Trip reports

Gelt Woods and Talkin Tarn

Friday, 18 April 2008

We set off from Newcastle on a relatively bright spring morning and en-route logged House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Crow, Black-headed Gull and Oystercatcher. Following a comfort stop at Haltwhistle, and also to buy bird food from our friendly supplier, we arrived at Gelt Woods mid-morning.
The sun was shining and it certainly felt like spring was in the air. On alighting from the bus we were greeted by a Chiffchaff calling and a subsequent sighting of the bird. I was also pleased to see my first Swallow of the year. We started well by notching up Robin, Coal, Blue and Great Tit, Wren and Greenfinch before even entering the woods.
We strolled through Lower Gelt Woods using the path which followed the course of the river. The sun shone for most of the time which brightened up the wood and highlighted the Wood Sorrel, Wood Anemone and Lesser Celandine in flower. In addition to the abundance of Coal Tits, we logged Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Goldcrest. We also got good views of a pair of Grey Wagtail flying along the rocks.
Continuing our snaking walk, we stopped for a "sit where you can" lunch, after which, with renewed vigour, we left the woods to cross fields. The gorse was in full bloom. Some of us heard a Green Woodpecker calling. We then had to run the gauntlet of being peppered by sandgrains which had been lifted by the wind from a nearby quarry.
On returning to the bus we had excellent views of Mistle Thrush and a pair of Buzzard.
Members of the group reported Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Long-tailed and Willow Tit, Blackcap, Song Thrush and Fieldfare.
We then made the short journey to Talkin Tarn Country Park. Just past the tea-room we had very good close-up sightings of Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Tree Creeper and Nuthatch (x2). The tarn produced Swallow and Sand Martin along with Mallard (and ducklings) and Tufted Duck. Walking around the tarn, despite the very windy conditions and choppy water (with the capsized dinghy), we added Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit. Members also cited Redshank and Common Sandpiper.
The day ended with most of us escaping the wind by retreating to the tea-room before returning to the bus. The return journey added Pheasant, Lapwing and Kestrel to our list.
With a total bird-list of 40 species, I think we all had a very pleasant, relaxing and enjoyable day.
Harold Dobson

Blackcap
Blackheaded gull
Blue tit
Buzzard
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Coal tit
Common sandpiper
Crow
Fieldfare
Goldcrest
Great tit
Greater spotted woodpecker
Greenfinch
Green woodpecker (calling)
Grey wagtail
Herring gull
House sparrow
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Lapwing
Long tailed tit
Mallard
Meadow pipit
Mistle thrush
Nutchatch
Oystercatcher
Pheasant
Pied wagtail
Redshank
Reed bunting
Robin
Rook
Sand martin
Song thrush
Swallow
Treecreeper
Tufted duck
Willow tit
Wren