Psilos Bird Journal
View of Holy Island, Lindersfarne from Bamburgh Castle
     
"May 24th - Lindisfarne"
yellowhammer
 
Lindersfarne and Holy Island can be found on the north east coast nine miles from Berwick upon Tweed. It is a site of great scientific interest for its wild flowers and birds. In winter it is home for thousands of waders and Brent geese . In summer it is home for terns and small waders. Holy Island is cut off from the shore at high tide but when the tide goes out you can drive across on a three mile long causeway. It is from this causeway that a wealth of birds can be seen.
 
Dunlin
 

     
Dunlin and ringed plover where the most numerous waders to be seen. I have never seen Dunlin in breeding plumage in any numbers before so it was great to see them. Their nasal flight call was also a first, a very distinction call. They werent as tame as the plovers but I did get some good views of them.
     
     

 
The bird in the photos above was very accomodating and using the car as a hide I was delighted to get closer shots that ive ever managed to get before.
 
 
Two nights running I found this grey heron hunting in the same pool. Never saw him catch anything and he never lingered once my car had stopped. The light in the evening was soft and warm, quite superb for photography.
 

The Eider is a very common duck on the north east coast. At low tide they can be seen sat up on the rocks in many places. These birds were part of a small group laid on the mud flats one evening.
Not so many Oystercatchers around but always lovely to see them. This one was so busy feeding he didnt seem to mind my presence.
Linnets are a bird that are often associated with coastal areas. Here they were very common but they are very difficult to get close to.

The yellowhammer is another very common bird to be found in the area. They could be heard singing their distinction song from the hedgerows and females like the one in the photo above could often be seen gathering nesting material.

Lindisfarne is a great place to visit with a wide range of birds to be found but I suspect that it is at its most impressive during the winter months. Maybe I will pay it another visit then.