Northern Experience Wildlife Tours

Once again the Birdwatching Northumberland stand at the Bird Fair proved very popular; particularly each afternoon, when visitors were able to sample Lindifarne Mead, Alnwick Rum and a selection of Allendale Beers.  We collected most of the alcohol from Northumbrian Gifts just before heading south, and arrived at Rutland Water in time to assist with getting the stand ready.

Hanging the backdrop

Almost there

 

Sarah and Janet, flying the flag for Northumberland

 

How to transform a display table...

 

...into a 'mini' bar

 

They're only here for the beer 😉

 

 

It was really good to meet up with so many of our existing clients during the 3 days, and we made lots of new clients as well 🙂  Martin’s 2 talks were both very well attended; 118+ (the clicker counter wasn’t working properly!) for ‘Northumberland’s Winter Wonderland’ on Saturday, and 142 for ‘Northumberland through the Seasons’ on Sunday.  With holiday bookings, pelagic bookings and several prestige tours booked since the weekend this was our most productive Bird Fair since we became part of the Birdwatching Northumberland consortium in 2008.  Almost as enjoyable as meeting visitors who are interested in Northumberland, is working as part of a well-established team.  With most us stopping at the White Lion in Whissendine, a remarkable combination of English Country pub and Indian Restaurant (one of the consortium members has a bit of an obsession with Eggs, Peas and Potato…), the evenings were filled with excellent food, good ale and some very enthusiastic discussions.  Looking forward to 2012 🙂  Finally a big thank you to Iain for his organisation, banter…and wielding of the sweeping brush 🙂

 

With a run of 3 North Pennines trips in 6 days, I’m going to be seeing a lot of what is rapidly becoming my favourite birdwatching location (outside of the Northumberland coast in mid-October of course…).

05:30 and the incessant ringing of the alarm clock lets me know that it’s time to be up and about.  Within an hour I’m on my way to Hebburn and then heading west with Kathleen and Brian, 2 of our Prestige Clients, in the car.

The elements aren’t playing fair; a biting cold wind just adds to the ‘feel’ of the North Pennines, but even the stinging raindrops don’t dampen the enthusiasm.  An imperious Blackcock, taking shelter from the wind behind a dry stone wall, allows a prolonged view (we weren’t to know that he was the first of no less than 21 Black Grouse that we were going to enjoy, including 7 birds lekking as we had our lunch).  Red Grouse popped up like Meerkats from the heather as we passed, Lapwing, Curlew and Snipe were all calling over their territories, Skylarks were singing a song that was carried far on the wind and a Golden Plover called plaintively as its little shockingly yellow chicks bobbed up and down around it.  A Stoat dashing across the road in front of us, quickly vanished into the heather; the predator’s route signposted by the string of Meadow Pipits flushing as it passed.

One down, two to go…and I might go there early on Thursday myself when I’m in the area for a Northern Experience Holidays business meeting.  Addicted?