having recently taken up Kayaking I am eager to find new areas to try out when I get a bit more experience , inevitably I have started a birds from a Kayak list its obviously going to have it's limits but I'm off to a good start with more to follow !!
The Ferry having to wait for a passing ship

As is the River Cruise heading down to the mouth of the Tyne

 Marsden Rock I think it was reduced some years ago ( as was the one at Seaton Sluice ) in the interests of health and safety

 Another small stack along the shore with Kittiwakes nesting just over the top

 The beaches practically deserted despite the weather not so Sandhaven though

Swifts 2013

A pair of Swifts at the nest now I missed them coming in, a lot of mutual preening ,it is very  dark in the nest site  so it's  a good way to re- establish the pair bond

Pectoral Sandpiper ....Holywell pond

The lack of an internet connection for a few days  has made me realise just how much I use it , but sorted with the help of a brilliant team from PLUSNET.

Checking the local patch of late when I could and added ,  White Wagtail, Wheatear and Yellow Wagatil , the report of Pectoral Sandpiper in the Holywell area but I could not get up till Monday ,checked the small pool and the shore from the public hide  but no sign a pair of GCG and about 15 Pochards viewed from the east hide some waders drifted in and headed down to the shore I could see Redshank and Dunlin but thought it worth checking so off I went back to the public hie to find the Pectoral in with them it only stayed about 5mins or so before they all set off again, a nice bird to add to the local list.

 Digiscoped images of the Pectoral Sandpiper

Belsay Hall

I was informed that we could now visit English Heritage properties for free with a corporate pass  well to good an opportunity to miss so we headed off to Belsay Hall as I have not been here for some time , I am not to impressed with the house/hall itself but the grounds I do like some nice paths wend there way to the ruined castle , and another path takes you past the lake and through a woodland in a circle . Nuthatch a plenty calling , and 2 Great Spotted drumming , with Tufted Mallard Teal on the lake and nesting Mute swans ,I thought we might have had Willow warbler and Chiffs but no although they could have been singing in the early morn . While at the castle I looked back and said look a swallow my first of the year ,but putting the bins on it it turned out to be a bat turning and flying close to the wall it just disappeared we sat in the sun for ten or so minutes in the hope it would re-emerge for a photo but no luck , so not first Swallow of the year but first Bat.

Although it does puzzle me why we have to have two organizations National Trust and English Heritage  to look after properties for the nation Belsay is well worth a visit for the grounds alone and it's not too far to get there , they seem to have a lot of special events  throughout the year so they might tempt you  !!  

 The hall although I have been in several times we gave it a miss this visit far to nice a day

 The walks through the old quarry are particularly good ,nice sheltered sun traps

 which bring you out onto the castle

View from the castle roof

 What  little ecosystem lives on top of this rock which has probably been isolated for about 100 years

 Model Plan of the house lower right and castle left