Wednesday 30th June: College Valley

 A drizzly morning was unexpected, and not ideal for our inland visit to high moorland today. A road closure also disappointed, meaning we arrived at the valley later than planned after a lengthy diversion. We continued to be affected by low cloud over the high moors, but were determined not to let this spoil our day. We set out from the car park at Hethpool, following St Cuthbert’s Way, and were rewarded for our brave efforts by a Whinchat perched briefly on a thistle. Over the next few minutes we watched it flit up and down from bracken, to fence, to shrub, enabling good views, even if they were all fairly fleeting. On the way back to the car park Sue was delighted to spot a Dipper on the burn, and although this quickly disappeared from view, a youngster on the opposite side of the bridge hung around longer for a photo opportunity.

Juvenile Dipper

As we drove across the estate on single track private roads, we encountered several Black Pheasants, which are melanistic variants of the common pheasant. Apparently these are larger and slower, and sometimes are deliberately bred as ‘trophies’ for less experienced shooters! The landscape varied from towering conifer plantation to open grassland moor, eventually opening out to  heather and gorse areas on sunnier slopes. A bubbling burn flowed through the valley. A Siskin was spotted feeding on the roadside seed heads and a Swallow pursued us down the road, circling the car as we progressed, - presumably we were disturbing insects as we progressed on our way.

Eventually the weather lifted a little and although still rather gloomy the drizzle cleared. We parked beside the burn and took a walk onto the moorland. At the burn we were surprised to find an Oystercatcher, and also Sand Martins busy skimming the water for insects, while a family of recently fledged Chiffchaff were calling to each other as they flitted through the bracken.Several Mistle Thrushes flew across the valley in two small groups, with their distinctive rattle alerting us to their presence.

We began to climb uphill on the moor, noting Linnets and Meadow Pipits on the way. The grass was very wet underfoot and my old, decrepit trainers were soon leaking and filling with squelchy puddles of water. Not pleasant, and as there was no sign of changing vegetation or wildlife I turned back and descended to the car. Tim had gone ahead and found himself surrounded by noisy Snipe, which was quite magical. But it was Sue that struck gold, or should I say red, disturbing some Red Grouse into flight as she scrambled onto the heather covered plateau to find Tim. I am not jealous...!!

The College Valley

After lunch by the burn, we continued through the valley , finding a Grey Wagtail and a pair of Buzzard arguing above the moor. Before leaving, we paused at a cottage with a feeder and finally managed after nearly four days birding to pick up our first Blue Tit and Great Tit of the trip, together with another excellent view of the Siskin.

As we headed for home we paused at Ford Moss nature reserve comprising of peat bog and scrub. There were stunning views over the valley towards the Cheviot hills which we had just left behind and Skylark song filled the air. We managed to terrify a hare, bounding in our direction, which repidly turned tail and fled.

Ford Moss nature reserve