Half Hearted

This morning agreed to meet down at the costs. Weather forecast wasn't good but we hoped for a break. There wasn't one.
It was overcast with dreadful visability and one heavy shower just seemed to merge into the next. We sat in the car hudled around mugs of tea, the highlight of the morning was a slice of superb chocolate cake.
Stewart received a text message announcing a Glossy Ibis had been seen at Lynmouth. Off we drove.
The weather was appalling as we checked the area the bird had been reported from, no sign.
Later we discovered the bird was indeed exactly where we had been looking for it but was a little tricky to see, our half hearted efforts had let us down.

Later in the day I decided to take a look at the Aln Estuary as the weather seemed to be improving. It was a short respite and I was soon standing gazing through rain speckled optics, I went home.

Sometimes only Tea will do

The weather did improve by eveningtime. I headed back out but this time I headed for the high ground. Parking up and scanning over Alnwick Moor.
This really was nice, clear and very cool. The sun was setting over the distant Cheviot Hills.
Birdlife was quiet, as expected, untill a Red Grouse began calling from the Heather close by, this bird would continue calling until I left, what a sound it is when it is the only sound you hear.
I had a short walk along the roadside trying to find a better position to take a picture of the sunset. As I walked a Woodcock flew through a gap in the distant trees, this was the first of at least 9 of these great birds, there seemed to be pairs together as well as singles and they were calling all the time.
Almost dark as I headed back to the car and a single Snipe flew overhead calling..




Sunset from Alnwick Moor