The Liverbirder

Stars on 45

2012-02-12T15:51:00.003Z

Had a waxing three quarters of an hour today at Bassington Nature Reserve.

First to catch my eye, a raptor with prey flying N through the trees on the NW corner. Bins at the ready, emerging from the tree line was a female Kestrel that landed on a security light 30 or so yards away. So camera and scope on 'quick-fire' mode and a range of images, the best being:

Behind the bird's legs were two, dark grey/black 'pellets', quick a size, a bit like owl pellets. Me thinks this light is a place the bird likes to rest at.

Next, the familiar call of a Great Spotted Woodpecker that decided to land in a tree close by:

And no surprise what number three in a trio of successes was.........sorry!

Getting More Like V. Meldrew Esq.

2012-02-12T10:07:00.003Z

I'm getting older, wiser and less patient these days.

After a set-to with a local resident who (wrongly) accused me of letting my dog mess on 'his' grass, today's strop was self-contained but related to a dog walker who 'dared' to get 50 yards ahead of me at West Hartford and let his dog off and consequently any birds were long gone.

The walk started well with Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher along Horton Burn and one SEO on the field at the back of the Fire Station. Downhill thereafter, I'm afraid, as the man clad in a fluorescent green, knitted hat and similarly 'camouflaged' gloves (the rest of his garb was dark blue) strode in with his mad black labrador and after that, no need to walk any further for me. Two Mallards made a sharp exit, but I did not hang around to see what else followed. Teal where whistling away on the SW field, the thaw is certainly welcome.

As for the man with a gait like he was trying to retain a champagne cork between his buttocks (you know, Ronnie Corbett-like), I don't believe it!!!!

Pretty Green

2012-02-11T11:37:00.000Z

Sorry, Dear Reader, for the montony of this and the last two posts, BUT Green Woodpeckers are one of my favourites, and having heard of a few who have been and not seen this week, I went for a look today and was a little relieved that she's still about.

As ever, hard to do justice to using the medium of 'photography'!

The second 'image' was just before a wee yaffle!

Another Date With Mrs Green

2012-02-05T16:41:00.001Z

Was stood up this morning. No sign despite half an hour waiting.

Tried again at 2:30pm Success.

Dog Fox seen again there this morning. Three SEO at West Hartford from 3:30pm.

Iced Gem

2012-02-04T11:34:00.001Z

Good Lord, it's chilly.

The patch's two stillwater courses are glaciers and there's litlte to see.

So spent an hour or more this morning in the Bassington Industrial Estates's wee reserve. Barely 500 yards square, it's a busy place, with Gold, Green, Bull and Chaffinches, Magpies, Crows, two Grey Herons, a fox, Blue, Great and Coal Tits, gulls, GSW and this stunning lady;

And two of these:

Route 66

2012-01-29T18:27:00.001Z

West Hartford at day break was quite impressive in terms of the aesthetics, but the birds were predictable - gulls, Lapwings and Teal on the iced-up larger flash, nothing at all on the smaller one, and no owls. A large flock of Lapwings was way off west, probably over 100, and along the burn on the 'front nine', a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a flock of mainly Siskin and Goldfinch numbered nearer 40, which made quite a din. I haven't seen any Kingfishers for a fortnight.

Arcot mid-morning was equally frozen and uninspiring; BHG, CG, HG, Carrion Crow, calling Jay, one Goosander (F) sleeping on the west bank, two feeding Grey Herons, several Mallards but yesterday's Wigeon and Gadwall were not to be seen. En route, a single LBBG was at the top of the lamp-post in the middle of the Barnes Park access roundabout (66).

Plessey was consistent for the day - deathly. I never ventured near the farm in case I triggered the Gestapo into action. Walked west along the track between Aesica and MSD but all that was there was a startled Buzzard, a Kestrel and a Great Tit. And just south of the track, on the northbound offside lane of the main road was a dead Grey Heron. Gutted.

Rain and the ornthological plateau suggested my time should be better spent on chores, so that's what I did.

Regular readers may recall this post, and one of the highlights of an afternoon in was watching Vera. The worst Geordie accent ever (it reminded me of this every time Brenda Blethyn opened her mouth).

The News

2012-01-28T15:45:00.007Z

West Hartford @ 08:30 - One SEO, 50 Teal, gulls, other bits and a Roe doe off east.
Arcot @ 10:30 - 2 Goosander (F), 10 Wigeon, Teal, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Gadwall (1M:2F), gulls, corvids and tits. A Roe pair with a smart buck and his new antlers growing quite nicely.

Arcot Wood (NE corner) - trees along the wee stream, 2 Willow Tits

West Hartford @ 13:00 - 2 SEO.

Plessey Hall Farm @ 14:00 - 100 Redwing and two truculent women, one the landowner's wife, who took the gloss off my exploration 'out west' by pestering me about why I was looking into their buildings. Using my job i/d and pointing out the birds I was watching did little to calm them; blah-blah burglaries; blah-blah suspicious; and blah-blah private road!

CONE reserve @ 14:45 - tits, finches and a fox.

West Hartford @ 16:30 - quiet bar the Lapwings and Teal. A chestnut-coloured, kestrel sized bird low and south through the small plantation on the east side of the access road (Woodcock?). In the wood to the north, a large, brown bird flew from a tree and into the thick of it. Looking like a SEO, it disappeared, only to fly out at the east end of the wood (and ID confirmed); calling as it rose up and flew east with its prey. Bizarre!

Lights! Owt?

2012-01-24T07:46:00.000Z

NO!

Stood at the top of Nelson Hill last night after 11pm, waiting for Aurora borealis to set the ol' ticker a flutterin'.

It lived up its name, I am afraid to say, with the emphasis on the bore.

Plenty of stars and the odd whisp of cloud on on westerly breeze. But the only Northern Lights were those over Bedlington!

Plastic? Fantastic!

2012-01-22T19:25:00.000Z

Had three good hours this afternoon at Kirkley Hall Zoological Garden (unlike the song, we couldn't stay all day!).

Great little place, parking's good, staff knowledgeable and prices far from extortionate. And some interesting creatures:

This is a recent venture, on a shoestring budget, and with loads of potential. Support it, it's local!

Two Creepy

2012-01-21T15:54:00.002Z

Dog walk One today and West Hartford was very quiet. Bring on the Summer! The smaller flash had about 40 Teal, two Mallard and two Shelduck (59) that heard me before I them and they of and over to the larger watercourse. And a Fox was certainly quick and brown as it did a sharp U-turn and back east through the copse north of the sub-station.

Dog-less tour of local beauty spots had a single Canada Goose (60) over the access road to Plessey Mill Farm, and several good views of the local Stoat up and own the verges there. The wood was quiet, one Common Buzzard in its usual tree.

Arcot had 8 Goosanders, numerous Teal, H/BH/C Gulls, three Wigeon and a pair of Gadwall (61).

Beacon Lane (southbound) was pretty uneventful too other than at one point I happened upon two Roe hinds (or did they happen upon me?). We stood motionless for about a minute, only about 30 feet apart, before I lost the out-staring competition and walked away to give them a chance to vacate the area.

A Song Thrush and Dunnock shared a bath via a pothole puddle, and the Golden Plover did their usually excellent impression of clods of earth in the field south of the access road to the stables.

Loads of Bullies seen today, and plenty of Long-tailed Tits too, Mrs Bully was up and down the road side at the entrance to the Beaconhill Lea estate.

The year's first Treecreeper (62) was spotted in the NE corner of the wooded area at the NE corner of Arcot.

And the small wood - Guvnor's Wood - between High Pit Road and the A189, opposite Anne Welfare, had more LTTs, Blue and Great Tits, Goldcrest (63) and another Treecreeper.

Nice day for the birdies, but a better one for the mammals.

Three and Out

2012-01-20T17:31:00.000Z

Managed three consecutive twilight walks with the 'derg', from home to West Hartford and back.

Tonight - one active SEO, hunting all over the place, starting from a fence-post on the access road (south of the sub-station). Teal on both flashes. On the way back, something vaguely Stonechatty flew over the field to the north of the fire station. Back tomorrow.

Yesterday - no owls, but Teal, Mallard, Blackbird and Robin; unlike the best children, heard but not seen (too dark).

Wednesday - one SEO north of the sub-station and a Woodcock over north.

Sunday. Sun Inn Day. Sunny Day

2012-01-15T17:32:00.002Z

What a glorious day. Relative's 50th so to the Sun Inn at Morpeth for lunch (her choice). Mrs Liverbirder driving (a first when alcohol's involved), so two nice pints of....

....and half a whale, chips and more mushy peas than a man can handle! And at the hosts' expense!!!

So, to walk it off, a wee stroll to West Hartford and back (I know, I spoil her!). And what a brilliant hour. Crisp, sunny, clear and FOUR SEOs performing superbly well (move over Mr Wanderings!).

Add Stock Dove to the patch list, and a distant Tawny Owl (somewhere in the region of the old farm) and all in all, a crackin' afternoon.

3 + 2 = 0 (almost)

2012-01-14T18:16:00.001Z

Beautiful day - dry, chilly, bright and still. Three dog walks punctuated with two birding walks but not a lot to show for it.

WH from 08:15 had just a couple of Common Buzzards and a similar number of Reed Buntings.

Arcot, as frozen as WH was (is!), had a small flock of mixed gulls, Teal, 2 Wigeon and a Jay.

Plessey Mill Farm Woods was flat, except for Wood Pigeons, Nuthatch and a(nother) Jay.

Arcot from 15:00 was as it was earlier - no sign of Woodcock or Willow Tit.

WH at dusk had one SEO.

Off-Ten Birding

2012-01-08T19:23:00.003Z

Bird Racing. No, not a test of velocity (legs vs. wings) but a sort of ornithological speed dating, where man (or woman) get acquainted with a species, make a few notes then move on to the next.

I am no longer a BR virgin, having been exposed to the ups and downs yesterday with a winter game of tick (or 'tag' as some call it in these parts) across the county, starting at 06:30 at base camp (Scotland Gate, the home of 'my' team's Captain).

Adults standing in the dark listening for the call of a Tawny Owl. Doing the same for Red Grouse. Madness!

And at the end of the day, standing in the dark (or nearly) trying to add Green-winged Teal and Smew to extend the day's total. More madness!

And in between, some highlights, and all corroborated, some by another team. Grey Phalarope seen twice, one heading north over the sea at Stag Rocks, the other on the sea at Snab Point. The latter bird was superb.

Great Grey Shrike at Prestwick Carr, on the telegraph wires to the east side of the road that leads north from the village to Mayfair Cottage. A fantastic spot by one of the team.

Black-throated Diver also at Stag (nice), and the places planned to deliver on my patch as we belted through did just that; Jay, Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail.

And so to end the day, a Wolf . Not the extinct mammal, but one of these:

So, the final 'scores on the doors'? We were 10 short of taking the prize, with a meagre 101. And in total, 123 species seen. The all-time record for one team is only a few more than that, and yesterday, enough 'expected' species remaining elusive to make that record beatable (but it'll take some effort).

So, the pros - expert advice and knowledge; good company; good gossip; good humour and good beer.

The cons - being able to take a breath and perhaps a record shot or two would be nice.

And finally, my sincere appreciation to Martin and his driving (amongst many other things), and Sarah and her Xmas cake (superb) and Trevor and his amazing local knowledge.

Phot-ees

2012-01-06T15:41:00.000Z

A few from today. This one's not too bad:

This one's stoatally different - it's nearly as poor as the humour! Nearly..........

And this one's snow better!

Not One Of My Bird Photos.......

2012-01-02T19:47:00.003Z

..........but equally funny.

What was on the Good Food channel (249) today when I looked at 3:26 pm?

Already a Winner?

2012-01-02T14:56:00.001Z

With news that Crammy is not keeping a 2012 patch list, and assuming The Guvnor is remaining loyal to N-b-t-S, it looks like the competition is ebbing. I guess the best time to retire is when you're at the top of your game, and assuming Crammy won the 2011 race, and even may have beaten The Guvnor's record, ceasing now is probably about right (despite the fact he's not even 20 yet!!!).

Nonetheless, had a crackin' three-hour stint today and only used a few thimbles of diesel.

First stop was Arcot, with a handful of Greylags over west as I got out the car, and a gull-commotion over the SE corner of the lake, the cause was two very successful Cormorants who pulled a few nice sized fish out (they looked like Roach). The Goosander team was now 11, with four males and seven females.

Off to Plessey Mill Farm and surrounds in search of Yellowhammers (Our Survey Said...). But had a brilliant Buzzard on a telegraph pole:

In the wood added Nuthatch and Dunnock, and saw GSW (F), Blue and Great Tits, Blackbird and Wren. Pheasant, Grey Partridge and Redwing swelled the list too (in the surrounding fields). No Treecreeper yet tho'.

Walking back to the car, a Kestrel was sat in the hedge:

Mallard on the river, but no Dipper, and West Hartford was 'flat', save for a mixed flock of Goldfinch and Siskin.

Beaconhill (path to Arcot) had Golden Plover (11 in their usual field), half a dozen Bullies (fantastic), tits and a Song Thrush.

NYD

2012-01-01T11:55:00.000Z

A quick trio of local beauty spots this morning had a flighty Kingfisher along the burn, 10 Goosanders (3M:7F) at Arcot and one Short-eared Owl at West Hartford as the highlights.

Last year's patch total was 115, and so far it's 34, and out with the dog soon so a chance of a few more. Must give the new championie, Crammy, a better run for his money this year.

Happy Birding, Dear Reader(s).

And now, the end is near................

2011-12-31T15:47:00.001Z

..............I did it my way!

This morning was a burn fest/quest. Only one Kingfisher, this time east of Horton Drive, a nice Grey Wagtail to the west, and a GSW that obligingly stayed put whilst the camera was out of the carry case, pointed etc.

Now check out this photo. Focus, colour and artistic use of reflection, Sometimes, watch out!

Off to Blyth after a spot of tiffin, and in search of the 15 Snow Buntings in the stubble field south of the cemetery. Crafty buggers, these birds are; all too easily dropping into the lines of straw never to be seen again. A flock of 50 - 60 Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow and Reed Bunting were very flighty, but the Snowies rarely lifted and did not form part of the larger group. They took to the skies twice, on both accasions flying over the road ad lost in the dunes. I did go and look, but could I relocate them? NO.

Two coveys of Grey Partridge were there, plus some Rock Doves, Crows and Mistle Thrushes.

Yellowhammers in the foreground, Tree Sparrow top/right.

Happy New Year to one and all.

The Last Post.....

2011-12-30T15:23:00.000Z

.....of 2011? Hopefully, not!

But a nice few hours started in a crisp and sunny search for the GGS near North East Mason Farm. In the words of the legendary Scouse comedian and game show host (no, not Tarby) Les Dennis....(click here).

Nonetheless, seven of these was reasonable compensation:

And in the field between Big Waters and the bridle path, a flock of Greylags accompanied two of these:

Does the difference in the facial pattern signify anything?

Next stop, Arcot. En route back to the car, parked near the Chinese takeaway on the old A1, the small wood was alive with GSW, LTT, Blue Tits, Wren, Blackbirds and Great Tits.

Arcot was quiet, with BHG, Teal, Wigeon, Mute Swan and six Goosander (3M & 3 F):

Two Kingfishers were along Horton Burn and the Grey Wagtail.

After a spot of nurishment and some canine exercise, off to West Hartford, arriving at 2:00 pm with a few spots of rain. One, two then three Short-eared Owls hunted the field to the SW of the flash (where the brick house is), but as the spitting became rain, so the owls were grounded never to be seen again.

Four Kin' Hell

2011-12-27T19:32:00.001Z

Day Four - the Kingfisher's doing fine - predictable activity with some superb scope views. But the digiscoped images are sh*te.

Nice Grey Wagtail too.

Come on Sometimes, Richard Dunn, Messrs Howdon and Sedgedunum et al, do the wee chap some justice!

Oui! Three Kings!

2011-12-26T18:54:00.000Z

For the past three days, I have seen Kingfishers within 50 yards of my home. Horton Burn regularly turns them up, anywhere along the mile west of the old fire station.

On Xmas Eve, one up and down along the length parallel with Hauxley Drive.

Yesterday, alerted by my son, not one but two, causing a right commotion in the trees to the west of the footbridge on the burn's south bank, again parallel with Hauxley.

Today, a singleton in the same tree at 9 am (dog walk one) and again in that tree and also the one to the east on the north bank, at dinner time (dog walk two).

And whilst dealing with yet another, 'What you lookin' at, Mister?' the blighter using my scope actually saw it fishing!

Digiscoped at 50 yards:

Seasonal Greetings

2011-12-24T15:07:00.000Z

To everyone who has aided my knowledge over 2011, to those I may have inadvertently upset, those who have been entertained by my blog, those who played a part in the Great Norfolk and Suffolk bird trip and anyone else I have not described:

A Nice Grey Day

2011-12-23T16:42:00.000Z

Glaucous. Derived from the Latin for silver or grey. Grey weather, but a far from dull bird at the Fish Quay this afternoon.

Cat and Mouse

2011-12-18T16:26:00.000Z

Thought I'd spend some quality time with the Wheatear this afternoon. For about a half hour, I did. Light was good, the bird showing very well, but would it keep still? In short, a big fat NO! It was up and down like a whore's drawers.

It liked having a look into the Sand Martin 'burrows':

The beach was very busy with Ringed Plovers, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Redshank, Crow, Curlew and gulls. Oh, and this fella (there were two):

Deserter Wheatear

2011-12-04T15:43:00.003Z

Scrambled by a text from Crammy Birder, it was 633 squadron-like into the Fokker and off to Royal Newbiggin for some superb, albeit very brief glimpses of my first Desert Wheatear. Fantastic, but it was very mobile and within minutes of getting there, it was off, never to be seen again.

Yesterday, I travelled to Seaton Common for my first Caspian Gull. Magic! I have read some blogs that talk of the gulling season. Interesting terminology is the word 'gulling'; a natural extension of the past-time dogging, so I am told!

I thought I would use the phrase 'gulling' in this blog to get some more hits from those who will be looking for a gulling or dogging website and all they will get are details of gulls and if they want, a picture of my dog!

And I know the 633 team flew De Havilland Mosquitos and not Fokkers, but I am sure 'Fokker' will add to the dogging and gulling 'hit' tally!

Introduction of offence of vicarious liability for raptor persecution in England

2011-11-23T19:00:00.000Z

Responsible department: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Scotland, recognising that those who persecute birds of prey frequently do so at the direction of their employers or others with vested interests, has introduced an offence of vicarious liability, the purpose of which is to bring those parties to justice. This petition calls on the government to introduce an offence of vicarious liability to bring to justice those who direct or turn a blind eye to raptor persecution in England. As an indication of how bad thing are, in the last year only four pairs of hen harriers successfully reared chicks in England, fourteen peregrine falcon territories failed on grouse moors in Lancs forest of Bowland, and only one successful goshawk nest was recorded in the Derwent Valley, Derbyshire. Current legislation is not enough to deter those who break the law and destroy our heritage; the introduction of vicarious liability would hit those directing the slaughter.

Sign it here, please.

Jeux Sans Frontieres

2011-11-21T20:31:00.001Z

Today, I tried the barrier method (now that phrase will get me a few blog hits, no doubt)! As fast a hurdles to success appeared, they were overcome, I am pleased to say.

Before I regale the tale, Crammy Birder, if I had known you were not at Uni today, I would have called you. Really sorry!

So, off north at 10am and intermittent fog patches had the ol' ticker affected and first stop, Dunstan Hill for the goose flock. Viewed from the B1339, the main group was over, well, the hill, but all species seen except the Ross's (not to worry, they're not a BOU 'tick'!). And three Welsh birders there too. Luvv-leeee!

Then off the Newton-by-the Sea. Blissful, with Barwits, Starlings, Oystercatchers, BHGs, HGs, Redshanks, Crows, Rooks and Turnstones sifting through the seaweed on the beach.

On 'Stringer Scrape', nice to see 10 White-fronted Geese were the highlight:

And off to Holy Island ahead of the safe crossing time of 1:40pm, arriving at 12:40. En route, news the the A1 was closed both ways at Scremerston and as I neared the Beal turn-off, a diversion off left at Fenwick.

After a 'Bridge of Death'-like examination by the Traffic Managers, I managed to convince the finest Hi-Viz bedecked chaps that I was, indeed, in need of a twitch to Holy Island and not wanting to bypass (superb road-related pun or what?!?!) their beautifully-honed vehicular direction training!

Hurdle No. 1 in the It's a Knockout series successfully navigated, off to No. 2, the 'Ebbing Tide Challenge'.

Of course, the EBR was still there and if we had not crossed the causeway ahead of the allotted time, it would have 'dun orf'. Not.

Being hugely impatient, me and a guy from Ebbw Vale (he set off at 2am for the Yellowlegs and then the Redstart) watched as one or two 'pathfinders' slowly drove towards the island as the water raced from left to right over the road. And as they successfully crossed almost an hour early, so did we.

Next stop, the school, and two bays nicely vacated for me and my Welsh sidekick to occupy.

And then No. 3, the 'Rope Down The Slope' (Good Lord - poetry too. I do spoil you!!). So a 6'4", 47 year old with a penchant for You've Been Framed-like, arse-over-tit behaviour, slowly maneouvred down to the beach, with kit in hand.

The Ebbw Valean had walked off north along the top and I teetered north along the beach with its 'high-grip' Fucus vesiculosus covering and scanning the route ahead, I saw a wee birdie flying up and down in Ficedula fashion.

And nearing said bird, voila, yet another ornithogasmic experience:

Trying

2011-11-20T18:36:00.000Z

I am attempting to add some logic and rationale to birding, because doing so keeps the carbon footprint as a size 9 as opposed to a big 11. So the Eastern Black Redstart; 110 mile round trip; only a sub-species etc. Easy!

Easy my a#s*. Only the fifth in Britain. First for Northumberland. A stunning bird. And so today I considered going for it but the weather was shown as foggy to noon so I throttled back and tried again to resist. It's a killer!

Warmed up with 20 Waxwings on Horton Drive at 8 am today, and as I walked up the cul-de-sac to Chez Moi, a beltin' female Sparrowhawk over the wall and between my place and the neighbours. As Louis Balfour would say, Nice!

And very little at West Hartford at lunchtime.

And so out north at 12:30pm. First stop, East Chevington, and as I alighted form the car, the geese decided to up-sticks and fly west to the field beyond the conifers along the west side of the south pool. Bugger!

Mainly Greylags remained with the odd White-front, but not the 180-odd that I had hoped for. And on the North Pool:

Cresswell was busy with those from far afield looking at the Greater Yellowlegs that was parading up and down the reedbed east of the mud outside the hide. Very good views, but I'll let the guy from Bristol with the biggest lens I have ever seen do it justice. And loads of Snipe too - which was nice!

Female Red-breasted Merganser on the little pool too:

Even Greater Yellowlegs

2011-11-13T16:43:00.000Z

Some of today's highlights, insufficiently described through the medium of 'photography':

And a Bittern showing well (but VERY well a few minutes before I arrived) at Cresswell, viewed from the access road, at the NE end of the smaller pool.

And I'll not bother with the Green-winged Teal shot as all that can be made out is the buff tail wedge and the horizontal white stripe on the body!

No. 248 - Yellow Bean Swan

2011-11-12T17:58:00.002Z

Not the newest meal at my local Chinese takeaway, but the latest three listed species today!

After sorting a car for No. 2 son 'early doors', turning t'interweb on just after 10:50 had a huge grey square on BirdMap over this fine county of ours and the Greater Yellowlegs rollercoaster left Cramlington.

Two minutes down the road, and a cry for help from Crammy merited a U-turn and after a hurried collection, off north, with news it had just flown south. Then it was back at the North Pool (and a pit stop required as the dieselometer was showing 'fumes-only'!). With just 100 yards to go before the right turn to Megasville, news the bird had flown off high and long and west!

Bugger!

Despite Crammy's attempts to see a vaguely wader-like profile going high over the car and tick it (!!), we continued to the North Pool hide to see a mixture of birders, some with a facial expressions akin to having just bedded Kelly Rowlands, and others with the look of someone who had just done the same with Susan Boyle!

We joined the latter queue and stood until 12:10 before driving off along the access road for a 3-point turn to the doldrums, following iPin and ahead of the No. 1 seawatcher. And on passing the path to the hide, Mr Robson lept out of his car (he did a fine emergency stop beforehand) to announce the bird was back; some Sweeney-like parking and a wee sprint and voila l'oiseau rare!

This afternoon, off to Boldon Flats to add a Bewick's Swan to the Life list. Having seen them before at East Chev several years ago (and missing the Blyth birds), I failed to record the fact and knowing that last year's (at Boldon again) did not stay long, it had to be done.

And as bonus, in the greylag flock near the northern-most viewpoint at the road side, three Bean Geese.

Bonus!

Great Grey Shrike Ate Short-eared Owls

2011-11-10T17:28:00.001Z

Bloody puns!

Great Grey Shrike, eight Short-eared Owls. But now I have your attention....

Spent a great hour this afternoon with Lanius excubitor and Sir Cowell of Kingston in the presence of two of my favourite birds, the shrike and Asio flammeus.

The shrike was much further west than I thought, a field or two to the west of where those who have viewed the SEOs before will have stood. The bird was up and down the hedgerow running south from the south side of the bumpy road. The shots were from about 100 yards away.

The owls appeared at 2:25pm, and they were spectacular.

'S' is for...................

2011-10-30T18:17:00.000Z

Short-eared Owls (West Hartford) this afternoon from 3:00pm (which, as you will have heard all day today, would have been 4:00pm!):

And for Snow Bunting:

And for Sometimes (that's him in the background!):

Trips and Dips

2011-10-29T15:07:00.001+01:00

Purple Heron at Saltholme? Dipped. Richard's Pipit at St. Mary's? Dipped.

And now the better news.

Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Greatham (consolation prize):

(Trust me - it's the one on the left!)

Pectoral Sandpiper at Castle Lake:

And today, early start (via Maccy D's), and to Sleddale/Commondale. Windy, cold, clear and occasionally bright. It took until 11:00 am for the first Rough-legged Buzzard to show, from the chevrons, arriving from the north over the tumulus and after two failed attempts at catching Red Grouse, it landed on the west side of a tall conifer along Sleddale Beck (so out of sight). A second Rough-legged Buzzard arrived a wee while later and had a dogfight with a Common Buzzard. Also seen were Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin and Peregrine by the time I left at 12:30pm.

The one that got away:

Seen the hunted, now the hunters:

Ready! Aim! Fire(crest)!

2011-10-26T10:43:00.003+01:00

Firecrests showing obscenely well from day break to 09:20 today at Old Hartley/St. Mary's. Yesterday, it/they were in the shrubs on the west side of the second mound, if walking south from Old Hartley car park (on the east side of the path). Today, the bird(s) had moved north into the shrubs, on the first mound, walking south. Often, the view was within feet and at head height, or the bird dropped to the grass/path. Some of the proper photographers got some absolutely phenomenally brilliant shots. As for me...

Circus! Act!

2011-10-21T20:22:00.001+01:00

Never thought I would get to see a Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus). This year, as others have commented, has been a bumper year but many miles from here. So yesterday's BirdGuides report, and only 45 miles away, was a real appetite whetter.

And so at 07:57 when it rose this morning, and a short while later when it hit t'interweb, it had to be done. A small deviation from the working day (time off, of course) had to happen.

Some of the 280 on my life list have been really special. Some still draw my attention and I would travel to see them. Red-backed Shrike, Redstart (bit of a red theme here) and Green Woodpecker to name but three. BUT, I have never seen a bird as majestic, breath-taking, stunning, beautiful (need I go on?).

I arrived at 11:30 and left 40 ornithogasmic minutes later, with some superb views (but NOT through the camera!!!). To those who criticise their own photographic endeavours, I offer the following to the competition entitled, 'Tell me what that is again, please'!!!

Eh, Jack - you're late!

2011-10-20T16:42:00.001+01:00

15:00 hrs today, Cresswell, and after a wee wait....................

Birding Tips

2011-10-16T16:29:00.000+01:00

March 2008, my first ever Jack Snipe (after some assistance from Boulmer Birder) at the old tip at Widdrington.

I fancied another go so off I trolled this afternoon and it was not how it was then. The entire site, once a snipe-fest due to expanses of muddied reed beds, is now a wee wood, with hods of birch and other trees and so nowhere for my quarry to hide.

I did not stay long.

RVP No. 2 was the River Blyth in the region of the A189 bridge, with expanses of mud feeding Redshanks, Dunlin, Curlew, B-h Gull and on the east side of the Spine Road bridge, a Curlew Sandpiper. Nice!

On the west side, after some guidance from two very likely lads in camo gear and with 'holstered' air rifles (corroborating intelligence from The Guvnor yesterday), a Little Egret fed on the north shore.

And after some interesting dialogue with another local, the first bird flew east and out of sight, but he then spotted another in a tree on the north shore.

Any photographic tips gratefully accepted, as these birds were washed in Persil and were whiter than white in the falling sun. How do I get rid of the glare?

More Of The Same

2011-10-15T16:41:00.001+01:00

Enjoying yesterday's route so much, I did it again and in slightly slower mode this morning from 07:40 to 10:40.

Northbound, the North Pool was manic with 1000's of Pink-feet and other wildfowl including Pintail, Shoveler, Barnacle and Greylag Geese, Mallard and Teal.

Along the path, a few of these:

One or two of these:

And boat loads of these:

Hadston had a Yellow-browed Warbler in the SW corner of the Scaur car park, my first self-found one - which was nice!

The sea off The Pools had a crackin' summer plumage Great Northern Diver, and with it, three Little Gulls.

And after a wee spot of cheffing (that's not a euphemism, I love to cook too and this year I shall be mostly eating Moroccan), off for a plodge around West Hartford.

One SEO lit up the afternoon and was last seen dropping into the field north of the fire station (having been in the one to its west initially).

And to end the day, a mystery. In the field to the east of the firestation (east edge, half way along), after the owl had left, a chocolate brown pipit, larger than a Meadow, with a very dark tail (when viewed flying north) and generally ballanced (the tail was as long as the body - but not wagtail lenghth). IN the four times I saw the bird, all flying away and never on the ground) it never made a sound, and I believe the outer tailo feathers were pale.

Red-breasted Browntails

2011-10-14T18:50:00.001+01:00

Thought I would do a Thomas Hardy and go far from the madding crowd this afternoon. Yellow-broweds were turning up 'all ower' and having added to the year list already, I thought I would go in search of something exotic and self-found and so 'hot-footed' it to Syke'sville (Druridge Bay to Hauxley).

En route, had a Jay over the road that runs past the QEII park (but at the Linton end), and a GSW over the road from Linton near Houndalee Farm (is that not where Puff the Magic Dragon lived!).

Car parked at the south end of the North Pool at East Chev, the first bird was a Stonechat:

Onward and upward, or rather northward, and the Pool was lifting. I could have spent ages going through the wildfowl, but ages I did not have.

Beyond the Country Park car park, every bush appeared to have a R-b B/tail (Erithacus rubecula) on it. All very nice but not quite pulse-racing!

One Wheatear was present:

And further along, another Stonechat:

The sea was not too choppy, with flocks of Teal, Eider and Common Scoter, and with the two Red-throated Divers, a nice Black-throat. Eureka!

The only embuggerance was the P of PTZ not working on the old scope. The legacy of too much seawatching? Anyway, a few blasts of the old UB40 spray and it's now a right as rain (why is rain right?).

And finally, from yesterday, to break up the monotony, a bull with massive bollocks!

(S)Nabbed by the Bizzies

2011-10-13T13:30:00.000+01:00

Plan A - Snab Point at dawn, looking for Divers other than Red-throats.

Plan B - Same objective, different location (the car park opposite the caravan park north of Snab).

The reason? Filming of an episode of Vera and the car parks either side of the Coastguard's Cottage were for thespians only! And the road outside (southbound) was down to single carriageway with temporary lights. Oh, the power of the media. And I didn't even get a part as an extra!

Anyway, one Bonxie, many auks and ducks, and groups of Gannets (10 - 20 in each) all north. Two R-t Divers on the sea and one south.

Cresswell's north end had hods of Lapwing, Wigeon and Teal, eight Golden Plover, three R-b Mergansers and bits of other 'stuff'.

Nothing out of the ordinary on The Pools, and nothing on the sea, save for a raft of about a hundred Common Scoter.

The Ash Lagoon banks had all the usuals; Robins; Dunnocks; Blackbirds, Wrens and Skylarks (southbound).

Life through a lens (or rather four of them)

2011-10-12T14:18:00.001+01:00

Eye, specs, scope eye-piece and scope lens. And today, trying to keep the non-anatomical threesome dry in 'that fine rain that soaks you through' (P Kay Esq) was a challenge, to say the least.

No American Golden Plover at Beacon Point (in fact, only a dozen or so Golden Plover there. And 120 at Cresswell and all of them non-Yankies).

Wheatear with the Starlings, Dunlin and Pied Wagtails on the beach:

And the Ash Lagoon banks were quiet, except for:

Turtley Fascinating

2011-10-11T18:43:00.001+01:00

A hour's dove-spotting was initially deflated by news from those on the road to Big Waters that the bird had not been seen since early morning.

Nonetheless, persistence paid off and eventually the bird left the Wood Pigeons and rejoined the Collared Doves in the mast field.

He Who Laughs Last.........

2011-10-10T18:44:00.001+01:00

...............is The Guvnor.

A birding tale using the medium of text:

The Guvnor (TG) - Lesser Scaup Juv marden quarry Sun pm.
The Liverbirder (TL) - As in whitley bay!
TG - Yes
TL - BirdGuides has no sign of L Scaup this morning. Boo hiss! Another Yank with Northumbria-phobia!!
TG - I predict Holywell or Swallow Pond! Worth a look
TL - Indeed. I will let the traffic die down and have a go.
TG - Plus Tynemouth boating lake
TL - LOL!!!!!
TG - Seriously!
TL - Ok. In that case I'll check out Northumberland Park to see if it is with the Mandarin!!!!

And then at 2:43pm
TG - Lesser Scaup at Tynemouth boating lake right now!
TL - Kidding. En route in 10. And wipe that smug grin off your face! You're not The Guvnor for nothing!

These are actual events and the names have been (partially) changed to protect the innocent.

If one Swallow doesn't make a summer..............

2011-10-10T12:34:00.000+01:00

...........it must be autumn!

Damp, drizzle, chilly and generally 'orrible, the single Swallow circling the large dune at Druridge Pools had clearly missed the flight south.

Two Stonechats on the shrub at the top of the same dune were pleasing on the eye, as were the Red-throated Divers and Common Scoters on the sea.

The Oddie Hide gave good views of Snipe, and loads of wildfowl on the lake,with a fare few Goldeneye.

Off to Cresswell, and from the car park, again, loads of wildfowl, and 11 Red-breasted Mergansers were impressive. Dunlin and Redshank added to the wader tally, and Lapwing and Golden Plover too.

Arcot had not a lot more, the welcoming Bullfinches in the hedgerow near the entrance gate being the highlight!

Turtle Surprise

2011-10-08T16:36:00.000+01:00

Off to The Haven at 1pm but a text from SH (The Guvnor) informed me of a Turtle Dove at Big Waters so time for a detour.

The bird had flown off before I arrived and was with a flock of Collared Doves near the radio mast of the access road.

Whilst searching, Sir Crammy of Northburn, who was also there with Mr Wanderings of Prestwick, Lord Cowell of Kingston, Howdon's top (only?) blogger and others gave me a call to say the bird was back and voila, what would have been a Lifer pre-Suffolk was a welcome County tick.

Off to Northumberland Park to see the Mandarin:

On a roll, time to chance my arm yet again with the Y-b Warbler at The Haven. On to a winner when not only was the ticket machine kapput, but it gave me back 15p more than I put in, my luck continued as, on climbing the muddy bank to the back of Prior's Park, the tit flock (plus Goldcrests) were moving from the large tree in the NW corner of the car park to the tree in the SW corner. And in the former tree, and last to leave, the quarry.

And most welcome, and typically, having waited a full 30 seconds to see it, plenty more views were had, all be they brief, as the flock flew west along the sea buckthorn.

Dogs bollocks!

Furrowed-browed Wobbler!

2011-10-08T10:18:00.000+01:00

I am close to having one!

I have spent many an hour (and I do mean many) staring at bushes at St. Mary's, The Haven and Royal Newbiggin. So far, I am being hammered by the wee blighters.

I found tit flocks, without any hangers-on, and warblers (chiffchaffs in abundance), but not yet have I found a tit flock with a warbler in-tow that has been a yellow-browed.

Ash Lagoon bank this morning - Robins, Blackbirds, Redwings, Kestrel, 13 Whoopers over low and south, 80 Pink-feet high and south, 15 Barnacles low and north over the shore, and a very interesting call repeatedly on the bank next to the 14th tee (near the roped-off area and the half-white vertical railway sleeper). Never heard it before - metalic-ish, rasping call, either in a series of two or three or a one-off!

Off to trawl Xeno-Canto now and to The Haven after dinner for another go!

Wild up North

2011-10-02T12:05:00.000+01:00

Tim - I cannot seem to add a comment to your blog, and I know you read this one. Your mystery bug is a Hover Fly larva. Unsure of the species tho'. And they said a Zoology degree would never come in useful!

No More Lattes?

2011-10-01T12:31:00.003+01:00

Regular readers will note my Saturday usually starts with a Maccy D's latte with an extra shot. Today, as I thought I would give North Tyneside a bash, I omitted the drink and went straight to the area around The Haven, Priors Park and North Pier. It was all very quiet but at least it was dry, cooler than of late and the sunrise was spectacular.

Whitley Bay Cemetery was equally sombre, and I was saddened to see that my caffeine-related hero was no more:

Onward and upward and off to St. Mary's next. Hods of Skylarks over the stubble field on the way in, and the ebbing tide had exposed a load of sea weed that was awash with Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone, Redshank and Starlings.

And these guys just off-shore:

Along the path to the west of the wetlands, singing his wee lungs out was this chap:

The rest of the path was quiet save for Reed Buntings, and the willows and the north end of the wetlands were the quietest I have experienced.

On the ploughed field, the three wise..........

N, N, N, N, N, N, Nine......

2011-09-26T20:08:00.000+01:00

Sadly not nineteen (yet), but tonight's SEO tally at PC Wandering's patch escalated to nine.

I squeezed an hour in from about 6pm and there were four quartering the two fields near the rusty five-bar gate as the light faded.

And then there was a wee melee above the main field as vulture-like (in the cowboy films), five rose on the thermals and were joined by a sixth and a seventh and the whole group lifted ever skyward.

Another two were located at ground level and the maths is now easy.

I have never seen more than two SEOs at once, as far as I can recall, and I have never seen this breathtaking behaviour where whirlwind-like, a few birds 'suck in' others and they all amicably gather.

Nice Day Out

2011-09-26T16:14:00.001+01:00

Early start today following a weekend at work, and after the obligatory Maccy D's Latte with an extra shot, at St. Mary's Wetlands for half seven.

It was very busy, with a GSW back and forth between the north end of the place and the willows near by, and Chiffchaffs, Linnets, Greenfinches and Reed Buntings, and on the fence running west, this:

The photo does not do the bird justice. And there was probably a second one too.

The ploughed field nearby had Linnets, Skylarks and Reed Buntings again but no sign of any Laps (Buntings, not Dancers!).

Royal Newbiggin was very quiet. The Ash Lagoon area was likewise. Linnets (again), Robin, Blackbirds, Goldfinches and few of these:

Between the mess fence and the burnt gorse was a male Stonechat with a metal ring on his right leg.

Arcot this pm - Teal, Mallard, BHG, Snipe, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard (with many a Chiffy calling).

West Hartford - BHG, HG, CG, LBBG (500 the other night and building nicely this afternoon).

Deathly

2011-09-21T16:09:00.000+01:00

Spent a hour or more in Blyth Cemetery last night in the hope of a migrant or two.

Ten Mistle Thrushes together was noisy and broke the monotony slightly. Thirteen Grey Partridges in the field to the north kept c.200 Lapwings and a dozen B-h Gulls company.

To the west, the call of what sounded like a juvenile LEO, but hard to pinpoint the source. Is it not a little late for this?

Apart from Woodpigeons in abundance, it was both quiet and somewhat sombre.

Twenty One Today

2011-09-16T11:40:00.001+01:00

No, Dear Reader, not my age, nor weight in stones, nor my IQ, but the number of additions to my Life List this year, and today's has been a very long time coming.

Church Point for 07:15 and very soon joined by Andy McL, Dave D (but without Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich) and Alan G, and much later Bob B.

What a very busy 3 hours that followed, with:
Great Skua - N
Arctic Skua - N
R-t Divers - N & S
Black Tern (J) - N
Gannets of all ages - N
Auks - N
Teal by the dozen - N
Common Scoter - N
Sooty Shearwater - N
Manx Shearwater - N

The highights were 6 Velvet Scoter landing on the sea close in before continuing north after a wee rest, and THE best, 5 skuas north but not too close, one of which was definately an adult Pomarine.

Little Stint Before Dusk

2011-09-15T08:08:00.000+01:00

Having braved the wind on Monday and been confined to barracks on Tuesday, Wednesday evening with its lessening winds and warming sum merited a trip up to Cresswell to see the Little Stint. Like other bloggers, I have been increasingly wishing that someone would turn the country 180 degrees and we would benefit from the Sab/Grey Phal/Leach's/Baird's/Buff-breasted fest that the west coast has had for the last three days.

I believe we get some very modest easterlies on Sunday, so who knows.

In fading light, the Little Stint was located on the ever-increasing sand-bar/mud flat outside the hide at the pond, along with 11 Dunlin.

Plenty of other activity but nothing of note, it was quite relaxing to see the wee fella and his minders feeding like mad and illuminated by the diminishing sun................

Good Start (Poor Ending)

2011-09-11T19:21:00.000+01:00

Walking the dog along Horton Burn at half seven this morning a Kingfisher flew east. Nice!

13:30 to 15:30 this afternoon, a walk around Royal Newbiggin had nowt but Linnets and the odd Mipit near the Ash Lagoons.

From Beacon Point (having nearly been wiped out by an errant drive that ended up with the ball landing on the lower tier of the 5th tee):
Dunlin
Golden Plover
Knot
Eider
Common Scoter
Cormorant
Bonxie (1 x N)
GBBG
HG
BHG
Sandwich, Arctic and Common Tern
Oystercatcher
Redshank
Teal
Kittiwake
Manxie (1 x N)
Curlew
Whimbrel (1 x S)

Sharp Exit or Out for a Duck

2011-09-10T15:33:00.000+01:00

Early start at Cleveland today, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was gone, and at Saltholme's Allotment Pool, the Blue-winged Teal was also not wanting to show itself.

Did see a Cape Shelduck though. Which was nice (but by no means compensation).

Good Bet

2011-09-09T14:58:00.001+01:00

Just got back from Doncaster and yesterday's Ladies Day. Made the same trip last year and as a horse racing philistine, loved it, hence the return. Next year's will be better as it will also be on my birthday!

Before leaving for Donny, BirdGuides had a Wryneck on the Lakeside's hill, only 1/4 mile from the friends' we were staying at. And reports continued throughout the day, the bird showing well or remaining elusive. So at 6:00pm, a quick drop in to see the plot en route to the local oriental cuisine purveyor, and at 06:30 yesterday, me, the scope, the bins, the cameras, the drizzle (that fine rain that Peter Kay (1' 45") acknowledges gets you very wet!) and little else, alone on a hill in South Yorkshire.

Joined five minutes later by a local, we pincered the area and waited.

And then, from behind me, it arrived (and I was so excited, I think I 'arrived' too!) and landed in a tree not 10 yards away. And my colleague came over (he was clearly excited too) and managed a few photos (that are en route to the NE). My first view of a static Wryneck - superb! And tbh, more exciting than the Mega Lifer we drove past on the way back here this morning.

As for the nags, backed 1st and 3rd in the fifth race and 1st in the seventh so it was evens in terms of the gambling honours.

Extreme(s of) Birding

2011-09-05T15:41:00.002+01:00

Today's highlights:

Church Point - One Arctic Skua south. Nowt else!

Royal Newbiggin - near the Ash Lagoon Bank, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Coal and Great Tits, Blackbird, Robin, Song Thrush and Linnets. The Sky was busy with Skylarks and heaving with southbound Swallows and House Martins.

Cresswell - 600 Canadas, a few Greylags and some commoner ducks. An odd goose - assumed hybrid of Greylag and Canada.

Lapwings rising from the SW field suggested raptor, and from the west a Marsh Harrier, pestered by gulls, then Curlews, then corvids. This made for some excellent photo opportunities, all admirably missed!

So with a memory card full of quality images (!), off north to The Pools, and en route, the abyss to Cresswell's nadir, as a wee Pheasant walked from the east side and despite my best efforts, it did not remain 100% fit and healthy. The little fella was lying in the road, looking up at me with 'cow eyes' and trying to get away. It could fly but not walk so I did what any real man would do, lay it in the grass and hoped for a miracle!

Druridge Pools' seawatch was uneventful - R-t Divers, Common Scoters and little else, except zillions of House Martins and millions of Swallows south.

To complete the tour, West Hartford had three BHG, one Pied Wagtail and three circling Common Buzzards.

Arcot was even flatter.

Where's Wally?

2011-09-04T18:42:00.002+01:00

For those of an age, or who do not have progeny, Where's Wally? keeps wee ones busy for hours, trying to find this:

in a scene like this:

Now imagine Wally is an American Golden Plover, and the beach scene is Whitburn Steel, a broad expanse of Golden Plover-coloured sandstone with other rocks too, without landmarks, and covered in Golden Plovers.

Add some spice by way of canoeists, cockle-pickers and Kestrels just to mix up the pack occasionally.

And there you have it, how to occupy a Sunday afternoon. Throw in a Roseate Tern amongst the Commons, Arctics and Sandwiches and an ice-cream for 'Er Indoors and it all turned out quite nice.

All Quiet on the West Hartford Front

2011-09-04T10:38:00.000+01:00

09:30 today - two adult LBBGs, two young'uns, half a dozen BHGs and...

Too Tired To Think of a Title!

2011-09-03T16:40:00.001+01:00

Today started off reasonably well, at Church Point for 7:20, with optics, chair and a Maccy D's latte.

No shearwaters at all in the hour before the heavier rain started, the only Skuas being the Arctic type, and half a dozen or so Red-throated Divers south.

Next stop, some shelter in the way of Cresswell's hide. More than 600 Canada Geese on the west bank, with one Bar-headed Goose and three Black-tailed Godwits.

The field to the immediate west of the hide had two Meadow Pipits, three Yellow Wagtails and one Pied, and was the landing strip for two groups of Ruff, one of seven and one of six.

A Little Egret flew in from the north and alighted to the west of the SW reedbed and out of sight.

The sea of The Pools was littered with R-t Ds, more than a dozen, as well as Common Scoter and auks. Several dark skuas were noted, but there acrobatics and the wind on the tripod made i/d tricky, but I would guess Arctics (deffo not Bonxies).

Crammy Birder had reported a Great Crested Grebe at Arcot so off there for a patch tick and a photo.

A quick walk this afternoon around St. Mary's yielded nothing of note, a single Whitethroat in the willows was the only item of note.

Better

2011-09-01T10:34:00.000+01:00

Church Point today - 07:10 > 09:20 - heavy northbound traffic in terms of auks and Gannets. Light and dark phase Arctic Skuas a plenty, and for me (there were four 'mad men' there), one Bonxie. Manxies and Sooties were steady, but the highlights were two Balearic Shearwaters, and hour apart, both heading north, the first at 07:40.

Still Waiting

2011-08-31T20:40:00.002+01:00

What a tw*t!

Arrived at Church Point just after 6:15 pm to be told I had missed a Pom Skua (a Lifer and something I appear to have missed year after year) by 10 to 15 seconds and a L-t Skua by as many minutes.

Gutted!

Did see numerous Arctics, Sooties, Manxies and a late Stormy as the light faded just before 8 pm.

Back tomorrow.

Chatty Afternoon

2011-08-28T16:49:00.000+01:00

Wind, rain, a chill, no birds, no birders and the SE hide on East Chev's North Pool full of six adults (3 couples) each with their dog and a buffet that would have fed a dozen combined to make a flat afternoon.

Except, for two juvenile Stonechats on the fence 75m north of the turning circle at the north end of Druridge Pools. Brilliant!

Birding Undercover

2011-08-27T16:33:00.001+01:00

Watching the birders was more exciting than watching the birds today (having read this opening phrase agin, it sounds a bit pervy, but what the hell.............).

A couple of hours around the golf course at N-b-t-S yielded little of note, except Crammy Birder and his 'assistant' near the Ash Lagoon and later at Church Point.

This pm, an hour looking east over the north bay at St. Mary's was very pleasant, this time it was Killy Birder and his side-kick who was spotted and on this occasion, chatted with.

One Sooty north, and one pale Arctic Skua south, seen again near the lighthouse, and two Darctics north along with four Little Gulls made it all a rather enjoyable 60 minutes.

Right Tern

2011-08-24T22:45:00.000+01:00

Had a round of golf this evening, or rather a walk around one of the next Open venues - Royal Newbiggin.

Dead. Not a passerine in sight. Anywhere.

Beacon Point had Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, GBBG, HG, BHG, Turnstone, Redshank, Sanderling, Dunlin, Curlew and some very vocal Whimbrel.

The highlight was a Black Tern that flew in from the sea, took a sharp right turn, and headed north (the one seen later on Druridge Pools' beach?).

Near Miss

2011-08-23T20:48:00.001+01:00

With only 10 minutes before it flew over the embankment at the north edge of the golf course at Newbiggin this evening and out of view, my first Greenish Warbler.

Dizzy

2011-08-21T11:57:00.000+01:00

Travelled south this morning to see my first adult Woodchat Shrike. What a belter! It was in Trow, with a small throng of optic-laded birders, and was either in the middle of a bush;

Or occasionally on the top of it;

And a couple of Whinchats too!

David and Goliath

2011-08-20T16:36:00.002+01:00

Well, Day Two in the Barred Warbler hunt. As yesterday, Sylvia nisoria nil points!

Did 'bag' a few butterflies en route from car to burnt gorse, a Small Copper:

And a Speckled Wood:

And met the man with the biggest in the UK; his is twice as long as mine (List for GB/Ireland, that is)!

In terms of birds, many a Whitethroat fly-catching and that was it. Could have been worse; it could have been raining!

Closing Time

2011-08-20T08:54:00.000+01:00

An hour at West Hartford last night before going out to take advantage of another Groupon/Living Social voucher (for those not yet indoctrinated, try here and here, you cannot lose. Had two hours of falconry on Thursday for £14, which was amazing, and last night, an Italian meal for four was £29!).

Anyway, back to matters ornithological, main pool had 200 gulls; a dozen H, half a dozen LBB and the rest split between C and BH. Ten Teal were present and one Greenshank. The smaller pool had 20 Mallards.

75 Not 'Owt!

2011-08-19T16:09:00.000+01:00

Spent an hour and a quarter at N-b-t-S Golf Club this pm. The course itself looks in immaculate condition.

Was reassured by Dusted Off Bins and his record shots that the bird was there, but despite my 75 minute stint, nothing concrete.

Back tomorrow................................

Minimalism

2011-08-17T15:22:00.000+01:00

Great when it describes art, naff when it relates to birding!

The sea today? Flat in every sense off Snab.

Cresswell was better - 3 Ruff, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Knot, 11 Dunlin and plenty of 'stuff'.

Druridge - 1 Snipe, 1 Dunlin and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Cambois Beach - gulls and terns but nothing out of the ordinary and no Roseates.

Castle Island - 1 Common Sandpiper.

Bothal Pond - 1 Greenshank.

West Hartford - 3 Greenshank.

Arcot - nil waders.

Two Ticks

2011-08-15T19:48:00.000+01:00

West Hartford tonight - one Black-tailed Godwit and one Greenshank. Two additions to the patch list.

Doesn't quite make up for missing the Wilson's but nice nonetheless.

Third Time (Un)lucky

2011-08-10T10:49:00.000+01:00

N-b-t-S - Y-l G, Sabine's Gull, hods of shearwaters and today? Rain, rain and more rain. The southerlies meant the wee brick house, normally a godsend, was not, as the elements blew in and optics, specs and my right side got sodden.

After an hour, common sense prevailed and breakfast beckoned.

The tally as I left at 8:15? Four Manxies (so 'routine' they never even appeared on Bird Map) and one Darctic Skua, all north.

You should have been there..............

2011-08-09T21:11:00.000+01:00

..........unless you were Martin K,and you were!!

6:15pm - Church Point - crackin' two hours, the first on my lonesome, the second with Mr K, and what a duo (the hours not necessarily the birders).

Double busy,with the usual suspects, but a steady stream of Sooties and Manxies, the former nearer 40 when we were done, the latter nearer 50. Su-feckin'-perb!

Five Bonxies north and a pale phase Arctic south too.

Game of Two Halves

2011-08-08T21:00:00.000+01:00

4:40pm - Merlin spotted by Crammy Birder at the side of West Hartford's new fire station sitting on the kerbside was gone within five minutes of the text landing in my 'in' box and me getting there. Boo-hiss!

6:15pm to 8:00pm this evening at Church Point - absolutely manic in terms of birds moving north. Hundreds of terns, Kittiwakes and Gannets, with Manxies (a dozen) and one Bonxie being harrassed by two Gannets.

Best was a small flock of terns and Kitties feeding 750 metres out and moving slowly north, and in amongst them, an adult Sabine's Gull. I watched the flock for 45 minutes in total, and had it landing on the sea several times. Hoo-rah!

Second Opinion

2011-08-06T12:03:00.000+01:00

Spent two hours at N-b-t-S from 7:00am with Crammy Birder, both looking for a Lifer, the Y-l Gull.

Beautifully sunny and still, with terns and auks a plenty inshore and loads of gulls to pick through, especially on the two breakwaters - Herring, GBB, Kittiwakes, LBB, BH, Med.

And in the bay, the one below, that I am/we are convinced is the Y-l G. In flight, the tail was very clean, as was the undertail area.

Go ahead, make my day!

Just Feckin' Brilliant!!

2011-08-04T21:14:00.004+01:00

N-b-t-S this evening, in search of Lifer 276 - the Y-l Gull recorded this afternoon by Sir Alan of Morpeth.

Arrived at where I though it was, the very south end of the bay (behind and south of the Couple and the beach with the promenade along its western edge).

Loads of gull and terns and Guillemots - it was manic - but all at sea and not beach-bound. It was clearly the Newbiggin Chava Invitation Sea Angling Contest 2011, where inappropriately clad 'types', recently released from incarceration somewhere, drag their 'nearest and dearest' to the shore in the pouring rain to catch a few salties. The catch was hauled in, thrown alive up the beach, and whilst thrashing about, was kicked further up by the sand by the delightful WAGs and all this observed by a similarly aged male in-law who had a tab in one and and a can in the other!!! Isaac Walton would be turning in his grave!

All that was missing was dog licking its balls...........................

No gull seen - wet through - but back tomorrow. Cracking pale Arctic Skua north tho'.

What a Rail

2011-08-02T20:49:00.000+01:00

Some have been to Arcot 13 times this year and not connected with it. Some have done so straight away (and have the photo to 'prove' it!). Others have made it third time lucky!

Rallus aquaticus has eluded me twice in recent weeks since Steve H captured his shot that mirrored one of those distant Loch Ness monster/tyre/otter/tree photos of the 70's.

But tonight, having planned a return to see Sometimes' Hobby at West Hartford, I bumped into Crammy with little to show for 90 minutes of hard observing as he left the place. Being a kindly soul, I dropped him off at his Des Res, my reward was a well soiled car mat with two muddy welly prints on!!!!

At Arcot, nice to see one of the Magnificent Seven, Sir Dee of Southfield Green with Dee Jnr and Poppy the derg. After a wee chat, back to the scope and the 60+ Mallards that had replaced Sunday's 60+ Greylags (David Blaine, eat your heart out!).

And then in the far NE corner, tippy-toeing over the shore, in and out of the reeds, young Water Rail. After 8:00pm, the sun going down over the golf course's club house, and in the quiet bliss, one man a crackin' bird(ooo-errr!).

Even Worse!

2011-07-31T16:31:00.000+01:00

Church Point - 13:00/14:45 - apart from the usual 'bulk' species, one Bonxie south at 13:57!

Arcot 15:00/15:30 - no Lapwings, nor Water Rail, nor Dunlin. Greylags now numbered 60+, Moorhens remained at 13, Mallards at 8 and B-h Gulls nearer 20.

Woop-dee-feckin'-do!

De-railed

2011-07-30T16:11:00.002+01:00

Started at Snab at 07:20 today. Missed much of what DoB recorded - I only had one Bonxie south and 13 Manxies north (a 4, then a 3, then another 3, then a 2 then 1). No Arctics nor Sooties tho'.

Cresswell was busy with not a lot. The three B-h Geese are smart, and there's more Coots than Bothal.

East Chevington was equally 'quiet'. I say quiet, if you blot out the Greylags and Canadas! And nice to see Andy McLevy back out and about (he has been off the team with a wee back ailment and his absence has been noted by many).

Shamed into visiting Arcot by many who have asked about its state and me not knowing (and a text from Steve Holiday about a Water Rail there) I popped in at 14:15. More than 70 Lapwings, in excess of 50 Greylags, 4 Herons, a baker's dozen of Moorhen, one Dunlin, one Common Tern but no Rail to be seen. And a Sparrowhawk fly-by caused a small commotion that could only add to the 'excitement'!

Shelling P's

2011-07-27T08:00:00.001+01:00

Crikey - that was close.

Being a Storm Petrel 'virgin', a text from SH on Sunday morning (after I had declared to 'Er Indoors' that my time would be committed to domestic matters) was frustrating, to say the least.

And with two days away planned from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon, the use of t'interweb on the BlackBerry caused immense frustration as Petrels appeared to outnumber all other seabirds combined on home shores!

Blog titles of 'Sea Sick' and 'The Price of Petrel' appeared to be relevant as with every hour that past, the chance of seeing the 'House Martin of the Sea' ebbed faster than the tide itself.

But alas not!

6:15/8:30 last night, in the company of what appeared to be every Alan in the birding world (it was like the Monty Python Bruce sketch, but with Alans!), at least 10 Petrels and probably more. And many Manxies, and Puffins and auks and Kittiwakes and the odd Gannet.

On my way back tonight for more!

(Not Quite) Turkish Delight!

2011-07-23T13:13:00.002+01:00

For those 'of an age', the advertising genius's strap-line for the Fry's confectionery was 'full of eastern promise' - just what the early high tide and prolonged and strengthening northerlies made our coast today. Or was it?

Half the world's population of Gannets, Kittiwakes and Guillemots were moving north past Church Point, with hods of terns and Puffins in tow. A trickle of Manxies were noticeable, but in shearwater terms, they were it.

Six Arctic Skuas and four Bonxies improved matters during the three hours I was there. Despite my early (6:15) start, Dusted Off Bins was an hour ahead of me, and following up from the rear, Sir Cowell of Kingston and his trusted sidekick, Mr Shaw.

Church Point - 18:10/19:40

2011-07-21T21:20:00.000+01:00

Kittiwakes, Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, 20 or so Manxies, one Darctic Skua and one Great Skua, all north. Sooty seen at Seaton Sluice northbound (19:11) but not seen by me.

Back again

2011-07-20T07:48:00.000+01:00

Church Point - 19/7/11 - 18:00/19:30 - Gannets south, Manxies north, one W-b Dolphin a mile out and a non R-t Diver north (by the time I was onto it it was past and I am crap at identifying Divers from the rear).

More To The Point!

2011-07-15T14:54:00.001+01:00

Church Point - 07:00/09:30 today. Air-force grey ebbing tide, gentle swell, and after an hour, joined by jolly Howdon Blogger to add some wit and repartee.

Guillemots with young, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and half a dozen Red-throated Divers on the sea. A steady stream of Gannets north and two Manxies, and one Darctic Skua south.

Highlights for me where mammalian - one Common Seal and at least one each of Harbour Porpoise and White-beaked Dolphin.

Not so pointless!

2011-07-12T21:14:00.000+01:00

Today started very well. 7:00am and driving up the access road to my place of daily toil and a bird on the top of a lamp post. Getting nearer, the distant Wood Pigeon became a Jackdaw became a Blackbird became a......................................feck me, it's a.................

And what a cracker! Despite the incoming workforce, it remained there for a good 10 minutes. And unlike other birds I try and snap, it did not fly away as the camera focussed or the scope and tripod were set up.

Can't wait for tomorrow.

And in the afternoon, on site (the private side of the gatehouse), Spotted Flycatchers doing what they do best. The victim this time was a Small Tortoiseshell. Brilliant!

And the final aspect in the search of a hat trick of ornithogasmic experiences, Church Point at 6pm in the company of Sir Dusted Off Bins. I just missed some White-beaked Dolphins and two Velvet Scoter, but soon there was one then another three Arctic Skuas (and one as we left), and several pairs of Manxies.

This is the third visit in about ten days, and unlike the other two, some birds worth waiting for.

And with Northerlies tomorrow, a fourth trip is on the cards.

Cor(y), Blimey! Or, 652 Not 'Owt!

2011-07-06T20:40:00.000+01:00

BirdGuides today, if you lived in Cornwall or Cork, what a shearwater-fest!

1200+ Cory's past Galley Head, and 150 in THIRTY minutes; 652 past Porthgwarra.

So in the event that one had a malfunctioning compass and had gone right at Land's End and not left, off to N-b-t-S for tea time.

Final score - nil nil.

Loads of Guillemots on the sea, and Gannets feeding close in. Kittiwakes and Fulmars south, and one Puffin on his/her lonesome.

Not a sniff of a shearwater or a skua or anything remotely pulse-racing but at least the weather was fine!

Norf Yorks Better Than Nor folk

2011-06-11T15:29:00.003+01:00

After dipping Honey Buzzard in Norfolk two weeks ago, daily reports of them from the Wykeham Raptor Watchpoint in North Yorkshire this week were too good to miss out on.

With a planned trip with some of the Magnificent Seven later this month now not possible because of work, it was worth a punt. And with a Monty's Harrier and Osprey also seen, it was too good to pass over.

A journey that appeared to take twice as long as it needed to (108 miles in over two hours) ended with arrival at 9:00 am and straight into a Goshawk. Good start!

Also seen/heard were: Siskin, Garden Warbler, Turtle Dove, Jay, Chaffinch, Crossbill, Swift, Wood Pigeon and Buzzard. Others noted Peregrine and numerous Corvids with the odd Gull.

The guy who had seen the Harrier and Osprey (within 45 minutes of each other) was amiable and explained that he had been there every day this week. Whilst the weather was cool and grey, the visibility was good and there was a breeze too. 'Only rain puts them off', he whispered 'and 10:30 am is the key time.'
He was wrong!

At 10:34 am, Honey Buzzard No. 1 approached from the right, low and pretty damn close. Lifer 274 and a cracker! By now, about ten birders were present.

In the next hour or so, two in one scope view, three in the sky together, and some breath-taking displays of wing-clapping. They appeared to favour the far right, whilst the Goshawk views tended to be centre and left (I saw them three times).

When I left, there were 20 birders at the Point and others arriving as I got in the car.

216 miles in total, £30 in diesel and four hours of driving - BUT DEFINITELY WORTH IT!

Visit to the Doctor's

2011-06-07T21:32:00.000+01:00

After seeing this I was far from keen to travel to Hartlepool this evening, but I was glad I did.

Access to a warm, dry, bright and sunny Doctor's Garden was provided, with a few smiles too, and an orderly gathering of birders, numbering 25 or so, was on the left side looking across to the right in eager anticipation.

After five or so minutes........................

Movie Titles

2011-06-05T13:17:00.003+01:00

Got back yesterday from a Grand Day Out (or rather, five of 'em) with 'six of the best' local birders (so making up The Magnificent Seven):

The Liverbirder is Chris Adams (Yul Brynner; it's the hair!), Crammy Birder is Chico (Horst Buchholz) and DMc, LMc, SH, LR and GB are Vin (Steve McQueen), Lee (Robert Vaughan), Harry Luck (Brad Dexter) Brit (James Coburn) and Bernardo (Charles Bronson) resp.

We travelled to Suffolk then Norfolk for some quality time with our feathered friends.

(Or a Backpacks-R-Us ad?)

End result? Nine Lifers and about twice that many 'Yearers' (for moi) was a tidy outcome from 800 or more miles. The Suffolk base camp:

Near Westleton, this B&B was spot on! Called Pond View, it cunningly gave a view of the village pond!

Westleton Heath was the place for Dartford Warbler and Nightingale:

It was also the place for Nightjar, Green Woodpecker, Turtle Doves and Foxes and Red Deer:

Minsmere was a day of ornitholgical bliss, with Hobbies, Marsh Harriers, Bearded Tits, Bitterns, Cetti's Warblers all showing very, very well:

Lakenheath earlier concealed the Golden Oriole (heard only) but at both places, the Hobbies were breathtaking, catching and consuming dragonflies almost within touching distance. This Four Spotted Chaser was not a 'subbuteo snack' when we were there:

And a few others shots:

Greater Flamingo called Fiona!

Not everything went according to plan.

We dipped Bluethroat (Welney), Honey Buzzard (Gt Ryburgh Watchpoint (but did get Red Kite, Hobby and Buzzard), Woodlark (Westleton Heath) and even after five attempts, Montagu's Harrier (The Dull Monty!). Uneventful hours watching Harrier-less fields were partly remedied by more Marsh Harriers and these beauties:

But we did get Stone Curlew at two sites including Weeting (distant and through a heat haze):

And a brief glimpse of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Santon Downham.

Titchwell was fantastic, with the world's best Hide, or should I say hotel, with louvre windows, books and bean bags freely available (the latter for scopes not for sitting on!).

Again, the best Bittern and Bearded Tit views (very close) and Ruddy Duck, Greylags and Red-crested Pochard too:

And Cley (strangely pronounced Cly) was quite impressive:

Yellow Sea Poppy - nice!

After the five day ornithological extravaganza, the long trip home, fantastically punctuated by a stop at Wolfreton near Sandringham for Woodlark (within 30 seconds) and the Surf Scoter at Black Hall rocks!

More than 135 species in all, it could easily have been nearer 150! And GB (or should I say Bernardo?) won the sweep so is now planning what to do with his Lottery-sized winnings.

And finally, the Caption Competition (what are Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson discussing?)!

I Lied

2011-05-29T10:20:00.000+01:00

Whilst the 'working hard' element of my previous post held true, the 'too busy to get out' aspect failed when Sir Cowell of Kingston Park kindly gave me pre-BirdGuides notice of a Terek Sandpiper at Hauxley.

The half-ton of bottles were more speedily than ever thrown into the bottle bank, sacrificing the often-pleasing noise and gratuitous damage!

And off north, with update texts about which hide it was outside, then not, then back. And this continued when I got there. Literally, as my eye contacted the scope, it was off from the Tern Hide and to the island shore opposite the Wader Hide and out of view.

Clock ticking as 'Er Indoors needed to be at the SoL for some aging boy band, it was round to the Wader Hide, where, as I neared, news it was back opposite the Tern Hide (getting dizzy?).

Decision time - remain at the Wader with some notable birders present and a wise move as the bird was not away long.

Lifer 264 and to be honest, quite a stunner with its tangerine-coloured legs and Greenshank-like bill.

Happy days!

Still Here!

2011-05-25T20:59:00.000+01:00

Not an optic raised this week, and why? Because next week my Norfolk twitching virginity will be lost when I and six others Go Mad In The East (with lashings of ginger beer).

So this week, lots of work to be completed so I have a clear period next week and the mind can concentrate on feather-related matters and not paper-based ones.

And some tales to tell when we get back, no doubt!!!!

OFFH

2011-05-17T20:07:00.000+01:00

West Hartford this evening - Little Ringed Plover (1) with Ringed Plover (2). Eleven RP and four Dunlin there last night.

Arcot - pretty flat,as usual. Drake Shoveler, female Mallard plus ELEVEN ducklings and a pair of Little Grebes plus two offspring.

Lucky!

2011-05-14T14:03:00.001+01:00

After this week's bad luck with missing the Crane at Beadnell, the good Lord presented one within a more environmentally friendly distance this morning.

Digiscoped at several hundred yards, the fly-past as it left at 11:55 may have been much better captured by PC Wanderings, so keep an eye on his blog.

Touch of the Sid Waddells

2011-05-07T15:27:00.001+01:00

One hundred and eighty for the year, reached courtesy of a somewhat wet hour on the River Blyth near the orange outfall marker.

One Spotted Redshank (summer plumage) was on the south shore of the river, west of the Sleek Burn, with two Greenshank, one Whimbrel and three Bar-tailed Godwit (one summer plumage), as well as a summer plumage Knot, and loads of BHG, HG, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Curlew and Ringed Plover.

Early Rise

2011-05-07T12:07:00.000+01:00

Woken by Herself at 5:16 and so out birding by 6:00!

West Hartford had three Wood Sandpipers (six now reported on BirdGuides so off for a look in a minute).

Arcot was relatively quiet.

Snab Point was steady - Kittiwakes south, along with Guillemots and Razorbills. Puffins north, and Gannets both ways.

Cresswell had two Avocet pairs, one either side of the causeway, a Greenshank, Redshank and Curlew (and several ducks species).

The Budge was quite still.

East Chev. was equally sedate on the North Pool but some superb raptors views over the South.

Bothal was, well, at risk of getting more boring than usual, bott all! ST's company was, as ever, entertaining (never have I heard anyone describing the virtues of a ham and egg pie with such enthusiasm!!!).

If at first you don't succeed.....

2011-05-06T14:54:00.002+01:00

Harthope again this morning - arrival at 8:20 am with five targets; Cuckoo; Whinchat; Garden Warbler; Green Woodpecker and Spotted Flycatcher.

The weather person ballsed up again, the hot, dry, sunny weather failed to show until after noon, replaced by cool, breezy, light rain.

Walking SW past Langleeford, plenty of Swallows, Sand Martins, Willow Warblers and Red Grouse.

Garden Warbler located beyond the second gate.

Little else to add as I walked further, so a U-turn and by now, plenty of vocal Cuckoos (three or four). Two seen to the south of Langleeford Farm.

Up Hawsen Burn next. Wheatear, Mipits, no Ring Ouzel, but on the heather-lined NE side of the valley, 3 or 4 male Whinchats. These really are the lookers of the bird world - quite simply stunning!

Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Common Buzzards also abounded.
So two species left, and left they remained. Not a hint of a yaffle all morning.

Beacon Hill Wood was busy. GSW, Pied Flycatcher, Cuckoo (heard), a crackin' male Redstart, various tits and more besides. No Spotties here yet either.

Night Fever

2011-04-27T22:27:00.000+01:00

Two hours, getting dark, quite chilly and all well worth it!

Shot taken at 20:50 hrs, prone position, in damp grass and nettles.

All's well................

2011-04-25T17:13:00.002+01:00

Before rejoining the treadmill that is work tomorrow, albeit for a mere three days, an early start was warranted, up to the Coquet Valley in search of Ravens, Raptors and other avian thrills.

It was a might chilly and a calling Cuckoo was a promising start. Hmmmm - promising but short-lived!

None of the intended quarry were seen. Plenty of Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, a Gropper, Crows, Jackdaws and a Greylag tho'.

Somewhat despondent, off to Harthope.

As earlier, a fine start with two Ring Ouzel at Hawsen Burn, but not a peep of a Cuckoo nor Green Woodpecker, not a sight of a Whinchat nor Garden Warbler or Redstart. Swallows, Willow Warblers and Sand Martins abounded, and a burn-side bank was located where it was fascinating to watch the prospective parents going back and forth.

Half a dozen Buzzards complemented the vocal Red Grouse and a Common Sandpiper was bobbing and weaving along the rocks at Langleeford.

Home for noon and out again at 2pm with Chief Spotter and Cresswell was the destination. As we walked the access road, a couple were leaving and part of the 'Anything about?' dialogue yielded reference to two Avocet, no LRP and a White Stork over East Chev. Northerlies might push it south, so 'Er Indoors was told to keep her eyes peeled.

And what a result. After five or so minutes in the hide, and little to stimulate the mind, didn't she point out the Stork coming in from the NW and north of Bell's Farm where it appeared to land.

To the car pronto, and off north, stopping midway between Cresswell and The Pools to 'easily'(?) see the huge, white, leggy, bird (NOT Mrs M, I might add!). After a few minutes of zero, there it was, flying low and NNE towards the Budge fields.

Had it not been for mobbing gulls and Lapwings, it would have stopped, but alas not - off it went NW and out of sight.

And for good measure, the waterfowl that lifted as the Stork passed over returned in drips and drabs, including the male Garganey.

Bothal lived up to its name. On stopping off en route home, there was bott all there.