All quiet...

Not much doing here at the minute. Even the common local birds seem to have become elusive. Apart from the juv Great spotted Woodpecker still at the feeders, 2 Grey Wagtails in the village and a flock of about a hundred Swallows near the farm a single Yellow Wagtail in with the cows was the only thing of note.



above - Marbled Beauty.

The past couple of nights I have been out with the torch checking our buddleias for moths. There has been a few, including good numbers of Mother of Pearl, several Smoky Wainscot, Snout, Large Yellow Underwing, a single Common Footman and Marbled Beauty. Give it a try in your garden but be sparing with the torch light because the moths move off after few minutes of their flowers being illuminated...



Above - Mother of Pearl. Look at the iridescence on the wing, just like mother of pearl!

Village Show Week...

This is the weekend of our Village Show. Its a very small affair patronised mostly by the locals who show flowers, veg, cakes and artworks. As we are new residents here we thought we'd better give it a go and entered 9 out of about 32 categories. Jane baked cheese scones ( no prizes, the competition was excellent), a Ginger Cake (3rd), 3 Ginger Nut Biscuits (1st - wait- no other competition), a Ladies Buttonhole (2nd), a Table Floral Decoration (1st) and a Floral arrangement in a cup and saucer (3rd) while I did the photo and art section with an Animal Photo Portrait (3rd), a Castle Photo ( 1st) and a Landscape Painting (3rd).

8 successes out of 9 entries is a result for the new comers!




Above - The venue...



Above - Some floral arrangements ( click on this one the lighting is nice on the Sweet Peas)



Above - The real highlight, the cakes and tea laid on by the lcal WI.



Above - An assortment of New Laid Eggs, Cakes, Biscuits, Jams and Chutneys...



Above - We were even treated to a flyby by this Vulcan Bomber who must have taken a wrong turning on his way to Sunderland Airshow. He did two laps before heading back south...


Right, thats enough of that, back to the wildlife or lack of it.

On Saturday a nice 'creche' of juvvy birds were feeding in the sallow scrub along the lane. There were 3 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Marsh Tit, Robin, Coal, Blue and Great Tits. On our evening walk to the coast path a dark bird heading north out to sea followed by an entourage of black headed gulls wasn't the expected skua, but a juvenile Marsh Harrier. It eventually veered inland at Cullernose Point and headed away north west.

A Whimbrel was on the shore and it or another was heard calling from our garden later.




Above - Juvvy Marsh Tit pulling Privet flowers to bits. The books tell you that Marsh and Willow Tits can be seperated by the crown colour. Marsh is shiny black and Willow is matt black. Not in juveniles though. All are dull matt black. Its all down to structure and calls etc...



Above - Juvvy Chiffchaff, told from adults by the softed fluffier feathering on the body and head. Adults would be in full moult by now...


Sunday was a duller wetter day with very little to note other than this moth that found its way into our bedroom - Single-dotted Wave.

The Abyssinian...

I couldn't resist this one. Have you seen the Dusty Bins latest? A quest for nirvana called the Abyssinian...Our Alan seems to have lost his way somewhat.

As a lad I was brought up in Pegswood where Alan lives now. we used to explore all over the area on foot, fishing and bird nesting, building camps and catching Great crested Newts. One day we came across the Abyssinian Pond, a square deep hole that will never dry up, its too deep. Sunk in the field you are almost on top of it before it can be seen.

Aged about 13, we decided to fish it. And what a suprise I got. We arrived on site at about 10pm and fished all night ( you could do that then, paedophiles hadn't been invented). As the sun rose at about 4am the mist was hanging on the water and we started getting bites. we ended up filling a keepnet with huge Roach and some small Gudgeon ( great for the Northumberland fish list, like getting Red veined Darter). We didnt have weighing scales but the Roach were all between 14 and 16 inches long from nose to tail fork.

Then, at 6am the farmer arrived. Not best pleased he asked if we had caught owt. We could hardly lie with the net in the water, so we lifted it out on to the bank and I wish I could have photographed his expression! He didnt know there were Roach in there, it was a trout pond! oh well, the innocence of youth and all that. We released the fish and headed home...

Oh, Alan, its here.....



Be careful mind, its private and you aren't 13!

This juvenile Great spotted Woodpecker was difficult to get to grips with this morning on the nuts...

A delayed post from last night when we visited the old patch at Boulmer and took a walk around Seaton Point. The tide was just receding and a few waders were around - 16 Turnstones in summer finery, 2 Whimbrel (below, one with a Redshank) and good numbers of Oystercatchers and Redshanks. This moulting Yellow Wagtail looks odd. In the pic it look more like a Grey Wagtail, but its just in the process of losing body feathers. I watched it for a while with some Pieds, flying around and calling. On the village flash there was a nice breeding plumaged Icelandic Black tailed Godwit. They are quite easy to tell from Continental BTG's because they are smaller and more Bar tailed in shape. The red is darker and goes further down the belly too...





Back to tonight, Jane saw a Stoat on our garden wall hunting voles. It had disappeared by the time I got there. I hope it comes back...

Dean was right!

This Common Footman was on the patch of Hemp Agrimony on the coastal path. Dean Stables predicted that good insects were attracted to this plant and he wasn't wrong. This is an uncommon moth in Northumberland ( I think) so I've asked the experts for an update of its status in Northumberland. I remember seeing one as a kid somewhere but I have often been irritated by forgetting the location...

I had a 'Robinson Crusoe' moment this evening too. You know the scene, Crusoe is all alone wandering on his island and he comes across some footprints in the sand that aren't his - well, tonight I was on the way back from Bunty's walk on the coast path when I see the strange sight coming towards us. Birders. Two of them. Imagine the grunt of wonderment, like a monkey with a mirror, as I saw them in the binoculars...Whats was going on? Birders dont come here, there's nowt to see. What if they've had something that I've missed? What if there was a twitch nearby that I didn't know about? So I played it casual and strolled along the road until we met. It was only Alan Priest from Newbiggin and his mate Steven out for a change of scenery. Now I've known Alan for 20 years and the only time I've seen him out of territory was the day we first met, one I remember well.

12th July 1989, Cresswell Pond. We were strangers gazing at not much when Ian Douglas came by and said that there was a Sooty Tern at Hauxley. I didn't drive so Alan offered me a lift up there. When we arrived the bird was parading in front of the hide like a star but it had been re identified as a Bridled Tern. A proper county blocker to this day...

So cheers Al, you would let me know if there was a Sooty Tern at the Burn Mouth now wouldn't you?...

This Smoky Wainscot was in our porch this morning.

The morning was fine and a bit cooler than lately but pleasant, in total contrast to this afternoon with rain and a strengthening southerly force 5 wind.

Out with Bunty this evening the only things of note were my first Bar tailed Godwit and Golden Plover of the autumn when one of each in full summer plumage flew south low over the village.

A better forecast for the rest of the week I think...

(PS - Thanks to Skev for the i.d. I thought that the black dots were too small for Smoky, but I wasn't sure and just jumped right in there!)

As this was a nice fine evening, after work we took a walk along the same route I did yesterday morning. We fed the Swans and remaining cygnets and all seemed well.

Down in the wood a small patch of Enchanters Nightshade caught my attention, its the first time I've seen this plant up here.

Then down to the Howick Burn Mouth where a large flock of 500+ Black headed Gulls had gathered on the sands along with a few terns including a single, black billed Roseate. A further scan traced an adult summer Mediterranean Gull. I might have gotten some shots if they hadn't been put up by dog walkers.

On the way back home a steady movement of Swifts flew south to avoid the thunder clouds approaching from the west...

At 10pm we walked Bunty along the lane to the road ends. The Barn Owl flew from Village Wood into the garden of the Old Rectory B&B and a Grasshopper Warbler was in full 'reel' in the wood clearing. I wonder if its the bird from the pond field or a new arrival. Maybe it hasn't been able to find a mate at its first stop?

Some images from this morning walk around the patch...




Above - Looking back towards our village over the hay field. Welted Thistle in the foreground.



Above - Howick Burn mouth....



Above - Shady pines in the Long Walk...



Above - 6 spot Burnet Moths. Hundreds on the coast path thistles this morning...



Above - 3 Small Tortoiseshells...



Above - and a dozen Painted Ladies also on the coast path thistles...




Above - This Green Sandpiper dropped into the pond without calling to sit on the lilly pads. As the photo opportunities were not good, the notes were drawn on the spot...

The route took me south from the village past the pond, down the Long Walk and back via the Coastal Path. Highlights seen but not photographed were -

Crossbill 9 flew into pines near the pond
Buzzard 2
Great spotted Woodpecker 1

Large Skipper 3 still around.
Ringlet and Meadow Brown abundant in all areas.
Common Blue 2 along coast path.
Peacock 1 in the woods.

And thats about it really apart from a sad tale to depress even the hardest of hearts...

While I sat taking notes at the pond, the Mute Swan family of 4 were rooting around near the seat. One cygnet sat away slightly and looked a bit unwell. Not thinking too much of it I carried on with my notes. I could hear the adults grunting and squeaking away, like they do, so I glanced up.

The poorly cygnet was dead, face down in the water. After about 20 seconds, the adults and healthy young swam away leaving the sad body floating in the water. Its not often you see the death of a creature in such a benign way...



Above - The adult Swan leaves the dead cygnet...

After the rain...

Today was much better after 24 hours of very heavy rain. This morning was dull with some light showers but this afternoon was warm with sunny spells.

I had an hour and a half seawatch this morning from the coast path near home. I find it strange to pick up the scope and deckchair after seawatching and instead of putting them in the car, I can just walk the few hundred yards back home.

Totals seen as follows-

9.30am - 11am -

Tufted Duck 1 female with a flock of auks N.
Common Scoter 45 N and 7 S
Red breasted Merganser 1 ec male N
Cormorant 6 N
Gannet 1200 per hour N ( 22 in 1 minute)
Fulmar 15 per hour N
Manx Shearwater 20 N
Kittiwake 500 per hour N
Little Gull 2 ad summer N
Puffin 35 N
Bonxie 6 N including a group of 4
Arctic Tern 74 N
Common Tern 4 N
Roseate Tern 4 ad N
Sandwich Tern 13 N
Knot 50 N in one flock. Too quick to get an accurate count.
Sanderling 7 N
Whimbrel 1 N

A Porpoise was seen close in for a few minutes.

This evening at 6pm we had a visit to our friends house to feed their cat. They live on the other side of Howick Estate. On arrival a Barn Owl flushed from the top of a telegraph pole and vanished into the wood. Later 5 Crossbills flew N low over head calling constantly.

Back home, at 7.30pm our Barn Owl was hunting out the back field. In the bright sunshine it looked really good. These images above were taken from inside our kitchen, through the window. After the prolonged heavy rain these birds will be hungry now...

Summer Storms...

Well I think this is the start of the monsoon season good and proper. After a week of fine mornings and rainy afternoons today has gone the whole hog with a strong Northerly force 6 and torrential rain all day.

Looking on the bright side, this might shuffle stuff up a bit, so look out for some seawatching and maybe an arrival of waders as soon as the front abates...

This morning I took Bunty along to the coast path ( its amazing how that's my morning job when the weather is bad...) where we were just in time to catch sight of an adult Arctic Skua very close in move north along the rock edges. This evening, a quick glance from the car window had 1 Little Tern and 10+ Arctic Terns battling into the gale.

Two very wet and bedraggled Siskins were on our niger this evening...

Anniversary...

Its 3 years today since this blog started. The first post was of a Corn Bunting at Boulmer and I've not seen one since.

The Roseate was still there tonight but it flew by at about 30 miles an hour so no photos. In the garden tonight, a juvvy Great spotted Woodpecker and the raggy male Siskin were on the nuts, and a Grey Wagtail flew over, calling...

They're all Red veined Darters!

I couldn't resist it. I popped back to the Summerhouse Lane Pond today for a second look at the Red veined Darter. These dragons are rare migrants from southern Europe and are usually only found in the south in good years and are mega rare up here. A few breed near Southport but other than that they are rarities.

Bearing that in mind, imagine my shock today when I found that every 'red' darter I looked at was a Red veined. I had between 6 and 8 individuals around the pond edge ( I later heard that Richard Dunn had as many as 14!) I think I cocked up i.d yesterday with my Ruddies, they were all RVD's.



Above - This is the pond. RVD Habbo...



Above - Pristine top left wing....




Above - Raggy notched top left wing...



Above - Nice red veins...



Above - Look at the pterostigmas on that...



Above - Only one whitish body stripe...



Above - Blue in the face...

Not only those but the male Black tailed Skimmer ( Harry Eales had 4), 2 Emperors, including one that caught a Meadow Brown in flight, cut its wings off and ate it in about 15 seconds, 1 Four Spotted Chaser, 1 female Common Darter ( or teneral -immature - male).

I hope the pics are not dragon overkill but they are fantastic and up here we might not get the chance again. I suggest you go and see for yourself they are well worth it...

Oh and tonight back home the Roseate Tern was fishing very close in again. I might try and get some pics tomorrow evening if it is there...

Red veined Darter.

After a tip off from Roger Forster and Jimmy Steele, I took a trip at lunchtime to the new pond between Woodhorn and Newbiggin to look for the Red veined Darter.



First dragon seen was the target cruising the shallow margins at a regular pace and pattern. Larger than Ruddy Darter and broader winged, he didn't seem as fidgety either and more dliberate in his flight. It was quite agressive to both Ruddy and Common Darters until the male Black tailed Skimmer put in an appearance and chased him off for a while. The Skimmer itself is a fantastic record for Northumberland and is one of the first records ( I think).



Above - Look at the bright red parallel body and the yellowish pterostigma ( wing spots)visible even in this flight pic.



Although blurred this shows well the red veins and yellow bases to the wings in flight.



As does this.



Above - Head on the body shape and pterostigma spots are still visible.



The two shots show the blue eye base ( click on any picture) and all other features. The legs have faint paler stripes down them.



And finally a merge to compare with a Ruddy from last year. Look at the body shape, eyes etc.




Also present - 1 Four spot Chaser, 1+ Ruddy and 2+ Common Darter and the three common Damselflies.

Cheers lads a great spot!

A sunny July Day...

A nice warm and sunny day with a light SE2 to clear the air. Two short strolls today, firstly this morning to the Pondfield and later to the coast path. Nothing doing bird wise other than a whistling Whimbrel over the garden that remained unseen. The pair of Little Grebes on the pond have three tiny humbug striped chicks now. Plenty of distant fishing Gannets and Kitty frenzies too far to bother with...





A stroll through the meadow next to the pond lifted dozens of Meadow Browns (above) and a couple of Small Tortoiseshells (above) whilst there were about 15+ Ringlets in the Village Wood. New plants in flower in the Meadow were Devils Bit Scabious and Giant Bellflower. One or two Emerald Damselflies were new on the wing too ( above). There was no sign of any Dragons though. A large Trout jumped clear of the water (theres no fish in the pond they reckon)so that may be the reason for lack of Dragons. Plenty of Common Blue Damsels though...



Along the cliff path, some large clumps of Hemp Agrimony were in flower. A new one on me.



And finally, all of the nice spring blossom has turned into Bird Cherries now. They look good enough to eat!

A day late....again.

Not enough time!

Well, last night when I came home from woork I walked Bunty up towards the coast path. As I approached the road end and looked seaward I noticed some birds coming low across the cut hay field ahead. I knew what they were, but thought I must be mistaken so lifted the bins, expecting to be corrected by a family party of gulls, but no, only a couple of hundred yards from home, heading north overland were four tremendous Bonxies! Absolute belters they were too, all adults. Had I been seawatching they would have gone behind me. I should have taken the camera because I would, at least, have had a record shot to show you they were that close.

Thats it, about turn and collect the scope. The wind was a nice NNW4 and the sea had quite a swell on it. I ended up having an hour's look seaward in two halves, after returning Bunty for her tea.



This is the note book entry for the session -


Bonxie (Great Skua) 4
Little Gull 2ad
Whimbrel 2 inc one close enough to grab (well not quite...)
Arctic Tern maybe a dozen
Manx Shearwater 6
Roseate Tern 1 lovely pink adult watched for about 15 minutes hovering and dropping to catch a tiny sandeel then back up. The wind held it nicely at eye level throughout.
Sandwich Tern 2+

Along with plenty of auks, Gannets, Kitties, and Fulmars all going north, a good show for such an early date. A reminder that the autumn seawatching proper is imminent...

Craster Fete

This is a late post from the weekend. Its good to get back into routine after the hols, well most of it, apart from the back to work on Monday bit.

On Saturday we walked from home along the coast path to the tiny fishing village of Craster for their annual fete. There's not much there but it raises funds for the lifeboat so its a good thing. The views are great up to Dunstanburgh castle, and the weather was nice.

On the way, near Cullernose Point I found a first for me - Seaside Centaury (above) Centaurium littorale. In the books it looks tricky to identify but in the field it looks different to Common Centaury. This one was out on the rocky shore immediately next to the high tide mark. The leaves are upright and more 'succulent' and leathery. The flowers are gathered in clumps at the top. A nice find.



Before going to Craster, I was cutting the lawn when Ipin 'Druridge Pools' Robson rang to say he was watching a Red Kite over my house. Aaaargggh. I'm outside looking up and no bird. Then I lost signal and had to call him back. Then the directions were a bit more specific, the bird was actually a bit west, moving east towards the Heugh out our back. Despite leaping like a gazelle ( just use your imagination, ok) I was on our drive wall scanning the Heugh. There were Swifts and Swallows, Woodpigeons and a Buzzard at 30,000 feet but no Kite. It must have drifted north out of sight. Its unlucky, that...

Anyway this cock Siskin was nice for the time of year on the niger seed and if anyone can assist with this wild allium sp growing near the wall on our drive I would be grateful. I think it is either Crow Garlic Allium vineale or Sand Leek Allium scorodoprasum , probably the former? Nigel, Steve....


And I almost forgot, the other evening we walked to the cliff path and the sea was oily calm so I scanned for the Dolphin family. No sign but there were 2 Harbour Porpoises in the bay for compensation. They were only half the size with a stubby dorsal fin...