Bank holidays just aren't long enough!

Friday 23rd
We just dont seem to have had much free time in the last few weeks to get out and about - what with family committments etc, so we thought 'blow' and decided to finish work early on friday and have a wander up to Fenham-le-moor reserve. We just chilled for a couple of hours near the beach enjoying peace and quiet and the bird songs.
There wasnt much around the shore as the tide was in, but there's always the resident wren who always lets you know when she's around by going beserk in the hedge next to the 'lookout' path. Single whitethroat sat on the top of the pile of used straw dumped in the field next to the hide where it sang his heart out, and a few siskins played hide and seek with us...now you see us now you dont....frustrating because you can hear them and know where they are, but, can you heck see them!.
Saturday 24th
Just had a lesuirely drive about, had lunch out and ended up beside the large pond opposite the farm at 'mitford steads'. There was 5 baby mallard chicks there a few weeks ago, but they were nowhere to be seen today...hope theyre still alive somewhere near. But, there are plenty of mallards there to keep you entertained - and they certainly do that along with 3 very territorial white geese - 4 goldfinches - 3 chaffinches - tree sparrows having a dirtbath - 2 pied wagtails - 1 great tit and a buzzard soaring overhead.
Sunday 25th
Bird alert went off early to say 2 temmicks stints were seen at druridge pools, so thought we would shoot off before breakfast and see if they were still there. When we arrived there was quite a few cars parked near so it was likely the stints were still there..and..amazingly they were. It was difficult to see them at first as they were hidden a little by grass but they did emerge and show really well. We arent able to answer all of the alerts as they go off as most times we are at work, so by the time we get there the birds are usually long gone and nowhere to be seen, so this makes a really nice change.
We had arranged to stay overnight at Hardwick Hall sunday/monday so we wont be able to go birding before dreaded work again on tuesday...bank holidays just arent long enough are they.