Boulmer Bound

After looking forward to the weekend since 8am on Monday, the rain on Saturday was a bit disheartening, threatening to limit any potential excursions. Washing the car usually leads to the gods rewarding me with a deluge but after weeks of travelling through blizzards and clarts, the trusty old volvo really needed a clean, not least to remind me of its original colour!

On this occasion, this proved to be good fortune, as the sun emerged from its hiding place before the suds had bubbled, inviting a trip out. Scooping up the bairn and wor'lass, we headed up the coast in such a hurry we forgot to eat. Coming to the rescue, the Amble chippy! On the way for the comestibles, just past Hauxley, a field full of 8o+ Curlew hove into view with a handful of Oystercatchers furrowing into the abundant mole hills around the dunes. The chippy also gave a chance for a quick scan of the harbour where we noted 32 cormorants "sunning" themselves on the sandbank, with a couple of grey seals in the harbour. The usual eiders were lurking awaiting a few chips, which gave the chance for my first new factoid of the day - apparently these birds are also known as Cuddly Ducks, because they make pillows and duvets from their feathers. Now I always thought they were known as Cuddy's Ducks, something to do with St. Cuthbert (Cuddy) but this news makes much more sense to me so has been added to the birding glossary for all of time.

A short stop at the top of the bank between Alnmouth and Longhoughton gave great views across the recently re-engineered river Aln. Having been allowed to do what it should do and flood into low lying land once the flood banks were removed as part of the 4Shores Project, the river has shaken off its shackles and is once more free and independent. Its great to see it changing  back into something more natural. Today was no exception, it looked fine, although the lack of a scope was a distinct drawback! However, the ether was filled with whistling Wigeon, over 400 clustered around the pools to the east, alongside a couple of Shelduck. After a quick viewing we headed for our main destination, Boulmer, drawn by the prospects of snow bunting or something equally sexy!

Gawd! It was cold though, with a slow but very cold breeze coming off the land. Low tide and immediately in front of the car park we were greeted by a good size group of mixed waders, feeding furiously despite the presence of four bait diggers. Dunlin, redshank and curlew were on the sand with 7 Ringed Plover feeding in the strandline. 10 Bar-tailed Godwit were vigorously piercing the sand after morsels, a nice surprise for me and first of the year. We all remarked on the effort they were putting in, presumably after the same prey that the anglers were seeking, but with much more economy and less impact upon the beach!

Walking up the beach we picked up robin, blackbird and starling, all on the kelp wrecked on the shore before the first of a number of Rock Pipit teased us with very fleeting views as it hid in and out of the scrub. I love these little birds, typical LBJ! Every movement was scrutinised in case of a shorelark or something else but sadly we dipped out totally. To be honest, this made no odds to me as the beauty of wildlife watching is being out in the countryside, especially in company. Watching the numerous oystercatcher, curlew and dunlin, together with the shelduck was delightful. A single fieldfare hopped in and out of view on the sandy cliffs before flying off in the direction of Howick. Before turning back, we had a number of eider offshore and a single scoter dragged itself onto a reef. In amongst the piled up kelp, four turnstones, turning rotted vegetation not stones, seemed happy enough to lurk (almost unseen) within a foot or two of us.

The clouds, gathering thickly, led to heavy rain as we returned to the car, with a large group of 300+ lapwing heading west across the village. The walk had been great, especially as it had been unexpected. Finally, we noted 60 odd swans in a field close to Druridge Country Park, probably Mute but as it was getting murky we pressed on without stopping.

Of course, reading others blogs will always tell you that the choice of site was wrong on any particular day but no destination is ever wrong in Northumberland as far as I am concerned. There is always something wonderful and inspiring to see.