I arrived at the Hareshaw Linn carpark in Bellingham yesterday evening, ready to lead the ‘Birds of Redesdale’ walk for Shepherd’s Walks. 10 walkers, plus myself and Jon, set out to walk along the North Tyne towards Redesmouth and then back to Bellingham across some cattle-filled fields.
Inland birdwatching in early July can be a bit hit-and-miss; all of the trees are heavily vegetated, adult birds are secretive and (generally) silent. We found some real gems though; a stunning adult male Redstart sat on a riverside fence post and allowed everyone the chance to appreciate a bird that most people in Britain probably aren’t aware of the existence of. Grey Wagtails were flycatching from mid-stream rocks at Redesmouth. Oystercatchers were, well, what more can you say about these big black-and-white birds with their extraordinary beaks? Other wildlife found along our route included Silver-ground Carpet, Bird-cherry Ermine and a Meadow Brown, calm and approachable as the cool of the evening replaced the heat of the day.
Once the walk was completed, the journey back to Southeast Northumberland, fortunately, was free of torrential rain and stranded cyclists.