Hume's

A very welcome break from the comparative birding boredom of late, with news of a Lifer at Brierdene and along with the low sun emerging from the November gloom, and chores done, a 'selfish' hour and a wee throng and the little chap accompanying his frantic insectivoral foraging with lots of calling. And a duo of flukey distant shots to boot! Does it get any better (probably, but not in my world)!!!

Sports News: Great Start

Good start to the weekend and a break to the patch birding doldrums with news from Crammy's mate who works at the Cramlington Learning Village that he had has a Black Redstart near the Sports Centre. There within the hour, me and Phil had a few brief glimpses and then a less brief glimpse and then an in-flight glimpse and then an 'on the fence near east coast mainline' glimpse and then never to be seen again. First for Viet-cram and a welcome tick.

Birding By Instalments

Olive-backed Pipit in Sunny-derland. Beautiful day commenced by work. Waited for BirdGuides' third report and off south. Got lost but eventually found the road and crowd. Bird had gone into the scrub, perhaps due to the swelling but well-ordered crowd. Eventually seen on the slope, covered in dropped leaves, brambles and litter (the slope not the pipit). Hard to see due to the ornitho-populus, not wanting to get in others' way, the leaves on the floor, the direct and head-on sun, and a host of other obstructions. Saw a stretched right wing, a full back, a right side head and then a full frontal. What a looker! Limited time so good luck to others and for tomorrow.