Northumberland,25-29.10.10....

The River Aln at Alnwick.

Adult Herring Gull,Seahouses.

Male Eider,Berwick-On-Tweed.

A week away with Trace holidaying in Northumberland,using Alnwick as a base,resulted in us seeing some nice birds while we visited several sites around the county.The best birds were a few Waxwing sightings which started with a single flying north at Barnetby railway station on the 25th while we waited for the train and then later that day 6 at Alnwick castle,flying into the grounds,giving that distinct,bell-like trilling call.I then had a second sighting at the castle on the 27th with 14 birds being seen this time,great stuff!!.Other goodies included a female Long-tailed Duck and 15 Red-breasted Merganser at Berwick-On-Tweed in the harbour there on the 26th,2 Snow Bunting at Bamburgh and 17 Whooper Swan at Druridge Bay on the 27th,single Swallow south at Alnmouth and 324 Pink-footed Geese,south,Peregrine and 3 Goosander at Warkworth on the 28th.So a pretty productive trip considering it was a non-birding one and this coupled with some stunning scenery,will be a lasting memory for us both!!.