Northumberland 12-17th October 2014

Autumn holidays are always a risk weather wise, strong winds can develop and rain can become a complete nuisance especially after such a good summer.

 

For the last few years we have visited either North East Scotland or Northumberland at this time and have some successful trips and found the weather not too inhospitable.

 

This year we were based near Belford, a delightful rural area with the coast close and plenty of wildlife reserves close at hand too.

 

After rather a tedious journey northwards we were looking forward to a good day on Sunday, we headed to Holy Island just a few miles north of our base, lo and behold the sun shone!

 

First sighting of the day...delightful and beautiful golden plover

 

 

Occasionally huge flocks would take to the sky presenting us with a shimmering golden mass...

 

 

I had to be pretty quick on the shutter as a curlew flew past...

 

 

Redshank were often seen...

 

Dunlin gathered in decent numbers...

 

and a few bar tailed godwits were spotted in amongst the other birds...

 

 

A lovely robin sang joyously in tree on the shoreline...

 

Huge flocks of geese were inbound, these are mainly brent geese..

 

 

Starlings are often seen and they can be delightful subjects to photograph...

 

Further round the island where it was quieter we spotted a red throated diver, they are very tough to get close to and this was the best shot I managed...

 

Wandering in the dunes we had the unexpected sight of a roe deer peeping at us!

 

On Monday we visited Hauxley Nature Reserve, various hides and ponds offer a wide range of sighting possibilities.

 

We found a pair of resting gadwall ducks...

 

A pair of bar headed geese...

 

and a small group of pink footed geese...

 

Plenty of little grebes were in evidence but a combination of light and distance restricted me to one successful shot...

 

Wandering down to the beach we found curlew

 

Turnstone

 

and much to our surprise a gorgeous female wheatear as the sun finally appeared...

 

We arrived back at the car park just in time to see a red squirrel on a feed box...

 

Tuesday and we cross the border into Scotland to visit St Abb's Head reserve, we were greeted by stunning scenery!

 

and then a sighting of dolphins out at sea, splendid!

 

Gannets flew by

 

A lovely male eider duck..

 

In the coastal scrub tiny goldcrests zipped around...

 

A better shot of a single gannet

 

Heading back to the car we noticed a couple of brown hare in the newly cropped fields

 

On Wednesday we drove to Beadnell to meet up with friends Ann and Roger Hiley and the two golden retrievers Harry and Dylan. Friends from our hill walking days Ann and Roger run the very successful and popular http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/

 

We drove to Druridge and enjoyed a wander on the beach to let the dogs expend some energy.

 

In the surf edge sanderlings scuttled up and down in their usual comical fashion.

 

Druridge also has a country park with a large lake which proved to be a suitable distance to walk around.

 

Cormorants were plentiful...

 

Plenty of tufted ducks too!

 

Later in the day we drove to Low Newton for another beach wander to build up our appetites!

 

An oystercatcher..

 

Dunstanburgh Castle

 

Suitably attired, Roger, Josie, Ann and Harry and Dylan.

 

 

Thanks to all for a superb and enjoyable day.

 

Thursday and we found ourselves in Spittal, next to Berwick upon Tweed, and more coastal watching.

 

Disappointing light proved frustrating as a kestrel came close...

 

A male stonechat showed nicely...

 

A grey seal reciprocated our curiosity!

 

Another wheatear...

 

We even got more dolphin sightings but much further out this time and too far for my camera, another great day though.

 

Our last day and we returned to Holy Island... but first we had a two hour walk near our cottage to allow the causeway to open after the tide receded.

 

Hopes were high as we spotted a stonechat.

 

 

After that it was just a walk, enjoyable in the sunshine though!

 

Lindisfarne Castle...

 

 

and Bamburgh Castle through the sea mist...

 

We seemed to be in all the right places at all the wrong times as people we bumped into reported good sightings while we saw little, or maybe our eyes were getting tired after a busy week!

 

We returned to the car park to head back and get packed, entering said car park we spotted Ann and Roger and were able to enjoy a brew together and another good chat.

 

A lapwing flew in while we chatted...

 

Time to pack and head home after a super week for weather and sightings.

 

Many thanks to all who view, don't forget if you add a comment that they come to me first for moderation.

16/17th May 2013, the last couple of days on North Uist

The weather was kind on Thursday, beautiful warm sunshine blessed us for the day. Concentrating on the area near the cottage had given us a little local knowledge as to what we could see and more importantly where to find things.

A small lochan yielded a pair of tufted ducks..

and whooper swans..

Hougharry Bay was a splendid spot for a short walk..

With views to distant islands..

Turnstones were numereous here..

Turning to return to the car we discovered a twite...

By the waters edge a male eider basked in the warm sunshine...

and a buzzard visited close overhead..

By driving slowly and using the passing places provided to let following traffic past we were able to watch for wildlife during our short journeys around the top of North Uist.

We stopped the car to watch and photograph beautiful golden plover..

Grenitote was one of our neighbouring villages, a wonderfully peaceful place and another short wander beckoned...

I could attempt to name all the birds in this shot, but I will leave that to the viewers!!

Rather easier is naming these bar tailed godwits..

and knot..

Another short drive to Balranald and once again the car was halted to capture this lovely stonechat by the roadside..

Very few birds stand out as a profile at long distance, golden eagles are distinct by their immense size....

How did we know it was an eagle? We saw it fly in!

Another stationary bird and another prize for driving slowly, a beautiful short eared owl..

We had been hoping for good otter sightings, unfortunately wildlife does not appear just when you want and some persistence/patience and a large slice of luck are required!

Visiting a recommended spot our efforts were extremely well rewarded as we watched an otter feasting on an eel..

A small tortoiseshell butterfly was another lovely addition to the photographs..

A memorable day indeed and all too soon Friday arrived, our last full day and once again we stayed in our local area....a good plan as it turned out.

Another glorious sunny day..

Golden plover were in evidence again..

and the elegant lapwing..

Our day began with a drive to Loch Euphort, we spotted red deer along the way..

We enjoyed a lovely short stroll by the loch..

This old ruined building caught the eye with some spectaculay fluffy clouds to add interest..

Another buzzard shot..

and a kestrel too..

We had decided on a lengthy watch where we had seen the otter the day before, it was not too long a wait before we had a double reward as two otters  hunted and romped not too far away..

What a fantastic experience and one we shall never forget.

A moss carder bee, a local species, posed nicely for me..

...along with a tiny fly!

Finally I managed another golden eagle shot, distant but its size was a clear indication what it was..

What a week we had experienced and now some cleaning and packing was necessary, a 5.00am alarm for a ferry from Lochmaddy to Uig on Skye, a drive down the isle and onto the mainland then a scenic drive to Kenmore by Loch Torridon, I wonder what the second week of our holiday would bring?

Thanks ever so much to all who view, a computer breakdown stopped me keeping up to date while we were away. Don't forget if you are leaving a comment that they come to me first for approval before appearing on the blog.