Hauxley Nature Reserve and Coquet Island

 We spent Saturday morning at this reserve.

We visited all the hides and had a couple of pleasant surprises. We saw a common sandpiper from the first hide that we visited, for many of us it was our first common sand of the year. A barn owl came out of its box and stood on the platform for several minutes.

A pair of spoonbills could be seen from another hide, but they soon flew off.

 Lots of warblers were seen and heard, but few photo opportunities. An excellent reserve with over 45 species seen.

It was time to drive the short distance to Amble to catch the boat for our trip to Coquet Island.

It is not possible to land on the island, but the crew did an excellent job of getting us close to the island.

Luckily we had the boat to ourselves so we were able to make the most of the views we had.

Like the boat trip to the Farne Islands we saw plenty of birds on the sea when we got close to the island.

The boat was not the biggest I have been on and there was a lot of vibration also the sea was a bit choppy so I am pleased with the pictures I managed to take.

It was good to see roseate terns. as the York local group sponsors a nesting box.

Sandwich terns

Purple sandpiper

Knot

A very pleasant trip.