Hadston Links

Brackish water crowfoot...Hadston Links

Swallow...Bothal pond

Common Storksbill...Hadston Links

Swallow and Sand Martin...Hadston Links

Cowslip...Hadston Links

One of several Highland calfs...East Chevington

Grey Heron...Bothal pond

Wheatear...Pegswood moor

Decided to head for the coast today as I've hardly been along there this spring. At this time of year I like the dunes of Druridge bay and Hadston links is a great place for looking for plants. In the dune slacks there is a brackish pool and just as Swan suggests Brackish water crowfoot, a submerged buttercop species is found in only a handful of places in the county but it grows in Hadston links. It can easily be separated from the similar Thread leaved water crowfoot which also grows in these dune slacks but this plant has 'half moon' shaped honey guides which are clearly visible between the petals. Many plants coming into flower here especially Cowslips and some of the many sub species of Dandelion. On the way home called in at Linton, Bothal, Longhirst flash and Pegswood moor all were pretty quiet. there were 3 Wheatears and 2 Ringed plover at the latter site.

First fledgling

Young Dipper at Highford

Dryad's saddle a common fungi in the woods around here

My first fledgling this spring was a Dipper at Highford being fed by both parents. Further along a Kingfisher flew out of a nest hole in the bank on the far side of the river. The young Dipper has a ring on its right leg. A pair of Goosander were on the river here as well as several pairs of Mallard.I walked further upstream to Mitford castle. The commonest bird singing along the river was Blackcap; there seemed to be one singing or 'tac' ing every 20 yards or so. There was a Buzzard at the castle being mobbed by Jackdaws and a Green woodpecker (heard). many plants are coming into flower and the first fungi are beginning to fruit.

Bothal on Friday evening

Sulphur tuft at Abbey gate

White goose among the Canada geese flock at Bothal

A couple of days late but work getting in the way of things until mid week. On friday evening spent some time at Bothal pond. The only notable birds were 2 Ringed plover and a White wagtail. In the field was a white/leucistic Grey laggy looking bird among the Canadas. At Pegswood moor yesterday 2 Ringed plover, 6 Mallard, 1 Tufted, 2 Gadwall and a Snipe.

Rothbury to Chartners

Chartners house, Harwood forest

Simonside

Yeaterday I entered Harwood forest from the Rothbury end, this is the first time I have cycled along here. It is steep in places but not too strenuous and the area around Weather head has been clear felled so there is an open aspect right across the Simonsides, Spylaw and Coquet cairn. The forest is full of the usual forest species with good numbers of Siskin and at least 10 Jays. A few birds of prey in the air but the best birds were 2 Ravens at the top of Simonside and later at Weather head (presumably the same birds), these birds were quite vocal making a wonderful noise as I cycled along the track. Also 2 Crossbills at the Rothbury end and Red grouse. Only migrants were Willow warbler and Swallow.

Harwood forest

Red squirrel in the village

Hares foot cottongrass swaying in the breeze

A family day out in Harwood today on a 10 mile hike through the forest. Plenty of birds with over a 100 chaffinches near the village with greenfinch, Siskin and Bullfinch too. 3 jays in the forest and lots of Chiffchaff, willow warbler and Meadow pipit. The only new bird being a Tree pipit at Tod knowe. No less than 6 Buzzards in the air together and 2 pairs of Stonechat. Also seen were Roe deer, Red squirrel and Lizard.

Marsh harrier over Morpeth

My daughter was dancing as part of the annual Morpeth gathering and at 1230 while waiting for her to start her dancing a Harrier flew over Carlisle park. My binoculars were in my rucksack and soon I was able to identify it as a Marsh harrier though the photograph I managed to take doesn't do it justice. It circled and flapped a few times before heading off north. Only other birds of note today were 5 House martins feeding above the garden at 9 o'clock this morning. This is also the time of year that the unusual plant Toothwort comes into flower. The best spot is along the riverbank beside the Oldgate bridge at Matheson gardens where about 60 plants are out at the moment. The other good place is beside the castle. The procession

Amber full of concentration

The cropped silhouette shot of the Harrier (flying right to left)

One of about 60 Toothwort plants

This area was badly affected by the floods but has had no effect on the plants

Hart and Wansbeck

Goldilocks buttercup...Scotch gill

Goosander pair at Highford bridge

Green alkanet at Longwitton dene

Barren strawberry at Longwitton dene

Great horsetail at Abbey woods

Keeping local at the moment. Started early afternoon with a walk through Scotch gill. Plenty of singing Blackcaps and Willow warblers. Nothing much on the river except a pair of Goosanders. Further upstream my first Sand martins of the year, about 30 with 2 Swallow among them at Lowford bridge. Drove to Longwitton dene on the river Hart. A good spot but a bit early for migrants. Plenty of plants starting to come into flower. Angerton lake was quiet with a pair of Goldeneye the only wildfowl of note. 7 Fieldfares were the first I have seen for a few weeks.