A weekend in Northumberland....19th-21st June 2014.

My posts are almost as rare as the delightful Snowdon Lily! So time to catch up again!


Visiting the Farne Islands was the main reason for the trip to Northumberland. I had booked Serenity Farne Islands Boat Tours (highly recommended) and a B&B in Seahouses a few weeks previous to travelling so all that was needed was good weather! The weather was fortunately good for the whole of the weekend! The tour around the Islands was amazing with all the sights, sounds and smell of the nesting seabirds! The history of the Islands was interesting to hear about as we toured the Islands. Once on Inner Farne the Terns did what we were told they would do and that was to dive bomb you as you walked by them, strange that they are not unduly perturbed at such close encounters with humans. A stroke of luck was hearing that a Bridled Tern had been found on the Island that very day (thought to be the same bird that had arrived there July 1st 2013), good scope views were had of the Bridled Tern for a couple of minutes before all the Terns lifted in to the air, then it was time to board the boat for the return journey. How lucky to have been one of the first visitors to see the returning Bridled Tern.

The nesting seabirds were a treat to see with close up views of many of the species. It was a great weekend and hopefully a return visit sometime in the future will be on the cards.

I will let the images do the talking now.

Longstone Lighthouse

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Me trying to avoid being pecked on my way back from the loo!

Common Spotted Orchid. Hauxley Nature Reserve.

Northern Marsh Orchid. Hauxley Nature Reserve.

Bamburgh Castle in the mist.

Poppies at Seahouses.

Little and Large. Seahouses.

Eiders. Beadnell.

River Coquet Estuary.

Northumberland...... a magical county!

Catch up time again!

A few holiday snaps taken on my holiday in the Algarve. 19th-29th May.

The highlight of the holiday was seeing a Little Bittern with a chick at Quinta do Lago and a Collared Pratincole pair at Lagoa dos Salgados! Swifts, Swallows and Martins were a delight to see in great numbers at most areas visited.

Nesting Cattle and Little Egrets.

 

 

The Merry Month of May.

A few images taken during the month of May.


3rd May. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Broadmoor Wood.

With the sun shining the heady scent of Bluebells at the start of the walk was delightful, a pity it could not be bottled! The Bluebells were at there prime standing tall and the vibrant violet-blue colour was stunning en-masse.

Greater Stitchwort, Yellow Archangel, Celandine and Wood Anemone are also a delight to see amongst the bluebells and along the path and Marsh Marigolds in and around the small pool. Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch, Song Thrush and Jay were the highlight bird species seen.

 

 

 

Brake Mill Pools, on various days in May.

 

 

The 5 Cygnets were a delight to watch 'swanning around' with their parents.

 

 

Whittington, Stourbridge.

 

Yellow Wagtails were the 'star' birds seen at Whittington along with a Wheatear pair, Skylarks, Whitethroat and the usual Robins, Tits and Finches.  A June sighting of a lone Corn Bunting was a welcome sight.

A Cow gave birth whilst I was viewing the Wheatears......the loud groan from the Cow attracted my attention!

 

 

A visit from a pair of Mallards in my garden was a nice surprise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"When April steps aside for May,
Like diamonds all the rain-drops glisten;
Fresh violets open every day:
To some new bird each hour we listen."
-  Lucy Larcom