While the gardener in me wishes it would rain - is it six weeks now? feels like it! - it was good to get out in the sun and walk round Saltholme this morning. A couple of attempts to find the wood sandpiper, but worth it when I found it and a lovely picture on the gallery - not mine alas. I just got a few distant grey blobs but I know it was there...
One of the great things about Saltholme is you don't have to go very far to see something of interest. I had a great view of a reed bunting even before I got out of the car. A couple of black-headed gulls were cavorting on the island while I had my coffee, though I was sorry not to see any sand martins. On down to Saltholme Pools with meadow pipits displaying on the way. Unfortunately most of the birds from the hide meant looking into the sun and the godwits were very distant even with the use of the kind hide guide's scope, but I did better over by Paddy's Hole. Common terns were displaying, spiralling into the sky then dropping again - something I've never seen in several decades of birding, so a nice first for me. Back via the Wildlife Watchpoint and a pair of Great Crested Grebes looking lovely in the sunshine.
Then off to Cowpen Bewley for the nightingale. Gone midday and it was singing it's heart out - in the centre of a hawthorn. Eventually I caught sight of something reddish which quivered at each trill. A wing I think! Good to have seen my first nightingale on Teesside though.
All the best,
Alyson
Oh now that sounds like a wonderful day out.
Think that I heard my first nightingale whilst down in Kent at Easter.
Keep meaning to get down to visit but it is quite a treck from up this way :-((
'In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks' John Muir.
Excuse wobbily dyslexic spelling!
Certainly was! Just back from a visit to friends in Cambridgeshire. Dragged them round the local reserve Paxton Pits (well not too much of a drag) to hear singing nightingales. Last year there were up to 28 males. We heard about 8 but didn't see any. The best was towards the end of the walk nearly 9pm. Black-headed gulls and common terns were flying over to roost and hawking insects for a late snack on the way and we heard three nightingales singing together. Fantastic!
Wow Alyson that sounds really brilliant. DH, DS4 + I are hoping that not to many thunder storms permitting we will pop down tomorrow morning + see whats about.
Sounds like you had a great day Alyson!