End of the Line

Its early spring isn't it. The time of year when you start expecting so much, and rightly so. Snowdrops and Aconites have come and gone, Daffodils have burst through and are waving from unlikely sheltered corners as you wander around.
It was a typical mid March day today warmish, breezy and bright.
Stewart and I met at Alnmouth and headed off to the Coquet Estuary, no really sure why but its what happens at this time of year, indecision, aborted first stop at Amble Braid car park because I'd forgotten my scope and headed back to Warkworth and the car park adjacent to the Golf Club.
We drank Tea. A Small Tortoishell butterfly was basking on a warm mound of earth.
A walk along the old waters and to the south pier was largely unproductive as it was so breezy and exposed. A lovely Little Egret was nice to see and there was still a good Number of Teal keeping close to the bank sides, out of the wind. Meadow Pipits and Skylarks were singing in the dunes but a nicer, less windy day is better to enjoy the songs and breeding behaviour of these birds.There will be plenty of nicer days to come. We headed for shelter.

River Aln

Parking at Greenrigg, more tea, of course. We then walked down stream through Bilton Mill following the river. Chiff Chaffs were singing and seemed to be on territory, these birds have only been in a week or so. River was quiet and not that sheltered. We moved away from the river bank and followed the main railway line to where the old line from Alnwick joins the main line.
The old railway line was nice and sheltered and really warm and pleasant, 3 Buzzards were wheeling and calling over head quite close. A Mistle Thrush was belting its song out from a lone Hawthorn bush, a sentinal of springtime.Yellowhammers were stumbling into part song and again Chiff Chaffs were singing.

 

View from the old line

 The walk along the line back to the car was interesting, Bullfinch, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Jay, Redwing all seen quite well. Water filled wheel tracks on the line were full of Frog spawn. A Sallow branch was humming with early bees and other insects, sweet music indeed.

 



Old Alnmouth-Alnwick Railway Line 

Ivy Berries


 

We ended up back at the car and drank more tea beside the new steppey stones that have recently been constructed, a fabulous male Grey Wagtail was singing from a large rock mid stream.

Stewart crossing the stones with an impressive degree of agility


The disused railway line from Alnwick to Alnmouth is easily accessible and can be very rewqardig at anytime of the year, sanctuary from the breeze today and well worth the visit.

End of the line