One Off

Broke 30 species on my patch tour with the pup today, thanks to a flock of a couple of dozen Goldfinch, Siskin, Coal Tit and Blue Tits that flew from the bushes outside the WHBP into the trees at the end of Horton Drive.  And four Mistle Thrushes in the same tree at the east end of the smaller Flash.  And a Shelduck with the Mute Swan on the larger Flash too! 

On a roll, the next milestone was three figures for the year, so two easy ticks of the Iceland Gull at Blyth and the Redpolls at Havannah NR.  Easy!  B*llocks! 

Despite three birders leaving the port telling me it was there, could I locate it?  Could I sh*te!  I spent an age looking at the dapper Herring Gulls, the 'best bib'n'tucker' Cormorants as both are getting suited up for the Spring fornication reproduction period!!

Next time you visit Blyth, try and get a look on the roof of the first yellowy transit shed (No 17).  Today, it had 250 waders on it, a mix of Dunlin and Ringed Plover.  A-bloody-mazing!!!

After spending too much of the day-release period at Blyth, Havannah was too far, so Seaton Sluice to try and add another two to the ongoing 98.  Failed again - added a Guillemot and watched a large (larger than a Manx) all-dark Shearwater flying north but far out; wing beats were slower than a Manxie too, but distance and light meant I wouldn't have a clue as to what it was.

99 please, sir!

Look What The Wind Blew In

St Mary's at 11:15 hrs, North Bay chokka with Ringed Plover, Knot, Lapwing, Sanderling, the odd Curlew, a few Rock Pipits, one or two Oystercatcher and one Barwit.  Bloody freezin', winds from the north.

When do White Wagtails arrive?  I am positive there was one in the first car park at St Mary's, along with a Pied Wagtail.  Thoughts?

I was stealthily (for a man with an ailment) trying to get near when a taxi pulled in and the birds pulled out!

14:15 hrs, three Waxwings at Wideopen, in the apple tree (still with red apples on it), Stalks Road, south side, 100 yards east of the A1 bridge.

If you see me walking down the street, and I start to cry, each time we meet.......

.....it's because before last weekend's stonkin' session (oooo-errrr, Mrs Gimlet!) I went A over T on black ice (just like the 'Where there's blame, there's a claim' woman on the wet office foyer floor) and appear to have fractured a rib!  Coughs and sneezes might spread diseases, but right now they also feckin' hurt!  And for the next five weeks will continue to do!!