Oriole Birding. Tour report Northeast England 24th

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1 Oriole Birding Tour report Northeast England 24th 30th May 2010

2 Monday 24 th May The tour met at noon at East Barsham in Norfolk for lunch before we drove four hours North to the hamlet of West Carlton near Aldbrough on the East Yorkshire coast. We were met as usual by a warm welcome and a garden full of Tree Sparrows! Yellowhammer, Stock Dove, Common Linnet and Common Whitethroat were also noted around the farm this evening, though the highlight came after dinner as a superb TAWNY OWL was perched on the telegraph pole in the paddock while it was still light. The young were calling from the trees here so hopefully we ll see them again over the coming days. A Barn Owl was hunting over the water meadows behind the guest house at dusk, rounding off a pleasant evening! Tuesday 25 th May A dry day in a moderate North-easterly breeze saw us head down to Spurn Point and Kilnsea area. The Barn Owl was hunting around West Carlton this morning and a Yellow Wagtail was on the lawns just after breakfast, along with the ubiquitous Tree Sparrows! Starting at the Bluebell at Kilnsea, we walked south along the road towards The Warren. Common migrants included Sand Martin, Northern Wheatear and three Common Cuckoo which gave some superb close views, perching on the wires right above our heads. Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler were in the Canal Zone and at The Warren, news of an Icterine Warbler that had been trapped meant we were carefully checking all the scrubby areas. There was no sign of the bird, though we did get good views of Lesser Whitethroat in the buckthorn scrub here. Wandering back up the road, we heard a squeaky song emanating from the hawthorns which was the ICTERINE WARBLER, though a patient wait for the bird to appear was again fruitless. A Spotted Flycatcher was a welcome distraction though, perching on the fence for scope views. Along the Canal Zone, some Dark-bellied Brent Geese were on the Humber and a smart Grey Plover looked resplendent in breeding plumage, though the remainder of the walk back round via Kilnsea was very quiet apart from another Barn Owl which floated over the road in front of us! After a coffee, we headed down nearby Beacon Lane noting six species of butterfly including Wall Brown and Common Blue. Sedge Warbler, Northern Wheatear and Common Whitethroat were seen, and down at the lagoon we spent some time watching the Little Terns from the hide. Ringed Plover was also seen here and a Yellow Wagtail flew North. We then moved the van down to The Warren and had another look for the ICTERINE WARBLER which was now singing behind the observatory. This time Ashley managed some reasonable views of it among the dense foliage of a privet bush, but sadly no-one else saw the bird in any other form than a quick shadow flashing between areas of dense cover. It was now singing beautifully though, which was some compensation. After lunch, we learnt a Golden Oriole had been seen about 100yds from where we were, but we didn t see it, so decided to head further down the point. At Chalk Bank, one or two Sanderling, Ruddy Turnstone and Dunlin were on the shore along with ten superb Grey Plover, and about twenty Brent Geese flew out to the Humber. Subsequent coverage of the wire dump area and the point itself produced nothing other than more Common Whitethroat, Reed Bunting and Linnet, with a Sandwich Tern offshore. Back at The Warren, the high tide had pushed some waders into view and we noted about thirty Bar-tailed Godwits including one in full breeding plumage, a few Dunlin, Grey Plover and a single Red Knot. After dinner, the TAWNY OWL was seen again at West Carlton, perched on a telegraph pole in the paddock. Wednesday 26 th May Our day started early with a pre-breakfast bird ringing session at West Carlton where we were able to observe Tree Sparrow in the hand among other common species. Barn Owl and Yellow Wagtail were also noted around the gardens. We headed North after breakfast to Flamborough Head with news reaching us that a Black-browed Albatross had been observed offshore there for ten minutes early morning, so we were hopeful it might just reappear! It didn t, but we had a very enjoyable walk around the headland in the warm sunshine. Seabirds around the chalk cliffs included plenty of Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, Northern Gannet, European Shag, Common Guillemot, Razorbill and one or two ATLANTIC PUFFIN. Great comparisons of the auk species could be made as they swam in huge rafts on the water close inshore. A single Northern Wheatear flipped over the clifftop and Common Whitethroat were abundant on the headland. We then completed a circular walk, heading along the south side of the head before cutting inland to Old Fall Plantation. Little was seen along this section though we had great views of the nesting Northern Fulmars, a hunting Common Kestrel and a singing Common Chiffchaff. Butterflies were abundant and Wall Brown, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Orange Tip and Large & Small White were all noted.

3 Walking up the Old Fall Hedge, our bird of the day was then found perched on a fence post only a few metres away a stunning male RED-BACKED SHRIKE! The easterly breeze meant that a surprise like this was always possible at such a great migration watchpiont, but to get such great views was a bonus indeed. We left the Shrike and completed our circular walk, adding a nice male Yellowhammer on the way. After coffee, we drove the short distance to Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve and had lunch in the company of singing Willow Warbler and Common Whitethroat. Tree Sparrows were just everywhere, and a Corn Bunting gave brief but good views more then the Grasshopper Warbler which we heard reeling for about two seconds! Down on the cliffs, we spent some time soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of Britain s biggest mainland seabird colony. ATLANTIC PUFFINS gave great views along with all the common seabirds, the Northern Gannets giving a spectacular display and a single bridled Common Guillemot picked out on one of the ledges. After filling our boots on seabirds, we headed back towards base and called in at Hornsea Mere. Trip ticks here included Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Great Crested Grebe and Lesser Blackbacked Gull while hundreds of Common Swifts were feeding over the water. Thursday 27 th May A travelling day today interspersed with some birding in County Durham, saw us bid farewell to our welcoming hosts at West Carlton and head North after breakfast. We took a break for coffee at Scotch Corner around 11am having seen a couple of RED KITES along the A1, and then continued on to Barnard Castle and along Teesdale to the hamlet of Langdon Beck. Here we walked towards Widdybank Fell on the Pennine Way, and breeding waders were a major feature of the walk. Oystercatcher, Common Redshank, Eurasian Curlew, Northern Lapwing and Common Snipe were all common here, the latter seen performing its drumming display flight over the meadows. A couple of RED GROUSE included a nice male and the songs of Meadow Pipit and Skylark were a constant feature of the walk. A male RING OUZEL was found feeding at the base of the hillside by the river, and some great views were obtained of this typical upland species. A BLACK GROUSE then put in an appearance, and eventually we had three smart males feeding in the open and giving brilliant scope views our target species here! Back by the beck we had lunch noting Spotted Flycatcher and Willow Warbler before heading over the watershed into nearby Weardale, noting another RED GROUSE en route. Our next destination was Tunstall Reservoir and we walked across the dam and spent some time birding the oak woodland along the eastern flank. The woods were very quiet and we only managed the briefest of glimpses of one of our target species, COMMON REDSTART. A number of other trip ticks though included Grey Heron, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, Common Treecreeper, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Coal and Long-tailed Tits and even our first Wren! Two Spotted Flycatchers also gave some good views. It was time then to head North again to our next base in Rothbury where we arrived at around 1800 having noted another RED KITE on the way. Friday 28 th May A lovely day of weather for our first full days birding in beautiful Northumberland. Before breakfast we had good views of the WHITE-THROATED DIPPER feeding young at the nest on the River Coquet in Rothbury just a short walk from our hotel. Heading up towards Wooler after breakfast we took the road along Harthope Valley into the Northumberland National Park. A very enjoyable two hours was then spent walking along the valley birding from the roadside. Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher were both seen well straight away, along with a pair of Eurasian Siskin and a male Grey Wagtail on the stream. Willow Warbler were plentiful and Lesser Redpoll were buzzing about throughout the morning, though mainly seen in flight. A male COMMON REDSTART was singing from the Alders and though it took a lot of patience to get views, it was worth it in the end. Further up the valley, we walked up onto the hillside in search of WHINCHAT and eventually located two fine males which gave some very good views. After a break for coffee, we headed over to the coast and to Seahouses where we would catch the 1400 sailing on board Glad Tidings for our three hour trip around the wonderful Farne Islands. Rock Pipit and Common Eider were trip ticks seen while lunching at the harbour, and soon we were steaming out to the islands where the boat was surrounded by thousands of auks and Kittiwakes. Smaller numbers of European Shag, Northern Fulmar, Northern Gannet, Sandwich and Common Terns were also seen, though of course our hour spent ashore on the Inner Farne brought us face to face with thousands of ARCTIC TERNS and ATLANTIC PUFFINS. Ruddy Turnstone and Ringed Plover were among the other species noted before we headed back to harbour around 1700.

4 Saturday 29 th May Our final day saw rain for the first time this week though it didn t affect our success and we enjoyed a great days birding. Our first port of call was the southernmost of the Druridge Bay reserves at Cresswell Pond. Common species around included Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Stonechat and Stock Dove while from the hide we saw Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Common Shelduck, Common Redshank and Common Gull. From the causeway, a male White Wagtail was seen along with our first Common Greenshank, and a single Pinkfooted Goose flew over with some Greylags. Offshore, Common Eider, Great Crested Grebe and Sandwich Tern were noted before we moved on to the next reserve at East Chevington. A pair of Eurasian Wigeon were new for the trip on the South Marsh and from the hide, a number of bathing terns included Sandwich, Common and Arctic. Loafing gulls were present and we also picked up more Northern Shoveler and a male Common Teal, though a male Ruff in breeding plumage was a nice bonus indeed. Two first-summer Little Gulls also entertained us as they dip-fed over the lagoon, looking tern-like among the bulkier Black-headed Gulls. Driving round towards the northern end of East Chevington lagoon, we paused to scan offshore and located around three hundred Common Scoter feeding close in with Common Eider. Better views of the Little Gulls followed, and singing Reed Bunting, Skylark, Sedge Warbler and Linnet were noted along the track. The star bird here though was the singing GRASSHOPPER WARBLER which gave superb views in the scope as it perched in full view for several minutes. A welcome lunch followed, before we checked the nearby Druridge Bay Country Park lake but saw little other than a few Willow Warblers and Common Chiffchaff in the surrounding scrub. So we moved on to the last of the Druridge reserves, Hauxley NR. Here the well positioned hide afforded views of bathing terns again, with great comparisons of Common and Arctic, and another first-summer Little Gull dropped in giving great close ups, often alongside a Kittiwake. A variety of other common species were also noted, though unfortunately two Grey Partridge were seen only by Ashley. So then it was time for the grand finale of our tour as we arrived in Amble to pick up our chartered boat to Coquet Island. Despite the rain, we enjoyed a very successful trip as we were able to get the boat in close to the jetty and get superb close views of the ROSEATE TERNS for which this island is famous. These spectacular seabirds performed brilliantly alongside their commoner congeners, and we were also overwhelmed by the numbers of ATLANTIC PUFFINS wheeling all around us and lining every ledge. A great way to end the tour and it was a happy boat load of birders that returned to Amble Harbour on board the G Fisher III. Systematic List 1. Great Crested Grebe 2. Northern Fulmar 3. Northern Gannet 4. Great Cormorant 5. European Shag 6. Grey Heron 7. Mute Swan 8. Greylag Goose 9. Canada Goose 10. Pink-footed Goose 11. Brent Goose 12. Common Shelduck 13. Mallard 14. Gadwall 15. Northern Shoveler 16. Common Teal 17. Eurasian Wigeon 18. Tufted Duck 19. Common Eider 20. Common Scoter 21. Red Kite 22. Common Buzzard

5 23. Eurasian Sparrowhawk 24. Common Kestrel 25. Red Grouse 26. Black Grouse 27. Red-legged Partridge 28. [Grey Partridge] 29. Common Pheasant 30. Common Moorhen 31. Eurasian Coot 32. Eurasian Oystercatcher 33. Ringed Plover 34. Northern Lapwing 35. Sanderling 36. Dunlin 37. Red Knot 38. Common Redshank 39. Common Greenshank 40. Bar-tailed Godwit 41. Eurasian Curlew 42. Common Snipe 43. Ruff 44. Common Sandpiper 45. Ruddy Turnstone 46. Black-headed Gull 47. Common Gull 48. Herring Gull 49. Lesser Black-backed Gull 50. Great Black-backed Gull 51. Little Gull 52. Black-legged Kittiwake 53. Little Tern 54. Sandwich Tern 55. Common Tern 56. Arctic Tern 57. Roseate Tern 58. Atlantic Puffin 59. Common Guillemot 60. Razorbill 61. Stock Dove 62. Woodpigeon 63. Collared Dove 64. Common Cuckoo 65. Barn Owl 66. Tawny Owl 67. Common Swift 68. Great-spotted Woodpecker 69. Common Skylark 70. Sand Martin 71. Barn Swallow 72. House Martin 73. Rock Pipit 74. Meadow Pipit 75. Pied Wagtail 76. Grey Wagtail 77. Yellow Wagtail 78. Winter Wren 79. White-throated Dipper 80. Dunnock 81. European Robin 82. Common Redstart 83. Northern Wheatear

6 84. Whinchat 85. Common Stonechat 86. Song Thrush 87. Mistle Thrush 88. Common Blackbird 89. Ring Ouzel 90. Garden Warbler 91. Blackcap 92. [Icterine Warbler] 93. Lesser Whitethroat 94. Common Whitethroat 95. Sedge Warbler 96. Grasshopper Warbler 97. European Reed Warbler 98. Willow Warbler 99. Common Chiffchaff 100. Spotted Flycatcher 101. Common Treecreeper 102. [European Nuthatch] 103. Great Tit 104. Blue Tit 105. Coal Tit 106. Long-tailed Tit 107. Red-backed Shrike 108. Black-billed Magpie 109. Eurasian Jay 110. Western Jackdaw 111. Rook 112. Carrion Crow 113. Common Starling 114. House Sparrow 115. Tree Sparrow 116. Chaffinch 117. Common Linnet 118. Lesser Redpoll 119. European Goldfinch 120. European Greenfinch 121. Eurasian Siskin 122. Reed Bunting 123. Yellowhammer 124. Corn Bunting