Birding Sometimes

Backlit Iceland

2012-01-28T18:09:00.000Z

A lovely sunny morning despite feeling under the weather myself. Met Mark mid morning at North Shields Fish Quay and soon were watching the near adult iceland gull. Always good to see but tricky to get an angle on it that wasn't directly into the light as it flew over the river.

Might have to give this another go sometime...

Clear out

2012-01-27T19:33:00.002Z

A few "nearly" pics, round off the South Africa nostalgia. Cold weather birding re-commences tomorrow!

Blue crane

African black oystercatcher - a European has been present here lately!

Cardinal woodpecker - one of three

Pin-tailed whydah - whydah run away so fast?!!

African hoopoe

Yellow canary - really yellow!

Cape bulbul

Grey-backed cisticola - cape bunting did not perform as well

Planning a birding trip to South Africa? I'd recommend...

Reminder of trip report - HERE

African Penguin, Betty's Bay

2012-01-27T17:36:00.002Z

Back in 2009 we visited Boulders Beach to take a look at the African penguin colony - this time it was the turn of the only other mainland nest site, Stony Point.

Needless to say the penguins have much appeal, and the varying states of moult provide much "oohs" and "aahs" from birder and non birder alike.

Check out how much fatter the youngsters are compared to the adults!

Keeping feet cool in the rock pool!

Piles of moulted downy feathers...

Security was tight with this Rock Hyrax on guard at the ticket office!

Birding at the site was good - bank, crowned, cape and white-breasted cormorant, grey heron, hartlaub's gull, cape gannet, swift tern, speckled mousebird, cape wagtail and black oystercatcher were all noted.

Not a leg to stand on...

2012-01-27T16:42:00.000Z

A Cape legless skink came to a sticky end when this hadeda ibis picked it up out off the roadside verge... Eagle-eyed Alister did a quick turn round for us to get a better view from the car.

Cape Sugarbird

2012-01-26T18:51:00.000Z

First up - a link to the much better trip report prepared by our guide Alistair Kilpin - thanks to Birding Africa for the link - TRIP REPORT

***

In complete contrast to the vocal but reclusive victorin's warbler we were treated to point blank views of cape sugarbird - a species I had only briefly seen in the past (from a moving car in 2010!).

This bird was fearless and fed boldly a few feet from where we stood... It was great to finally get to photograph a bird without heat haze and at a reasonable distance for the 100-400mm!!!

This sugarbird was further along the coast at Rooi Els - cracking!

Victorin's victory (almost!)

2012-01-26T18:03:00.003Z

Soon after the jackal buzzard my keen eyed better half picked up a Cape rock thrush perched on the roadside telegraph wires. Since it was my first Alistair kindly turned the car back round so that we could have a better look.

Stepping out of the car we had the good fortune to hear another victorin's warbler singing! Given the brief views earlier in the day we did not expect much in terms of viewing, but it's fair to say that we did do better - initial views of foliage shaking put us onto where the warbler was, and after a little while we got a few fleeting views. They sat patience is a virtue, and thanks to the presence of a few Cape rock thrush (consuming the biggest critters I've seen!), an African reed warbler and some orange breasted sunbirds, we held out and were rewarded with better binocular views of the bird singing within the vegetation. Photographically a "challenge" to say the least!...

Hots > xcounty > coast...

2012-01-26T17:40:00.000Z

Leaving the upland areas of the Hottentots Holland we proceeded to travel through the farmlands enroute to the coastal region of Bettys Bay and surrounds. The birding continued with good fortune throughout the journey... an unplanned stop to check out some white-rumped swift resulted in a spotted flycatcher (!) ~ uncommon in the region.

Large-billed lark

No luck with black eagle, but rather nice compensation in the form of a...

Black sparrowhawk - a family of blue crane fed in the distant fields

A small wooded valley produced roadside cape batis, sombre greenbul and a pair of African black duck.

Cape batis

Sombre greenbul

Reaching the coast a roadside jackal buzzard remained in position as I grabbed a couple of shots from the car -

Jackal buzzard

A little bit further on and the action got better...

Hottentots Jumper

2012-01-25T17:23:00.000Z

Orange-breasted sunbird

Day 2 of the guided birding took us into the hills and farmland in the Hottentot Hollands vicinity. It was another superb day with a complimentary set of bird species added to the trip list. First port of call was Sir Lowry's Pass ~ it was a cooler, greyer start than the pervious day, but proved ideal for birding. Cape grassbird was quickley picked up and the area was full of the magnificent orange breasted sunbirds. The main quarry, victorin's warbler was singing pretty much consistantly during our visit, but seeing one prove tricky - two birds were seen fleetingly, while a minimum of 4 were heard. We'd have better luck later...

Cape rockjumper - stunning!

Further on the amazing Cape rockjumper was added to the list, with great views of a family party moving through the rocky terrain. Hamerkop had been an unexpected bonus on our drive up, while Cape siskin prove to be abundant, along with a good size flock of yellow bishop.

Southern double collared sunbird

Back at the car a bird wave passed through the surrounding trees - malachite and amethyst sunbird were welcome, along with cape sugarbird, swee waxbill, fiscal flycatcher and fork-tailed drongo!

Yellow bishop

Malachite sunbird

Some refreshment with coffee and "Normas" cake followed and it was back to the road for the farmland and coastal stretch...

Fork-tailed drongo

Fiscal flycatcher

South Africa - birdy pics and a few words...

2012-01-24T16:51:00.000Z

It's tricky to select images for use on the blog - photographs of some of the better South African species have suffered to the heat haze, so a random selection will be posted rather than a chronological sequence.

Juv common fiscal, Franschhoek

Our first four days in Franschhoek were based on a delightful vineyard - birding was restricted to species seen while out on the bike, so no camera was carried. The common fiscal was outside our residence on a very hot afternoon and allowed sufficient approach for the 100-400mm lens.The adults are cracking in comparison - jet black and pristine white plumage!

Black-shouldered kite, north of Cape Town

Fast forward to Cape Town, out home for the last 4 days. Day 2 and 3 were spent with Birding Africa. Our guide, Alistair Kilpin was superb! Just north of Cape Town we pulled over off the highway to scan a small pool - it was full of birds! Two black-shouldered kite were perched in a dead tree - lush is the only way I can think to describe them! We also enjoyed bokmakerie, hottentot teal, marsh sandpiper, purple heron, yellow bishop, our first of many white-backed mousebird to name a few - it was avian overload!

Yellow-billed kite, Geelbek, West Coast National Park

After great stops for secretarybird and the Darling track (blue crane, capped wheatear, red-capped lark, african stonechat, and our main quarry - 3 vocal and active southern black korhaan) and some wetland viewing at Velddrift (greater and lesser flamingo, caspian tern, pied kingfisher, thick-billed lark, waders galore) we hit West Coast National Park.

WCNP is beautiful... and views of the lagoon at Langbaan were picture postcard perfect - azure waters and pure white sands. Stops along the road were productive - two female southern black korhaan just avoided the camera as they lifted off the road and karoo scrub robin entertained.

Birding the lagoon wasn't bad either! 5 damara tern were roosting with the plentiful common and sandwich, while white-fronted and kittlitz plover scuttled in front of the hide.

Late lunch was at Geelbeck, and jolly good it was too - hake and calamari hit the spot, while cape weaver, yellow bishop, cape spurfowl and a brief male pin-tailed whydah entertained between and on the dinner tables!

Cape weaver, Geelbek, West Coast National Park

No sign of any black harrier on our visit, the only "miss" of the day. Compensation was in the form of a plethora of new birds for me, so I cannot grumble! The water hole at Abrahamskraal was very good - I missed photographing a close black crake (there were several on the far shore), while cape bulbul, yellow canary african sacred ibis, african spoonbill, lesser swamp warbler kept us busy.

Our exit from the park included a flyby European bee-eater and many ostrich.

Red-knobbed coot, Abrahamskraal water hole, West Coast National Park

Our day completed almost 11 hours after the hotel pick-up, 110 species richer for the holiday. Fresh air had knocked us for six and it was a jolly good nights sleep...

Secretarybird

2012-01-23T20:17:00.003Z

One of the highlights of the recent trip, but probably one of the worst photographs! Taken from the roadside (R27) heading north enroute to Velddrif.

Intense temperatures mean't that anything more than a few meters away was is in strong heat haze. Secretarybird is tricky in the western Cape area, with the species range retracting.

Adds to the "atmosphere"?

Better pictures to follow of other species...

Back

2012-01-22T20:07:00.001Z

Waiting in Heathrow using British Airways wi-fi (they should change their lounge password more often!)

I'm about as happy as the rock hyrax to be back in cold blighty, with work tomorrow...

Hot in Hottentots

2012-01-21T16:43:00.001Z

Day 2 with Birding Africa was, again, amazing...

Some smashing endemics and great company with guide Alistair and pal Gavin.

Birdy data and pics to follow when back in UK!

View from the west...

2012-01-20T05:11:00.001Z

An amazing day with the guidance of Birding Africa - up from Cape Town to West Coast National Park. Some really good species seen (c113) - secretarybird being an unexpected highlight - more to follow later...

Transit day

2012-01-18T20:19:00.001Z

Moved back to the coast today after a very nice four night stay at Franschhoek.

Not too many birds seen on the drive - cape francolin was new for the trip. The afternoon in Cape Town was mainly spent indoors - in a shopping centre then in the hotel (changing rooms as the air conditioning had failed!) birdwise it was the obvious species that were ticked off hartlaubs gull, cape gull and bank cormorant etc.

Much much more tomorrow...

Tuesdays tweets from the road

2012-01-17T16:17:00.001Z

A better day for activity, with temperatures back in the low 30s. Bikes commandeered again late morning and off we ambled.

The ride was not as strenuous as the last and we managed to pass a couple of irrigation pools for the vineyards. These seem to act as magnets in these parts as they provided a number of new holiday (and some life) birds. So the highlights - African black duck, yellow billed duck, hottentot teal, swee waxbill, giant kingfisher (huge!), fork tailed drongo, pearl breasted swallow and brimstone canary (all "ticks"), plus seven magnificent blue crane, black headed heron, reed cormorant etc.

All good value, with (hot) fresh air to boot.

It's back to the coast tomorrow and a couple of busy birding days planned.

As a postscript to yesterday's post, just as I'd finished writing and uploading we had a remarkable close fly past of an African harrier hawk - an astoundingly groovy bop!

Monday meltdown

2012-01-16T15:41:00.001Z

It's been a very lazy day, with temperatures here hitting 40 degrees Celsius. We opted to stay in the hotel grounds, with the better half content with the kindle, and me with Marks' on loan scope - and a great bit of kit it is too.

Birdwise it's been quiet, but I've enjoyed a couple of new species - forest buzzard and horus swift, plus good looks at the standard village fare - alpine and African black swift, greater striped swallow, jackal buzzard, fiscal shrike, red winged starling, pied crow, cape bulbul, cape white eye, cape weaver, black headed heron etc.

With any luck the temperature will drop a little so we can get back out on the bikes tomorrow before heading back to Cape Town on Wednesday.

Sunday Sun

2012-01-16T08:46:00.001Z

Took bikes out for a spin today, venturing out of our village and into the foothills. It's been very hot with a blustery southerly breeze, so it was more of a potter than a fitness testing ride.

Birding was limited but we did bump into the odd thing or two - familiar chat, white necked raven, cape white eye , African dusky flycatcher and cape turtle dove etc. I'm not to concerned about the birding pace over the first few days as its our visit back to Cape Town where the avian aspects will accelerate.

Have barn swallow and house martin on the year list...

Weekend starts

2012-01-14T09:57:00.001Z

... Here!

Back in sunny South Africa, overnight flight tiredness being overridden by excitement of blue skies and warmth. 1 new bird on road transfer, blue crane, plenty more to come.

Late

2012-01-11T16:38:00.001Z

Dusk at West Hartford produced 2 sparring short-eared owl, 2 early shelduck, 20 or so teal...

Six goosander nearby at Arcot.

Short stories

2012-01-09T17:33:00.000Z

In the shadows... ISO 1000, 1/160 exposure

A bit of fresh air was required after a poor nights sleep and an early shift at work. A look out of the window saw nice blue sky, but by the time I arrived at Prestwick Carr the sun had started to dip towards the western horizon, and the white balance was looking decidedly orange.

Short-eared owl were a doddle to see, up to seven in a sweep across the northern fields... yet none were really that close. To the south the owls flew closer, but that was into the light. So casual observation and chat with RD and PCF was about it. Didn't see the shrike (although it was still kicking about).

Walking back to the car in the fading light I noticed an owl hunting a paddock north of the road and close to the eastern road - and a few steps towards it saw a brief land on the fence - and a few quick fired shots. None of which were as I'd hoped, but a step in the right direction.

It didn't half get cold as the light faded. Need to do something about that methinks...

First Cycle

2012-01-07T13:11:00.001Z

Thoughts of a trip to Hartlepool were squashed and with the bike tyres pumped up it was a potter along the Horton Burn and West Hartford surrounds this morning.And what good value it was, with 3 kingfisher, grey wagtail, 2 ad gbbg (uncommon at wh), a duck shoveler, 40 teal, 3 great spotted woodpecker, 2 redpoll, 20+ Siskin, bullfinch and another 30 species...Still not bumped into a fieldfare or song thrush ~ the joys of early January birding!

Sunshine and snow

2012-01-02T12:39:00.001Z

Ventured to Blyth this morning to catch up with the snow bunting south of the cemetery. A small stubble field with amazing ability to conceal the hords of feeding finches and buntings ... Really good to see high numbers of yellowhammer, along with tree sparrow, chaffinch and a mere 5 snow bunting (which took a while to pick up). In addition a pair of grey partridge were useful. The journey back via the river added turnstone and red breasted merganser, while the Horton burn was decidedly quiet.

One

2012-01-01T16:41:00.001Z

It was a later than anticipated start to the 2012 birding. Left the house at a little after 10:30 and headed north to East Chevington.

First up was the dapper drake green-winged teal on the South Pool, while on the North Pool I could not locate the reported smew ~ a female scaup was good, as was a single Eurasian white fronted goose and a fly thru short-eared owl.

Heading south to Cresswell I connected with the large pink-footed goose flock - a scope thru produced one tundra bean and one Eurasian white-front. No sign of any snow bunting at Bells Farm, and Cresswell itself was pretty quiet.

Onwards to Newbiggin - where med gull is a doddle these days, while a few hundred meters up the beach, the desert wheatear remains. Didn't carry the camera up with me today (given yesterday's session), yet I could not resist a couple of iPhone pictures ~

So with the wheatear in the bag I scuttled back to the car and headed south to Marden, where the wintering lesser scaup was eventually found roosting.So far so good!

A quick stop at Killingworth Lake did not produce anything of note, so a little later I arrived at Prestwick Carr. Superb showing of short-eared owl here, with a modest count of 12 ~ eight of which were in one field! Peter got me onto the great grey shrike just be it flew off into the distance - the quality just kept coming....

Back to the car for a nip up to West Hartford, not before a willow tit gave itself up.A mere 4 short-eared owl were on show by dusk (17 for the trip out!) - while the final, nearing dark, pitstop at Horton Burn was also rewarding - 1 kingfisher flew downstream, with 2 moorhen and 4 mallard.A day of quality!

No more

2011-12-31T17:09:00.001Z

So thats it. 2011 birding over. No yearlist. 3 UK ticks.

Finished up at West Hartford at dusk. Two short-eared owl were good, while lapwing numbers had increased to 200. Nine mallards dropped in, 2 grey heron stalked the reedbed and a single meadow pipit remains.

West Hartford has had a good 2011, with some decent birds - wryneck, snow bunting, hobby, merlin, 2 great white egret, hen harrier, osprey, wood sandpiper, wheatear, whinchat, yellowhammer (!) ...Wonder what 2012 will bring?

So 2011 ends... Here's what Cramlington's premier birding spot looked like at close of play today...

Dull Desert.

2011-12-31T13:44:00.001Z

Met up with cousin Rob at Newbiggin on this final dull morning of 2011. With no reports of the desert wheater for a couple of days we were still mildly confident that it would still be there. And it was... easy as pie at the north end of the beach.

Only took the 100-400 today and it was ample as the wheatear maintained it's confident self, feeding within a few meters of us on the shore.

At Church Point we could only pick up three mediterrean gull - an adult and 2 1w.

Down the road, and still in winter gloom, West Hartford was quiet - 120+ lapwing and a few bhg, hg loafed on the pool. A single gbbg flew up the Blyth valley.

That could be it for 2011...

Great Ears

2011-12-27T14:50:00.000Z

With West Hartford remaining very quiet, I opted for a trip out this morning to Prestwick Carr. Only a few miles from the patch, but much more to see.

The main quarry was the great grey shrike - always nice to see, but very good at keeping out of the camera range... (and murky light)

With the shrike distant and light not too much kop, attention was turned to the short-eared owls. I'd hoped for some nice perched shots - but apart from the first image (above), I'll have to settle for more "atmospheric" images...

Lighter

2011-12-22T15:36:00.001Z

Ah, the onset of lighter nights.

Celebrated the last full shift at work with a potter round West Hartford and the Horton Burn.

West Hartford was busy with c200 lapwing - though little else. Two buzzard cavorted to the west, while a single kestrel patrolled the back field. Four teal on the pool...

Near the old fire station, the Horton Burn was more productive, with a pair of mallard, many blue/great and coal tit, several blackbird and my first kingfisher of the winter.

With the festive break approaching I look forward to a few potters round the doors ...

Shadows

2011-12-15T11:51:00.001Z

A late morning roadside look at West Hartford was pleasant despite the cold temperature.

The flash was 90% frozen, yet it still held >149 lapwing and 45 teal. Two grey heron stalked the fields, with fifteen meadow pipit and a single skylark. Thrush-wise, blackbird, redwing and fieldfare were in the hawthorns along with 7 long-tailed tit.

Grim!

2011-12-10T13:27:00.001Z

A cold, sleety day in the north-east. Saved by a couple of good birds though, with the desert wheatear still present just north of Beacon Point, and the drake green- winged teal at East Chevington. Didn't bump into the 'legs or connect with any geese, but can't complain.

DW2

2011-12-06T17:06:00.001Z

A few more images from yesterdays session with the desert wheatear...

Desert Wheatear, Newbiggin

2011-12-05T15:28:00.001Z

I spent a pleasant hour or so with the 1w desert wheatear this morning. The bird was rather obliging, feeding on the muddy banks and beach south of Beacon Point. At one point the wheatear landed within 50cm... (a tad too close for the auto focus).

A moderate selection of photographs were taken, some of which should appear here later in the week, as nightshift beckons.

A single snow bunting fed on the path north of Beacon Point.

The 3 "IANS" - Siber_, Casp_, Euras_

2011-12-04T14:26:00.001Z

Headed south to Teesside this morning after encouraging reports from the Zinc Works Road area of Seaton Carew on Saturday.

First up, a stop at the first lay by on the road for IAN number 1- on show was the confiding male siberian stonechat - my second encounter of this newly promoted species in the UK. A dapper chap at that, and thoughts of prolonged viewing and photography were quashed as the bird flitted off into the scrub upon the onset of a heavy, cold winter shower.

Hoppy... plain rump just about on show.

Taking shelter from the rain we headed to lay by number two for IAN number 2 ~ and a few minutes later (refreshed with coffee) we set about scanning the gull flock. The 1st winter caspian gull (one of perhaps 3 that have been here this week) was picked up by another fellow, and decent scope view were had. Rather embarrassed to admit this, but the caspian gull was a UK tick for me and Mark. Northern sightings of this species are few and far between, and it's certainly not a bird I'd have travelled far for! In hindsight some record shots should have been taken, but a scope was essential to get a good view. Not long after the bird was picked out one of the two local peregrines lifted the flock and the gull dispersed.

The third port of call was, conveniently, at the third lay by down Zinc Works Road for IAN number 3 of the jaunt - a small group of Eurasian white-fronted geese were on show along with a single pink-foot. With the geese in the bag, and another less successful short wait for IAN number 1 we headed back north.

News of desert wheatear at Newbiggin might provide an incentive to get out on Monday, as time is not on my side today. Nice to see that the birding pace has not yet settled down for winter!

Dusk

2011-12-03T16:38:00.001Z

A mid afternoon visit to West Hartford was unproductive, with little to note.

Eighteen lapwing consorted on the pool, with a few teal and bhg for company. No sign of any seo today.

A single fox was the highlight, it came close as it hunted the edge of the field.

Swansong

2011-11-30T14:50:00.001Z

Just when I thought that the November blog posts were done for the month, news on the phone from both STH and MA had me diverting to Arcot Pond on my journey home from work.I'd already seen the particular birds a couple of weeks ago, but today's connection was much more important as it constituted a Cramlington patch tick! No camera equipment with me, but the trusty bins were in the car - and between goodbyes at work and lunch at home, the two bewick's swan were added to the Cramlington list.Hurrah!Also noted during the quick pit-stop ~ great spotted woodpecker, c30 teal, bhg, cg, pheasant...

Legs Eleven

2011-11-27T18:12:00.001Z

It was a lovely sunny day, so after a relaxed breakfast I headed north to Hauxley for another crack at the greater yellowlegs. Decent views were had, but all were distant as it kept to a limited area on the eastern shore.

Reports of common crane heading south over Warkworth, then attempts to land at Hadston gave enough reason to divert on the way back mid afternoon, but no connection was made. A single brent goose was with the grey-lags on the reclaimed opencast at West Chevington...

Weak week

2011-11-26T09:53:00.001Z

First week of work complete, but hindered with a rotten cold!Waxwing noted on two days - 17 on wednesday, 15 on Friday, BSHQ maintains a good waxwing record...This morning breakfast proceedings started well (even with a congested headache) as a garden "second" was observed. Don't get too excited though, the subject was a chaffinch!

In Mourning :(

2011-11-20T16:01:00.001Z

A late morning potter, mourning the end of a very pleasant two weeks holiday.

Prestwick Carr felt Spring-like weather wise, and it was a distant great grey shrike that reminded of winter. Quality birds, even if not within camera range. I would like one of these at WH please!

Down the road, Big Waters still held two bewick's swan ~ good birds in Northumberland these days. I only viewed from the public end, so no pics taken. A handful of whooper remain.

West Hartford was very quiet and a check of the Horton Burn only revealed a pair of mallard!
No sign of waxwings today, we had 28 next to the house yesterday - they'll still be around though, just a case of bumping into them...

Avoided the crowds for the greaterlegs and EBR (the latter was commented on by my sister visiting Holy Island today)...

Work and a forecast of rain for tomorrow. Great!!!

EBR 2

2011-11-19T12:55:00.001Z

Eastern Black Redstart, Holy Island, 17 Nov 11

2011-11-18T16:56:00.001Z

Quick post of the splendid eastern black red - again time not on my side, may post some others after I've trawled through them all...

Greater Yellowlegs, Druridge Bay CP, 17 Nov 11

2011-11-18T16:20:00.001Z

An unexpected bonus on the way back from Holy Island - the light wasn't great, but it was a chance to get my own record images. Hoping it continues to like Hauxley on days with good light...

Waxwings...

2011-11-18T16:04:00.001Z

Nice bonus after a good day out on 17th... what is it about greater yellowlegs? Everytime I see one there are waxwings outside my house.... :)

Grey Phalarope - early morning on 15th...

2011-11-18T15:56:00.001Z

Only shot taken on the "dawn raid"...

Cross, east, greater then waxy!

2011-11-17T16:33:00.001Z

A quick textual update, as another busy day continues to thwart any efforts to edit photographs taken.Started the day well, with flyover crossbill while replenishing the garden bird feeders - a belated Cramlington tick for me!News that the "eastern" black redstart was stills present on Holy island had me heading north on a lovely mild winter day. A chance bump into AC on the road in to the village provided opportunity to return the loan memory card from the recent firecrest fiasco, and prompted a quick about turn to walk in the correct direction to the ebred. What a stunner it was too, looking forward to uploading some images here...The journey back was interrupted by the news that the AWOL greater yellowlegs had been relocated on Druridge Bay CP - twenty minutes later I was there... But views were distant.Some field craft ensued and I eventually got within photographable distance, tho light was fading (14:15!!!).Bizarrely the better images taken were of it on the grassy footpath that encircles the artificial lake!Arriving home the familiar trill of waxwing welcomed me as I unpacked the car - 28 today perched in trees adjacent BSHQ...Pics soon...

Dawn Raid

2011-11-15T10:03:00.000Z

Got to Hauxley prior to 8 this morning - a good move as first three birds (in order) were redshank, greater yellowlegs and grey phalarope! Phew!

Too dark for any pics, but extremely close views from wader hide (unable to focus 500mm lens)

Took some mobile phone video, it may appear here later.

Hope they stick till later in week, as it's a busy day today....

Got home and there were 20 waxwing in the tree outside the house!

Bottled it...

2011-11-14T17:21:00.000Z

Got back to BS HQ just after 15:00 and dusk was setting in!!!!!

Time is not on my side this first half of the week, so it'll be an early attempt on Tuesday for the 'legs.

The last week has been spent on a non-birding trip to Miami... it was thirsty work on South Beach (and a bit warmer than the Blyth equivalent).

Stick?

2011-11-14T10:56:00.001Z

Stranded in Heathrow airport... Will the yellowlegs stick? Will failing light beat me? Mmm....

72...

2011-11-05T16:16:00.003Z

... Pink-footed geese north over the house late afternoon - a house "tick".

011111owls

2011-11-01T19:12:00.000Z

A sunny afternoon today, the first day of November! Took advantage of an early shift at work and headed back down to West Hartford for a couple of hours. They were more productive than yesterdays visit (it was a very dull afternoon).

Nothing "new" seen during the visits, but I rarely get bored of the short-eared owls! Three again this afternoon - taking flight as the sun started to set.. This provided "opportunities" for photography - strong orange casts on the images, tricky autofocus and ever increasing notch ups of ISO to maintain an exposure (or not!)...

Few pics from the trip out. Still room for improvement, but opportunites to spend time in the local field will decrease a bit soon.

Atmospheric...

Dinnertime...

Light seriously going...

Dusk fly-through, ISO 1600

Indulgence

2011-10-30T20:29:00.001Z

I do love a patch tick...

1st day of winter: SNOW ALREADY!

2011-10-30T19:06:00.000Z

More on the snow in a bit...

Started the day back in Cleveland for what turned out to be a very quiet potter around Saltholme and Dormans Pool with Mark and John B. Plenty of birds but little of note...

This afternoon the pace quickened, with a couple of hours back at trusty West Hartford. No harrier today (tho GM did manage a marsh harrier elsewhere in Cramlington today), but a minimum of two short-eared owl hunted the fields. I fear it will be a tricky species to nail photographically speaking...

Every time I locked focus on one it did this...

Into the grass... again!

Still, they're a pleasure to watch. As the first night of winter encroached, one bird settled on a not too distant (but not as close as I'd like) post.

And it was while snapping away at this when the phone range - STH with some exciting news. MH had had a snow bunting on the road leading into the site - luckily West Hartford has a few "marker" points - in this case it was on the road next to the discarded bath! I expect the snow bunting find eclipsed MHs' 1999 short-toed eagle adrenalin rush.

I proceeded calmly to the aforementioned spot and within a minute or two found the snow bunting on the overgrown pathway near the bath - bingo, a Cramlington tick! Light was seriously fading now, so a few record shots were rattle off (albeit not as late in the day as GM ended up taking - check these out!

This is the second snow bunting at West Hartford - Brian aka Northumbrian Birder had one a winter or two back, but it was todays' bird that furnished the Cramlington (ir)regulars with this species. Great end to the first day of winter!

WHHHSEOSEO

2011-10-29T18:34:00.000+01:00

A mid to late afternoon visit to West Hartford today, and a first scan of the fields played trumps, with both hen harrier and short-eared owl in the same binocular view. Not a bad start! With others alerted I set the camera up and got settled in for any photo opportunities...

It was a murky afternoon, despite still being "summer" (just), and with distant views, only record shots were achieved. My third HH here in 11 months, but first to make it onto a memory card. Feels like October 2011 has been good for harriers in the UK, pity all I can manage are out of focus record shots!

Pushing cropping to the max - 500mm & 1.4...

Short-eared owl only numbered two today and were generally elusive, as was the harrier ~ it was the assistance of the carrion crow that signalled their return to the fields. Raptor wise it was a good trip - two kestrel and a single common buzzard also noted.

On the pools gulls were well represented with the troupe of C,H, BHs' dropping in prior to their departure to coastal roost sites. A few lapwing were also present.

Three+ stock dove loafed round the water and many wood pigeon continue.

More of the same?

2011-10-26T19:22:00.001+01:00

...Nearly not, as I discovered a disinct lack of memory cards when I set the camera up at St Mary's this afternoon. Thanks to AC for the lend of a compact flash card!

No easier than yesterday, but with a little assistance of the tripod (remembered it today!), a few snaps were managed as the firecrest(s) (two?) fed actively on the northern most mound.

1 woodcock flew in, a peregrine circled, and redwing frolicked... all very nice.

Crest has fallen...

2011-10-25T19:28:00.000+01:00

Every now and then I have the smart idea that leaving the tripod in the car is a good idea, and that it's easier to photograph very small migrants hand holding the 500. Wrong!

This afternoons trip to St Mary's was on the back of promising weather, a rainy start with south easterlies. 2 firecrest and a yellow-browed warbler had already been put out on the pager, and since SMI is only a few minutes away it seemed the best bet in the decreasing amount of light that afternoons currently have.

All quiet round the wetland - I did not see or hear the YBW, but there were loads of blackbird and robin, plus a single male blackcap.

A tip off had me walking north to the first mound, where very quickly I was watching the dazzling firecrest. Had I had the tripod I suspect I may have fared better...

Plenty of amusing chat was had and tales of the Shetland rubythroat [you can get there by train apparantly :) ] were gripping. Unlike my autumn so far....

One

2011-10-21T18:19:00.000+01:00

An "end of a week of early shift" was celebrated down the road at Teesside with Phil, catching up with the juv pallid harrier at Dormans Pool.

Only seen twice during our vigil, the first fly through was close but frustratingly quick, while the second was more distant.... though not as distant as the Norfolk bird a few winters' ago. Smashing local bird, could do with one in Northumberland!

With any luck this fab raptor will stick and I'll have another "go"... The image above was the only "uncompletelyoutoffocusbutnotquiteasinfocusasI'dlike" shot...

Three

2011-10-20T19:08:00.001+01:00

Three this evening. Been a while since we've had more than one at Wrst Hartford, and I'd forgotton how tricky these can be photographed in flight... need more practice and better light!

#Short_13

2011-10-15T19:21:00.000+01:00

A tip off from GM had me spending a couple of hours at West Hartford late afternoon. Distant views of an intermittent short-eared owl was the main reason for being there, while 13 stock dove was, I think, my best total at the site.

More impressive were the 100's, if not 1,000s of gulls passing through - predominately bh, with h, c and a few lbbs' coming in from the west, dropping in for a bathe and drink before continuing to the coast.

Hoping to get to the coast soon - mid month and still not caught up with any of the migration...

< scaup II

2011-10-14T09:41:00.001+01:00

A couple more images of the Marden lesser scaup - it was, like today, a grey day.

Lesser Scaup

2011-10-13T11:12:00.000+01:00

Took a very quick look at the lesser scaup at Marden this morning... more pics tomorrow.

-1

2011-10-03T17:18:00.001+01:00

British Birds arrived in the post today ~ the annual rare birds in Great Britain issue. Usually a welcome read, but not today, as the "redhead" that wintered on Kenfig in the early 2000s' has now been removed off the British list :(

Pah - I even had to make two trips to connect!

Spurred buy the yellow-browed warbler reports from Tynemouth and Holy Island, I did a quick scoot of Whitley Bay Cemetery this afternoon - no luck!

A single house martin over the street on my way back was a late individual...

Dodgy geese continue, Crane in vain.

2011-10-01T14:54:00.002+01:00

Alas the sandhill crane was an impossibility this week as I was stuck at work (There have been some stunning images of it taken near Holywell).

Saturday morning saw an ill fated trip to Budle Bay to see if the common crane was about - it wasn't.

Two ross's geese at Monks House did little to compensate, and the sun refused to shine.

Newton was very quiet, with only a couple of robin ticking next to the tin church, a few goldcrest and a single treecreeper...

Garden first, dodgy geese and a lost bonxie...

2011-09-26T18:56:00.000+01:00

I think the decorating at BSHQ is almost complete, and the removal of sticky duct tape from the floor edges earned me sufficient credit to have a quick trip north this afternoon.

The "action" began before I departed, with a peregrine soaring above the garden - a first

Time was limited, so I took the easy option - go and look at some white geese in a flock of pink-feet and grey lags. The four snow geese were relatively easy to find, feeding in stubble west of the north pool. Not entirely sure of their credentials, especially as three bar-headed were present too!

Some ruff flew in and joined the melee, while rather more bizarrely, AC and I were treated to a inland bound great skua ~ flying steadily wnw until lost to view. Where was it going?!

Busy!

2011-09-24T19:02:00.001+01:00

Decorating almost complete. I may get out birding again at some point. It's been an amazing September nationally, though none of it in reach for me...

Armchair Sometimes

2011-09-10T19:10:00.000+01:00

Even with the pressures of overtime and home improvement, the rares keep dropping in and today I added another species to my BOU UK list. Sounds great, but boringly it was a bird from 2005 that makes an uneventful addition to the list - siberian stonechat...

This bird was seen and photographed in the south-west at Porthgwarra, Cornwall on 7th October 2005, en route to Scilly. We'd had a second look at the long staying long-billed dowitcher residing nearby at Drift Reservoir (keeping company with a dapper spotted redshank) prior to our visit, and by mid afternoon had connected with a blackpoll warbler on the Garrison, St Marys IOS. Great days!!!

Overworkedwetpaintedandunderbirded

2011-09-09T14:43:00.000+01:00

Life remains complicated, with ovetime at work to tempting to miss, and home improvements in progress...

Managed a quick cycle to West Hartford last night, where hundreds of common gull bathed prior to roost. Lesser numbers of bh, h and lbbg accompanied them, but none of the hope for little or med could be picked up.

1 greenshank dropped in briefly, while a single female type wheatear lifted from the path as I made my way back to HQ.

With the sharpie in Teesside (last years bird returning?), things are looking up. Just need to get Saturdays shift at work out the way and home furnishings back into newly painted rooms before birding can re-commence....

Dipping continues

2011-08-20T13:14:00.000+01:00

In keeping with recent tradition, this morning was (between gardening duties) spent not seeing two very good West Hartford species - gbb gull / shoveler.

The gardening duties have been very exciting indeed. Turn you head on its side to watch...

DDDip. Drip.

2011-08-07T14:36:00.000+01:00

Highly unsuccessful trip out on Saturday, south of the Tyne to Teesside (no sign of the semipalmated sandpiper nor temminks stint at Saltholme).

The real reason for a trip to Saltholme RSPB

Closer to home, we managed to avoid any contact with the bonaparte's gull at Whitburn. So that was a complete result.

Then it rained. Alot.

After the storm...

2011-08-02T19:09:00.000+01:00

Wonderful West Hartford...

I took a bike ride out to West Hartford this afternoon after a really heavy rain shower had bombarded Cramlington for a half our or so. The immediate effects of the rain can be seen in the two photographs of the Horton Burn (below) - but more of West Hartford first...

I'd thought that there may be the chance of a wader or two after the down pour, and that water levels on the flash would have been greater - alas no to both theories - no waders (as such, oystercatcher don't count in this equation), as the "water" equated to a few puddles... A few pied wagatail fed on the mud, but it was raptors that provided the entertainment - 1 water-logged buzzard sat miserable in the hawthorns, while in the distance a hobby was flycatching over the course of the River Blyth. 2nd consecutive year that I've had this species here. A few texts and call were made to the Cramlington birders and not long later I was joined by LMcD / GM. No repeat of the hobby during our vigil, but 1 sparrowhawk and a couple of kestrel were noted up till late afternoon.

Otherwise WH was quiet - a single great spotted woodpecker was working the dead trees that edge the main flash and an occassional stock dove made an appearance with the wood pigeon. 9 mallard flew out of the marsh but that was about it!

The Horton Burn had been the instigator of my trip out - having passed over it coming back from a shopping trip it was clear that the volume of rain water had swollen the river course - most of the housing estate storm water drains into the burn - and has an instant effect - !

Horton Burn - just after the rain storm

Horton Burn - a couple of hours later!

17

2011-07-26T19:49:00.000+01:00

With continued reports of storm petrel off the north-east coast I headed back out today, arriving at Hartley just before 16:00.

Took a gamble with the location, but I figured that birds being reported off St Mary's and Seaton Sluice could be picked up from the cliff top inbetween...

Indeed they were, with the scope fixed above a feeding party of guillemot the first flew into view, and one and a half hours later a minimum of 17 had moved through. One bird lingered throughout, feeding between fishermens marker flags, while one scope view contained three. Result!

Otherwise it was quiet - six manx shearwater headed north, a small party of common scoter too. Kittiwake were numerous as were gannet. Again no skua sp., two red-throated diver...

Snab 2_4_10

2011-07-24T17:43:00.000+01:00

A drive up the coast this afternoon saw me park up at Snab Point, just south of Cresswell. News from earlier in the day has suggested that there could be stuff worth seeing, and indeed my two and three quarter hour visit was moderately successful, particularly as I could sea-watch from the relative comfort of my car.

So, the main quarry - that's the "2" reference; with two storm petrel - the first at 15:11, drifting north ~ not the best view as it fluttered between the wave troughs, but suffice to remind me how small a species it is! The second was picked up at 15:52, this time a few meters closer to shore and a more prolonged view over the top of the impressive breaking waves. A result, especially when I consider that the last time I saw this species was in 1989!!!. Better numbers had been reported in the morning from nearby Newbiggin, but I shall not complain.

4 ~ the number of drake velvet scoter noted - all flying north, with two of them immediately following the stomies.

10 ~ manx shearwater. I had expected to pick more of these but they were sufficiently scarce this afternoon. Although not as scarce as any skua sp. - not a sniff of any!

Otherwise there was a steady stream of gannet, kittiwake, commic terns, sandwich tern along with guillemot and an occasional razorbill and red-throated diver.... all rather pleasant.

North Potter

2011-07-14T19:13:00.000+01:00

A sunny afternoon saw me head north to Hauxley, where I stood on the reserve perimeter not hearing or seeing what I had intended to see. Or hear.

Compensation was in the form of a sleepy 2s spoonbill that arrived on the seaward pool. It only raised its' head once as the resident grey-lag geese paraded past ~ suprising how "small" spoonbill are when you see the two species side by side. 1 bar-tailed godwit and three whimbrel were also noted on this rather lazy visit.

Little to report...

2011-07-02T11:23:00.001+01:00

As rare as a "Turkish Robin" (it still huts), here's a blog update. Basically work has predominated June so birding has been very limited - and in fashon true to form the birding pace has weakend with all the migrants settling to breed. West Hartford has been visited but there is nothing to report! Arcot this morning was better, with me finally making the effort to "twitch" a Cramlington rarity - Phil had found this little egret earlier in the week ~ and it looks rather settled this morning, roosting and observing from the trees in the south west corner of the pool.
The water levels here are decreasing, so waders could be a real possibility later in July...

Mex-bits

2011-06-14T15:14:00.000+01:00

Social Flycatcher

Tropical Mockingbird

Plain Chachalaca

Ornate Hawk Eagle

Great Kiskadee

A poor holiday photo-wise, small lens and wary subjects...

Double Whammy!

2011-06-13T16:10:00.000+01:00

Right Place (Mexico). Wrong Time (6th June).

No ticking of a door-step mega-robin for me ~ I was too busy trying to photograph hooded oriole without any vegetation in the way (I failed...).

Another Journey...

2011-05-31T18:27:00.000+01:00

27-29 May was spent birding Norfolk on trip 2 of the "10 days 10 years" project that John, Mark, Rob and I are undertaking.

2010 had been spent birding Mull and Iona, so this years change of location was sure to add more species to the modest 200 species target for the 10 trips. On Saturday we were guided by Ian, a friend of Johns' from his Minsmere wardening days in the 80s. I could drivel on for ages with species at each site but instead heres' a quick summary of localised, East Anglia specialities seen... (and seen by all four of us - it doesn't count if we all don't connect!)

Bittern (several in prologed flight at Lakenheath)
Cettis Warbler (including a "shower")
Bearded Tit
Golden Oriole
Hobby
Stone Curlew
Nightingale
Nightjar
Woodcock
Tree Pipit
Redstart
Honey Buzzard
Marsh Harrier
Red Kite
Barn Owl
Little Owl
Firecrest (JBs listening for one in the BW photo!)
Little Stint
Little Ringed Plover
Mediterranean Gull
Little Gull
Black Tailed Godwit
Shorelark (a single late bird)
Red-crested Pochard
Egyption Goose
Curlew Sandpiper

No Turtle Dove were seen by the four, nor Woodlark could be found...

The 3rd 10 day day 10 year trip will hopefully be in the coming winter... more on that then.

Bank holiday Monday was spent catching up with the unphotographable terek sandpiper at Hauxley... judging by the pager reports today I've been lucky!

Spoooonbill

2011-05-21T18:54:00.001+01:00

Four spoonbill graced Druridge today - so I headed up for a look this afternoon after an early-shift at work. A little distant on the budge field, and amazingly they were awake for some of my visit.

Meanwhile at West Hartford this evening 2, then 4 ringed plover were joined by a single little-ringed plover ~ nice to catch one here in the Spring...

4

2011-05-08T20:07:00.000+01:00

...Wood sandpiper at West Hartford this evening, plus Phils' earlier found cracking whinchat (good spring record), 2 wheatear, a pair of ringed plover & shelduck

Warblers still warbling - grasshopper, sedge, willow, chiffie, whitethroat...

All good stuff.

7

2011-05-07T17:11:00.000+01:00

4 of 7...

West Hartford held an impressive seven wood sandpiper this morning, the highest I've seen at one time there. Supporting cast included a single redshank, oystercatcher, two shelduck, circa 5 reeeling grasshopper warbler, sedge warbler, chiffchaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, swift, house martin, barn swallow, reed bunting and a lone female northern wheatear.

Chillax!

2011-05-01T12:34:00.000+01:00

Taking it easy in the spring sunshine, Dunnock style...

Dip, Dip, Hop.

2011-04-30T12:38:00.000+01:00

After a frustrating Friday - not connecting with either black-crowned night heron nor black scoter, Saturday morning has been spent trying to get to grips with grasshopper warbler at Arcot. It's a blustery but sunny day here - so while light is good, conditions are tricky as the warblers' are buffeted about in the bramble.

Eight common tern on the pond was a good count and lesser whitethroat are vocal, while at West Hartford, all was quiet...

Weird Weekend... W

2011-04-27T10:21:00.000+01:00

Wheatear are always appreciated at West Hartford, there has been a steady stream of birds through over the past week.

However, this species pales into insignificance after the amazing record of wryneck on the patch! Frustratingly for me, I arrived ten minutes after the last sighting (and spent a significant amount of time trying to relocate it) on Sunday. Congratulations to Phil and Lindsay - hopefully one or two of the photographs taken will appear soon.

Increased observer coverage led to the discovery of some other West Hartford scarcities - a singing yellowhammer was only my second on the site and common tern (2) were note-worthy. Grasshopper warber have started to sing for prolonged periods, so there are few dull moments at present.

Grass & Wheat

2011-04-23T16:58:00.000+01:00

Spent some time at West Hartford this sunny morning. On the pool a single ringed plover was nice, until the arrival of some rival shelduck (6 birds today) created some disturbance and it flew east. One redshank also made an appearance, though there was no sign of the green sandpiper.

Warblers have arrived in good numbers, with chiffchaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, blackcap singing away, and at least 4 reeling grasshopper warbler. The grasshopper warblers have only just started to sing, and they were more off than on - prolonged singing should kick in over the next few days. No sedge warbler that I could hear (although they are back at Arcot). House martin intermingled with the barn swallow - no swift (or bee-eater!) yet...

Species of the day was northern wheatear - three males and a female at the end of the road this morning. Not the easiest species to pick up in Cramlington, generally a spring pass-through.

Inbetween Nights

2011-04-20T13:54:00.000+01:00

Nightshift has restricted any migrant watching this week.

Tuesday ~ called into Arcot Pond at 06:00 ~ grasshopper, sedge, willow warbler, chiffchaff and whitethroat all singing their hearts out from the road.

Over 'sometimes HQ 4 house martin made a welcome return yesterday evening, it's always nice to hear their "chatter" as they arrive back for the summer.

Wednesday ~ called into West Hartord for a quick walk to the wheatear wastelands next to the pools at 06:10 ~ no sign of any wheatear, but probably three grasshopper warbler "reeling", willow warbler a-plenty, while on the pool a pair of mallard looked suprised to see me so early, and gulls were represented by lbb,hg, bh and 1 c...

A long weekend beckons, hoping for some decent weather and some photo opportunities.

Down the coast

2011-04-18T16:12:00.001+01:00

With a bright morning ahead I opted to try for another go at the drake black scoter, this time armed with a digital compact and scope ~ as can be seen below, I've lost any ability to digiscope - couldn't see the bird on the camera screen and the pictures were awful!...

Lots' of swallow moving north and two long-tailed duck lingered.

Further south I popped in to have a look at marsh harrier - 1 male noted, along with sedge warbler, grasshopper warbler, and further south again, 2 avocet on Cresswell.

West Hartford was quiet on Sunday - my first swallow and house martin were appreciated...

Black Scoter ~ display posture

2011-04-17T13:58:00.000+01:00

No apologies for the poor quality image, the scoter flock was a considerable distance and it was approaching 20:00... however, several others have commented on the display posture and apparent calling from the drake black scoter - here's an image of the former from it's first night off Stag Rocks... Thick neck is illustrated rather well here.

Black Scoter, Stag Rocks: Record Shots...

2011-04-15T17:52:00.000+01:00

Struggled to get anything decent on the drake black scoter - a combination of dull evening light and a not so close subject. Great thru' the scope, but tricky even with the 2.0 extender on the 500mm...

Still, my first UK tick of 2011 and a new county bird!

The journey up with Phil was just about to become tedious as we left the speedy A1 dual carraigeway and progressed north on the single lane north of Morpeth... but the casual westward drift over of the presumed just-left-east-chevington immature white-tailed eagle gave us a conversation point for the rest of the drive! The eagle was getting a lot of gip from some jackdaw, but our "right place, right time" gave us a fly over no more that 20 meters infront of the car and a height of only thirty feet!!

The thin line of the scoter flock can just be made out on the image below...

Black Scoter, Stag Rocks...

2011-04-14T21:22:00.001+01:00

Just back from a late afternoon to dusk visit to Stag Rocks for the drake Black Scoter... Record shots online Friday...

Western Sub-alpine Warbler II

2011-04-11T15:27:00.001+01:00

Feeding under the willow... always on the move

Western Sub-alpine Warbler, Holy Island

2011-04-10T19:53:00.000+01:00

Gave in to the pressure to leave Cramlington and bird elsewhere this afternoon... a report of sub-alpine warbler niggled from 10:30, and by 13:15 I crumbled - packed up the car and headed north. As I reached Fenham-le-moor confirmation came through, and it was with a little added foot pressure that the tick-mobile advanced to Chare Ends.

The warbler, a dapper male, visited the willow a few times during my three and a quarter hour vigil, and was by all accounts tricky to photograph out in the "open". I managed a few shots, of which more may appear tomorrow. It was 22 years since my last Northumberland sub-alp (which also happened to be on Holy Island)...

Canon 1DIII / 500mm IS / 2.0 extender

West Hartford Continues...

2011-04-03T21:44:00.001+01:00

West Hartford has enjoyed a decent birding-run over the last two weeks or so, with great white egret being added to the patch list just over a week ago and then a steady trickle of good West Hartford birds / signs of Spring... chiffchaff have arrived, a couple of sand martin have passed through, grey partridge are calling, short-eared owl are semi-regular (though not tonight!), peregrine (Monday), 5 goosander through, and tonight... another summer migrant.

It was rather cold tonight, but the clear conditions were enough to get me out for a couple of visits. Late afternoon was quiet and is hardly worth a mention.

Late evening - dusk was much cooler but more satisfactory, as the first scan west to east over the fields, River Blyth and pond produced the aforementioned migrant - a mighty osprey!

Actually, this was almost predictable... the north-east has seen a good passage of these fish-hawks through the region today - indeed, a quick scan of RBA reveals three in Durham and one in Northumberland...

It looked a bit like this -

Osprey - Florida, January 2006

... but it was really quite far away! The bird was a couple of hundred feet up, loafing in a NW direction , roughly above the River Blyth. It's funny how things turn out - Phil and I had been talking earlier this week about new birds for West Hartford (I fancy a Spoonbill by the way!) - and we never really discussed osprey...

This was my second osprey in Cramlington - the last being a two day bird at Arcot Pond in May 2003. This bird also turned up on a Sunday evening and was even fishing the pond! I arrived early the next morning armed with a trsty 3 mega pixel compact camera and scope, and to great suprise, found the osprey perched in the dead trees at the west of the pool (where in 2010 the 1s hobby rested - Cramlington is such a mecca!!)

Osprey - Arcot Pond, May 2003

So, with osprey added to the West Hartford list (I must count my tally up...), here are my anticipated species for the future -

Spoonbill - why not? If Castle Island can draw them in no reason why WH can't either
Little Egret - long overdue, beaten by its' larger relative last week!
Tawny Owl - already seen and heard by others, I've been too lazy to venture out at the right time.
Pectoral Sandpiper - Arcot has had them in the autumn, other waders have found WH to their liking...
Bittern - There is a nice reed bed forming south of the pool, may be one hard winter will bring one in?
Red Kite - only a matter of time.
Reed Warbler - habitat getting better.
Great Grey Shrike - outside chance on passage - Arcot has had one
Common Redstart - infrequent through Cramlington on passage (though I did have one in my parents garden many moons ago!)
Cuckoo - a tricky bird in Cramlington, but possible.

American Wigeon, Cresswell

2011-03-27T15:57:00.000+01:00

A late morning report of a drake american wigeon was sufficient enough to lure me up the coast for an hour or so today. Distant but easily picked out, the drake spent time feeding in the field adjacent to the NWT hide alongside european counterparts, pink-footed geese and a lone brent goose.

The pace is quickening, hopefully the photographic subjects will become more accommodating.

Canon 1DIII/500mm/2.0 extender ~ resting on beanbag from Cresswell NWT hide.

Double Vision...

2011-03-24T19:43:00.002Z

After reading Phils' tales of short-eared owl at West Hartford last night I thought I'd try my luck this evening. Sure enough the SEO made an appearance, so after nipping back to the car for the camera gear I returned to my roadside vantage point and found that the bird had gone to ground. Nothing unusual here, as SEO can disappear for periods inbetween feeding - so I waited.

Annoyingly, at about 17:55 my owl attention was diverted as a suspicious white head popped up out of the ponds reedy edge... and after a moment of uncertainty, there it was - my second Cramlington great-white egret. No longer treated to capital letters on the pager, this is still a rare egret 'oop north, so I quickly got the news out via phone call and text. Given the birds position (south-east corner of pool), I advised all to join me at the roadside so not to disturb.

Phil was the first to arrive - he'd dipped the last two records, and as he headed back to his folks car to let them know I'd give him a lift back, out popped egret number 2 - amazing!!!

Gordon arrived soon after, all suited up I might add, along with a few speedy others. Good move, as with all two other Cramlington records, the pair soon headed off north west as dusk set in.

As with the Arcot bird that I found 2 years ago - I had the camera, but the birds were way too distant - so it's record shots only... here goes...

One...

...Two

And they're off...

You might be able to make out that one bird (the first seen) had an almost completely yellow bill, while the second almost completely black - different rates of breeding condition?

Previous Cramlington records were both, weirdly at Arcot Pond on April 25th - 1 for a few minutes in 2009, and the other, a flyover in 2010...

Whoopee do...

2011-03-19T16:42:00.001Z

Took what seems to be an ever decreasingly frequent trip up the coast this morning... and there was very little to see! No sign of the waxwing at Ashington, or any smew at Druridge Bay Country Park. Two set of 4 whooper swan were noted though - on Cresswell and just up the road from Druridge. Chips at Amble and a couple of brambling saved the day, again!

Smew & little else...

2011-03-06T18:54:00.001Z

A late afternoon trip up the coast resulted in little of note for Druridge Bay: no sign of the smew pair at QEII, but success at Druridge Bay Country Park ~ the pair were picked up quite easily from the water sport car park. Photographically too distant, so it's a record shot of the smart drake...

West Hartford was showing signs of sprint - 11 oystercatcher, 3 curlew and two pairs of shelduck.

There could be sand martin by the month end!

Quick Potter...

2011-02-27T17:30:00.000Z

Managed an hour birding this afternoon, with the five white-fronted geese collected south-east of Ashington hospital - only one of which was not sat tight to the ground roosting - a greenland race bird.

QEII eventually provided distant views of the smew pair - it's been a while since I last copped eyes on a "white nun" - distant but appreciated.

West Hartford was bleak - a windswept, cold afternoon mean't a short stay and very little bird-wise.

March is round the corner, so things are looking up!

Brambling

2011-02-14T17:30:00.000Z

I headed up the coast this afternoon, taking advantage of some nice sunshine and a late start to the working week. Stopping off at Woodhorn there was no sign of any white-fronted geese on the pools or surrounding fields, tho a bathing peregrine near the power station was a bonus.

Cresswell was extremely quiet, with only shelduck and lapwing being noted from the roadside!

The action, so to speak, was further north at Druridge Bay Country Park. From the water-sport end of the pool there were many mallard, some coot and moorhen, a few tufted duck, golden-eye and red-breasted merganser. At the visitor centre the feeding station was very busy - primarily with siskin, coal tit, blue tit, great tit and greenfinch. Foraging below, chaffinch and some brambling. While this was all well and good, the birds were a tad distant for the camera - so after a brief wander and eventual re-position in the car, I set up next to the secondary feeding station - some feeders next to the turning circle beyond the main car park.

This prove to be a good location - the afternoon sun was perfectly positioned to light the feeders and there were plenty of brambling feeding in the area (and I was able to sit in the warmth of the car!). While it would have been tempting and easier to photograph them on the feeders, I opted to try and get some images as the birds worked their way to the food.

By late afternoon it was time to head back - via West Hartford. Recent reports have suggested that short-eared owl are back - not today, just a couple of shelduck on the pool and plumiting temperatures!

Sideshow...

2011-02-10T18:18:00.000Z

http://onnightslikethis.blogspot.com/

My new blog for all the concert and music related stuff that's not really applicable to this blog...

I've lots of concerts planned for 2011, and lots of old "stuff" to post.

I must get out birding sometime(s)...

Frosty start. Snowy end.

2011-01-29T20:47:00.000Z

Mark and I headed to the "hawfinch hedge" just west of Morpeth this morning... and it was a cold one at that, saved by a beautiful blue, cloudless sky. A two hour vigil was suitably hawfinch-less, though marsh tit was appreciated.

We failed to locate any of the white-fronted geese at Woodhorn, though chips at Newbiggin were consumed while watching a couple of Mediterranean gull scavenge around the car park.

Blyth was the next port of call (pah!), and it was thanks to Brian that we connected with a distant red-necked grebe at the river mouth. Our journey back to the car was interrupted by six snow bunting, that photographically saved the day...

The final stop of the outing was the Burton House pub in Cramlington, where an apple-less apple tree failed to retain any of the waxwing that had been enjoyed a few days ago. No sign of the blackcap either!

A later report on the pager mentioned that there were 16 waxwing at the Shaw garden centre in Cramlington ~ while approx 40 were noted by Birdingsometimes Senior in Alexandra Park yesterday... probably the flock on the move...

The Cult @ Newcastle O2

2011-01-28T15:28:00.002Z

First musical interlude of 2011 ~ The Cult at Newcastles' O2 Academy... missed them first time round, so was pleased to get a show now. This was the first outing with a new digital compact - Canon SX120IS, with a 14X optical zoom and versatility of manual operation... I'm pleased with the results given the venues "ROCK" lighting (ie very dark!!!)

Classic ROCK gear - shades (worn in the dark, naturally) , gloves (it's winter) and a tambourine

mmm Gretsch, NICE!

One for the road...

2011-01-25T17:07:00.000Z

Another waxwing image from Monday 24th, the last image taken late afternoon. Thought I might have got back there again today, but after a tiring nightshift I didn't get of bed till after 3!

Off to the pub...

2011-01-24T17:45:00.000Z

I spent some time photographing an obliging flock of waxwing this afternoon. Feeding on an apple tree in the Burton House pubs' car park, the car was utilised as a hide. The only available parking space was virtually under the tree, so the angle for shooting was restricted to one branch that was a bit too close for the hand-held 500mm - however, there was a nice conifer providing a green background.

As the sun went in and out, the lighting became interesting...

Number-wise the flock was tricky to count, there were certainly 37, maybe 47 ~ my count was never the same as the birds flew in and out! A single male blackcap was also feeding on the apples.