Trip report: Coquet Island RSPB, June 2006

Our fourth trip of the year got off to a very wet start with four people also failing to make the trip.  This is the first time that this has happened and sadly they missed a very interesting talk from Paul Morrison, the reserve manager of Coquet Island, along with the most amazing views of the Roseate Terns. 

Our first stop of the day was at Druridge Pools. Some on the trip had not visited this area before where the potential of this site was obvious.  As expected, with the poor weather and time of year, the bird life was at a premium but most of the coastal wetland species were seen. Sadly, the usual dragonflies were missing.  Moving north, we made a stop at the Druridge Country Park, both for a first look at any seabird passage and to investigate the new hide looking south over East Chevington pool.  A number of Little Gulls were the highlight here. 

We next called at Hauxley nature reserve.  Our visit coincided with an RSPB trip from Sheffield, making the hides very busy.  An unusual sighting here was of a Pink-footed Goose, although the reserve warden informed us that it still had a wing injury after being shot.  At least at this stop the weather was much better but was destined to change before our boat trip. 

We arrived at Amble with an hour to look around the harbour, although the Sunday market was a draw to some.  By the time we boarded the boats to make our way out to Coquet Island, a quite persistent rain was falling and with the wind from the east, the sea was a little choppy.  On the way out, we had good views of the expected seabirds with a Gannet making quite a close flyby.  We were met at the jetty by Paul, and the resident warden, who came aboard and gave a very informative history and 2006 update.  We had excellent close views, even without binoculars, of the islands residents where the highlight was a Roseate Tern still with its pink flush. 

A rather wet Coquet Island (K Ryan)