ADDERSTONE HALL AND SURROUNDS - BAMBURGH CASTLE ASHORESTON POOL - SEAHOUSES, HARBOUR, CLIFFS AND GOLF COURSE - BOAT TRIP TO FARNE ISLES - LONG NANNY TERN COLONY
WEATHER; overcast all day wth some sunshine, no rain but very windy.
Some of us made it out before breakfast, there was astrong wind and we didn't expect to see much and that was the case. We stopped in the gateway at Adderstone Hall and scanned the gardens, we saw very little and heard opnly a couple of species. A very distant Yellowhammer sat on some wires, we heard Common Whitethroat, Song Thrush, Wren, Chiffchaff and Goldfinch, Tow other stops in the lanes nearby produced not a lot more, we had glimpses of Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren and we saw a few Brown Hares in the fields.
At 8am we set out for the day, driving four miles to Banburgh Castle and then along the coast road to Seahouses. Along this raod we stopped to view the roadside Pool and the dunes behind us. Quite afew species were on the Pond and in the scrub around it. Mallards, Gadwall, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, four species of Gull including a single Kittiwake, Mute Swans and Lapwing.
In the scrub and sedge we found Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and above us we watched Sand Martins, Barn Swallows and plenty of Common Swifts.
In Seahouses we viewed the rocky shore and the harbour area before walking to the cliffs. There we added Redshank, Curlew, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Goosander, Eider Duck (lots), Grey Heron, Cormorant, Shag and distant unidentified auks.
Along the cliffs we added afew more species but the highlight was the Kittiwake Colony with a few pairs of Fulmars thrown in. We got very close to the birds from the coastal foot path and enjoyed the noisy birds. We also saw Sand Martins visiting their nest holes and Rock Pipits dispalying. More Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were joined by Linnets and Goldfinches dashing about in the strong wind.
Looking out tyo sea we saw several Northern Gannets, Guillemots, Puffins, Sandwhich and Arctic Terns, a few more Goosanders and lots of gulls,
We crossed the Golf Course and viewed the pool near the main road, it was sheltered somewhat, we found our first Tree Sparrow and our first Dunnock. Both Golfinches and Linnets were coming down to drink. We followed the road back into town where we spent an hour having lunch and drinking coffee.
At 1pm we met up and boarded the boat for the Farne isles trip, the sea was relatively calm on the way out and with the wind behind us it was quite enjoyable. The tour of islands was amazing, there are incredible numbers of sea-birds crammed into small areas and all trying to breed. The figures are staggering: with 50,000 Puffins, 43,000 Guillemots, 3000 Kittiwakes, 1200 Herring Gulls, nearly 1000 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 500 Arctic Tern nests, 300 Razorbills with Cormorants, Shags, Eider Ducks, Oystercatchers and Ringe Plovers also breeding.
We were attacked by the Arctic Terns, I got a cut on my head because it was too windy to wear my cap!! The boat also took us close to basking Seals and we saw Ringed Plovers, Turnstones, Rock Pipit and a bunch of Feral Pigeons.
Walking amongst the Puffins was a windy experience but very enjoyable they are so endearing and they always fill me with a sense of hope that our planet will be okay as long as they contiue to live.
We had great excitement on the journey back to the harbour when we bumped into a pod of Bottelnose Dolphins, what a treat and did they perform well. Jumping out of the water very close to the boat it was an amazing finale to the trip.
Back on terra firma we drove a few miles south to visit the tern colony at Long Nanny, we hoped to see Little Terns there. The wind had increased and didn't make for pleasnat walking along sand dunes. The sign said it was a 1km walk but it was surely at least 2km!! Sheltering behind the Warndens hut we watched dozens of Arctic Terns with a few Little Terns thrown in, the wardens were gathering Plover chicks because a high spring tide was due and they might drown.
Just before we left we had a great surpise when the AMERICAN BLACK TERN arrived and flew around the area with the Arctic Terns. This female bird had been visiting this site for the last four years but its presence has been sparodic to say the least. We were so lucky to get really good views of it.
During the walk back to bus we found our first Stonechats and also watched Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Linnets. We got back to the hotel a little later than usual but dinner was served at the usual time of 7pm.