Harthope Valley

A trip up to Harthope Valley on Monday in some gorgeous weather but started slightly later than anticipated so it was "packed" when we got there so instead of Hawsen Burn we went up the one just past the Cattle Grid.   First of all a couple of Beetles which we found in the Valley.   Have looked at a couple of Beetle sites but with no luck.

At the foot of the Burn there was plenty of Birds on nests and Thrushes feeding chicks with this Chaffinch in and out of its top floor flat tarting up the nest.

When we got about two thirds up it was time for a rest so No 1 Spotter took her place spotting whilst I was sent on to find out the lie of the land further up (needless to say after 5mins I returned and suggested that we sit here a while before heading back down).

We stayed there for over an hour before heading back down.  Birds saw on the way up then down included 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Green Woodpecker, Willow Warblers, Chiff Chaff, Curlew, Oystercatcher, loads of Chaffinches, 7 Buzzards, Mistle and Song Thrushes and a very early Spotted Flycatcher. 

The following are a few snaps taken whilst walking along the bottom of the valley.  This Partridge and its partner saw us driving into the valley and both just calmly turned round, waddled away without ever glancing back

At the ford inbetween Wooler and the Valley we were entertained for a few minutes by a couple of Common Sandpiper flying back and forth round the car.

Finally near the foot of Hawsen Burn there were a couple of Wheatears with this speciment posing graciously for us.