Boulmer birding - Monday afternoon

Went down to check the waders again on the receding tide. Good numbers of Turnstone (100+) and Sanderling (50+) with 7 Purple Sandpiper, 20+ Dunlin, 50+ Redshank and a single Grey Plover (new for the trip). On the sea were 11 Common Scoter in amongst the Eider.
Checked the bushes for LBJ's but just the usual Stonechat, although 5 Fieldfare flew over.
Interestingly a Water Pipit was reported today - third winter in a row for the area. The photos show it to be very similar to 'scandanavian' Rock Pipit but the finder was confident it had all the Water Pipit features. Very likely this was the paler Pipit I saw yesterday with Rock Pipit.

Boulmer birding - Monday morning

Another glorious morning of blue skies. Low tide so going to wait till afternoon to check the waders again. Concentrated on the dunes and scrub instead.
Rock Pipits and Stonechats were obvious, before a lovely female Merlin blasted through. A large raptor to the south was tricky in the light as it headed out to sea, before thinking again and heading back. Long tail and v-shaped glides suggested Marsh Harrier.
Then, overhead, interesting call and bunting type bird seen in flight. Sounded spot on for Lapland Bunting. When Simon and I met up with my dad 10 minutes later he had spotted the Lapland Bunting by the fence line before it headed off north.
Final new trip bird was a male Blackcap in the hedges and gardens of the village. A noticeable increase in Robins as well... with high pressure and easterly winds forecast, here's hoping for something good.

Boulmer birding day 3 - Sunday evening

Headed out again late afternoon to see if I could refind the earlier sandpiper. Overall less small waders on the receding tide with only 2 Purple Sandpiper now present.

Only about 50 Turnstone, with single Dunlin, and a handful of Knot, Sanderling and Ringed Plover. New this afternoon were a flock of 300+ Golden Plover with 30+ Curlew.

On the sea Grey Herons kept flying in disturbing the birds with one bird perching close by. A couple of Little Grebe were a surprise on the sea.

Finally, a mixed flock of Twite, Linnet and Goldfinch fed in a set-a-side area. Glorious sunset finished an excellent day's birding.

Boulmer birding day 3 (lunchtime)

Spent 3 hours walking to the north of Boulmer, and some more fantastic birding.
On the shore near the village 5 Rock Pipits, including one which was noticeably paler with a stronger eyestripe - possibly a 'scandanavian' Rock Pipit? In one of the bushes I was surprised to find a Tree Sparrow. Nearby were 2 Twite, which perched for a while giving good views. Linnet and Goldfinch, as well as Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail on the grassy areas.
The next hour saw the tide come in rapidly and the waders pushed much closer. Initial highlight were 4 Purple Sandpiper in with the c100 Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling, Knot and Ringed Plover.

The above is a picture from my phone showing that the waders were within about 10m and really showing well.
Next, I found another couple of Purple Sandpiper, and in front of one a noticeably smaller, grey wader. Very Dunlin like on initial views I became excited as I noted the short bill, and then primary tips extending beyond the tail. This was looking spot on for adult winter White Rumped Sandpiper. The breast markings cut off to a clean white unders, with some streaking on the flanks. All I needed now was the rump. But as the tide continued to come in the birds began to move deeper into the sea-weed and I lost sight. Then a big wave came in scattering the 100+ waders in all directions. I never saw it again! Below are the notes from my notebook...

I'm leaving it as probable but it's difficult to say what else it could be.

The remainder of the walk was still very pleasant. 5 Wigeon just offshore as well as c20 Eider. A male Common Darter landed close briefly, making the most of the autumn sun. One field held hundreds of Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Zoom into the picture and check out all the blobs 😉

 A male Stonechat was nice, and finally, a cracking adult Mediterranean Gull flew over the village as I walked back to the cottage.

Boulmer birding - day 3 (morning)

Glorious sunrise this morning. As I walked to the beach 21 Whooper Swans flew over, low, calling. Great start. 200+ Pink feets flew over in several groups as well. Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail were moving along the coast, and the morning highlight was half a dozen Twite chirping south. Buzzard hunting low finished off the first walk of the day...

Northumberland birding - day 2

3 walks today along the coast at Boulmer.  Highlights today were Snow Bunting, the Black Throated Divers again, Peregrine and Merlin hunting, Red Breasted Merganser and 100+ Gannet fishing. The final walk in the evening sun led to close up views of waders on the shore. A mix of Sanderling, Knot, Turnstone, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Curlew.

In between this was a visit to Cresswell Pond. Brief views of the Long-billed Dowitcher, as well as Long-tailed Duck, Little Stint, Greater Scaup and Whinchat in the dunes.
An excellent day!

Boulmer - Northumberland day one

An afternoon stroll with the dog on arrival along the beach. Sanderling, Turnstone and Redshank ran through the sea-weed. Bar-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher on the sand, and a flock of 100+ Curlew flew over. A Rock Pipit briefly landed at my feet, looked at me, called, and then flew off.
We are staying in a lovely cottage with an upstairs view of the sea. Scope set up and scans. Simon picked up a couple of Manx Shearwater, as well as Eider and Common Scoter. Red Throated Diver flew past before we picked up 2 divers on the sea. It was the 2 Black Throated Divers earlier reported on birdguides :-) Quality birding from the comfort of the cottage.