Monday 4 July 2016

Holy Island - Lindisfarne

After further stop offs for Osprey at Kielder Waters, and Red-necked Phalarope at Grindon Lough, I finally made my way to the North East.
Holy Island, Lindisfarne was my destination to finish the first day of my holiday. I had checked the tides and could see that from 2.30 I would be safe to cross the causeway. Twice a day the island is cut off from the mainland as the tide comes in. If you time it wrong you can be stuck for a few hours.
The weather was still quite good (dry and a little breezy) as I pulled into the car park.

Most people headed off to the castle, but I made my way down to the shore line to see what was about. There wasn't a lot, but it was more about quality than quantity. After a little scouring I spotted a Godwit working the beach. I assumed it was the Black-tailed variety, but closer inspection showed it to be a Bar-tailed Godwit, in very fine breeding plumage too.

The slightly upturned bill giving this bird away as Bar-tailed Godwit. It did take flight one stage to reveal and confirm it's barred tail.


 I spotted a Little Tern not too far out, and it came close enough to get some pictures. I was hoping for Terns on this trip, but the Little Tern was not one that I was expecting to see. Pretty glad though as I needed it for my year list.

Little Tern



Lindisfarne Priory. Built in the late 11th century, to a much better standard than we see it in today, I'm sure.

Lindisfarne Castle. Built atop a volcanic mound in 1550 to defend against attack from the Scottish, and anyone else that felt obliged to attack by land or sea. 

18 comments:

  1. What a bill on that Godwit! I love the rusty iron color of its breast. Cool castle angle from the wildflowers up.

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  2. Wow! Amazing photos - thank you for sharing these with us!

    —Charles

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  3. A beautiful part of the country.

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  4. All great photos but the Godwit in full breeding plumage is especially beautiful. You are so lucky up in that part of the world to see so many shorebirds in full breeding plumage. Down here in Australia we mostly see them in non-breeding drab colors with just a hint of what they will get in the very late season.

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  5. Hello, The Godwit has beautiful colors. I always love the Terns. The castle ruins are a neat place, can your explore closer? Enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

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  6. Excellent images of the Godwit and terns. The old castle is intriguing.

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  7. That first bird is gorgeous!
    Thanks for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/07/happy-independence-day.html

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  8. Nice looking Godwit. I'm sure that was quite a castle in its day.

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  9. Neat photos! Love the pretty godwit!

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  10. Great shots of the Bar tailed Godwit in its breeding plumage andalso the flight shots of the Little Tern

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  11. The Godwit is a handsome bird!
    I really like the last photo with the wildflowers in the foreground
    Hope you are having a great week!
    Lea

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  12. The birds are awesome to see. I really like the old buildings, too, it's amazing that they have stood so long.

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  13. Lovely bird captures!!! And that beautiful castle! So lucky to have such history so close at hand!

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  14. We visited England and Scotland when I was 12 and I do remember how much my sister and I loved all the castles and the green country side...Lovely photos and happy holiday Adam...Michelle

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  15. I love the castle and the beautiful tern.

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  16. It is many years since I went to Lindisfarne - would that I could go back to see that Godwit - what a beauty! #AnimalTales

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