      |       |
Wednesday 31st July. Cocklawburn Dunes. Spittal. Berwick.
Drove down to Cocklawburn Dunes NR and parked in the Reserve car park. Walked south down a lane that became a track as far as a pool on the right then returned partly on the beach then through grassy dunes behind a pillbox and car park then finally along the lane back to cars. Visited the Pillbox on the way out. There was a Swallow’s nest inside in one of the corners.
This area would be good at migration. The scrub is excellent habitat for cover. The pool only had a family of Moorhens.
Went onto Spittal and parked near the Lifeboat Station. Walked through the dunes to the right across from Berwick Harbour then walked along coast around the corner few 100 yards to a car park.
Visited again the Mediaeval bridge at Berwick.
There has been in invasion of Painted Lady Butterflies coming off the sea in their hundreds and feeding in the surrounding fields.
Thursday 1st August. Marshall Meadows Hotel to Burnmouth Hill.
Left the Hotel at 10.15 to to walk north to Burnmouth Hill and Harbour.
This is a beautiful walk with varied dramatic scenery all day. The views looking back along the coast were very lovely.
At a point after Lamberton Holdings the coastal way descended through a field. Some of the group who were tired went up to the left under the railway and steeply up to the A1 and walked to the village then had a drink in “The First and Last” pub.
Three of the group continued on the Coastal way to descend to Cowdrait. then along to the Harbour with a steep ascent to the upper half of the Burnmouth Village.
Caught the 15.37 bus back to Marshal Meadows. £2.60.
Friday 2nd August. Bamburgh. Blackrocks Point. Harkness Rocks.
The morning was a washout but it cleared up in the afternoon.
Parked along The Wynding in the second car park then walked along the road towards the Golf Club to overlook Blackrocks Point and Harkness Rocks.
Returned and did a tour in the car starting with the very popular Seahouses then onto Swinhoe, then Preston Tower. A Pele Tower. You could climb up steep steps. £1.50 OAP. Didn't bother as it looked too steep.
Back to the A1 then RT down to Fenham Mill to overlook The Granary Bay with Holy Isle opposite. Could see lots of Gray Seal heads sticking out of the water.
One could book a Cottage here and it would be a perfect setting for a peaceful holiday.
Went down a track to a collection of white tents. The path then continued to Beal and the causeway to Holy Island. The tide was in so the road was awash. Some Eiders just offshore and were near enough for great views.
Saturday 3rd August. St Abbs Head.
Drove past Northfield Farm and up the private road to Pettico Wick. Parked at the Lighthouse. Walked to the Rocks. All the Auks had departed but there was a cacophony of sound coming from the Kittiwakes. Walked up the steps to the Lighthouse to view the rocks. The Lighthouse ledges again were the empty but there were lots of Gannets just offshore. A formation of about 20 Ducks in a vee flew past low on the water. Common Scoters?
Couldn’t find them in the Telescope.
Had lunch at the Cars then drove to St Abbs. There was a Festival on.On the way out had a quick look at Mire Loch but could only see Mallard.
Drove down to Cocklawburn Dunes NR and parked in the Reserve car park. Walked south down a lane that became a track as far as a pool on the right then returned partly on the beach then through grassy dunes behind a pillbox and car park then finally along the lane back to cars. Visited the Pillbox on the way out. There was a Swallow’s nest inside in one of the corners.
This area would be good at migration. The scrub is excellent habitat for cover. The pool only had a family of Moorhens.
Went onto Spittal and parked near the Lifeboat Station. Walked through the dunes to the right across from Berwick Harbour then walked along coast around the corner few 100 yards to a car park.
Visited again the Mediaeval bridge at Berwick.
There has been in invasion of Painted Lady Butterflies coming off the sea in their hundreds and feeding in the surrounding fields.
Thursday 1st August. Marshall Meadows Hotel to Burnmouth Hill.
Left the Hotel at 10.15 to to walk north to Burnmouth Hill and Harbour.
This is a beautiful walk with varied dramatic scenery all day. The views looking back along the coast were very lovely.
At a point after Lamberton Holdings the coastal way descended through a field. Some of the group who were tired went up to the left under the railway and steeply up to the A1 and walked to the village then had a drink in “The First and Last” pub.
Three of the group continued on the Coastal way to descend to Cowdrait. then along to the Harbour with a steep ascent to the upper half of the Burnmouth Village.
Caught the 15.37 bus back to Marshal Meadows. £2.60.
Friday 2nd August. Bamburgh. Blackrocks Point. Harkness Rocks.
The morning was a washout but it cleared up in the afternoon.
Parked along The Wynding in the second car park then walked along the road towards the Golf Club to overlook Blackrocks Point and Harkness Rocks.
Returned and did a tour in the car starting with the very popular Seahouses then onto Swinhoe, then Preston Tower. A Pele Tower. You could climb up steep steps. £1.50 OAP. Didn't bother as it looked too steep.
Back to the A1 then RT down to Fenham Mill to overlook The Granary Bay with Holy Isle opposite. Could see lots of Gray Seal heads sticking out of the water.
One could book a Cottage here and it would be a perfect setting for a peaceful holiday.
Went down a track to a collection of white tents. The path then continued to Beal and the causeway to Holy Island. The tide was in so the road was awash. Some Eiders just offshore and were near enough for great views.
Saturday 3rd August. St Abbs Head.
Drove past Northfield Farm and up the private road to Pettico Wick. Parked at the Lighthouse. Walked to the Rocks. All the Auks had departed but there was a cacophony of sound coming from the Kittiwakes. Walked up the steps to the Lighthouse to view the rocks. The Lighthouse ledges again were the empty but there were lots of Gannets just offshore. A formation of about 20 Ducks in a vee flew past low on the water. Common Scoters?
Couldn’t find them in the Telescope.
Had lunch at the Cars then drove to St Abbs. There was a Festival on.On the way out had a quick look at Mire Loch but could only see Mallard.
| Mute Swan 100+ Mallard Shelduck Tufted Duck Eider Common Scoter 20+ Cormorant Shag Grey Heron Gannet Kittiwake Fulmar Kestrel f Common Buzzard Moorhen pr + 2 juv Ringed Plover 1 Turnstone 10 Redshank 30+ Lapwing Swallow House Martin Swift Sandwich Tern Black Headed Gull Lesser Black Backed Gull Greater Black Backed Gull Herring Gull Wood Pigeon Collared Dove Feral Pigeon Rock Dove? | Swallow House Martin Meadow Pipit Magpie Jackdaw Carrion Crow Rook Nuthatch Willow Warbler h Starling Wren Blackbird Stonechat House Sparrow Pied Wagtail pr Linnet Goldfinch Bulfinch h Greenfinch h Yellow Bunting h Reed Bunting h Painted Lady Red Admiral Little red brown Butterfly Burnett Moth Meadow Brown Dark Green Fritillary? Big Moth? Common Blue Small Copper Grey Seal |