Fly Pi

Friday afternoon and having re-invented the wheel for the umpteenth time I checked t'internet in the hope of something interesting. Pied Flycatcher at St Mary's was just the excuse to down tool and head for the coast. Heavy clouds were rolling in from the west so to avoid a soaking I donated 80p to North Tyneside and parked at the south end. The whole wetland appeared in a very sorry state but past experience of such things told me the Willows to the north would be the area to check. Met Jack on the way there who confirmed the bird was there and no doubt had some pin sharp images already in the bag.

I wandered around for a while seeing nothing much and there didn't appear to be any birds let alone flycatchers. Then a birder who I recognise whose name I don't know advised me of a spot in the lee of the wind. Stood there five minutes and lo the little lady appeared to my left only to lift up after a fly and disappear for the next ten minutes after which she re-appeared for a more intense period of feeding. Smart birds flycatchers.

On the Carr tonight hundreds of Swallows gathered on fences in the horse fields and 15 or so Pied Wagtails, mainly juveniles, fed on the flood the flys from which added No 107 to the list on Wednesday being a Spotted Flycatcher.

Banff Badgers

An overnighter at Banff north of Aberdeen to look at a job with Kevin brought an unexpected bonus. Staying at his business partner Daves cottage a few beers was followed by some of Scotlands favourite whilst outside only feet away from the window a Badger tucked into some left overs.

Apparently a nightly visitor from a sett just fifty yards away it hoovered up anything put down with the exception of potatoes and totally ignored the flash. In fact on visits earlier in the month it had virtually taken food from the hand and almost ventured inside the conservatory. Looking at the claws I wouldn't fancy too close an encounter.

Earlier in the evening as the light faded this juvenile was the first to show up padding up the drive sniffing the air as it came. I tried to get outside for some better shots but unfortunately was upwind and it just grabbed the food and headed off into nearby grass to eat it. I must have smelled rotten as apparently Badgers smell quite sweet!

After dark the adult was slightly more obliging but the youngster kept in the background when it was feeding. There must be large numbers in the area unfortunately highlighted by the numbers dead at the roadside.

Earlier on in the evening we had watched an Osprey hunting over the Deveron, one of the best Salmon rivers in the country. I was surprised that contrary to the hunting style of Ospreys I have seen previously, this birds hunting was done from the hover, presumably due to the restrictions imposed by a river valley. Lucky bird as humans have to pay hundreds of pounds per day for the luxury.

Darting about

Can't get one thing finished for starting something else at the moment but managed a few minutes at Banks Pond last night where a good few Dragonflies were on the wing...

along with plenty of Damselflies.

Nice to get a bit of sun to dry your wings.

On Thursday I took up the offer from the two Alans of a trip to Newton by the Sea where the Stilt Sandpiper was duly ticked and gave some good views through the scope. I'm so glad I put work on hold as the bird flew that evening so many thanks to the Big Waters crew. On the way back called in at Cresswell where three young Avocets were feeding and sleeping whilst the adults secured a 20 meter exclusion zone around them. Also a Long tailed Duck in the far distance which eventually woke up to reveal its identity. Now the payback and work all Saturday.

On their way

Last night 100+ Swallows gathered at the horse paddocks. Tonight one or two. Are they off to wintering grounds already. Recent research suggests that the Swifts I saw last week are now fattening up in Senegal before  heading off to The Democratic Republic of Congo for their Autumn feast. Check out this link for their remarkable journey http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u49/BTO_299_16-17Swifts.pdf

It would be quite a duanting challenge for these youngsters if they knew what lay ahead. Even further down to the tip of Africa.

Stilted

Overloaded with work, stuck at home, folks not well, car not well and the Buzzards await carrion soaring overhead. A trip to Newton unlikely till late in the week at earliest. Lets hope the little Sandpiper behaves like its American cousin last year.

it's a love / hate thing

Quite cute for a pox ridden intruder it's sometimes hard to reconcile killing these little blighters but for the sake of our native species I guess it's worth the sacrifice. This chap was at the Reeth Pond near Newburn yesterday and wasn't unduly cautious of my presence but luckily for him I didn't have any means of playing terminator (not that I imagine I could).

I think there is some debate as to it being too late for Northumberland already. I know I see Greys regularly in the Tyne valley and understand they are as far north as Wallington. It was disturbing to hear that the once thriving Red population next to my patch on Ponteland Golf course was wiped out in a year. I haven't checked the Prestwick Carr woods in any detail but imagine the same would apply there.

two ticks

The flood on Prestwick Carr has largely disappeared leaving a few muddy scrapes ideal for attracting waders and hence 104 and 105 on this years list. On Monday evening a Greenshank joined one hundred or so Lapwing and six Snipe.........

and yesterday lunchtime a quick visit luckly coincided with the arrival of two Ringed Plover to join two calling Curlew. Hopefully there will be more waders as passage increases.