After their initial enquiry Ronan and Jimmy had booked me for a day’s guided birdwatching in the Cheviots. We arranged to travel up together to keep the fuel costs down, so I met them in Newcastle early Sunday and headed north.

We had good views of both Common Buzzard and Brown Hare before we arrived in the stunning valley from which we were to start. I’d planned a circular route for the day taking in the valley floor as well as two narrow steep-sided valleys and a high plateau.

Within minutes we were watching a pair of Whinchats the first of about a dozen pairs we encountered over the day including several who were obviously feeding young. A male Redstart posed for us on an exposed branch, providing a great opportunity to view its stunning plumage. Grey Wagtail, Yellowhammer, Green Woodpecker and Oystercatcher were amongst some of the other species encountered as we walked.

Heading off up the first of our narrow valleys I had just finished explaining to Ronan & Jimmy that I expected to find Ring Ouzels in this area and that we may inadvertently flush one from the path as they often fed along the stream when a female Ring Ouzel popped up to sit on the heather a few feet away before heading further up the valley noisily chacking.

A further pair were observed for a short period through the telescope providing superb views. Red Grouse was high on Ronan’s wish list and here we sat and watched a couple of individuals across the other side of the steep heather-clad slopes.

As we reached the flat plateau connecting our two valleys the threatened rain began and ensured we remained wet throughout the remainder of the day though it didn’t dampen spirits. Highlights of the second half of the walk were singing male Reed Bunting, Redpoll and a distant drumming Snipe. Three young Red Grouse flew from path-side Heather and a single juvenile Stonechat was the forerunner of a family party of five.

As we headed downhill along a narrow path through the steep scree past tumbling waterfalls another family party this time of the familiar Dunnock albeit in unfamiliar surroundings entertained us as they zipped across the rocks picking at the mossy overhangs.

A welcome hot cup of tea back at the car followed by a minor detour to ensure we added Dipper to the day list resulted in a bonus (for Ronan) of Red-legged Partridge as one fed nonchalantly alongside the single track.