Last full day in Northumberland and a leisurely day near the cottage. First thing was a ramble along the beach. Very quiet on the land with very little visible migration. However on the beach near Seaton Point 5 Rock Pipits revealed the Water Pipit again. Good views of the tail and also subtle differences in the call could be picked up as well. A Jack Snipe behaved typically, only flying up from some seaweed when it was almost stood on! Big increase in Ringed Plover numbers on the beach with over 40 counted. 40+ Dunlin as well, and 4 Grey Plover were nice. A seawatch revealed huge numbers of birds moving. Lost count of both auks and Gannets with many hundred counted. 4 Red Throated Diver flew very close but nothing else unusual seen.
Lunchtime was spent at nearby Hauxley NWT reserve - great scones by the way 😀 Willow Tit showed well from Skua Hide on the feeders with 20+ Tree Sparrow and a nice male Bullfinch. Offshore a pair of adult Little Gull loafed just off the rocks.
As the sun set, a final walk on the beach at Boulmer. Four more Rock Pipits were active with another good candidate for 'scandanavian' Rock Pipit with one bird showing a more prominent eyestripe but little difference on colouration. Little Grebe and Red Throated Diver on the sea and the now usual mass of Turnstone on the seaweed.
Will miss Northumberland. We have been very lucky with the weather and some great birds seen. 112 birds seen this week 👍
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