Weather 0 : Birds 2 - A Right Result!

Once again the forecast was right, but for the only time on this holiday, discouraging. Very windy, very overcast, very uninspiring. So we decided to go inland and explore the area surrounding the villages of Etal, Heatherslaw and Ford.

I'll get the one and only moan of the whole holiday out of the way first. Why, oh why, good people of this wonderful part of the country, do you have a very well thought out Visitor Centre, proudly trumpeting "Information", but only stock it with one Ordinance Survey map, that doesn't even cover said w.p.o.t.c???? Bizarre!!

Still, without the help of the relevant OS map, and buffeted by gusts of wind, we enjoyed the three villages and found our way to Ford Moss NNR. Run by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, it is the site of old mine workings, hence the chimney in the picture. It is also a lowland raised peat bog that boasts Adders, Red Squirrel, Roe Deer, Woodcock and Snipe. Well worth a visit on a sunny day.

Which unfortunately, this was not. So unlike us, all the Adders, Red Squirrel, Roe Deer, Woodcock and Snipe were tucked up in their warm homes, whilst we walked round the reserve, seeing none of them.

However, we did enjoy ourselves and make the most of a dull day. And I got TWO LIFE TICKS!! Just after we turned off the A1, two Red Grouse flew over the car. Life = 199 : YTD = 149. Then, as we were half way round Ford Moss, walking beside a plowed field, we heard "wet my lips, wet my lips" A Quail! The sound came from a cornfield, but as we watched, the bird emerged from the corn, onto the open land next to it. Distant but a tick. Life = 200 : YTD = 150 : Phil = Very Happy Indeed.