Sunday, February 10, 2013

In the doldrums...

February can be like that. For me. probably the worst month of the year. Locally, most of the wintering birds have been found by the end of January, and its while before spring reaches Northumberland ( does it ever?) so its a case of getting out and about regardless and hoping for the best.

Today I walked down to Howick burn mouth and back by the coast then had a quick drive up to Craster to check the harbour. It was dull cold and breezy from the south east. Bleak might describe it. I was hoping to add to the patch list with Grey Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Collared Dove, but even these paltry specimens remained elusive. This is the bit where I drop in 'I found a Ross's Gull' 'Which was nice', but I didnt.

The highlight would have been 2 probably Whooper Swans N but I only caught their arse end but I think I heard one call ( its not going on the list) and 8 Shelducks N along the coast, ...and nothing else.

Yesterday, my first new bird of Feb was the missing Yellowhammer, when a lone male was glowing from overhead wires above the bean field.

No 92

Pah...

Note the sun is shining and the bird is in our garden so its an old photo...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Stewart
I saw 12 Shelduck heading north, also 2 at chev and 2 east stobswood. Managed a few patch ticks including yellowhammer. Cheers David E

Mark said...

I agree..find this bit of the year really grim birdwise, and throw in it lashed down all weekend too, really need spring to hurry up !..:(