Head for the sun

Had enough of these grey days with that easterly breeze so decided to head west this morning, until we reached some sunshine. Approached Haydon Bridge, with the sky looked brighter to the south west, so it was off onto the A686 and first stop Langley Garden Station for coffee and scones. Had it in the back of my mind from a memory about fifty years ago that Plankey Mill would have some Dippers, - bad call since access was not allowed when we got there.
However we did see this guy doing it properly -

The idea then was to drive to Allendale, Allenheads, Blanchland, Derwent Reservoir, home.
Here are a few of the highlights.
First we watched two pair of Common Buzzard soaring and then much higher were a group of a further 12 Buzzard like shapes slowly drifting Northward, but too high to get an ident.

On the higher ground we managed some nice sightings of Wheatear


and I hope someone might confirm this as a Grasshopper Warbler, or not?

There were quite a number of Red Grouse

More refreshement at Blanchland and a walk by the river offered Dipper(I new the sun would lead us), Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren





A really enjoyable day taking in
Buzzard
Curlew
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Skylark
Chaffinch
Yellowhammer
Wheatear
Pied Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Dipper
Greylag
Wigeon
Redshank
Canada Goose
Mallard
and others - must start noting them as I see them