Back at Cresswell

Feeking pretty depressed yesterday I abandoned work and headed up the coast starting at Druridge where I hoped to relive glories of Spotshank last week but there was little about and certainly non of the action Ipin got later! Loads of butterflies on the path as Birding about Northumberland found.

Headed down to Cresswell where I joined four in the hide. Chatted to H with his new terrier whilst Ruff, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and Lapwing fed or loittered on the sand bank and a Greenshank was called from the far side of the pond. H left and promised to flush the Bittern that had been seen earlier in the morning. True to his word just after another birder had taken his position the Bittern appeared near the outfall and flew to the larger reed bed where it promptly disappeared.

Spent the next hour scanning for another glipse and was joined by ACo and Mike but nothing was to be had. Pied and Yellow Wagtail fed by the causeway, a Whimbrel flew overhead and all the various waders were re-located having fled the sand bar. The assembled group left and I was joined by TRC as Curlew, Oystercatcher and Redshank started arriving for their roost. He located the Whimbrel in the flock and we searched for the previously reported Scaup but it was not present although Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard, Shelduck, Coot, Moorhen were in good numbers with three Wigeon to boot. As a Bar tailed Godwit lifted and flew off north I noticed a splash near the reeds where the duck had dived the unmistakeable stretching neck of the Bittern was apparent.


It paused then sprung up and flew past in front of the hide. Splendid views and the camera with little battery life left sprang into action. Both of us satisfied with the fayre provided settled down to some counting and added Knot, Golden Plover and Goosander to the list along with the usual geese, gulls and terns.

A slendid afternoon only marred when I got home by this shot in which for some reason the birds beak has disappeared in a mess of pixels. Oh well back to depression.