Today we had to make it over to the East coast from Gretna so we decided to take the A7 & A698 route which would keep me in Scotland just that little bit longer.:)
We didn't plan to leave early but we had left the room window open and got a morning alarm call by a pair of Oystercatchers on the roof opposite our room.
The A7 route took us through Langholm.People who love Birds Of Prey especially Hen Harriers will have heard of this place from its Moor Demonstration Project on Hen Harriers and from the insights in the "Inglorious" book written by Dr. Mark Avery.
It does have a picturesque river though that had Grey Wagtails, Mallards and a Juvenile Dipper.
Juvenile Dipper
Mallard Ducklings
The next town along the route was Hawick, another place I had never visited before.It had numerous charity shops and a good sandwich shop lol Also another river with Grey Wagtails.
The River Teviot
The third town on a river came in the form of Kelso, on the River Tweed.I didn't get chance to check out the river here but a walk through the graveyard produced a Greenfinch and my first Nuthatch for 2 years.There was also a newly fledged Crow bouncing between the trees and gravestones.
A quick walk around the town square the it was time to continue Eastwards to the coast.Just as we approached the A1 driving past a farmyard I shouted to Majella to stop the car as I had spotted an Owl.On the wall of the farm sat low was a Little Owl, giving me that angry stare with those striking yellow eyes.
We finally got the other side of the A1 and stopped to take in the magnificent sight of Bamburgh Castle.
A brief scan of the long grass was rewarded with a stunning Latticed Heath Moth.
The final bit of todays journey took us through Seahouses(where we hope to get the boat to the Farne Isles) tomorrow to our hotel in Beadnell.After getting settled in our room we headed out into the village to explore(and visit the pub)
There were lots of Swallows and Swifts on the wing and we noticed that the church was a destination of the Swallows.Inside we found a nest with at least 3 chicks inside.The parents continued to fly in with food for the hungry gaping mouths.
After a (not so brief ;)) visit at the local pub we walked down to the beach.The tide was rising back up the beach along with lots of Eiders, mainly Females and Ducklings.
I was able to stand within a few feet of them as the Females dredged up worms for the youngsters.We both stood and watched them for over half hour, much better than being sat indoors watching rubbish on TV, though saying that we did wait til "Meet The Hedgehogs" with Steve Backshall had finished before we left.lol
In one corner of this section of beach were high sandbanks and more bird activity, it was a Sand Martin colony.
Three Sand Martins coming fighting out of the same burrow.
Before heading back Majella took some photos of the Sunset.
A wonderful end to a great wildlife day and hoping for more of the same tomorrow with Puffins, Guillemots, Terns and Shags on the agenda.
Thank you to all of you for keeping up with my blog.
Stuart
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