Friday 13th June 2025: North Northumberland coastal birding

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 After several hours driving from Yorkshire, our first stop in Northumberland was at Cresswell beach. As we got out of the car we were surrounded by House Martins, flying low as they approached their nest sites in the eaves of a low building opposite the toilet block. Descending to the beach, in beautiful sunshine but a cool wind, we found the tide low, revealing an area of rocks and pools either side of an old sea wall stretching out into the bay. Sandwich Terns and Gulls loafed on the rocks, with some terns hunting over the water, heads pointing downwards as they searched for fish, before powerfully splashing down to capture their prey. A few probing Oystercatchers and Curlews foraged amongst the rocks nearby.

House Martins

On the other side of the wall a flock of Eider Ducks, in various stages of moult, roosted close to the waters edge. We walked gingerly along the wall for a better look and discovered mingled amongst them was a a flock of female Goosanders, mostly melting into the sea as we approached. There were around fifteen birds of each species. On the damp sand as we returned, several House Martins were busy around the seaweed, gathering either food or nest building materials.

Goosanders

Cresswell beach at low ti

Eider Duck

After lunch we progressed to Cresswell Pond. By the car park singing Linnet and Sedge Warbler gave excellent views, whilst on the water we found a number of Avocet and Lapwing, together with Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard and Canada Duck. Swifts and a few Swallows were active overhead. Continuing on to Druridge Pools a Kestrel flew across the road.

Viewing from the screen at Druridge Pools we found Teal, Shoveler and Greylag Goose to add to our wildfowl tally, and a Redshank, whilst Sand Martins were added to our hirundines collection! In the hedgerow we had great views of a family of Whitethroats, and a Chiffchaff. A Willow Warbler was singing, but we could not pick him out in the tree canopy. We walked round to the hide, and here found a group of Black-tailed Godwits and a couple of stripy Snipe. Tufted Duck and Wigeon completed our duck list for the day.

Our last stop of the day was at East Chevington. We found a Marsh Harrier in a tree alongside the burn beyond the hedge, then wandered down to a hide. A line of gulls included a single Med Gull, a Common Tern and a Lesser Black-backed Gull, but sadly no hoped for Little Gull.

It was good to back in Northumberland, and we had enjoyed a great start to our holiday. 

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