PC Wanderings

Red in the hedge

2012-01-31T09:31:00.002Z

Checked the bridleway north of Big Waters yesterday for any rare Geese or even a Shrike but none to find although two Short eared Owls were sparring over rough ground near Brenkley. As I walked back a tit flock approached all alarm calling. I looked around expecting to find a Cat on the ground but there in the hedge was a Squirrel.
When it saw me it froze and I spent a couple of minutes trying to find an unobstructed camera angle without avail. It let me walk up right below him in the attempt though.

It was clear no spectacular pose was to be had so I let it be. Still the cutest animal about although where it was going to was unclear as the nearest plantations were a good hundred yards away.

Feather brain

2012-01-29T21:02:00.004Z

A question. I've been interested in birds all my life although more particularly in the last eighteen years or so. As such I have amassed a knowledge to be quite helpful but on occasion absolutely lethal to boot. I have on this blog recently stated that an Owl has P2 missing when in fact it was P9. Nobody complained.........So here my knowledge falls short again. Red breasted Merganser in Amble harbour Saturday afternoon.
Wings extended primary outermost...........so what are the two v shaped projections? I am so dumb

Nice hair day anyway

Eider, I knew that one of you would show up. For those of an artistic bent.........try mixing the colours of the green neck or the pink breast flush. Quite a challenge!

On the Carr , play Mistle Thrush for me. All paired up and raring to go.

Crossbolake

2012-01-27T08:42:00.003Z

Heading up to look at a building near Wallington yesterday I stopped off at Bolam Lake and having got out of the car was debating whether to pay the exhorbitant £1.40 parking fee when six of these beauties glip, glipped overhead. Well actually there were three males and three females but I only caught sight of the females briefly on the roadside before they flew back up into a lichen covered tree. Obviously pairs collecting nest material I grabbed six shots before they headed off. I've been wanting to get up to Harwood Forset these last two weeks to see this very bird but work has intervened so a work visit eventually saved me the trip.
I did also have a walk around the Lake which was pleasant if uneventful. I was hoping for a Smew like a couple of years back but the usual ducks were boosted by two female Goosander and a splash of Goldeneye. Plenty of Mute Swans, Canada Geese and large flocks of Tits with calling Nuthatch and drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker all made getting back to work a bit of a hassle.

Off to the states.....not

2012-01-25T08:49:00.004Z

Oh I'm such a lucky chap. Two tickets from American Airlines in my junk e mail. One to Chicago and one to Indianapolis strangely both costong 117.12 US dollars and neither telling me where I'm flying from. Another scam amongst the offers of canadian meds, rolex watches and the services of ladies. If you get one don't touch it. The instructions are to print the ticket but if you examine the file it's a self extracting program, no doubt of the...............phishing kind.
AJJ advises that the Great Grey Shrike was north of Big Waters on Monday again before flying off east. Heading home perhaps as I couldn't find it yesterday but plenty of Owls still even if the weather is crap.

dn.. dn..dn.. d.d. dn dn...........Ice Ice baby

2012-01-22T21:35:00.005Z

Saturday, and after my mornings trip down to the Carr I checked Birdguides who repeated Iceland Gull sightings at North Shields. I'd been down earlier in the week without success but....well its Saturday and I deserve it. Turned up and nowhere to park. Where are all these people coming from and more to the point where are they going? Headed up to the High Lights and parked overlooking the Fish Quay. Out with the bins and thar she blows...adult Iceland Gull doing circuits up the Quayside. MSH parked a car in front of me and pointed out a second first winter bird on the fish quay roof.
Telephone conversations with AC on the quayside ensued and the adult was re-classified as fourth winter sub adult .........not that I would know but it was showing well so down to the waterside where I joined Northumbrian Birding in a quest for images.
The sub adult was very obliging

but the juvenile less so

I'm sorry son, Ostrich tactics don't wash up here in the grim North. But then again it's the deep south to him! Met Killy birder along the way who advised of a Glaucous Gull seen earlier but we never found it.

A great half hour

2012-01-21T11:28:00.003Z

Friday morning had been a bit of a rush so headed down to try and find the Shrike. It has been ranging quite widely in the last week and finding it never mind getting a view had been hard. My experience with this bird that has now been resident for ten weeks, is that if you don't get straight onto it you probably won't see it at all.

As you can see, half way along the road there it was, 30m away atop a large bush. I watched for three minutes or so and then it flew.
Strong low purposeful flight with a slight undulation then............

a ten second hover before deciding to carry on to the hedgeline near the road. It disappeared momentarily before re-appearing low down at the roadside. The beauty then allowed me to approach to about thirty feet which is where I got the header shot. Dull light, hand held, high iso, loads of noise but comments on one of my previous posts has made me relish the quality of the moment rather than the quality of the result. After all, I bet there's not many get so close

A more typical view.............dare I trip out the old favourite........ from an undisclosed location!

Better still after watching the bird from 12.45 to 1.10 when it was never more than 30m away he offered up another close up but this time through the hedge.

I bet its going to be a boring weekend as I've used up all my birding tokens.

Eggspress

2012-01-20T09:32:00.003Z

Below the area into which the Collared Dove below was taking twigs I found the remains of the first breeding attempt this morning.
The dint on the base of the egg suggests the egg has fallen or been dropped out of the nest and the presence of yolk that it has been predated. Never fear though, this pair did exactly the same last year although the single egg they laid was left to go cold after which they produced three broods of two with at least three surviving to fledge.

A rare sight these days

2012-01-17T18:14:00.003Z

No not him, this............

looking east

looking west.

Just Robin and I left at on a calm, quiet evening at 4.00pm. The sun had just set, the hoards departed early after the owls failed to show and I was left to contemplate life and its complexities. Where exactly had numerous owls disappeared to? Plod (hardly in his 4 wheel drive) had played a fleeting visit earlier. Was foul play suspected or was it possibly due to complaints about the parking at the road ends.

MH had found the Shrike way over near the main road and it was just visible from my location but only because it's grey and sits on the highest branch possible. As I waited for the Owls Robin played around my feet and fed on some seed left by the visiting folk. Confident little chaps when the weathers cold.

Did the owls appear? Well lets say that three clear nights on the trot with a hunters moon mean they have full bellies and don't need to hunt during the day so adding a fourth session wouldn't be so unexpected.

Nowt to say

2012-01-15T17:21:00.002Z

Frustrating weekend but nice Wren at Cresswell

Buzzards continue to search the mole hills on the Carr

This Coal Tit was singing in centre frame but when I took the shot!

Great Tits are a wee bit more obliging.

Need a hand with that?

2012-01-13T11:13:00.004Z

The last few days warm weather have seen many signs of Spring which no doubt will ignore the cold snap threatened for the weekend. The gardens growing, my Collared Doves are nesting and on Thursday the Robin was in full song at 1am in the morning.

They're cheeky chappies but the choice of sticks always seems to be on the long side so maybe we'll get a decent nest compared to some of the flimsy affairs last year.

I met Harry on the Carr last night who mentioned the hedgehogs in his Ponteland garden had emerged and were taking food as was the Fox.

This particular animal apparently has a liking for hens eggs which it takes away to eat and fortunately Harry can provide some out of date morsels rather than the fox having to raid any local hen houses.

With owls still flying in good numbers although over a much wider area than previously Prestwick Carr has been pretty busy of late.

The voles in the favoured area around the roost site must have been exhausted and now the birds are hunting the roadsides and the area west and north of the bumpy road. One flew through the beam of my headlights the other night flying toward the airport so I hope any collisions with car or plane can be avoided.

Closer

2012-01-10T09:35:00.003Z

After cracking out some work early Monday morning I spent the afternoon in excellent sunlight and almost calm conditions at Prestwick Carr. Richard was there and put me straight onto the Shrike which showed well for about an hour. We eventually got quite close but the light was never just right and I with my dodgy mirror lens I managed to mess up most of my attempts.
Still a good looking bird even with the soft focus

We then met John and spent another half hour in the company of eight or more Short eared Owls as they hunted and squabbled. Again I was less than happy with my photographic efforts.

I like this one for the action qualities even if it is a blurry mess.

Where are the birds?

2012-01-08T12:25:00.003Z

A poor count on Saturday as the wind seems to have blown all the birds away. Struggled up to thirty three species and couldn't even find a Fieldfare which is unusual. Spent a good bit of time trying to find the Shrike but never did. At least the owls are reliable although I apparently missed a Long eared in flight on Wednesday which still smarts a bit!
The Prestwick Carr list has eased up to a half century with Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail and Treecreeper added. There are precious few Wagtails around the horse fields which is unusual. A couple of Mute Swans landed briefly on the flooded fields but they didn't stay long heading off west.
Today a quick look at Bellasis Bridge with Grey Partridge, Jay and an overflying Cormorant being the only birds of note. Now for Sunday lunch and an afternoon in front of the box watching posh cats.

Cuddys duck

2012-01-06T07:00:00.005Z

I spent a few spare moments yesterday lunchtime watching the Eiders surfing at Blyth Quayside. I'm sure they didn't intend to surf but such was the ferocity of wind and wave that they were on occasion forced to.

It's also that time of year and there was a little bit of display going on although you couldn't hear the strange noise they make above the noise of the wind.
Further off the quay a Red throated Diver fished in what it would think was the relative calm of the estuary.

For those in far climes Cuddy is the local nickname being a typical geordie shortening for St Cuthberts duck.

Starting over

2012-01-02T12:03:00.002Z

The 2011 Prestwick Carr list finished at 111 with some notable omissions and should really have been around 116 so I must try harder this year. A nice start yesterday with the third bird I saw being a Tree Sparow on the garden feeders. After topping them up and a quick breakfast out to start again. The day generally was very quiet and numbers were hard to find but it was noticable that many birds are already travelling as pairs and Great Tits were singing.
It didn't take long to locate the most important tick of the new year as the Shrike was being mobbed by Tits in the top of a large tree. It didn't seem to be bothered and stayed faithful to this location for most of the day giving many others good views although some made harder work of it than others. One photographer almost hit lucky as the bird impaled a vole on a hedge near the road. He described that the luckless animal as still dripping blood so staked out the staked out creature but unfortunately just drew attention to the area and was soon surrounded by onlookers which of course meant the Shrike didn't return for its meal.

Nothing else spectacular of note other than a nice tribe of 18 or so Long tailed tits accompanied by a couple of Goldcrest.

The day finished with Short eared Owls aplenty and the new list standing on a moderate 46.

But will they still be here tomorrow?

2011-12-31T23:28:00.002Z

Six or more Short-eared owls flying from 1.00pm

Great Grey Shrike showed well north of the bumpy road from 12.30-2.30

3 Kestrels keeping an eye on things and 2 Willow Tits near Mayfair Cottage

My own mini murmuration. 94 Starlings preparing to roost in conifers at Chez Wanderings.

Blown away?

2011-12-30T15:29:00.005Z

I got an e mail from AJJ Thursday evening asking if I'd seen the Shrike at Prestwick Carr that day as he had one near his patch at Big Waters. Unfortunately given that it had been blowin a hoolie for two days I hadn't seen the bird since Tuesday not that I'd passed the threshold of Casa delapidato in that time. So a possible two Shrikes or had the original just be blown 3km east. Today I was out at nine and two hours search produced Buzzards and Kestrels but no Shrike. Checked the bridle track to where the bird was seen on Thursday at E but no joy. Then back to find MH had seen the bird near Fox Covert Plantation at F and then whilst chatting to Marie the bird pitched up in the tree right next to us at C.
So did our star have a deliberate or accidental sojourn. Originally found at A it prefered B in the early days and the furthest east it had been seen was when it was photographed by Morgan at D. More recently it has preferred the area north and east of C where it returned to this afternoon.

Elsewhere the Buzzard and Magpies weren't speaking and I was eventually forced back to my shack by the rain. Out sharp tomorrow for the last of the year.

Looking back

2011-12-29T12:20:00.002Z

It's been windy since Christmas Day and none of that has to do with excessive amounts of Turkey. More depressing is the dullness that is preventing me getting any shots to lighten my festive mood. The Shorties flew well on Boxing Day and the Shrike performed like a good un but I got little return from the few pictures I took. Anyway, I've been sorting through this years efforts and I really don't need any more shots of Owls.
My computer is a good few gigs emptier and I've even managed to unearth some shots from summer that could be saved. I remember the days when I was warm with fondness and hope they return quickly.

I think one of resolutions for the New Year will be to sit down and try to produce the images I can't achieve by camera with pencil, paint and paper. Now there's a challenge!

It really feels a lot like..........

2011-12-25T10:50:00.002Z

any other day of the week. It doesn't even feel like a Sunday. Grumpy old birder coming out in me as I prepare for the onslaught that is Christmas day. Oh to be young again with the innocence that the lack of worldly knowledge carries with it. Of course that would mean I wouldn't be able to do the two bumper crosswords I've got lined up to help me survive the afternoons 'festivities'. My Christmas present came early as I opened my tin of basic fruit cocktail to find fourteen halves of cherries rather than the usual measly three. There will be no others as for the second year we (the family) agreed not to exchange same to avoid the pre Christmas stress. I still don't think Dads forgiven us.
Anyway Christmas day didn't look too good as the sun rose around 8.50 but by 9.45 there was a brief glimpse of sunlight to enliven the murk which has been the standard for the last few days. Hence no photographs and no postings. Off then for a Christmas day count which struggled to find much of interest other than a Treecreeper which shot past at a speed to belie its name. Most other things were as normal in the wind. Good numbers of Fieldfare and Starlings, a steady stream of gulls heading inland and the usual flock if tits working their way along the bumpy road.

Old whitey the Buzzard was in his usual spot

and the Shrike was where I left him at 3.30 yesterday. Shortly after this he flew off east only to disappear in mid flight as is his habit. Nice to get a Shrike for Christmas though. Did I mention it was Christmas Day? Oh all right then.............have a good one.

Worrying news

2011-12-21T17:22:00.002Z

Whilst doing my Webs count on Sunday I bumped into Geordie S a birder whose patch includes the lower Derwent River where I finish my first count. He advised that a number of Cormorants had died at nearby Shibdon Pond over the last two weeks and that others were looking ill. He had watched one as it swayed, head down for a while and eventually simply keeled over which is a bit of a concern for the cause of death it suggests. Now I know Cormorants aren't everybodys favourite bird and indeed to Fishing Clubs can be a registered pest. Licences can be obtained to shoot them apparently but surely nobody would be taking pot shots at such a well watched spot as Shibdon. Worse still the corpses are rapidly consumed by the many Gulls in the area thus anything untoward is passing higher up the food chain. Hopefully there will be a simple explanation or the event will pass. It would be a shame not to see the many birds that use the River Tyne sunning themselves on the remains of the Staithes at Dunston. The picture above is a Big Waters bird as I've tried for some Tyne shots and it's just been too gloomy.

Other items of note from the count were 496 Teal over the stretch between Redheugh and Newburn Bridges and 104 Curlew at Newburn Riverside Business Park.

Blackies

2011-12-18T09:41:00.004Z

Threw back the curtains yesterday morning to find the hedge in front of my house jam packed full of Blackbirds. The harsh frost will have driven them in toward the village from the open country where they have been much in evidence along with Fieldfare and Redwing.
The berries on the bushes though are now getting thin on the ground no doubt the next move is into gardens. I noticed on Friday night that the blackbirds struggled to find a roost in my three pine trees as they were jam packed full of Starlings. This resulted in some squabbles in the dark.
Yesterday mornings count was un-eventful other than a couple of chaps up from Teesmouth bird club up for the owls which duly obliged for some moving pictures although the Shrike couldn't be found (see Ray Scots pictures from Thursday on the same forum). I eventually met a bloke of my walk home who had it in his scope in hedgerows close to the main road. Another two hundred yards east and its a garden tick! No that's too much to hope although I know one of the owls perched on a neighbours fence next door to the White Swan pub.

A bit of good sunlight found the Willow Tits on their usual forage. I always like seeing these birds normally after being scolded by them for being on their patch.

Fieldfares remain elusive photographic subjects so a rear view in late evening sun is the best I got. Mums birthday tomorrow which always kick starts my Christmas frenzy.

Chasing the little grey dot

2011-12-15T17:50:00.007Z

Well the sunlight was perfect and my motivation for working less than so, therefore on the way to a meeting in Ponteland I called by the Carr on the off chance and there she blew.
Another classic view of the Great Grey Shrike. A little tired of dot in the distance photos I decided to put some effort in and met a couple of chaps, JayBee and Ray on a similar mission along with Sedgy Wobbler. The bird, having given us the slip once, re-appeared on a fence post to the north of the bumpy road.Managed to get round behind it to lessen the harsh sunlight which was later to be my undoing.
It eventually flew off west and I followed but could not refind it so off to work. The weather turned gloomy as did my mood but daylight is so precious and I returned to find MH sketching the bird and the two chaps now concentrating on the owls. As I approached Mike he indicated the bird was flying toward me. I waited and eventually got the little chap with background controllers.

He was doing the same circuit as earlier and after a couple of half decent opportunities north of the road I walked back down west for the umpteenth time following the trail as earlier. I could see the bird in the hedgerow to the left and walked on only to realise it had flown right up next to me. I slowly got to an opening in the hedge and there it was..............perfectly backlit by the now brightly shining sun. Fumbling with the exposure compensation didn't help me much and three shots of a GGS silhouette were had.

I've messed this around in Photoshop but quality is lost and I think I prefer the header image especially (although I didn't realise at the time) as it was looking my way. A nice day with a result and some grand crack along the way.

Atten...shun

2011-12-13T17:20:00.002Z

Mrs Sprawk on sentry duty next to the birdfeeders again. I suppose it saves me some money but it makes me wonder if I'm just serving up dinner for her.

Outside it's currently blowing a hoolie and I await the almost statutory power outage (apparently you're not supposed to say cut likewise a pylon is not a pylon but a tower). Anyway the lines that deliver juice to Dinnington tend to be a bit frail so I'll just check to see what (if anything) I want to watch on television tonight and that should predict the precise moment of blackout.

www

2011-12-10T12:33:00.003Z

Work, wind and willpower (or a lack of it) have all contrived to make the latter part of the week short on photo's so headed out early on Friday afternoon in bright sunlight in the hope of some Short-eared photos. They didn't appear to hunt on Thursday due to the wind so I'm sure they were a bit peckish. After an hours wait and a fruitless hunt for the Shrike with Morgan, the birds appeared and put on a splendid show. At one stage I had six in vision immediately in front with at least three others to my right and behind.
Never quite close enough of course but I've been experimenting with a noise re-duction plug in for Photoshop which has produced some reasonable results.

On the way home one bird perched in my favourite dead tree. It was very dark with a little latent glow from the sun so ISO 3200 was employed.

Not a shot for enlargement but it cleaned up quite nicely. Here's the link for the Neat Image software.

Sand, seaweed and coal

2011-12-06T17:11:00.006Z

The preferred ground for the Desert Wheatear at Newbiggin. Yes I know everybody's been but it would be rude not to and with a pressing job to finish at Blyth it wasn't hard to arrange a minor overshoot up the A19.

V gave me directions in the car park and I guided a couple of chaps from the west of England to Beacon Point. I told them it was half a mile and quickly realised how my sense of distance was not really working in the enthusiasm to get there. A mile later and we came upon a chap on the beach with a scope and there in front of him the target................simpllz
And the little beauty proceeded to pose. On the sand next to a size 12 footprint for scale.

on the seaweed

and with flotsam, jetsom and coal residue.

I mean you didn't really need the scope as Vipers found out.

What a cracker (the bird not Vipers).

Full of Beans

2011-12-04T16:33:00.003Z

Out first thing Saturday and Sunday for Goose counting. I was quite keen as I knew I had birds on the patch which is change from recent years. Prior to the open cast (or surface mining as it has been renamed) I had some good counts of Geese from a flash and grass bank in the central portion of the Carr but the flash was drained and the birds no longer come to roost. The fields at the west end near the Golf course however are still slightly flooded and this has attracted our Siberian visitors. Saturdays count was 14 Tundra Bean Geese, two Eurasian White-fronted Geese (a nightmare for positive ID in the strong wind but smaller size and a crappy picture did the trick) and two Greylag plus two Canada found at Banks Pond. Sunday was much the same although there were 14 Greylag to match the Beans. These are Big Waters birds and they duly departed in that direction as it looked like snow around nine. This is 12 of the Beans at their usual distance. Also of note some good flocks of Fieldfare that are a nightmare to photograph as they are very skittish, numerous Buzzards and Blackbirds plus the Great Grey Shrike which after going AWOL on Saturday returned to give some observers excellent views of its feeding technique. I understand somebody even has a picture of the unfortunate impaled vole and H got lucky with a close encounter and a fine shot.
I did a lot of chasing but no snapping. Of course the owls were performing as usual with P2 being an obvious spot.

All out Shrike

2011-12-02T20:53:00.003Z

Yes shoot the bastards in front of their families. I have no sympathy with the pathetic employed. Get out and do it yourself tossers.

Meanwhile at Prestwick Carr the Great Grey Shrike was showing well this afternoon along with 5-7 Short-eared Owls.
I off course, hampered by my self employed lifestyle, got distant but pleasurable views. There are however some excellent images being taken. Morgan was a bit downbeat about his close encounter but I have no GROUSE with his images!
And 'old' Sedgy Warbler put me onto this chap. Great shots.

I got up to Cresswell earlier today and was amused by this Pheasant. Is this a Pheasant diner or dinner?

Nelson!

2011-11-30T17:07:00.002Z

That's 111 to you non cricket lovers. Two White fronted Geese in amongst the Beans mind you it took some time to find them and don't bother scanning these photo's because they're not in em. Well, I don't think they are.
Not quite the spectacular view one would wish but shouldn't complain. If you'd told me I'd get one Bean Goose en patch at the beginning of the year I'd have been sceptical. Numbers reported have varied from seven to seventeen and that's probably because they wander in and out of the local Tundra and must feel quite at home.

When I did find the two Whitefronts they were hunkered down in the middle of the field away from the main group of Beans. Now if only wind and man could only contrive to drive the two Barnacle Geese at Big Waters my way oh and the Bewicks now at Arcot would be nice...........reminds me I must circulate my Christmas present list.

Nutpecker

2011-11-29T15:47:00.002Z

Watching a female Great Spotted Woodpecker from the kitchen this lunchtime I noticed she was climbing up the tree as if to fly off but then returning to the nuts.
I watched more closely and she had obviously opened up the base of the nut feeder and was taking whole nuts out. She then climbed the tree, only about six feet, to a broken branch where she banged the nut into the split wood.

She spent some time making sure the nut was well embedded, looked round to see all was clear then climbed down to repeat the process.

No wonder the nut feeder always needs filling.

The only funny thing in Sundays Papers

2011-11-28T00:21:00.002Z

A sharp eye

2011-11-26T11:56:00.002Z

Well this girl certainly has although not sharp enough for my liking.

She visited the garden yesterday but failed to get lunch and unfortunately the wind, shadow and sun made a mess of a good photo opportunity.
On another note I have been less than observant with one of my recent postings. On closer inspection the landing Shorty appears to be ringed.

Many people have asked me where the birds came from and I'm fairly convinced that at least some are from the British breeding population. They arrived early (26th August first solo sighting and 8th September first multiple) which is about a week or two before the coastal influx took hold. Additionally they initially behaved like a family party and one of the birds appeared to be a juvenile.

I've reached the limit of magnification for that image but perhaps one of you ringing chaps could comment whether it looks right for a BTO style ring.

Short tempered

2011-11-25T08:35:00.004Z

Possibly birds from different families or just petty squabbles over food but tussles between Short eared Owls are a common sight most afternoons as their flight paths cross. Unfortunately capturing the action is not so easy. Good light means a better chance to stop the action but one minute they're up in the air and you're over exposed.
The next they're down near the ground and backlit causing under exposure. Of course I'm using my bigger manual lens but switching to the more modern autofocus doesn't seem to help much as the actions so quick I generally miss the action.
There is one bird in particular that seems to fly a lot in the daytime and is noticable in that P2 on the right wing is missing. ( see All in a Day ) Possibly a result of these scraps?

A landing post

2011-11-23T01:50:00.003Z

Watch this sonny

Wey hey

Easy as pie. No 110 on the PC list. Bean Goose Yah ho0!

Sorry, the pics for BG were just not of interest

Fronting up

2011-11-22T07:52:00.003Z

Amazing. More Whitefronted Geese in one frame than I have everv seen in Northumberland in total! Better still they were Eurasian rather than the Greenland species we normally get at Grindon loch. ADMc counted 195 on north pool at East Chevington on Sunday. They flew in from the adjacent fields with hundreds of Pinkfeet and Greylag to join the pair of Bewicks Swans and assorted Ducks, Gulls, Waders already on the pool. The mixed flock including a single Bean Goose swam around until they had sorted themselves into rafts of like species and then they were off again. A lovely sight.

Crappy shot making it all the more difficult to spot the single Bean Goose.

Yellowshank revisited

2011-11-20T21:22:00.002Z

Up at six for my webs count. Fruit for breakfast, filled the feeders and headed off down the A1. On exiting at Scotswood it was clear that any count was not to be had. The Tyne Valley was filled with fog. Abandoned any hope and headed up the coast. Hauxley at eight and Erics hide was heaving with birders as the Yellowlegs strutted its stuff below. I, in the Ponteland hide was a bit stinky but had good views as the bird disappeared up to toward the Wader hide. Spent the next hour watching a Kingfisher doing what the name suggests.

Changed my lens at good light and returned to the hide following an abortive attempt at photographing the Knot on the beach. There was the Yellowlegs. It flew in close to the hide and would you you believe it.........the Kingfisher perched at the same moment. Not wanting to be outdone by its American visitor

Shots were taken in the thirty seconds before it headed North, and the Yellowlegs, headed off South. East Chev and Cresswell were to be graced.

I followed the Yellowlegs and was rewarded with a Goose bonanza

All in a day

2011-11-19T18:48:00.005Z

Kestrels keeping a wary eye out
Owls that fly in the sun

Passing beauties in non typical habitat

and the damn Shrike that I got to within fifty feet of without knowing and flushed it!!! Frustrated or what.

Schedule

2011-11-18T09:13:00.003Z

The Short eared Owls at Prestwick Carr have settled into a rhythm following putting their clocks back. Mornings at roost, 2-5 rising shortly after lunch to hunt for an hour or two then a quick siesta from 3.30 till 4.15 after which the whole crew comes up for a bit of socialising before heading off to hunt.
Getting a good shot is still a challenge though. Too bright, too dark, too far away or just plain dull. Doesn't stop me trying although I'm getting a serious inferiority complex with all the big lenses that people are bringing along.

They say its not the size that counts but how you use it...................hmmm

Startling counts

2011-11-16T09:08:00.003Z

As mentioned in the previous post there is always some discussion about numbers when flocks of birds gather. I generally tend to under estimate the size and photography is one way to get a better handle on numbers. This gathering was at Whittle Dene in 2001. I reckoned 40-50,000 birds at the time.When I got the slides back from developing (ah! the bad old good old days) I projected the most diverse shot onto a gridded A1 sheet of paper on the wall I found each 50mm vertical strip held 2.250 birds and that there were about 22,000 on the one sheet. There were four sheets of similar density plus stragglers around the edges therefore concluded the gathering was around 100,000. It lasted three or four days then they went elsewhere probably having killed the stand of Pine trees they were roosting in.
The gathering at Druridge was therefore gridded thus. The average density to the left half and far right is about 30 birds per square increasing to 45 then 60 toward the right centre. I count 100 at 30, 18 at 45 and 10 at 60. That makes 4410 birds plus stragglers and edges so likely 5000 and the flock was still building. The argument at the time was between 2000 and 5000 birds so the upper end appears correct and the end gathering would have been nearer 7,500.
Last night over 2000 Starlings flew over the Carr in groups of 10 - 250. Much easier to count but now I need to know where they are going to roost. Another good count of 14 owls in the air together was made by SWA yesterday morning. Just as spectacular and equalling the site record in recent times although 20 plus were recorded at Newcastle Airport during the seventies.

Greyer and Greater

2011-11-13T17:51:00.005Z

Never fear. No fantasmagorical shots of our American Idols from me. Just a tale. The Bullfinch is the only shot I've taken this weekend worth blogging but you can suffer some more if you wish. Try this for a taste of what I wanted.

Saturday morning was sunny and clear. Perfect for photographing Great Grey Shrikes atop small bushes. I wandered down the road counting birds, lots of Fieldfare, chatting to folk and directing them to the likely spot. Just after nine the bird who appears to have a routine starting at that time appeared near the goats and then promptly disapperard only to do the same thing twice more before 10.30 when I headed homeward.

A minor twitch had developed but nothing like what I was to encounter later. Got home and the triple exclamation mark followed by the three words Greater Yellowlegs Northumberland meant my afternoon trip up the coast was going to be more interesting than usual. Of course I'd wasted half the day already and the bird was likely on its way to Norfolk by now. Arrived at East Chev and met GB who informed me the bird had flown off but that it had done the same thing twice already and returned. I parked at the end of a long line of cars and walked the remaining 'mile' to the 'hide'. Nice to see 70-100 folk in green all standing outside the hide with scopes all trained. Should give some interesting ammunition to the debate on Turd Forum regarding the merit or otherwise of the metal noise machine. I would have got a picture but didn't have a wide angled lens with me.

We waited and chatted, ticking off bloggers, birders, photographers, pals and those for whom I had donned camouflage gear specially to avoid. A bittern flew. I missed it. A nice Short eared Owl gave a view I can get from my back window at home (I know, I'm totally spoilt). Pintails were nice if distant and I never did find the White fronts. Two hours later no GYL but severe back ache. A mate headed off to Hauxley for a reported Grey Phalarope but I decided to stay put for a while then returned to the car and joined BB, RD, ASJ and John on the upper viewpoint and we watched as a murmeration of Starlings grew and grew. Discussion ensued on the numbers involved on which more later.

Then as the birds ducked and dived thirty or more birders ran up the path from the hide to their cars. The special bird was at Hauxley. Bugger. I had the choice and decided the Starlings were more interesting than tearing up for a view of a Greenshank like bird in the dark.

Sunday morning dawned grey and dank but a quick check said the bird was still about so bearing in mind the weather I doubted the bird would move so did a fruitless hour on the Carr looking for the Shrike then headed north. I had a job to look at in Cramlington anyway which is halfway there NOT. Arrived at Hauxley, parked at the south end to avoid the crowds and visited my usual vantage point the Ponteland hide. Very quiet, nobody in site although all the gates and hide windows were open. Off up to the tern hide from whence said bird had been seen early morning. It was clear on entry that it wasn't about. Oh its walked off down to the south pool. Double bugger
Using all my field craft I determined the bird was in sight from the wader hide (everybody was hanging out the windows), then it wasn't (birders looking at nothing in particular) then that it had been found (birders leaving hide rapidly and heading south). Should I? Of course back to the Ponteland hide which is unfortunately only big enough for six seated and six standing assuming the participants are neither fat nor stinky. Being both the aforementioned I set up the scope at the outfall and there on the opposite bank were Grey Phalarope, Redshank (for comparison purposes although a Greenshank would have been better) and Greater Yellowlegs.
Job done. Beat that for a record shot!

Mr & Mrs

2011-11-11T22:11:00.002Z

Two Great spotted Woodpeckers in my garden today which is a rare occurrence. I've occasionally had an adult followed by a juvenile in breeding season but this was a pair.
Mister hogged the nuts whilst missus stayed up high.

Tends to suggest that birds are paired well before the turn of the year. I've noticed this in Tits too.

The old girl can still be a bit beligerant.

A hard days work

2011-11-11T00:22:00.003Z

There I was, awake since 5.30 and out since 7.00 joined by ADMc shortly afterwards waiting for GGS to show. Two hours later nothing and my time had run out. Back to work as Andy headed up the coast. Sorted the paperwork and checked the web. GREAT GREY SHRIKE PRESTWICK CARR 10.00 d,d,b,h! Did two hours work (waiting for camera battery to re-charge) and back down to see said Shrike. Was seen distantly but not by me. Back to work........ three meetings in Ponteland and light was fading. Back to the Carr. Yes everybody had seen the bird today but not me. SPP had put in an excellent five hour stint and been rewarded by some good views very well deserved. Captain Morgan Hook had the owls in his sights but I needed a better view of the Shrike. Last moment there it was. Ahh relief.......a days lack of work rewarded
Even GMi had trumped my photographic attempts but I was happy. The evening ended with a pleasant chat with Harry and Ken as the sun set in a burning rage.

Oh, and the SEO's were up and about too

a GREAT end to a GREY day with a SHRIKE

2011-11-09T17:38:00.002Z

There we were standing by a gate bemoaning the lack of birds. I had just been joined by MH and AA who had hunted the county for Harriers and Owls but drawn a blank. Their final shot for the day was the normally reliable, for Owls that is, Prestwick Carr. As BF also joined the party eagle eye MH(arrier) spotted something in the distance and as he got his scope on it exclaimed Great Grey Shrike. He generously let us all have a view and there it was. My first PC GG Shrike and 109 on this years list. I headed off down the road to get a bit closer and got this spectacular image. Good enough for pit work I reckon.
As I returned the Owls came out to play chasing and calling at each other. A large flock of around 250-300 Fieldfare came overhead and I managed one further distant view of the Shrike before it disappeared as a Kestrel flew past. City Birding joined the throng with his two daughters, Howdon Blogger and his good lady and we enjoyed the great grey owl display in the murk.

OTC

2011-11-07T21:01:00.003Z

Owl traffic control had its work cut out Sunday evening. Six to eight Short-eared Owls up hunting / playing just after 3.00pm.
One caught prey and was pursued by another trying to usurp the feast although there seems to be a fair bit of 'salad' picked up in the meantime (that's grass streaming from the rear)

There's always the evil eye to ward off photographers but you wouldn't believe the shots I missed. I mean...........two Owls with talons engaged one upturned and no focus! Bugger!

Fly by's are easier although exposure is still a challenge.

Loads of geese but non to count

2011-11-07T00:27:00.002Z

It's been out first and last over the weekend to try and catch any roosting Geese. Loads overhead. 22 Pink foot Saturday morning and 300+ in three skeins Saturday evening but the photos were less than interesting compared to the sky.
One dog walker who had seen me morning and evening suggested I was living rough en patch. May as well but it would be a trifle cold! Mmmmmmmmmm cold trifle sounds nice.

Sunday much the same as Saturday apart from two Greylag out of roost and a trip up the coast. Lots of Owls on my return which is becoming usual and a nice big bird on Saturday.

Bookend owls to finish which I promised Alan I wouldn't post. Also the first shot of Owl in sunset......but I did screw up most of my shots of owls squabbling earlier in the evening!

Short show

2011-11-04T19:44:00.003Z

After two weeks of mainly nocturnal activity the last two nights has seen some early action. Tonight two SEO's were up at 15.10 and three at 15.45 but of course the sun disappeared behind a cloud and they stayed at the far side of the field. These shots were taken last night in almost total gloom but I live in hope. Still six to eight in darkness at 16.45 is still a pleasure as it was last night as well and also to meet an old workmate and his partner.

This weekend is Goose count and I was optimistic of actually counting something when 90 or so flew in from Big Waters. They made loads of noise and promptly made an about turn and headed off toward Blagdon. Oh well. Up early for some more owl stalking.

End start

2011-11-03T08:50:00.003Z

Just can't resist another couple of Black Redstart shots. Such a sexy bird

but all that noise! Title........... Black Redstart in a snow storm

Push start

2011-11-01T23:19:00.003Z

A beautiful Novembers day and I couldn't resist giving up work for the Black Redstart at Tynemouth
Unfortunately the bird was well shaded behind the cliff face but performed with aplomb

Lots of crap shots at 6400 ISO and 1000 sec

What could have been

Oh well. Never mind. Six shorties on the Carr this evening

Night owls

2011-10-30T12:17:00.003Z

A Merry Christmas to all my....................oh not quite yet but may as well be. The dark days of winter have arrived and my exposure (photographically speaking) has been greatly reduced. Poor light levels, flocks of skitty birds and owls that refuse to break cover before dark.

Many who have come to see over the last week have left disappointed but if you wait till after six the Shorties will oblige although given the light available you have to take it on trust they are shorties. Last night one hunted briefly at 5.45 then disappeared before at 6.05 one then two then five all appeared out of the grass and perched on a fence before flying up high circling each other. Eventually six birds passed over our heads (two valliant individuals stayed for the bounty) and headed off North whilst two remained to hunt round the pond. Five minutes later they all re-appeared to the west and a bit more flying for fun seemed to be going on prior to individual birds heading off to hunt.

Tonight six becomes five and I doubt I can get back in time for the show although perhaps the owls may not have put their clocks back. More chance of daytime views in future I hope.

Bloggerfest for Firecrest

2011-10-28T00:47:00.003+01:00

It was a bloggers gathering for the Firecrest at St Marys yesterday. So many so that I can't be assed to give them all links but they know who they are and likely got better results than I did with the spritely Firecrest. Or was it two?
What a little beauty if somewhat difficult to get focus on

The sun went behind a cloud as I arrived and using my large lens with manual focus the results were less than satisfactory although auto focus wasn't that much of an aid for this flighty character amongst the branches.

I got six head on shots like this and not one in focus. Rats............. even more so when my car refused to start on heading home! Good job for the hill at Links Road. A jump start using the incline did the trick.

A sad end

2011-10-26T08:02:00.005+01:00

There are times when things seem settled and pleasant that fate just sets up a situation to remind you of mortality and the pain of life. Last night standing at the new bridge watching the autumn colours on a balmy (what should have been summer) evening such a situation was about to occur. A chap I had met watching the owls arrived and we chatted. No doubt by the copious amounts of guff I was churning out he unmasked me as the PC Wanderer, introduced himself as Harry, then went on his way in search of said owls. I later followed him up the road to find him with binoculars trained, staring into the ditch. He pointed out the terrible subject of his curiosity. A Fox hung upside down in the wire mesh fence Its brush was clearly visible as was the damaged remains of its rear leg. Worse still, Harrys attention had been drawn by it thrashing about and after a few moments of watching the poor beast again moved. It bit the timber fence post and no doubt had taken a similar gruesome option on its trapped leg as the foot was missing. We phoned around trying to get the number for the RSPCA which Harry eventually did (0300 1234999). After an age on hold which must have cost Harry a few bob they eventually answered and the situation explained. They thankfully said they would attend and we waited, Harry returning to the crossroads to direct them.

I stood in the fading gloom with the still silent Fox a dozen yards away and thought of famous rescues and a three legged Fox but in reality knew this was not the going to be the outcome. The Short eared Owls had appeared as they had for the last four nights on the stroke of 18.15 being too dark for even a decent sighting never mind photograph. Now in total dark illuminated only by the glow of Newcastle and its Airport, Ducks flew in to the pond, Redwing tseeped overhead and Little owl and Buzzard also called.

After what seemed an age Harry and the RSPCA lady made their way up the bumpy road and we located the stricken animal with the torches they had brought. Edging along the ditch we got close and the Fox started to struggle ar the torchlight fell upon it. I feared it would tear the leg away from the fence and disappear off into the night to die a lingering death but it was stuck fast and clearly had been for some time. The body however was free to pivot and with the fence there was no way to cover its head. We managed to wedge it against the cage which had been brought in hope and the RSPCA lady succeeded getting hold of the animal and administered the lethal dose. The young dog Fox however was full of life and adrenalin and still resisted strongly clamping its teeth to the fence wire. I clumsily took the wire cutters to the fence and after what seemed an age the animal was released but the drugs had taken their course and it had slipped into the oblivion that awaits us all.
Thankfully it suffered no more and was saved from a night, and possibly longer given its energy, of torment. Harry, the RSPCA lady and I thanked each other and I returned gloomily home along the bumpy road. The stars were out and if I was clever I maybe could have found the constellation of the Fox but all I saw was a fuzzy Jupiter rising in the East.

Pipits Rock

2011-10-24T09:14:00.004+01:00

but only occasionally stand still.
Must be the breeze at Newbiggin.

or the thought of a Hen Harrier overhead

That'll make you move.

Myself. I never saw the Harrier but did find the Jack Snipe at Cresswell

Is that called showing? Never mind it has the glory of shot number 20,012 for my 500D. Twice round the clock. I hope the car does the same!

Back to chat

2011-10-22T12:01:00.003+01:00

Last night on a cool breezy Carr I joined John and his mate from Cumbria waiting for some Owls to show. As the previous night and in fact for the last week a Whinchat was flycatching from the fenceline. I put the scope onto what I thought was the bird and blow me a Stonechat was on view. After the debacle of the last two winters this is the first of the year and No 108 on the PC list.
Great to see and craptastic record shot was taken as was one of the white chested Buzzard.

Closer to the lens I managed a nice male Bullfinch.

This morning my count struggled up to 40 species but included Golden Plover, Treecreeper, Crossbill and two perched Long-eared Owls in their favourite spot. More disturbing was the other type of chat. Now I know Prestwick Carr suffers noise from the airport but far more annoying to me is folk bawling as they pass through. It's normally cyclists or horse riders but this morning it was two power walking women who just couldn't shut up about their crap birthday night out and an old geezer shouting down his mobile phone, both audible from almost 100 yards away. Makes me feel like the Blue Tit above looks.

Scotland was cold and windy but a nice trip (thanks Kevin). Not many photo opportunities although had I been quicker I could have had numerous roadside Buzzards. This Turnstone just about sums up the weather!

O'er the border

2011-10-18T08:16:00.003+01:00

Off to the even bleaker and no doubt colder north for a couple of days. Doing bit of business and hopefully some good sightings along the way.

Assuming the Crows don't scare the subject (unless they're Hooded of course).

Whoopee

2011-10-16T21:48:00.002+01:00

Spent Saturday morning trying to photograph Mr & Mrs Big bird but was foiled by tosspots trying to catch the local deer. After a brief spot of business headed up country where Hauxley was devoid of life but Druridge had a flock of Whoopers (Howdon blogger take note of spelling).

The moment I lifted the camera off they went
Reports of a White fronted Goose at East Chev. Oh for pitys sake. That sort of weekend....

360 degrees

2011-10-14T15:02:00.004+01:00

peek a boo

Chak and seee

2011-10-13T13:15:00.003+01:00

This morning standing at the back window talking on the phone a flock of thirty or so Fieldfare headed west over the Carr. Later on at a meeting in Gosforth more Fieldfare and dozens of Redwing calling overhead, a situation repeated when I checked for Turtle Dove at Brunswick on the way home. There have been two other records of Turtle Dove this year in Northumberland. Priors Park Tynemouth on 11th May and Killingworth on 15th June. If you draw a straight line between these two locations and extend it through Brunswick, Prestwick Carr could be next. Come on down for a patch tick you beauty.
I caught up with the bird again at last night and conclude that the period between 3.30 and 4.30 seems the most likely to catch it, possibly due to a lull in airport activity or just forced out to feed prior to roosting. Met a nice chap there from Southport who wanted to find Prestwick Carr. No problem follow me I said and off we set. As we approached the best spot two Shorties were already in the air as the landowner was in the fields preparing to shoot. We watched as three to four birds hunted around him and his dogs. Meanwhile two Long eared owls were just visible at their roost. The lad left with some reasonable images I hope but the quest for pictures has brought shame upon the photographic community. I chatted to the landowner who said barbed wire had been ripped down and an area trampled up the side of the field. His comment was that should he catch those responsible he would remove their dangly bits until the coppers arrived. I assumed he meant bins, cameras, scopes etc but was not entirely confident about which bits he would be grabbing!

Duff ducks

2011-10-12T18:29:00.002+01:00

Not the qulaity of the duck mind you but of the images obtained. Poor light, backlighting, over reflective water, whatever conspired a less than successful attempt at the Lesser Scaup. It's nice when they do something or appear alongside a comparision species but painfull when the result isn't sharp.Oh well, apparently Foghorn sends his birds to sleep. I remember that problem but not with ducks! Couldn't resist a shot at the Mandarin which kept under the canopy of a tree and avoided standard Oriental poses in favour of flapping about.

Preenings always a good one to stop any photogenius.

Meanwhile back at the Lesser Scaup TRD's dog just looked on in bemusement.

Watching

2011-10-11T08:57:00.006+01:00

Many of the folk out for the Owl fest last evening mentioned a nice Wheatear at the first gate on the Carr. I have to admit I totally missed it but these are from Briar Dene car park the at weekend when I was out with Crammy birder.

The bird ran along the edge of the kerb and found a number of angles to keep a good eye out for us
and in so doing provided a number of photo opportunities.
I always love it when birds give you eye contact

Yesterday morning was spent hunting the Turtle Dove which of course appeared once the rain had ceased. Not as daft as this observer then. Here's Northumbrian Birding (right) just before the tree grabbed his cap and Wild up North (left) just before he successfully raided my patch.

Wren will I see you again

2011-10-09T23:31:00.003+01:00

Well, not wishing to give you the third degree, probably tomorrow

Plenty calling over the weekend along with numerous Goldcrest

Great little birds

Also 136 Redwing over on Saturday morning in groups numbering 5 to 32 aided by the clear moonlit Friday night. Winter approaches.

Tonights owl count.......Bo Derek!

Not a mutant nor a ninja

2011-10-08T23:33:00.007+01:00

but definately a Turtle Dove. No 265 on my life list and a great pleasure to observe. I was out with PJA and we had seen loads of Barnacle Geese flying North, flocks of Golden Plover at St Marys, Wheatear at Briar Dene, dipped yet again on the Yellow browed Warbler at Tynemouth and just photographed the Mandarin Duck at Tynemouth when the shout came through.

In flight comparison of size between Turtle and Collared. Thanks to AJ and the Big Waters crew for getting the news out.

A nice evening

2011-10-08T00:52:00.003+01:00

A pleasant warm Friday afternoon was spent with some fine birders and a couple of consenting owls. MH put us all to shame by sketching them rather than snapping

Unfortunately no big bird but again eagle eye City birder found an LEO en perch. Too far for shots but SEO was more obliging and 0verhead 300 Pinkfooted Geese S and 9 Whooper Swan SW

Prestwick Carr with the S

2011-10-07T08:44:00.004+01:00

At Prestwick Carr with S last night. Where sat a stuffed Short eared Owl, One of two that barely moved for an hour and a half. Both he and V got better shots.
Late evening Sun on Thursday

and Stoat on Monday

Bugger it's a Weasel. That's messed up my theme

Never mind Weaselly done and not bad for shots that were totally underexposed. Photoshop autolevels to the partial rescue.

Tynebeak

2011-10-05T09:18:00.005+01:00

Called in at Tynemouth yesterday in the hope of finding the Yellow browed Warbler but no joy although a pleasant hour was spent wandering around in hope. A young gull with a deformed beak had its eye on my Sausage and Bacon sarnie.

and a Guillemot was feeding quite close to the base of the pier

whilst a Kestrel kept a beady eye out from the Priory walls.

The Pilot cutter had to battle against a stiff westerly breeze and of course I finished up back at home watching a nice big bird and eventually three owls do exactly the same. Thanks for the photos Will.

Freeze

2011-10-03T17:52:00.003+01:00

Around 4pm as I lost all will to continue working I walked to the back window for a breath of air. There was one of the Doves and at the bottom of the garden a male Sparrowhawk alighted on the out of control Pussy Willow. The Dove stayed Stock still. What Wood happen. It was stuck between a Rock and a hard place. Things could turn Turtle and he would be Collared.

I'm not sure whether he was watching me or the Hawk but the stand off lasted three or four minutes. I didn't want to move in case I spooked it into flying off. Meanwhile the Sparrowhawks gaze searched the garden but he seemed oblivious to the Dove. Perhaps Sparrowhawks have Alien vision. Anyway I eventually sidled away to get the camera and even managed to adjust to get a better depth of field. I then moved to another window and just as I focused full frame on the Hawk he was off. Guarranteed bird scarer every time

No parade if it's raining

2011-10-02T16:14:00.002+01:00

Here I sit at 4.17pm with lights ablaze and rain pattering on the window whilst I finish writing up last months bird records and start anew. The first count of October was unstartling with Dunnock the stand out bird finding eight over my 1km route which was shortened due to work commitments. Nasty horrible four letter word.

The PC list edged up to 106 with a Jay battling Magpies in the wood but despite how hard I look I can't find the Marsh Harrier that people are telling me about. The head on this bird looked promising but the markings and the fact it was soaring at high level just confirms Buzzard.

The two Pink footed Geese remain in the horses field one week after they arrived and there are still good flocks of Green and Goldfinch with a good few Goldcrest amongst the Tit flocks. The rain though means my nightly SEO fix may not happen.

I'll just have to do with sorting through the gigabytes of images I already have!

Owl, Owl, Owl, GANNET!?!

2011-09-30T00:42:00.005+01:00

Watching Shorteared owls tonight in excellent light when Chris and I noticed one spiraling upwards as they have on previous nights. The other bird in the apparent spiral seemed more intent and as it flew past was obviously not an owl. No 105 on this years list a remarkable juvenile Gannet. Actually not a first on the all time patch list as one was found in a shop doorway in Ponteland after a wreck in 1968 but a splendid first for me!! Morgan got a better shot as it flew directly over his head.

Well, almost made up for missing the SH Crane.

DYK Owls and Gannets appear the same size in flight. Not a comparison often available!

Owls are still the dogs bollocks though

Standstill Crane!

2011-09-29T13:42:00.005+01:00

Is the cry of all us Northerners who have just dipped the Sandhill Crane flying south and congrats to those who did see it . I am led to believe it was on the ground near the monument at Seaton Delaval briefly and photos were taken. My source, SPP missed it by twenty minutes and me by a good hour and a half.

For those without the benefit of Birdguides its progress to date
Newbiggin 9.16

Holywell 9.55

Whitley Bay 10.40

Cleadon 11.00

Hartlepool 12.17

South Gare 12.35 (tough luck Saltholme)

Redcar 12.45

By my limited mathematical skills I calculate a distance of around 45 miles (72.5km) taken on a slight arc as it follows the coast, in 3.5 hours. That's a sedate 13mph.

Even in my car I could have chased it!

PS Its still going. Skinningrove 13.41

PPS Kettleness Point 14.00

PPPS I calculate that it flew 170 miles almost due South from Loch of Strathbeg which at that speed is a 13 hour flight. Eat your heart out Richard Branson.

See you

2011-09-28T22:24:00.002+01:00

The tide waits not for man or bird

2011-09-27T07:43:00.003+01:00

When a report of Pied Flycatcher at St Marys Island came through yesterday lunchtime tools were downed and I headed off in pursuit. I checked the wetland but no sign other than many Chiffchaffs and a few Speckled Wood butterflies. As I approached the causeway a crowd had gathered around a coatguard pick up and the inshore lifeboat made a circuit of the island. A couple stood at the other end of the causeway which was now fully under water and they were obviousy trapped. Whether this was an exercise or the coastguard just being kind and saving them a few hours wait, they docked and took them off the island back to sunny Shields.

The tide was still rising and some Turnstone gathered on a rock in front of the sea wall. Can you spot the colour ringed bird?

Here's a better view. Unusual ring combination with no BTO metal ring so possibly a foreigner.

Anyway the tide was relentless and one by one they were ousted from their rock.

Till the rock vanished beneath the waves.

Met Tim and Vee on the way back and observed a nice if distant Whinchat. Then home to the Carr where with AC, Dick and Gordon we watched multiple Owls perform. Cracking

Pardon the noise

2011-09-26T08:32:00.003+01:00

Out last night after Sunday lunch at the folks and joined by some thirty others all staring at three owls that remained steadfastly perched for most of the evening. By the time they started hunting most had departed.

These images are therefore more from Thursday. All have faults and taken at high film speed therefore lots of noise so probably best viewed at the size shown.

Such a sexy bird. I love so many bits of the plumage.

I'm looking at starting a blog just about owls joining the others who have. Check out this link owlerblognetwork.

Harrying

2011-09-25T08:08:00.003+01:00

Bolstered by finding five Goldcrest and two Pink footed Geese on my morning count I headed up the coast yesterday afternoon convinced I would stumble across a YBW or an even rarer warbler or goose but things at Hauxley were desperately quiet and Drurdige Pools slightly better but not exactly steaming. Leaving the Oddie hide I informed an arriving gent that things were dead and called into the south facing hide on the offchance of..........

the juvenile Marsh Harrier hunting yards in front of the hide. It hovered over one patch of ground and Snipe disappeared in all directions. Perhaps it's not quick enough yet for a game dinner. Anyway the horses didn't give a hoot about their field mate and its next choice of meal certainly wasn't for budge ing or hiding.

It settled down alongside the Heron and I felt guilty about telling the chap nowt was about so went and retrieved him from the other hide. A mate of local birder AG apparently.

The two Pink feet which I spent some time trying to change into Beans! Anyway, returned home via Chevington (50 Knot, 15 Ruff and countless Ducks and Geese) and Cresswell (no Snow or Bar heads) to the Carr where the sun was splitting the rocks. Out with the big lens and ..............joined the others waiting in time for the sun to go behind low cloud.

The Shorteareds performed quite well with six up in two groups of three at one stage but just the one grainy shot from the evening. Not to worry I'm still editing a list of ten from Thursday evening with which I will tease you later.

Filling ones boots

2011-09-23T00:23:00.004+01:00

Quite a nice night on the Carr tonight

No words necessary really. I stood at my window tonight. The wind was calm, the smell was of of new mown grass and the sound a gentle hum from the airport. I had three species of owl in thirty minutes and numerous passerines. How can life be so good and so shite at the same time?

Keeping an eye out

2011-09-22T09:14:00.002+01:00

Out in the early morning sunshine as was Morgan and this SEO which must have slipped his gaze. Sorry mate, it was directly behind a bush from the gate and behind a fence post from the gap near the fence. Good bit of clutter before you get to the bird though.

Found a nice Chiffchaff singing near my house on the way back to commence the daily toil.

Not sure whether this is a Chiff or a Chaff

Yesterday Geoff (Jeff?) spent all day watching this, probably the same bird as above, on a fence post doing not a lot. Just as flying time arrived a dirty great rain cloud came in from the west and said photographer departed not entirely satisfied.

Did you know that SEO stands for search engine optimisation which may explain why I got 163 hits from the states between 5.00 and 8.00 am this morning. I hope the techies like pictures of birds.

Putting some gloss ontit

2011-09-21T09:27:00.003+01:00

Walking back to Prestwick to collect my car I passed through the throng at the flagpole who were down on the fact the Longeared Owl wasn't showing. Hardly suprising as its been there five days and tolerated numerous faces staring at it. Probably needed a change of view.

As I approached the new bridge I ran into the Tit flock and amongst them heard a not so familiar pchow. A few Long tailed passed by then target species and No 103 on the PC list flew across the road. Marsh Tit and only my third on the Carr. Record shot of nice glossy head attached. Tom had mentioned he had heard one the other day and I had only half believed him for which I now apologise.

I'm thinking of charging for parking or applying for Toll Road status. Plenty of folk arrived for a less than spectacular show of Shorteared Owls with two perched for half an hour not pleasing one tosser who wanted action photos and whistled to try and get the birds attention. I mean.......ever heard of field craft. Five birds eventually flew with three heading off north at high level and two hunting over the pond.

Easy Jet headed off in the other direction in a late burst of bright sunshine in which the birds steadfastly refused to perform.

This morning the sun rose in line with the bumpy road which runs east west. Equinox has been reached already on Prestwick Carr and the chill of winter is in the air but 4 Chiffchaffs, 9 Bullfinch, loads of Tits, Song Thrush, Kestrels, Buzzard but no Owls made for a pleasant early morning stroll.

Looking back

2011-09-20T13:29:00.002+01:00

As my car struggles through its MOT I've walked to Prestwick three times in the last two days. Not that thats a problem as I can do an owl check on the way past and I forgot to mention yesterdays mornings bonus was No 102 on the PC list being Ringed Plover flying east calling.

I also caught one Longeared out in the open but the shot was heavily backlit in the morning sunshine so I only got one half decent image and he still found a stick to hide behind

Also a nice Migrant Hawker out in the sun with autumnal backdrop.

And later on a sleepy owl likely fed up with all the attention. Last night after a limited show from four Shorteared Owls myself and five others had the pleasure of seeing one Longeared Owl drop down from his perch into the open and do the old circular head dance as he focused on six sets of bins before flying off to hunt. It was 7.45 and almost dark so no pic was possible.

Deer me

2011-09-19T10:52:00.004+01:00

In between two sessions at Prestwick Carr yesterday I had to do my webs count on the Tyne. The count was uneventful other than a sharp soaking and the return of large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover. Kestrels are also in abundance here with this one perched on a vacant office development in Newburn Riverside Park.

Here countryside and urban industry collide with two deer grazing just yards from the business park on land allocated for future expansion. To get this shot I adjusted my focus point so the deer were the target but off centre.
After completing the count I charged batteries and joined the throng waiting for the owls to show. They did not disappoint and up to eight flew together although Crammy birder did point out that a Long eared could have sneaked in amongst them. I couldn't find it but it's a good point.
Lots of shots of birds in flight were taken before I returned home to food, red wine, X factor, Match of the day and bed.

This morning whilst trying to photograph a Migrant Hawker I couldn't get focus and checked to find the camera focus point was still set off centre. What a plonker. All last nights shots out of focus and look at the quality of the subject matter!!

Never mind there were plenty others who filled their boots. Check out Alan and Morgans photostreams.

Quite a gathering

2011-09-18T14:59:00.003+01:00

Not just of owls but of people. Last night we managed six Shortreared Owls, three Longeared Owls and thirty or more folk the breakdown being in the region of four bloggers, ten birders, ten aspiring photographers, four relatives of the above named and four passers by curious as to why we were all staring into a hedge.

The lady on the bike just asked the question and was immediately given a detailed location, views through the scope and a brief description of the relative habits of Long and Short eared owls. By the end she was quite delighted and rightly so as three of the Shorties started hunting. Her parter was less impressed, wanting to press on with the serious business of cycling (probably trying to get to the Diamond Inn before the sun went down) and waited up the road until eventually engulfed by the throng. We gave her back in the end. Oh yes and I'm the sad balding type on the right.

These pictures were all taken by Morgan S a man who has almost spent as much time at Prestwick Carr as me recently and consequently is capturing some fine images. Along with his son who he has trained as a spotter he occassionally returns home to Wallsend in order to pacify the missus with a trip to the pub. Sounds like a fine lifestyle to me. Oh and just one more thing Morgan. THANKS FOR SHOOTING MY BALD PATCH!!

Oh well winter is nearing and I will don the old cap to avoid further embarrasment. This morning with Alan, Howdon Blogger and Tom Tams we found one Long and three Short but getting good shots was a bit of a challenge for all of us.

Branches, branches everywhere

2011-09-17T11:33:00.005+01:00

and behind them cracking birds just sit and stare. Well actually in the hour or so I spent this morning they also dozed and preened feeling safe in their hawthorn enclosure.

Yes that's plural. Two birds next to each other discovered when I was out last night trying to find the Shorteared Owls for a visiting couple I found young tufty in the same place as Thursday and was banging on about how the bird behind it was a shorty when the lady pointed out it also had tufted ears. Cracking. Never did find a Shorty last night but this pale bird perched for a while nearby this morning.

Never can get close enough and hopefully M will have some better shots of all three owls.

V also paid a visit but not even a bigger lens can get past the tangle of growth.

There's nowt like warming yer lugs in the sunshine of a morning.

I got stalled watching these birds and never did complete my usual count but there was evident Skylark and Pipit movement with a large flock of about 100 Goldfinch still feeding on the thistles. Another shot was missed when they mobbed a Kestrel en masse. Never mind I can't complain at the fayre on offer despite the obstructions, but for the rain approaching I would still be there.

Bonus bird

2011-09-16T08:25:00.003+01:00

No sooner had I mentioned to ADMc last night that given the time I had spent on patch recently I was surprised I hadn't picked up anything else of note as if flocks of Shorteared Owls weren't satisfying enough. Dick then called me to look at an Owl he had found perched deep inside a bush. Dark striped markings, ear tufts and after a short wait ...........yes orange eyes. Come in No 101 on Prestwick Carr 2011 list, a Longeared Owl. All credit to City Birder for this wonderful find. My shot does less than justice but keep an eye out on Northumbrian Birding as I saw some nice digiscoped images.

As well as an Owl fest there was a bit of a Blogger jam on the bumpy road which a few cyclists that passed through had to evade. In addition to the two previously mentioned, Crammy Birder and Holywell Birding were also in attendance along with a few photographers, bird club members and passing locals. I am thinking about selling refreshments but more useful is fly repellant.

One of the target (for Owls that is) critters was spotted on the road. Had probably been grabbed already as it didn't appear to be aware of the feet, bicycle wheels, tripods and terrier that could have ended its suffering at any moment. I conclude given the hooter Common Shrew but I stand ready to be enlightened.

Flight night

2011-09-15T08:44:00.005+01:00

After two days of wind the Short-eared Owls emerged en-masse last night to catch up on their feeding. At one stage six soared together whilst two hunted nearby making counting nice and easy. That's er........eight!

Would you believe the light was too good and many of my earlier shots had burn out due to the white contrasting against the darker brown plummage.

In addition whilst it looks like the birds are just floating over the ground the speed is deceptive and they cover some distance which is my excuse for never getting really good focus. There were others there who hopefully did.

Tell me when you get bored of SEO shots as I never will.

Three of a kind

2011-09-13T23:13:00.006+01:00

Following recent correspondence with the Durham owler I headed out tonight to check Prestwicks Carr wood. Not a bright place to be in a gale I thought but a Birch on the skull would be a pleasant relief on life. I returned, still alive to check the pond area and lo.........

Three shorties hiding from the gale. The first was normal coloured and very attentive staring me out for twenty minutes or so.

The second was the pale bird which demonstrates little of the facial ring associated with Short eared owls and didn't always seem keen on its sibling. ( I assume)

The third who sat very still other than preening was a very dark bird and downy almost certainly a juvenile. One lady in Prestwick is very pleased tognight having seen these on their perch but..........
it's not only Owls who enjoy the vole bonanza

Reynard got in on the act too chomping prey on two out of three pounces!

A Stint up the coast

2011-09-11T11:47:00.003+01:00

On Saturday headed up to Cresswell for another year tick. The Little Stint showed well but never close enough for my lens. This female Stonechat with ankle bracelet was more obliging though.

Earlier spent some time in a stinky hide at Hauxley. The theory was that rotting seaweed would attract insects and thus at high tide lots of birds. One Redshank and five Dunlin was the grand total. A number of people visited the hide while I was there but all left in short order. I wonder if they thought the stink was me................probably was! IF had apparently found some Mandarin duck earlier in the day but Teal and Mallard was all I saw.

The holiday season clearly hasn't ended with father demonstrating how to watch birds from a hide.

Precious. He obviously hasn't yet encountered the dodgy shutter catch present in many of the local hides.

I of course ended up on patch enduring a rain shower, more midge bites and another bright spell before four SEO's appeared in quick succession. They posed for a while then started hunting. I got my usual pastel shots managing to fluff the best opportunity but man on a mission from Wallsend got some better results. Hope the wife enjoyed her beer.

And then there were.....

2011-09-10T08:15:00.002+01:00

well it's debatable but probably six or seven. I arrived at 5.00 to find the best vantage point taken by a courting taxi driver and his gal so I set up behind a bush and scanned in the opposite direction to the loving couple. Can't let romance interfere with the birding.

Almost immediately I saw a single Short eared Owl hunting low to the North. It managed about five minutes coming within a hundred yards once before Swallows and then two pesky Crows started mobbing it. The bird did the standard anti Crow manouvere and climbed higher and higher in small tight circles till it was at least 1000 foot up and the Crow was having problems getting the lift so gave up the chase. The bird disappeard from view in the distance but re-appeared hunting again some ten minutes later. This procedure occured twice more until it eventually flew toward me, plunged to the ground and then up and off behind a gate carrying prey. Sortly after I was joined by City Birding.

We watched and the bird (or was it) re-appeared quite a way away and then Dick noticed another bird nearer the wood. This bird was much darker in plumage and both birds hunted intermittently judging by the dives, the success rate seemed quite high. The darker bird then perched by which time there were four or five of us watching.

At 6.50 the sun came out and the light conditions remained perfect for good photography for the next half hour but of course nothing flew and the bird remained on its distant perch.

As the shadows lengthend the sun went down and the light failed up came another bird quite close this being a very pale individual. We watched it hunt for a good ten minutes before it caught and stayed down. Dick, Sandy and Alan drifted off having succumbed to attack by flies and I watched with another photgrapher as all three birds re-appeared and started hunting. I then got calls form both Sandy and Dick from either end of the road that two birds were hunting on the other side and when I crosssed to the spot I should have been viewing form, Alan was watching three, possibly four birds hunting westward in the failing light.

So good numbers of birds present but still no cigar on the photo hunt.

The sky last night

2011-09-09T08:08:00.005+01:00

Got in just after 7.00 last night having spent an hour chasing a Redstart up and down a fence line while he caught flies and I got bitten by them. Put some pasta on and settled down with a glass of pain relief looking forward to watching the Sky at Night to find out about the super nova.
I noticed Sandy's car pull up outside and thought about ducking down and not answering the door but I hoped he was going to say exactly what he did. Three Short eared Owls out hunting. I grabbed my gear and fortunately at the last moment remembered to turn the pasta off. The kitchen still hasn't recovered from the last time I got distracted whilst cooking.

Dashed down to the Carr and there they were. Two perched together and one hunting. Spent half an hour watching them as they quartered low over the grass. There was a possibility of a fourth bird but it's hard to keep track as they dive down and come back up. The site record is 14 back in the nineties I it always beats me how anybody could come to such a definative count. The nights though are closing in and even super high ISO couldn't slow the motion but I quite like the pastel effect of the one above.

The Redstart was a nice find as I nearly ignored the 'huit' call thinking Willow Warbler, Then it came up onto a dead tree and flicked its tail as they do and the ID was clinched. Total lack of success thereafter as it led me a merry dance.

Also about four Kestrels, a hundred or so Swallows getting the flies that were getting me and five Wheatear in the horses fields along with a flock of 80 Linnet.

Also found this which I'm not sure whether it's Moth or Insect. Good job Owl ID is easier.

What a haliaetus

2011-09-06T10:08:00.005+01:00

Ah the frustrations of patch birding. Having been out early in search of Owls yesterday I had a quick wash and brush up and commenced the toil. My concentration not being so good at the moment I started my third cup of coffee at 10.00 and checked Birdguides. The air became somewhat blue........Osprey Prestwick Carr 9.30. Fffff............

I know I can't stand out there all the time but this is the second I've missed this year and to compound the fact a client rang up about an hour later.

'Did you see the Osprey'

'No' (frustratedly)

'It was great. Flew down from Berwick Hill, up North Road quite low being mobbed then off over Coates School toward Darras'

'Nice. Just passing through on migration' (I consoled myself)

'Oh no. It's been around a few weeks'

'WHATT!'

Absolute despair then puzzlement at where it is feeding as there are no large lakes near here and most of the smaller lakes are pretty well watched. May have been hiding in Blagdon with Lord Ridley or possibly on a day trip from Hallington.

Anyway dear reader you are spared crappy pics of a distant Osprey so here's some of a juvenile Marsh Harrier.

It was hunting in the afternoon last weekend and gave some great views but the weather was on the turn and the deluge commenced (saving Englands cricketers from a humiliating defeat).

It therefore landed twenty meters from the hide in which Vee and myself were joined by GB and DM. Good views through the scope but too much ISO for decent shots although the noise on the top shot is actually rain.

Spectacular bird though and honoured to be given a show.

Just popping out to check the Buzzards for a whitish one.

Ton up

2011-09-05T07:40:00.005+01:00

An excellent weekends birding with the added bonus of the PC list hitting a century with Lesser Redpoll and Grey Wagtail. Yesterday also saw three Whinchat and a nice Wheatear along with 40 other species present.

Robins were very noticable setting up winter territories or perhaps just passing through. Chiffchaff were also singing with one noticable absentee being Blackbird. Perhaps the majority of our local birds have moved off south west and the balance won't be regained until the Scandinavian migrants arrive.

Still no daylight owls although I was out sharp this morning only to be told by a dogwalker who feared for his pedigree pooches that three white owls had stalked him down the bumpy road. I checked the area but nothing other than the usual Buzzards and Kestrels on their watch posts . I watched this juvenile Kestrel for half an hour last night with prey that it couldn't quite keep hold of and kept dropping it onto the ground only to retrieve it. I think it was more a case of poor grip and balance rather than the prey still being alive.

And finally a shot of an ever elusive but very vocal juvenile Bullfinch.

Going (South) Cuckoo

2011-09-04T08:07:00.003+01:00

I was at home yesterday completeing bird records for August as heavy rain was forecast but it was mid morning and the sun was peaking through the clouds so once again I swore at the weather forecasters. If the bimbos that broadcast it lost an item of clothing every time they got it wrong we'd have the return of topless weather girls within a fortnight!

I digress.

I headed up the coast and found a nice quiet Ponteland hide at Hauxley. Not much doing and unusually no Geese but I could always wait for a Kingfisher whilst watching a pair of Little Grebe and their youngster. After about an hour a movement to my right caught my attention and as I turned there was a Cuckoo flying just feet from the hide. As it passed in front below the window I tried to get to my feet for a shot banging three pieces of equipment in turn on the leaning shelf. The first two (optical) were needed at that moment but the third (semenal) wasn't and hasn't been for a while.

The bird fortunately flew into a small bush and the obligatory record shots were snapped. It stayed a minute and was gone. Africa seems an awful long way from Hauxley.
Just five minutes later a 'chuit' call came from above and a bird flew twice round the larger pool demonstrating a nice white cigar on the back and confirming the call of Spotted Redshank. There being no mud I don't think it landed and probably headed south with the Cuckoo. I checked at Druridge of which more later and Cresswell where the water level is just ridiculous so nothing doing there.

The battle for hunting rights

2011-09-03T08:34:00.002+01:00

I have spent the last three evenings and one early morning trying to get another sighting of the Owl but to no avail. Squandering time gazing into the fields not only bemuses the passing cyclists but brings a certain peace along with a better knowledge of the daily cycle of events and the odd bonus.

Currently Prestwick Carr is blessed with a number of Kestrels. Four visible from the same spot is not uncommon which probably means there are twice that number locally. I suspect it is one or two family groups and most are juveniles but I did catch this nice large female on Wednesday.

Two to four Buzzards are also present with one pair spending most of their time hunting up and down one fenceline in the centre. Not exactly the most strenuous form of hunting as they spend a lot of time perched on posts waiting also taking advantage of the electricty poles that run alongside the fence for a higher vantage point. All this suggests the small mammal population must be pretty healthy.

The Wildlife Trust (I presume) gave the Carr a trim cutting diagonal swathes through the rough pasture which from the air probably looks like some rappers hairstyle. The birds immediately took advantage with Crows picking up prey from the freshly cut areas and Magpies on the fringe taking advantage of the bounty. This probably explains all the hunting from perches as I suspect the birds just had to wait for their prey to be driven toward them by the disturbance.

The gathering of birds all looking for the same meal means arguments are pretty common. The yickering of Kestrels is a regular occurance as they argue amongst themselves or harass the Buzzards or are in turn harassed by the Crows. It's a seemingly endless cycle. Last evening I saw a Kestrel glide down from its perch onto prey and carry it to a fence post to eat where it was set upon by a Buzzard who was then immediately challenged by two Crows eventually soaring up high to loose them and back over the woods. I suspect in all of this the luckless prey was dropped either to fight another day or be finished off by the waiting Magpies.

The other benefit of time spent is bonus sightings which saw number 97 on the year list being a male Merlin that flew fast and low over the grassland. I primed the camera as it was about to land when a Kestrel dived down and it carried on its way. A female Sparrowhawk also makes regular passes trying to pick off something from the large Goldfinch flock feeding on the thistles and my spotter Bill reports a juvenile Marsh Harrier through Bellasis on Friday evening.

Frustration with photography has been a common fealing during this period. All that has occured is at a distance that makes it impossible to capture detail images and compounded by the calling of Bullfinches in the hedgerow. There's loads and not one wants to show itself! Deer are easier.

Ah say o

2011-08-31T07:38:00.003+01:00

An early birthday present on Prestwick Carr last night although a missed opportunity to boot. Unusually for a working day I had walked down rather than drove in following my trip to Ponteland so I was scopeless. Therefore I have had to rely on these hopeless shots but pretty sure this is an Asio species. Given that it sat on the fence post for twenty minutes then dropped onto the ground not to be seen in the next hour the betting is Short eared Owl just confused a little by the obvious ear tufts. Sadly Long eared Owls appear to have deserted my patch having been regular breeders up until three years ago.

Frankly it was unlikely to fly as it had likely been hounded already. There were three Kestrels, pestering two Buzzards and a squabbling family of Crows all within 100m so best stay low and hunt when the sun goes down avoiding any chance of being imaged by pesky photographers. Will now need to put some time in to see if I can confirm the ID which should become easier as the days shorten...............oh the thought of it and I'm another year deader.

The only other highlight a Nuthatch calling the odds from atop a tree in Ponteland Park and meeting RWM/MIM who had already been informed of my impending birthday by Facebook! Can't keep anything secret.

Blank holiday weekend

2011-08-30T07:42:00.004+01:00

Out and about but not much around and no decent shots taken. Peaked early on Friday afternoon watching the male Marsh Harrier hunting and killing in the distance at Druridge.

Saturday mornings Prestwick Carr count was low and interupted by bodilly malfuncution. Up the coast on Satuday afternoon but no sightings other than the County Recorder and his good lady.

Sunday decided to do the Big Waters circuit and chatted to Howdon Blogger in the hide but sightings again poor. Finished on the Carr but light was poor and hay cutting in progress so little other than some Kestrel battles to observe. Got home to find I'd missed an Osprey at Big Waters by an hour or so.............argh. Go on and have a look at his pics.

Many signs of things to come with some dead or moribund Bees on flower heads and turning leaves.

Its all down to beaks and legs

2011-08-26T18:11:00.003+01:00

When it comes to Curlew Sandpiper ID so at Cresswell this afternoon it was close scrutiny of the Dunlin flock. First find the bird with a clean white belly and non of that nasty black feather that would be moulting away on the confusion species Dunlin. Slightly bigger if you can get them to stand together, legs longer and clear view of joint, beak longer and curvier and finally if it flies a white rump. Bingo... and oh yes, the Scots bloke to my left gave excellent directions.

Curlew Sand bottom right alongside Dunlin and in the midst of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Ruff, Mallard, Teal and a couple of Knot to boot. Later in the day when a Peregrine had managed to disperse the majority of the assembled throng, four Black tailed Godwits flew in. I cheated because I saw the white wing bars but still checked for straight beak in two colours and longer legs than Bar tailed.

They bathed, preened, fed a little then wandered around looking a bit uncertain. Then they all gathered and seemed to look at each other. I looked away momentarily and when I turned back they were gone. According to the sightings board the Bittern had showed for 3/4 of an hour from 8.30 and the Scots bloke told me 2 Peregrine and 3 Marsh Harrier where all present at the same time. That must have been an interesting few moments if not slightly petrifying for the feeding flocks.

I was just commenting to BMo at Prestwick Carr last night that there are some water birds like Merganser, Scoter and Little Grebe that you hardly ever see them out of the water. So lo and behold two young LG put on a show along with 8 Snipe that came a little closer allowing a slightly better image.

Also at PC yesterday a nice Wheatear and further down the same fence line but beyond camera shot a Whinchat being number 95 on this years list. A Curlew Sand would be nice on patch although strangely considering the flooding I still haven't had Common Sand. Maybe tomorrow.

Nice weather for ...........

2011-08-25T09:07:00.002+01:00

..........ducks, Herons and waterbirds in general

Spent an hour in the hide at Big Waters last night in the vain hope that one of these rainstorms may have a marsh tern tagging along. These Mallard preferred the intimate bathing experience of this water bath rather than the main lake.

In between deluges the feeding station was pretty busy. Mainly Great Tit , Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Tree Sparrow. Couple of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Pheasant, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Magpie and Coal Tit. One Robin and the usual Sparrowhawk fly thro.

Oh yes and one of these I think it's a Soakin

What you lookin at?

Lunchtime

2011-08-23T11:04:00.004+01:00

Wherever I've been recently there's normally been a Common Darter about. This one was hunting from a fence at Whittle Dene on Saturday and quite succesfully at that. I spent some time watching her, watching me and the air above. Every thirty seconds or so she would be off do one circuit overhead and land back on the same length of fence with a fly which she would then devour.

She must have done the same routine about fifteen times whilst I watched and tried to get some head on shots of the prey being eaten.

If she kept on at the rate she was going then questions would have to be asked regarding the size of her first and second segments.

I'm afraid they look a bit bloated from this angle missus!

Trowing up another lifer

2011-08-22T07:33:00.004+01:00

Spent Sunday morning writing up recent bird records and the July Bulletin when I checked Birdguides and Woodchat Shrike at South Shields led me to down tools and head south. As I arrived it was raining just like the last time when the Eastern Crowned Warbler paid a visit. Not quite the conflagration of that occasion but here was about twenty birders there, and the bird was clearly showing at the time. The birders split into two groups which I later concluded was Durham and Northumberland. I of course joined the later and was directed to the bird only to see it disappear into the small copse.

The rain stopped the sun came out and we waited. Call this a Shrike! Where's the sitting on top of the highest perch and flycatching. This one was clearly shy and stayed deep in the undergrowth. SPP miraculously got onto it and I had a brief view through his scope but the bird dropped back into the shadows.

More waiting, more false alarms and discussions of glories past. More people joined the throng and many left, including three who headed to Seaburn in search of Bonaparte. Then somebody got the bird low down in the darkest patch possible so we moved around to get a better view. No sooner had we set up than I noticed movement on the rocks to the right of the copse where a Woodpigeon had been sitting earlier. Expecting to see this fatty once again I was delighted to get a spectacular view of the Woodchat Shrike.

Crap photos don't do it justice. The head was very pale in moult but the edges still had a bit of russet colour in them. The black wings with white shoulder and the cheeky chappy face were a great sight.

Well worth the wait. Another view of it perched atop the tallest tree as I left the quarry re-assured me it was a shrike.

Hot spotting

2011-08-21T10:22:00.005+01:00

Saturday morning out on a sunny Carr with flooding still apparent but just the odd Mallard taking advantage of the water which is becoming a bit stinky. I hope waders can smell it and drop down but one benefit is it attracts insects which in turn attract hirundines which were skimming the surface in large numbers, probably up to 75 Swallows, many young and still showing gape and a number of family groups of House Martins. Swifts appear to have gone my last one being Thursday evening.

The list struggles on though with a lucky encounter with a passing Spotted Flycatcher perhaps attracted by the same bounty as the hirundines. Crappy record shot follows. That's 93 on the list for 2011.

Also an addition to the buttefly list with my first Carr Comma. My possible fritillary turned out on closer inspection of the photo to be a Painted Lady (doh!) which have been poor in number this year.

The local farmers have by default created some excellent habitat toward the west of the patch. A field of ungathered rotting hay has attracted large numbers of Starlings, Gulls, Pipits and Pied Wagtails whilst a recently cropped field of wheat with stubble still standing has become a finch fest with Goldfinch, Linnet, Chaffinch and Greenfinch too numerous and mobile to get a sensible count.

A few juvenile Bullfinch are also in the hedgerows but he sound of family parties of Goldfinch and Greenfinch is particularly noticable.

On a final note the Wildlife Trust continues to develop their ditch crossing and following the eight meter bridge which they seem inordinately proud of, judging by the article in Roebuck and the gated access to the wood (welcome all ye poachers deer) they have cast the holding down bolts for, I assume, a new range warning flag pole. But hold on chaps, it's five meters into the site behind a locked gate. I'm sure the range warden will be less than amused and the squaddies will just vault the gate. Strange they didn't look at the means of access to all the other flags or perhaps it isn't a flag pole but just an over engineered gate stop.

Back at Cresswell

2011-08-18T07:57:00.003+01:00

Feeking pretty depressed yesterday I abandoned work and headed up the coast starting at Druridge where I hoped to relive glories of Spotshank last week but there was little about and certainly non of the action Ipin got later! Loads of butterflies on the path as Birding about Northumberland found.

Headed down to Cresswell where I joined four in the hide. Chatted to H with his new terrier whilst Ruff, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and Lapwing fed or loittered on the sand bank and a Greenshank was called from the far side of the pond. H left and promised to flush the Bittern that had been seen earlier in the morning. True to his word just after another birder had taken his position the Bittern appeared near the outfall and flew to the larger reed bed where it promptly disappeared.

Spent the next hour scanning for another glipse and was joined by ACo and Mike but nothing was to be had. Pied and Yellow Wagtail fed by the causeway, a Whimbrel flew overhead and all the various waders were re-located having fled the sand bar. The assembled group left and I was joined by TRC as Curlew, Oystercatcher and Redshank started arriving for their roost. He located the Whimbrel in the flock and we searched for the previously reported Scaup but it was not present although Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard, Shelduck, Coot, Moorhen were in good numbers with three Wigeon to boot. As a Bar tailed Godwit lifted and flew off north I noticed a splash near the reeds where the duck had dived the unmistakeable stretching neck of the Bittern was apparent.

It paused then sprung up and flew past in front of the hide. Splendid views and the camera with little battery life left sprang into action. Both of us satisfied with the fayre provided settled down to some counting and added Knot, Golden Plover and Goosander to the list along with the usual geese, gulls and terns.

A slendid afternoon only marred when I got home by this shot in which for some reason the birds beak has disappeared in a mess of pixels. Oh well back to depression.

Killingworth Coot

2011-08-16T07:38:00.003+01:00

I found this colour ringed bird at Killingworth Lake last Wednesday. It's from a ringing project in the North West run by Kane Brides and was ringed at Southport Marine Lake (ah memories of drunken sailing at the Southport 24hr race) on December 20th 2010 and was still there 8 days later. It was found at Killingworth by Andy Rickeard who runs the Swan ringing project in this area on 14th June and by me on 10th August. That's 233 days old for GR25454 and a movement of some 11o miles. He's recovered one other bird in this area so maybe there's movement on the prevailing wind?

No other pictures as I was taking shots of a building yesterday and still had the wrong lens and set up when I came across two Greenshank at Banks Pond and worse still my first ever Fritillery on the Carr which disappeared over the hedge moments after I got off one shot from which identification is at best, difficult. Bugger

Probably the best looking birds in the NE

2011-08-14T08:48:00.004+01:00

They attracted a steady stream of watchers and photographers to the Oddie hide at Druridge yesterday. Brief moments of sunshine made for some reasonable opportunities but it was just a pleasure to watch this pair of splendid Spotted Redshank.

Now off to Tynemouth Bookfair for some casual browsing perhaps to purchase.

Dull

2011-08-12T18:33:00.003+01:00

The deluge has ended however it's just so dull and Grey Heron on a grey background doesn't help but almost a good silhouette.

Down at Newburn for the umpteenth time I managed to flush the Kingfisher before I could manage to get a shot. Mallards were far more obliging.

Can't even be bothered to wake up but a wary eye was kept.

This young Dunnock doesn't look like he's enjoying the weather and his waterproofs look distinctly unfinished.

At Prestwick Carr the water levels are still rising and the Ruff have departed for sunny climes but one Greenshank is still about although I've yet to find it on the ground.

Ruff up

2011-08-10T12:48:00.004+01:00

The flock of Ruff grew from 10 to 13 and then to 18 last night with all present and correct this morning if a little flighty.

Go on count them

Nice birds in flight but crap weather was pushing my modest equipment to its limit

I ended up in the car behind a hedge as the birds walked up the field edge but there's still not one of these shots sharp. Notice the bird on the right is noticably larger which is not unusual in a flock of Ruff and it likely means its a male.

If you'd stop pecking away it would be easier

Or they stand and still and keep the beak moving......drat

This Buzzard was keeping a beady eye on them too.

Ruff count

2011-08-08T19:24:00.005+01:00

O.k. ignore the last post. When I checked the flooded hay fields at 5.30 there were four heads bobbing up and down so dashed back to the car for the scope and lo I was barking. Ruff, Ruff, Ruff, Ruff. I tried to get a better view further up the road but hedges, bushes and flooded ditches prevented a photographic opportunity so I returned to the gate at Mayfair Cottage and was joined by Bill.

A Greenshank called from above but couldn't be seen then the distinctive sound of Snipe being flushed and a flock of 16 flew off north.

Returned to the Ruff area and counted 1,2,3,4,5 & 6. Well evcn better and as we chatted we remembered the last good flood when Pec Sand, Wood Sand, Greenshank, Little Stint, Ruff and Grey Plover all put in an appearance. As we dreamed four Ruff took off and after some wheeling landed in the far corner of the field. I checked for the other two but there were still six so the final scores on the doors........ten. Early start tomorrow in the hope of more me thinks.

PC Wanderings

Red in the hedge

Feather brain

Crossbolake

Off to the states.....not

dn.. dn..dn.. d.d. dn dn...........Ice Ice baby

A great half hour

Eggspress

A rare sight these days

Nowt to say

Need a hand with that?

Closer

Where are the birds?

Cuddys duck

Starting over

But will they still be here tomorrow?

Blown away?

Looking back

It really feels a lot like..........

Worrying news

Blackies

Chasing the little grey dot

Atten...shun

www

Sand, seaweed and coal

Full of Beans

All out Shrike

Nelson!

Nutpecker

The only funny thing in Sundays Papers

A sharp eye

Short tempered

A landing post

Fronting up

Yellowshank revisited

All in a day

Schedule

Startling counts

Greyer and Greater

Mr & Mrs

A hard days work

a GREAT end to a GREY day with a SHRIKE

OTC

Loads of geese but non to count

Short show

End start

Push start

Night owls

Bloggerfest for Firecrest

A sad end

Pipits Rock

Back to chat

O'er the border

Whoopee

360 degrees

Chak and seee

Duff ducks

Watching

Wren will I see you again

Not a mutant nor a ninja

A nice evening

Prestwick Carr with the S

Tynebeak

Freeze

No parade if it's raining

Owl, Owl, Owl, GANNET!*?*!

Standstill Crane!

See you

The tide waits not for man or bird

Pardon the noise

Harrying

Filling ones boots

Keeping an eye out

Putting some gloss ontit

Looking back

Deer me

Quite a gathering

Branches, branches everywhere

Bonus bird

Flight night

Owl, Owl, Owl, GANNET!?!