Had some free time after a meeting on Thursday so purchased a pie and watched the gulls whilst stuffing my face. The young Iceland gull was very accommodating
although variable background and changing light levels meant I ruined more shots than I got.
It certainly knows its way around the trawlers and was feeding well.
The truth is out. Someone's been photoshopping! 
Even the Cormorants were feeling it although luckily for them it's only a temporary thing. I fear for myself it's somewhat permanent or at least till the stuff falls out. That may be sooner than later with the current problems but escaped to the coast yesterday after a lunchtime meeting.
Red breasted Merganser escaped the camera as my phone rang just as it swam in front of the hide so it was back to photographing grey.
Greylags moving in pairs
Redshanks aplenty as the tide rose
and carrying on the wings up pose, a Short eared Owl hunted just near the hide before being driven up high into the greyness by a pesky Crow.
Ah! Sunday lived up to its name and after a fairly normal webs count and watching England edge le bleu I spent the the dying embers of the day watching the owls. Perhaps I've been premature in announcing their departure as at least six and possibly eight hunted tonight. I watched one evade a fast moving falcon which I assumed was a Kestrel but as it regained height it was clearly not and I got three shots off.
Classic Peregrine which AF also observed as it headed off over the wood putting all the Woodpigeon to flght and nearly downing a Crow. Nice if lethal.
As Curlew numbers continue to build on the Carr and signs of spring are all around I'm getting precious little time to enjoy it as work and car gang up to make life unbearable. Yesterday was wasted sorting out what was urgent and getting a new exhaust so I missed an anniversary. Don't fret there's no woman in the background wailing, I mean that it's six months yesterday since three Short eared Owls turned up building to five by the next day and peaking at thirteen during October. Now it looks like they're moving away. Eight last Friday was down to four or five by midweek but you never know. The books say SEO's don't breed under 1000ft but if there is still a pair here by the end of March I'll be getting over excited again.
Still looking for that perfect pic. I'm sure that branch wasn't there when I pressed the shutter.
A weekend totally dominated by the weather. Saturday started off dull and wet so I got some work done but just after lunch the skies cleared and I got out for a wander. As usual at the farthermost point from home a rain shower hit and I hid by a tree whilst watching the resulting rainbow.
I pin pointed the rainbows end to the base of the distant tree and was tempted to go look for the much needed pot of gold but I didn't think that farmer Meek would live up to his name if he caught me! The afternoon was then spent in search of the Shrike, to no avail until Brian turned up and got straight onto it way in the distance north of the goats. We then spent the next hour watching owls which kept their distance until the photographers packed up but of course by then the light was poor.
Regular visitors to the garden this last week. Then off for a count which was uneventful and cut short by the returning rain. This time it grew steadily heavier and Sunday was spent preying for Newcastle to get an equaliser (thanks mate), ploughing through some more work and sorting photographs. I realised from this that one of the Long tailed Tits that have spread out into small groups and are obviously nest building (if only I could find the nest) has been ringed.
I had the opportunity to ask AG if he had done it as he was back trying to ring the owls of which more later but it was not him so posssibly a Big Waters or Ponteland Park bird. Anyway as we spoke the sun broke through and Sunday ended all aglow.
Earlier rain means no people so the deer may play in the late evening sun which highlights their white bits. 
Just had to post on a day that only occurs every four years. Trouble is work has meant I haven't got many new images so its same old stuff. Owls still present, at least eight last night and the Shrike remains.
I was up early to try and catch up with my paperwork but the first thing I heard when I opened the back door was the plaitiff call of the Curlew. Ah! just so nice and so very tempting to take the extra day off!! The flock has built to 40 and spring is well and trully on its way, then I looked at my garden and realised everything is growing. Bugger, I don't have time to tidy the house never mind the garden. The 'benefits' of being solo. I suppose I could spend the day on a street corner and hope that a passing millionairess drops onto her knees in front of me. Then again no. It might cramp my birding and other activities I can engage in without reproach.
Speaking of clandestine activities some bastard has dumped his crap on the Carr. Another house clearance specialist without any decency or morals. Scum bag.
I wonder how long it would take to shove those bottles where the sun don't shine. Fly tippers deserve nothing less.
