Walthamstow

There had been a Little Bunting at Walthamstow Wetlands for over a month, and more recently a Serin that left quite soon. Since it is quite easy to get to, I am surprised I didn't go sooner, and I wasn't planning to go until I saw a report of a Bluethroat, and also saw I had nothing planned for the next day, a Saturday.  

Little Bunting

So the next day I travelled to Walthamstow, got held at a red signal on the train for a very long time, then eventually arrived. Unfortunately, in the morning I had seen that there was no sign of the Bluethroat. However, with or without it, it would still be good if I could find the other birds that had been around.

I started off by going to the area where the Little Bunting had been seen - an area on the ground where seed had been put out. After quite a short wait, I noticed a small bird that dropped on to the ground next to the Reed Buntings, and it turned out to be my first Little Bunting! I got amazing views if it, almost out in the open and just a few metres away. Already worth coming. In the area there was also a flock of Linnets as well as Gadwalls and Shovelers on the water. 

Little Bunting

After the Little Bunting, I asked someone for the directions to the Scaup which had been around recently. I went to the area that was described but didn't even see more than 5 Tufted Ducks at first. But as I was heading back, I set the scope up to a distant flock of Tufted Ducks and immediately noticed a drake Scaup in the flock. This is another bird I had not seen for a long time, and it was also good to see one inland for the first time.

There were also 5 Goldeneyes on the same reservoir, but apart from that, not much else (though I didn't have time to check many other parts of the reserve). So, even without the Bluethroat, it had been a worthwhile trip. 
  

Scaup - Record Shot

Northumberland Days 4 and 5

In the morning, the weather looked good, but I had unfortunately been told that there were no buses to Holy Island running. This meant I either had to go somewhere else, or walk to it, and I eventually decided the second option would be the most rewarding. 

The walk was quite long, but there were a few good birds along the way. 

Water Rail

I had very good views of Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew and Dunlin wading in the mud, and there was a couple of linnets on the mud. At one point, I spotted two birds flying distantly away from me, and their plumage details seemed to fit Snow Bunting. However, it was impossible to get the scope out because of the vicious winds: it was hard to stand in one spot for more than a few seconds without the wind knocking me over!

Eventually, I reached the Snook area, hoping for Snow Bunting or Twite. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with the result, as there were hardly any birds here, with only a couple of Skylark and one Meadow Pipit, so I decided to make my way to the main section of the island.

I started off by going down the Straight Lonnen, but again there were no birds in the bushes. In one of the fields, there was a flock of Golden Plover, which are always good to see. The area of sand dunes at the end of the Lonnen held fewer birds than I had seen last February, again, with only a couple of Meadow Pipits and a flock of Linnet. The wind wasn't making the task of finding birds much easier, so I took shelter behind a cliff. 

This turned out to be a good move, as the area of rocky and sandy shore I was next to had dozens of waders, all feeding just a few metres away! There was nothing unusual, but it was great to watch Sanderlings, Bar-tailed Godwits and Purple Sandpipers at close range. 

Sanderlings - the photo may be bad but they were showing well!

In fact, the area was amazing for a range of species. Dozens of Rock Pipits, with a smaller number of Meadow Pipits, a male Stonechat, a Skylark and a flock of Linnets used this area with the waders.

A slightly more distant Purple Sandpiper

I then moved on to the bird hide overlooking a patch of freshwater. It was quiet at first, but a Water Rail soon came out of the reeds and started giving amazing views right next to the hide. It fed quite calmly and seemed either unaware of my presence, or it didn't care.

 The rest of the day was quiet with a flock of Brent Geese and large numbers of Oystercatchers. 

I ended up getting a taxi home, as I didn't want to walk back in the dark.

The final morning of my trip was spent by walking up the pier in Berwick-Upon-Tweed. The tide was in so all the birds had been pushed closer in. The pier was right next the place I was staying, with the house overlooking it, so it was good to see both Goosander and Red-breasted Merganser along here; both firsts for the trip.

Distant Red-breasted Merganser

I also had even better views of Red-throated diver than earlier in the week, and they were probably the best views I had ever had. The walk up the pier had been successful, and I was satisfied with my weeks birding, so I started to make the long journey home.

Very good views of Red-throated Diver from the pier.