Hare grazing

Out sharp the last two mornings in search of Pied Flycatcher which is another addition to the PC list but unfortunately not mine. The advantage of being around at that time is that you catch some of the residents still breakfasting. I managed to sneak past them twice helped by the withering wind but eventually my scent was just too much even for the gale and off they went. Difficult making an efficient getaway with all these woolly lumps lying around.

This morning the wind had gone and in sunny conditions with the lightest of breeze the warblers were in song with the exception of Sedgie which has yet to grace the Carr with its presence. The scores today - eleven Willow Warbler, six Whitethroat and five Grasshopper Warbler. Almost back to normal service for the time of year but the flashes have dried up so other than Wagtails, Pipits and Wheatears the chance of good waders looks slim.

Turn to stone

 Up at Hauxley on Saturday this Turnstone coming into breeding plumage stood out.

But for some reason the complicated background totally threw the camera and none of the shots were properrly in focus

Grumpy old photographer!

All white in the end

Having had the morning wrecked by work and weather (good job there's no women in my life as I'd get no birding done) I headed off to Whitley Bay where SPP put me onto the splendid Blue headed Wagtail. I then headed up the coast and was snapping away at some Turnstones when Phil called me. 'Is the Great White Egret still at Prestwick Carr?' he asked. My heart sank. 'What Great White Egret?' Patch nightmare as new bird was there and I was here. Off I set gambling on the A1 being quicker than the spine road. After following Sunday drivers, tractors and a clapped out Datsun I eventually got up to speed north of Morpeth and arrived on patch to find a whole team of twitchers all searching vainly for a bid white bird. Some aspersions were cast as to the validity of the sighting being in the horse paddocks where there were many horses, pipits, wagtails but no apparent Egret. I tried to turn a Mallard on the far flash into a Grebe but as we all stared into the sunlit fields I chatted to Ian, Bill, Tim, Janet and anybody else who would listen about Carr goings on but evenytually gave up. Back home for a Sausage and Pasta Bake I settled down with a glass of the red stuff when GB texted me that the bird had been found. I returned to find Craig watching the adult in breeding plumage standing next to the very flash of water I had been staring at just half an hour before. Patch well and trully ticked ADMc and BMo arrived and just as we settled down for extended viewing with the setting sun allowing better views, the bird took off and headed high to the north east.

Number 194 on the PC all time list and No 157 for me with the year list creeping up toward the ton. Come on down Little / Catle Egret!

Here's looking at you

The horse paddocks are still lifting with Pipits, Wagtails and Wheatears many of which seem unphased by human or vehicular activity perhaps indicating desperation to feed or being from wild places not burdened by human prescence.

 Always nice when you get a bit of interaction with species not prone to doing so.

Many though just keep their head down in concentration and ignore you. I wish that were so of the 150 Golden Plover in splendid plumage that I have again failed to get close enough for a decent shot. Other birds added to the list but avoiding the camera thus far are Redstart, Little Owl and Whitefthroat with my first Swift of the year over Kingston Park yesterday. I notice my work is also picking up just to hamper my birding.

He's behind you

Not panto season yet. The Pheasant was quite safe as the Fox was badly lame on the left foreleg.

That's an up turn

Whilst watching Avocets and chatting to RF at the weekend he mentioned he had observed the male walking alongside the female splashing her prior to mating. On the way back from Chevington I stopped to watch the birds further and an altercation between two pairs broke out with posturing and calling. This must have prompted one pair to renew their bond.

Firstly the male preened which I've always thought must be difficult with a upturned bill!

Then as predicted the male splashed the female using the side to side feeding motion and she adopted an inviting posture.

 No further encouragemnet necessary the deed commenced.....

and when complete the two scurried away like guilty teenagers.

That's no goose

Saturday afternoon and a trip to Cresswell in the hope of a Garganey or rare Wagtail but none to be had although I found out later I was looking in the wrong place. As I arrived two birders who I see quite often but whose names I don't know said four Snow Geese had flown in but disappeared over the hill. Just as the couple were about to leave the birds re-appeared from Bells Pond and I beckoned them back only to see the foursome head off north. After a chat with RF and a fruitless search for Garganey at Druridge I headed to East Chevington where Jack was hunting for the same four. In Northumberland birding it's debatable whether searching is worth it as most don't count the Snow Goose as a real tick especially without carrier species like Whitefronts or Pinkfeet. We watched the pair of big birds and Jacks mate spotted the geese in grass field between Druridge and Chevington but well distant. Too curious for my own good I made the hike up the coast path but the wind was from the other direction, the birds distant and always walking away from me so the craptastic shot above is all I achieved and the grass meant no signs of rings could be seen. As I returned to Chevington the birds took off calling and flew onto the North Pool later to be reported on Birdguides at their grazing location.

The morning had been spent thrashing the patch at home with Grasshopper Warbler an immediate addition to the list. Water levels are dropping and I feared for the wader season but on the largest flash remaining 48 Curlew were joined by 13 Ringed Plover (new), 2 Redshank (new) and 2 Dunlin. The flock of Golden Plover was around 150 strong and Lapwing were present along with numerous Pied / White Wagtail and Meadow Pipit. Later in the day Tawny Owl was also added to the list bringing the day total to 58 species and the year to 90.