A Trip to County Durham and Northumberland

The main purpose of this short visit to the North of England was to witness the Black Grouse lek at Langdon Beck and to visit the Farne Islands. The most impressive part of the two separate leks, each containing about 16 male Black Grouse, was the far reaching'bubbling' sound emanating from the birds which could be heard as soon as the car door was opened. The surrounding moors contained many nesting Curlews, Lapwings, Redshanks and Red Grouse; many with chicks. Before moving on to Seahouses, our base for the Farne Islands, we spent a good half day at Turnstall Reservoir in Weardale which is surrouded by ancient Oak and Beech forest. Our target birds were Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher anf Redstart all of which were eventually heard and seen.