478 REPORT ON FIELD MEETINGS 



The bay was reached, and the tide not being full, we took 

 to the beach and followed the south shore, noting the mussel 

 beds and the now disused and abandoned oyster beds, which 

 are said to have come to an end owing to an unusually severe 

 frost having destroyed the oysters. Soon the old and ruinous 

 quay was reached, and here a halt was made for lunch. In 

 the clear water shoals of small Coalfish were to be seen, and 

 on the far side of the bay on the mudflats and sandbanks a 

 great congregation of birds — Curlew, Gulls, a Heron, a few 

 ducks, probably Mallard, and many smaller waders too far off 

 to be identified, but most likely Dunlin. 



We now moved on round by the beach towards Bamburgh, 

 disturbing a pair of Redshanks on the way. When the sea 

 beach was reached with a full view of the islands, curious 

 mirage effects began to develop; steamers appeared to be 

 castles with a mast and funnel on top, or the upper works of 

 a vessel were duplicated a short distance above the real vessel. 

 The Outer Fame appeared to have beetling cliffs crowned by a 

 stumpy red lighthouse, and altogether the varying shapes and 

 effects were most curious. 



At the well known Stag Rocks another halt was made, and 

 a few large Porpoises seen passing. Thence to the Crew 

 Arms, where tea was provided ; after which we set off for 

 Seahouses station, and after something of a rush caught the 

 train for Newcastle. 



Among the birds seen the most noticeable were : — Heron, 

 Shelldrake, Curlew, Oyster Catcher, Cormorant, Greater and 

 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, Green and Golden Plover, Red- 

 shank, Ring Dotterel, Pied Wagtail, Swallow, House Martin, 

 Rock and Meadow Pipits, Linnet, and Whinchat. 



Among the plants found were : — 



Great Spearvvort 

 Purple Sea-rocket 

 Watercress 

 Dyer's Rocket 

 Grass of Parnassus 

 Red Campion 



White Campion 



Sandwort 



Mallow 



Wood Cranesbill 



Dove's-foot Cranesbill 



Hemlock Storksbill 



