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With our first Kielder Safari of the year on Tuesday 24th, we went up into the border forest yesterday to check out some of our favourite sites. Stunning Mandarins were sitting on rocks in the North Tyne, Oystercatchers were probing the soft earth and nearly every suitable field that we passed had several pairs of Lapwings displaying above it. A few Buzzards were soaring lazily over isolated plantations and Kestrels and Sparrowhawks were doing their best to terrify small birds and mammals. After a brief visit to the raptor watchpoint we decided to head through Kielder village and up towards the border. However, as soon as we were north of the village a thick mist descended so we retraced our route until we once again had blue skies and sunshine above us. Buzzards were flying back and forth and then a raptor appeared high overhead. Even without lifting our binoculars this one was straightforward to identify; Goshawk, the ‘Phantom of the Forest’ is very, very different to it’s smaller relative the Sparrowhawk. With a few deep, powerful wingbeats it was away and into the trees on the far side of the reservoir. Always exciting and a much sought-after bird.

Today was something completely different; a Druridge Bay mini-safari for 5 charming ladies from Blyth. We started along the River Blyth as we usually do, and enjoyed excellent, prolonged views of at least one Red Squirrel. Nuthatches were calling noisily from the trees around us and eventually settled in front of us so that everyone could appreciate them at their leisure. Even a Jay put in a brief appearance. Up to Newbiggin and one of my favourite birds, a ghostly white adult Mediterranean Gull, allowed comparison with the Black-headed Gulls, most of which are now sporting the black (or rather brown) head that gives the species it’s name. Wigeon, Teal and Red-breasted Mergansers were all looking resplendent on the coastal pools and a herd of Whooper Swans were a clear reminder that we’re only just coming out of the winter. A group of 8 Herons were steadfastly peering into a shallow pool, despite being buffeted by the strengthening wind, which was lifting the water surface into some impressive waves. Ironically, the sea itself looked calm by comparison.

In a county of contrasts, one thing remains constant throughout – it’s a remarkable place for wildlife.

The harsh ‘kev-i-week’ calls echo around the stone walls as Kittiwakes either sit on their precipitous nest ledges or soar against the clear blue sky. Effortless gliding low over the faintly rippled water surface leads to a steep climb to join the other members of the colony. The tell-tale white splashes on the rock face identify this as a well-established site and the density of occupied nests suggests that this really is a des-res. I can sit for hours watching these gentle-countenanced birds; the white underparts, ‘dipped in ink’ black wingtips and dove grey upperwings and mantle all combine to produce a bird so different from the noisy, scrabbling brutes of the gull family that most people are familiar with. A tri-syllabic ticking alerts me to the presence of a Linnet; too high overhead to identify by sight, but it’s flight-call gives it away. Behind me a Greenfinch starts it’s tuneless wheezing, before launching into the air and song-flighting with a canary-like trill.

Close your eyes and imagine all of these sounds; the clamour of a seabird colony and the call and song of two of our finches. Imagine the faint seaweedy smell of ozone. Imagine you’re sitting below a coastal cliff, bathed in warm summer sunshine. Now open your eyes; and discover that you’re actually sititng beside me in the shadow of the Tyne Bridge and the world’s most inland colony of Kittiwakes…and who would have thought that such a remarkable place could be right there and so accessible?

On Tuesday I was at the launch of the North East Wildlife Trusts ‘Living Landscapes’ project. I have a great interest in this as the three project areas in Northumberland coincide with three of NEWT’s locations. The venue for the launch was The Sage, Gateshead. A remarkable-looking building from the outside, and stunning inside as well. The keynote speaker for the launch was Chris Packham, who has just been announced as Bill Oddie’s replacement as presenter of Springwatch. Chris’ speech was passionate and thought-provoking; it’s always captivating to listen to someone who really cares. After spending the afternoon at the launch, I needed some fresh air and to stretch my legs so, once Sarah was home from work, we walked from Druridge Pools to East Chevington, in the dark. The clouds were clearing and under the starry sky we could just make out the route of the tracks and paths we were following as waders and wildfowl were calling in nearby ponds and fields.

Mid-late March is always a busy time for NEWT; tourism leaflet distribution days in Berwick and Alnwick, and other meetings all seem to fall at this time. Added to that we’re busy finalising some of this year’s special events, including a Dawn Chorus and Northumbrian breakfast at Lee Moor Farm on International Dawn Chorus Day, May 3rd, but perhaps our most exciting event this spring will be our Black Grouse Spectacular based at The Otterburn Tower on 5th/6th May. With access to a lek that is off-limits to the public, this really is a Northern Experience Wildlife Tours exclusive, focusing on one our favourite species and favourite habitats.

Another sunny day…I even managed to hang the washing out on the line, and the long-tailed tits on the peanut cage didn’t flinch when I was standing within a few feet of them. A flurry of movement along the garden fence revealed that the dunnocks are now dancing in earnest; they can provide endless entertainment once the hormones start flowing. Jumping up and down while flicking their wings in the air, presumably only they can hear the music that their display of aggression/affection is choreographed to. This relatively unobtrusive ‘little brown job’, the hedge sparrow of my youth and the hedge accentor of modern nomenclature, has a fascinating mating system. One strategy is for the female to actively encouraging mating with two males so that, when the business of chick-rearing comes about, she has an increased amount of support. From the perspective of the male, it’s in his interest to mate with as many females as possible, but to not allow ‘his’ females to mate with other males. This leads to females mating with additional males under the cover of dense vegetation to avoid being seen. And all of this is probably going on in your back garden…

I had a few errands to run this morning so was pleased to see that the weather was fine with big fluffy white clouds against a deep blue sky. There was still a biting chill in the air though, so I put on my hat and gloves and set off to walk to Guidepost. Remarkably, in the middle of a housing estate, my ears latched on to the cascading song of a skylark. Reminiscent of my youth; when I hear that song then it takes me back to summer days spent just laying in meadows, listening to the sound and trying (often in vain) to locate the singer. This time, however, he couldn’t evade my gaze and I watched for a while as the tiny dark speck quivered against the clouds before finally descending. The volume and variety of birdsong is growing steadily as the days lengthen and new shoots and blooms are swelling and bursting. The snowdrops have now been joined by the yellow, white and purple of crocuses. Greenfinches are wheezing, goldfinches are twinkling (ok, I know that technically twinkling is visual rather than aural) and song thrushes are repeating themselves, and repeating themselves, and… 🙂 The transition from winter to spring is quite a blurred one and I’ll be surprised if we’ve seen the last snow of this winter for example. Could this be my favourite time of the year? It’s certainly exciting, and I can barely wait for our first Kielder Safari on March 24th. Lingering winter visitors gathered in flocks prior to departure, raptors displaying and all those songbirds proclaiming their territories and seeking the approval of the opposite sex.

And it will only get better…

One of my favourite birds, and last night I managed to see no less than five! I was giving a talk, at the Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel in Embleton, to the Potters Bar and Barnet RSPB members group who are in Northumberland for a few days. Night was setting in as I drove up the coastal route and two Barn Owls and a Fox between Lesbury and Embleton enriched the journey. After a very nice dinner it was time for the slide show. A late finish saw me eventually heading back south at 11pm. 45 mins later I’d found another three Barn Owls – all sandwiched into just 5mins of the journey between Widdrington and Ellington. All of this under a beautiful, clear starry sky. So much more exciting than driving in daylight.

I came downstairs to the sound of screeching this morning. Perhaps next-door’s cat had caught one of the birds around our feeding station? No, it was an altercation between 2 male Blackbirds. Rolling around the patio, the bundle of black feathers was a maelstrom of stabbing beaks and kicking feet. Oh, the joys of spring! The chaffinches have got in to a similar mood as well; the flock of 10-20 males that has spent most of the winter beneath our apple tree is now a series of interconnected fights as each bird struggles for the dominance that will give him top spot for nesting and breeding. The weather forecast is for a return to wintry conditions over the next few days; possibly snow, certainly frost. Will hostilities cease in favour of the really serious business of finding enough food simply to survive the decreasing temperatures? Time to check the levels in the feeders I think.