Northumberland 24th October and Spurn 30th October & 4th November 2018
The appearance of two first winter Gull Billed Terns in Northumberland was a bit of a shock to say the least, with Kevin C needing to see that species a trip was planned. The birds frequented Haughton Strother gravel pits which are just north of Hexham. With Bob K, Kevin C and myself driving a trip up the M6 to Penrith then a lot of miles around lots of twisty roads followed until we reached the gravel pits. A short walk along the main road (B6319) then along a path to view the water area. The two birds were soon located in amongst Lapwing, BH Gull and Common Gulls and gave good, if a little distant, views. After 15 minutes of watching the terns a Land Rover pulled up and 2 more birders jumped out of the back of it, the driver was the local gamekeeper! Now Bob K and gamekeepers dont really mix so, I was surprised when he offered us a lift back to my car as he said he was going that way anyway. We jumped in his Land Rover and he deposited us at my car, what a nice chap he was (not sure if Bob K agreed though). It was our intention to stop and have a little look at Hadrians Wall, but we didnt find much of it left! On our way home we called at a good spot to see Black Grouse in Arkengarthdale in Yorkshire. Two birds duly obliged us and we headed for home.
30th October
With strong winds blowing and quite a good number of Little Auks having been seen the day before passing Spurn, a visit was planned and with a good supporting cast of Pallas`s Warbler, Snow Bunting etc. Steve B, Kev C, Bob K and myself headed to Spurn through the wind and rain. A quick call at Vicars Lane, Easington to get a glimpse of the Pallas`s or Eastern Lesser Whitethroat revealed nothing. At the crowded sea watching hide it was standing (sheltering) room only. We managed about 1.5 hours seeing: - 4 Little Auk, 3 Great Skua, Little Gull and lots of the more common seabirds, quite spectacular really. By now we were all very cold and headed for the car to warm up a bit, after that we went to see the single Snow Bunting behind The Riverside Hotel. We again called at Vicars Lane, Easington but after an hours wait left at 3pm and still no sightings of the Pallas`s Warbler. We headed for home and guess what was seen at 3-15pm? Yes you are all right, it was just not meant to be!
4th November
A nice trip out to Spurn in better conditions than our last weeks effort with Bob K, Chris B, Kevin C and myself. A Water Rail showed well and made various sounds, as they do, at the Canal Scrape and a nice Siberian Chiff-Chaff near the obs started us off well. Next was the long walk out to the north end of Beacon Pools to search for the Shore Larks that have taken up residence. Around 10 people were searching for the birds as we arrived in the correct area but nobody had seen them. We decided to walk down the pool sides and beach in a bid to locate the birds, we were soon watching two rather smart Shore Larks. As we headed back to our car a fellow birder said, Do you know about the Dusky Thrush in Easington We soon headed off to Vicars Lane in Easington to try to see this smart thrush. All the regular Spurn birders were already assembled in the garden and were watching a long line of fallen apples where the Dusky Thrush had been seen 30 minutes ago. After a 2 hour vigil the bird did not put in an appearance. The Eastern Lesser Whitethroat, which had been present and seen by many other birders was also nowhere to be found. Time for home.
