Hot spot

Out early this morning to see if anything else had dropped in and the first thing I hear is the hurried scratchy warble of a Whitethroat.  8 Whimbrel, 30 Golden Plover, 10 Dunlin were still present and a mess of gulls that may have moved the Spotted Reshank, Redshank and 3 Black tailed Godwit present yesterday evening. Two pairs of Swans with pairs of Gadwall and Tufted duck floated where Meadow Pipit should be nesting and a Wheatear again in the corner of a field where it has been for four days now.

Reflecting on Monday evening I noted that it was in the same place where most of my other special sightings have occured.

In the not very auspicious location of fifty meters either side of the flagpole on the bumpy road I have in the last fifteen years seen Bittern, Red backed Shrike, Great Grey Shrike, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, White tailed Eagle, Short & Long-eared Owls, Gannet and my only Nuthatch ever seen on patch. I also have a half claim on Hobby but was relying on a phone call from GB on the other side of the fen and couldn't really make out the markings on the bird hawking in the distance.

Today just Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Mallard and Grasshopper Warbler calling there but I eagerly await my next visitor to this apparently bleak location.

Did I say 90

Let os prey. Keith and I had seen the Spotted Redshank again and had listened but not seen a Grasshopper Warbler when there was a commotion from the Gulls overhead. I called Buzzard but Keith got it right..........Osprey

 It soared three circles above us before heading off north

Finally  an Osprey tick on the Carr and better still Gadwall and House Martin to boot.

Spotted Redshank asleep. As close as I've managed.

Another Spotty bird

As a BTO garden birdwatcher of some fifteen years I'm always amazed how you don't see some birds for ages and then on Sunday when a new count week starts the first thing you see is that missing species. So it was on Sunday when exposing my aching body to the world this smart chap flew onto the hedge. Nice chestnut crown on him and one of my favourites.

Here's some comparison shots from Ponteland Golf course last Thursday.

and Saturday

Fifteenth tee on Thursday sort of unplayable

and Saturday in full swing.

River Pont up and down like a fiddlers elbow but the main area of the Carr remains under water and the Trusts bridge leads to a nice pond.

I was gutted yesterday when Birdguides announced Spotted Redshank on the Carr just as the deluge recommenced but got out sharp this morning and although distant having been flushed by the farmer, was definately a nice black bird. Most inconsiderate of the agricultural community to use their fields when good birds are present. Also managed three Whimbrel, one Wheatear, two pair of Wigeon, 14 Black tailed Godwit, one Bar tailed Godwit, 30 Golden Plover and 10 Dunlin. That's 90 up and still the scrub warblers to appear. Splendid.

Saturday

Another good day out with fifty five species and two new ticks. The Whimbrel had stayed overnight and four fed quite close to the road. The Black tailed Godwit had largely departed although 2-3 remained, I did a quick total of the number brought in yesterday and it runs at 110 Prestwick Carr, 75 Druridge, 32 Holywell Pond and 26 Earsdon. That's 243 in Northumberland. A check with the latest Webs report puts the 1% threshold at 430 (up from 150) so we could have seen 1/2 % or more of the breeding population in one day.

 Overhead Easyjet managed to avoid a collision with the Moon

But the Swallows were far more adept closer to the ground. Mid afternoon I got a call from Alan & Howdon Blogger that there was a Wheatear on patch so I deserted Newcastle who were three down at the time and joined him for views of a very clean male bird. No pics as it hid from the wind behing a dip in the ground.

I did however later get a shot of my first Swift of the year. That's 87 on the PC list so far.

There is a God

wit or two on Prestwick Carr this morning. Alan F and I counted them a number of times and the total was 104 -116 Black Tailed Godwit so we'll settle on 110. The last time we had a visitation like this was in April 2005 when 86 birds dropped in. Better still the Bar tailed Godwit was still there and was mixing with 45 Redshank and a couple of Dunlin.

Also in attendance pairs of Shoveler, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose and two Whimbrel which I just about managed to get a shot of.

The summer plummage of the Black tails is just coming through and quite beautiful as is the wing pattern when they fly.

The gathering started last night just after the deluge abated. I was driving out having failed to find a hoped for Yellow Wagtail when I noticed some waders with the gulls. Closer inspection found 15 birds so I quickly went home to sort out the final job of the day and returned an hour later to find 79 birds.

As I counted I was sure there was more arriving out of the greyness and sure enough this mornings ton up proves it.

Was that an Ark I saw go by?

Here we go again. Rivers Pont and Blyth on flood alert so Prestwick Carr should overflow the drains by the weekend. The Bar tailed Godwit was still hanging around yesterday but I haven't been brave, or daft enough, to step outside yet today.

I went up to Whittle Dene yesterday in search of Yellow Wags but the weather was just turning dreech and the only birds about were thirty or so House Martins over the western reservoir along with a few Sand Martins and Swallows.

Portly little chaps when you get a side view. Perhaps I'll come back as a House Martin in my next life.

A nice pair

I arrived on the Carr yesterday to be told there were two Godwits on the flash water so a quick walk up the bridle path and there they were. Two easy ticks. A Black tail coming into summer plummage and a much paler and slightly smaller Bar tail. Unfortunately a good hundred yards plus away so no nice photographs. In fact no good shots for the last few days with this dull weather. Whilst watching the Godwits through the scope Pied Wagtails were constantly flicking through the view and Vipers found two good candidates for White Wagtail so tonight I headed back but once again was thwarted by poor light and impending rain. A couple of possibles but Inever too close. The Bar tailed Godwit was still present and two Short eared Owls were hunting north of the sentry box. Plenty of Large Gulls, Ducks and Geese although nothing out of the ordinary. Last time the Carr flooded in spring at this time a pair of Garganey and Gadwall turned up so I live in hope.