The Alston Wildife Group visited Geltsdale on Saturday to see the visible migration in action over the visitor centre at Stagsike (photo - Fiona Knox). We are in the Tyne Gap, a recognised low level route for birds crossing the country. The hill to the south of the visitor centre act as a barrier concentrating the movement of birds over the garden. The weather was perfect that morning with a light westerly wind, there was always something passing overhead. The bulk of the activity was from finches and the most numerous species was chaffinch, with smaller numbers of greenfinch, goldfinch, redpoll and linnet. The first few redwings of the winter were the first of larger numbers that will be passing over the next few weeks. The two skeins of pink-footed geese were spectacular in the clear sky as were the large flock of lapwings against the background of a rainbow. Other species moving included golden plover, woodpigeon, mistle thrush, meadow pipit, grey wagtail, pied wagtail, jackdaw, starling and reed bunting.
Other recent sightings of note were a red kite during last week and several red admiral butterflies out in the warmer spells. Some summer visitors are still present, wheatear and swallow at a couple of locations and a singing chiffchaff at Stagsike.