Yesterday was Pete and Jan’s 10th trip with us, and we were heading for NEWT’s local patch…
Travelling south from Embleton we stopped off to enjoy cliffs covered in Fulmar and Kittiwake before stopping off at Boulmer to search for the Shorelark. We watched a small flock of these fantastic birds during the winter, but this loner was just stunning. Overhead the songs of several Skylark drifted on what was turning into a chilly breeze and four Brown Hares were in a nearby field. Heading further south, the songs of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat were accompanied by brief appearances from the songsters, a Roebuck watched us warily before deciding we weren’t a problem and returned to grazing as a Great Spotted Woodpecker demonstrated unexpected behaviour at it started launching short flycatching flights. A subadult male Marsh Harrier was quartering the crops as a Kestrel hovered nearby and a flycatching Grey Wagtail jumped from rock to rock as we continued on our way.
A cracking male Stonechat progressed from post to post in pursuit of insects, while Grey Heron and Little Egret stalked the shallows, but the afternoon was dominated by waders and wagtails. Ringed Plover, Ruff, Common Snipe, Dunlin, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit and no less than 12 Avocets represented this diverse group and the Avocets were particularly entertaining as they mobbed Grey Herons and Shelduck. Yellow Wagtails are stunningly bright birds and 2 or 3 bright yellow males were aggressively chasing a female, who eventually grew tired of the harrassment and flew off high to the west as we ended the day and headed back north. Driving through an area of dense woodland, a Common Buzzard appeared from the left and flew across the road just a few metres in front of us as we approached Embleton.
Another great day birdwatching, with great company. See you at the Bird Fair 🙂
One response to “Larking about; Druridge Bay bespoke birdwatching 22/05/17”
The Shore Lark was a delight, as were the Avocets – we get very few of either in Leicestershire!
We DO see Hares, but it was still nice to get a good long look at 4 of them.
Thanks for another great day out.
Pete & Jan