Yesterday morning I was standing on our lawn feeding the birds when I heard a Waxwing giving it six nowt across the road. Trilling at the top of its tufty voice only being drowned out by a passing lorry. I looked all the while it called but saw nothing. Thats twice in about a week thats happened...its getting irritating now.
Nothing calling this morning though...
Two new links added today -
John Malloy's Blog 'Birding Sometimes' will show some of his excellent pics. Downside, I've removed his website because it didn't work anymore!
Ian Fisher's website is on the Local Sites list. It too shows some of his great photo's from home and abroad...
I'm agog. The list below are today's hits! I wish I had been to as many countries as my blog, what a list I would have!
184 - - - -
140 London England United Kingdom
32 Newcastle Upon Tyne England United Kingdom
18 Swansea Wales United Kingdom
9 Calgary Alberta Canada
8 Manchester England United Kingdom
7 Paris Ile-de-france France
6 Reading England United Kingdom
5 Epsom England United Kingdom
5 Dublin Dublin Ireland
5 Hobart Tasmania Australia
5 Leicester England United Kingdom
4 Canterbury England United Kingdom
4 Sheffield England United Kingdom
4 Stockport England United Kingdom
4 Luton England United Kingdom
4 Toronto Ontario Canada
3 Leeds England United Kingdom
2 Blackburn England United Kingdom
2 Alicante Comunidad Valenciana Spain
2 Halifax Nova Scotia Canada
1 Norwich England United Kingdom
1 Wolverhampton England United Kingdom
1 Newcastle Wales United Kingdom
1 Mountain View California United States
1 Baden Aargau Switzerland
1 Amsterdam Noord-holland Netherlands
1 Cardiff Wales United Kingdom
1 Joinville Santa Catarina Brazil
1 Birmingham England United Kingdom
1 Rome Lazio Italy
1 Kiel Schleswig-holstein Germany
1 Peterborough England United Kingdom
1 Houston Texas United States
1 Las Palmas De Gran Canaria Canarias Spain
1 Lowestoft England United Kingdom
1 Sunderland England United Kingdom
1 Szolnok Jasz-nagykun-szolnok Hungary
1 Bristol England United Kingdom
1 Williamsburg Ohio United States
1 Berlin Berlin Germany
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Reply...
Just a note to Ms Robinson. I have replied to your comment. I'm not sure how long ago you left it?
Northumberland and Tyneside Bird Club
I've added a link to the 'Local Sites' list on the left for the new NTBC Website. It has some handy stuff for Northumberland birders and visitors to the county such as species lists, reporting forms etc.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
An early start today found me at Boulmer at first light. Only half an hour watching the sea on a falling tide had -
Long tailed Duck 1 female
Goldeneye 1 female
Common Scoter 2,6,50
Velvet Scoter 1 male, 3 (2 male, 1 fem)
(A flock of 50 Common and 3 Velvet Scoter plus 1 Teal flew N together)
a Red throated Diver was on the sea.
The rest of the morning was spent at Craster, where I walked the ridge north ( the heugh) to Dunstanburgh Castle and back.
Craster and Dunstanburgh are about 5 miles north of Boulmer so I thought I would check it out for a change. The west side of the Heugh is a sheltered glen with plenty of migrant attracting scrub to search. Craster village itself has another wooded ravine, the Arnold Reserve, where I had the Icterine Warbler in September.
Behind the castle are two boggy pools not shown on OS Maps.
Migrants were few and far between, best being 2 Brambling, 2 Crossbills, 4+ Fieldfare, 5+ Redwing. 1 male Long tailed Duck flew north and a Red throated Diver flew south. The pools had a few Teal, Wigeon and Mallard.
Also seen on my walk, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Bullfinch, 6+ Long tailed Tit, 10+ Blackbirds and 25+ Yellowhammers. 300 Grey geese sp flew S. Too far away to id.
Later on we went shopping at Morrisons at Alnwick when I noticed a new arrival on show from the car park - below....
What the silverback signifies I have no idea. He is on the roof of a furniture warehouse!
On the way back home from Heighley Gate, up the A1 today a large raptor was flying purposely over Causey Park Bridge ( The Oak Inn). I swung into the car park, scrabbled desperately for my bins, but by the time I found them, the 'buzzard' had gone west. I wonder....
Long tailed Duck 1 female
Goldeneye 1 female
Common Scoter 2,6,50
Velvet Scoter 1 male, 3 (2 male, 1 fem)
(A flock of 50 Common and 3 Velvet Scoter plus 1 Teal flew N together)
a Red throated Diver was on the sea.
The rest of the morning was spent at Craster, where I walked the ridge north ( the heugh) to Dunstanburgh Castle and back.
Craster and Dunstanburgh are about 5 miles north of Boulmer so I thought I would check it out for a change. The west side of the Heugh is a sheltered glen with plenty of migrant attracting scrub to search. Craster village itself has another wooded ravine, the Arnold Reserve, where I had the Icterine Warbler in September.
Behind the castle are two boggy pools not shown on OS Maps.
Migrants were few and far between, best being 2 Brambling, 2 Crossbills, 4+ Fieldfare, 5+ Redwing. 1 male Long tailed Duck flew north and a Red throated Diver flew south. The pools had a few Teal, Wigeon and Mallard.
Also seen on my walk, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Bullfinch, 6+ Long tailed Tit, 10+ Blackbirds and 25+ Yellowhammers. 300 Grey geese sp flew S. Too far away to id.
Later on we went shopping at Morrisons at Alnwick when I noticed a new arrival on show from the car park - below....
What the silverback signifies I have no idea. He is on the roof of a furniture warehouse!
On the way back home from Heighley Gate, up the A1 today a large raptor was flying purposely over Causey Park Bridge ( The Oak Inn). I swung into the car park, scrabbled desperately for my bins, but by the time I found them, the 'buzzard' had gone west. I wonder....
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Nothumberland Tales...
Heres one I forgot....
Turn the lights down and contemplate this....
Have you heard of the fabled ghostly bird of Northumberland? Each year it is reported. When the wind blows cold during the dark nights of winter a pale apparition appears over the heads of those who are unprepared for it. It can happen anywhere, in the most unlikely of surroundings. Often fleeting, occasionally causing mass hallucination amongst the vulnerable.
Don't let it pull you in to its spell. Look away for it will surely turn you to st...
The season for the vision is upon us, and no doubt some will be lured by it, just as the ancient mariners were lured onto the rocks by the voice of the mermaid...
My blood chilled today when I heard it had appeared for the first time this winter. No, surely not, but yes, another victim was claimed.
The Northumberland Rough leg has turned its chosen quarry to...string.
Turn the lights down and contemplate this....
Have you heard of the fabled ghostly bird of Northumberland? Each year it is reported. When the wind blows cold during the dark nights of winter a pale apparition appears over the heads of those who are unprepared for it. It can happen anywhere, in the most unlikely of surroundings. Often fleeting, occasionally causing mass hallucination amongst the vulnerable.
Don't let it pull you in to its spell. Look away for it will surely turn you to st...
The season for the vision is upon us, and no doubt some will be lured by it, just as the ancient mariners were lured onto the rocks by the voice of the mermaid...
My blood chilled today when I heard it had appeared for the first time this winter. No, surely not, but yes, another victim was claimed.
The Northumberland Rough leg has turned its chosen quarry to...string.
November.
Above - The north end of Boulmer looking towards Longhoughton Steel. As you can see, not much cover for Pallas's up here, but, its along here that Richard Dunn found one in weeds ( out of shot) a couple of years back. My only Boulmer record.
All I could manage was this confiding female Stonechat flycatching from the wall...
and 5 Robins were around the small car parking area. A mini arrival perhaps.
Later 160+ Pink footed Geese flew over our house south.
I see a few smaller migrants have turned up today. I might try some better areas of cover in the morning...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hallowe'en 2.
Despite the weather, or should I say because of the weather, a few visits were made to Boulmer today. The wind was a strong NNE7 with some awful hail and rain squalls. This morning I wandered the two stubble fields on the sea front, 1pm -3.45pm was spent seawatching and not seeing White billed Divers that were seen both sides of me!
Above - This Pale bellied Brent was grazing in with the sheep opposite the pub.
The walk around the two fields had Buzzard, Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, 21 Grey Partridges and quite a few seed eaters on the weedy edges - 7+ Yellowhammer, 12 Reed Bunting, 11 Tree Sparrow, 15+ Greenfinch and 30+ Linnet.
Seawatching totals -
Pale bellied Brent Geese 1 in the field, 7, 5 and 2
Velvet Scoter 3, 1 and 1 ( female landed on sea very close in)
Wigeon 214
Shelduck 1
Teal 10
Common Scoter 51
Scaup 1
Long tailed Duck 5
Red breasted Merganser 3
Eider 151
Red throated Diver 2
Pomarine Skua 1 juv flew N close in.
All birds moving N.
I reckon I missed a WBD when I had to go and 'assist' ( rescue is a better word, but we have to be humble...) a chap with two small children that had been cut off by the rising tide.
They had been wandering the rocky skeers with absolutely no regard to the tides or weather conditions. I watched them for a while assuming that 'dad' was in control. They moved out of sight under the cliff so I thought they had seen sense and gone on to the beach. I nearly had a panic attack when I saw them all walking back over the rocks out to sea even though only a narrow channel for escape was left. 'Dad' was about to paddle the kids to a watery grave into the deep flooding channel until I stopped him! By the time I shouted directions to the safest route this too was flooded, they were on an island. 'Dad' managed to carry the children over, getting himself soaked up to the thighs in the process. A close shave there...
No doubt tomorrow their holiday excursion will see them in the tower hut on Holy Island causeway while the car drifts off...
139. Scaup.
140. Pomarine Skua.
Above - This Pale bellied Brent was grazing in with the sheep opposite the pub.
The walk around the two fields had Buzzard, Merlin, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, 21 Grey Partridges and quite a few seed eaters on the weedy edges - 7+ Yellowhammer, 12 Reed Bunting, 11 Tree Sparrow, 15+ Greenfinch and 30+ Linnet.
Seawatching totals -
Pale bellied Brent Geese 1 in the field, 7, 5 and 2
Velvet Scoter 3, 1 and 1 ( female landed on sea very close in)
Wigeon 214
Shelduck 1
Teal 10
Common Scoter 51
Scaup 1
Long tailed Duck 5
Red breasted Merganser 3
Eider 151
Red throated Diver 2
Pomarine Skua 1 juv flew N close in.
All birds moving N.
I reckon I missed a WBD when I had to go and 'assist' ( rescue is a better word, but we have to be humble...) a chap with two small children that had been cut off by the rising tide.
They had been wandering the rocky skeers with absolutely no regard to the tides or weather conditions. I watched them for a while assuming that 'dad' was in control. They moved out of sight under the cliff so I thought they had seen sense and gone on to the beach. I nearly had a panic attack when I saw them all walking back over the rocks out to sea even though only a narrow channel for escape was left. 'Dad' was about to paddle the kids to a watery grave into the deep flooding channel until I stopped him! By the time I shouted directions to the safest route this too was flooded, they were on an island. 'Dad' managed to carry the children over, getting himself soaked up to the thighs in the process. A close shave there...
No doubt tomorrow their holiday excursion will see them in the tower hut on Holy Island causeway while the car drifts off...
139. Scaup.
140. Pomarine Skua.
Hallowe'en...
"North Northumberland's turbulent and bloody history has produced decades of haunting activity.
Each Hallowe'en a tragic phantom woman that gazes forlornly out into the crashing grey North Sea is said to leap from the edge to her peril near Cliff House at Amble. Her ghostly figure disappears before entering the water ( Maybe she has been seawatching at Boulmer?).
Another mournful Grey Lady walks through the front door and up the stairs into the drawing room at Craster Tower. Other spectres clash swords outside the building and the crunch of the wheels of an invisible ghostly carriage are said to roll up the driveway.
Warkworth Castle and the Hermitage are haunted by a knight, believed to be visitations from Sir Bertram, who killed his future wife in a tragic accident while Sir Guy the Seeker wanders Dunstanburgh.
The Deugar – or Brown Man – is said to inhabit the Simonside Hills protecting the local wildlife and nature ( he needs to do more work with Harriers...) while a black cat prowls under Rothbury bridge and a monk with no hands or face haunts the moors near Alwinton.
The gibbet up on the hills above Elsdon is haunted by the eerie presence of the murderer William Winter and spectral monks and a white dog are reckoned to be present on Holy Island.
In the 1960s a car's engine died without warning near the Otterburn battle site and the passengers found themselves surrounded by phantom soldiers that faded as they came towards the motor..."
Thursday, October 30, 2008
At last...
a seawatch.
This morning started cold and frosty with a light N3, sunny. Later the wind increased to N5 with some stinging squalls.
Before work this morning, as I fed the garden birds, I clearly heard the trill of a Waxwing. Stopping to look around, I heard it call a second time, but despite looking for the next ten minutes, no further sound nor sight was had. Pity that.
I decided to start work late this morning and fit in an hours seawatch from 0850 at Newbiggin. Had the tide been in I might have stayed at Boulmer but at low tide Newbiggin was the only choice ( especially as I work nearby).
It was quite good -
First bird seen very distantly and high up out to see was an asio owl gliding and flapping alternately having to avoid the attentions of Great black backed Gulls. It was too far out to see if it was Long or Short eared Owl, but I watched it for maybe ten minutes hoping it would come ashore. It didn't, instead choosingto carry on its flight south out to sea. Why do they do that when land is clearly in sight?
Goldeneye 2
Red breasted Merganser 2 females
Red throated Diver 3
Common Scoter 7
Mediterranean Gull 1fw
Pale bellied Brent Geese 2
Wigeon 5
Great Northern Diver 1 still in summer plumage.
Bonxie 1
Manx Shearwater 2
Arctic Skua 2
Little Auk 1 only feet from the rock edge flew out of the bay and landed right in front of me, before vanishing in the waves.
All birds moving north.
Now that I'd had a taste of a good day, I went to work and did my appointments before finishing early so I could get back to the sea. While I was away, Andy Mc had a Grey Phalarope go north. I got back to the point at 2.45pm and stayed until 4.30pm.
This time sharing the watch were Andy, Jimmy Steele and Graeme Bowman. We had -
Bonxie 2
Dark bellied Brent Geese 3
Gadwall 2 males, unusual here on a seawatch.
Manx Shearwater 6
Wigeon 14
Mediterranean Gull 1ad
Velvet Scoter 3
Arctic Skua 5
Pomarine Skua 2
Long tailed Duck 5m 1f
Eider 100
Guillemot 6+
Razorbill 1
Red throated Diver 3
Shelduck 1
Common Scoter 9
Mallard 1.
All good stuff made better now that I'm off for the weekend. Lets hope there are some birds to see....
This morning started cold and frosty with a light N3, sunny. Later the wind increased to N5 with some stinging squalls.
Before work this morning, as I fed the garden birds, I clearly heard the trill of a Waxwing. Stopping to look around, I heard it call a second time, but despite looking for the next ten minutes, no further sound nor sight was had. Pity that.
I decided to start work late this morning and fit in an hours seawatch from 0850 at Newbiggin. Had the tide been in I might have stayed at Boulmer but at low tide Newbiggin was the only choice ( especially as I work nearby).
It was quite good -
First bird seen very distantly and high up out to see was an asio owl gliding and flapping alternately having to avoid the attentions of Great black backed Gulls. It was too far out to see if it was Long or Short eared Owl, but I watched it for maybe ten minutes hoping it would come ashore. It didn't, instead choosingto carry on its flight south out to sea. Why do they do that when land is clearly in sight?
Goldeneye 2
Red breasted Merganser 2 females
Red throated Diver 3
Common Scoter 7
Mediterranean Gull 1fw
Pale bellied Brent Geese 2
Wigeon 5
Great Northern Diver 1 still in summer plumage.
Bonxie 1
Manx Shearwater 2
Arctic Skua 2
Little Auk 1 only feet from the rock edge flew out of the bay and landed right in front of me, before vanishing in the waves.
All birds moving north.
Now that I'd had a taste of a good day, I went to work and did my appointments before finishing early so I could get back to the sea. While I was away, Andy Mc had a Grey Phalarope go north. I got back to the point at 2.45pm and stayed until 4.30pm.
This time sharing the watch were Andy, Jimmy Steele and Graeme Bowman. We had -
Bonxie 2
Dark bellied Brent Geese 3
Gadwall 2 males, unusual here on a seawatch.
Manx Shearwater 6
Wigeon 14
Mediterranean Gull 1ad
Velvet Scoter 3
Arctic Skua 5
Pomarine Skua 2
Long tailed Duck 5m 1f
Eider 100
Guillemot 6+
Razorbill 1
Red throated Diver 3
Shelduck 1
Common Scoter 9
Mallard 1.
All good stuff made better now that I'm off for the weekend. Lets hope there are some birds to see....
Monday, October 27, 2008
Now, I hear you ask, whats he going to be blogging about tonight, its been dark since 5 o'clock?
The truth is not much really but I've just had Bunty on a torchlight walk at Boulmer, south from the lifeboat hut ( now thats local patchwork, walking it in the dark). As we returned to the car a Barn Owl was hunting along the strand line towards the village. Only my second sighting here.
I wondered what it was hunting but I suppose mice will venture from the grass onto the sand and I once found a Water Shrew on Hauxley beach in a Fabric Conditioner bottle. It must have been feeding on sand hoppers and taken refuge in the bottle and been trapped. It was released back to more suitable habitat nearby.
The truth is not much really but I've just had Bunty on a torchlight walk at Boulmer, south from the lifeboat hut ( now thats local patchwork, walking it in the dark). As we returned to the car a Barn Owl was hunting along the strand line towards the village. Only my second sighting here.
I wondered what it was hunting but I suppose mice will venture from the grass onto the sand and I once found a Water Shrew on Hauxley beach in a Fabric Conditioner bottle. It must have been feeding on sand hoppers and taken refuge in the bottle and been trapped. It was released back to more suitable habitat nearby.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
No proper birding after a late night last night, only a look around Seaton Point with Bunts. A tractor was busy ploughing one of the stubbles in flushing some birds over into one remaining field - 15 each Greenfinch and Linnets, 6+ Goldfinches, 5 Skylarks, 5 Reed Buntings and 12 Grey Partridges were seen.
Weather looks canny for later in the week. Northerlies or maybe North Easterlies. Hopefully there will be some seawatching ( Little Auks, Wildfowl? Poms?) and possibly even a passerine or two...I hope so, this is the Last chance Saloon for this autumn...
5.10pm Dark.
PS - I detect a tone of depression and gloom running through my fellow bloggers posts recently. Withens has even thrown the towel in. Come on chaps get a grip, enjoy the fresh air, wind in your face, leaves in the wind and one day something will turn up. Soon.
Weather looks canny for later in the week. Northerlies or maybe North Easterlies. Hopefully there will be some seawatching ( Little Auks, Wildfowl? Poms?) and possibly even a passerine or two...I hope so, this is the Last chance Saloon for this autumn...
5.10pm Dark.
PS - I detect a tone of depression and gloom running through my fellow bloggers posts recently. Withens has even thrown the towel in. Come on chaps get a grip, enjoy the fresh air, wind in your face, leaves in the wind and one day something will turn up. Soon.
Heros...
I'm sure we all have our 'heros', people who we look up to and respect for whatever reason. I'm not talking Ghandi or Martin Luther King type heros( though I'm sure they fit the bill) but those people who we can admire for setting the pace, ground laying that encourage us through our hobbies and interests on a daily basis.
Saturday was a good day for them. For me anyway. It was the 50th Anniversary get together for the Northumberland and Tyneside Bird Club at Newcastle Civic Centre. As well as modern day birding experts on a National level, older hands, founder members and ex pats all got together in one place.
We had a great day.
Above - David Parkin ex BOU Chairman and a founder member of the NTBC gives his talk. A professor in Genetics, David assited in the identification of the first Swinhoes Petrels in Europe through DNA from the Tyneside birds in the 90's.
Above - Mick Marquiss ( left) and John Ginnever. John was a former chairman of the NTBC from way back and Mick joined the bird club shortly after its inception in 1958 aged 13! Mick is a scientist now based in Scotland involved in studies into the ecology of raptors, ducks and finches.
Above - Mick again, Eric Meek and Brian Etheridge getting stuck into the quiz. Eric is one of the big names from Northumberland, starting the Northumberland Ringing Group and being a founder of the NTBC now the RSPB warden for Orkney.
Above - Mike Natrass from the left, Alan Janes in the foreground, Roger Norman and Mike Hodgson. Mike Natrass was a great inspiration when I was training as a ringer. His calm, mild attitude at Hauxley Ringing Station was excellent for passing on his knowledge and Mike Hodgson was County Recorder when I joined NTBC in the 80s. Atlas organiser extraordinaire a good speaker in public and one to look up to. Both the Mikes have been members of NTBC for 45 years!
Above - Graeme Bell, Mr North Northumberland Bird Club. There at the very beginning and still going strong...
Above - Ian Fisher and Alan Curry. Following in the tradition of great county birders, Ian was an excellent county recorder for years in the early 2000's and 90's.
Above - Our table. From the left - Michael Holmes, Roger Forster, Peter Francis, Trevor Blake, Andy McLevy, Alan Hart, Iain Robson and Janet Fairclough. Good friends all.
Above - The rare men table. From left Jimmy Steele ( ex BBRC and still and advisor) Colin Bradshaw ( ex BBRC Chairman for donkeys years ) and Ken Shaw ( ex BBRC member and rarity finder second to none).
Just some of the great birders and field naturalists Northumberland has produced over the last 50 years. All worthy of hero status, if we mere mortals are half as good we are doing well. RESPECT!
I'll end with a tip from the top for beginners and not so beginners everywhere.
David Parkin ( I think) recounted a tale of himself as a teenager seawatching at Seaton Sluice. On producing a brand new copy of the Peterson Field Guide, Mike Bell told him to put it away and never take it into the field again. When asked why, Mike went on to explain that if he saw a bird he didnt know he must take notes then compare at home. Spend time watching the bird not watching a picture in a book. ' Once youve taken notes on 25 Dunnocks you know what a Dunnock looks like...'
See, what a hero!
Saturday was a good day for them. For me anyway. It was the 50th Anniversary get together for the Northumberland and Tyneside Bird Club at Newcastle Civic Centre. As well as modern day birding experts on a National level, older hands, founder members and ex pats all got together in one place.
We had a great day.
Above - David Parkin ex BOU Chairman and a founder member of the NTBC gives his talk. A professor in Genetics, David assited in the identification of the first Swinhoes Petrels in Europe through DNA from the Tyneside birds in the 90's.
Above - Mick Marquiss ( left) and John Ginnever. John was a former chairman of the NTBC from way back and Mick joined the bird club shortly after its inception in 1958 aged 13! Mick is a scientist now based in Scotland involved in studies into the ecology of raptors, ducks and finches.
Above - Mick again, Eric Meek and Brian Etheridge getting stuck into the quiz. Eric is one of the big names from Northumberland, starting the Northumberland Ringing Group and being a founder of the NTBC now the RSPB warden for Orkney.
Above - Mike Natrass from the left, Alan Janes in the foreground, Roger Norman and Mike Hodgson. Mike Natrass was a great inspiration when I was training as a ringer. His calm, mild attitude at Hauxley Ringing Station was excellent for passing on his knowledge and Mike Hodgson was County Recorder when I joined NTBC in the 80s. Atlas organiser extraordinaire a good speaker in public and one to look up to. Both the Mikes have been members of NTBC for 45 years!
Above - Graeme Bell, Mr North Northumberland Bird Club. There at the very beginning and still going strong...
Above - Ian Fisher and Alan Curry. Following in the tradition of great county birders, Ian was an excellent county recorder for years in the early 2000's and 90's.
Above - Our table. From the left - Michael Holmes, Roger Forster, Peter Francis, Trevor Blake, Andy McLevy, Alan Hart, Iain Robson and Janet Fairclough. Good friends all.
Above - The rare men table. From left Jimmy Steele ( ex BBRC and still and advisor) Colin Bradshaw ( ex BBRC Chairman for donkeys years ) and Ken Shaw ( ex BBRC member and rarity finder second to none).
Just some of the great birders and field naturalists Northumberland has produced over the last 50 years. All worthy of hero status, if we mere mortals are half as good we are doing well. RESPECT!
I'll end with a tip from the top for beginners and not so beginners everywhere.
David Parkin ( I think) recounted a tale of himself as a teenager seawatching at Seaton Sluice. On producing a brand new copy of the Peterson Field Guide, Mike Bell told him to put it away and never take it into the field again. When asked why, Mike went on to explain that if he saw a bird he didnt know he must take notes then compare at home. Spend time watching the bird not watching a picture in a book. ' Once youve taken notes on 25 Dunnocks you know what a Dunnock looks like...'
See, what a hero!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The wind was a cold SW3 when I walked Bunty around Seaton Point this evening.
As the light faded a good skein of about 120 Pinkfeet flew north overhead. On the muddier areas of shore, 7 Bar tailed Godwits, 4 Grey Plovers and over 40 Wigeon were feeding ahead of a rising tide.
I was suprised when a Rock Pipit flew from my path, calling. I assumed that small birds would have gone to roost by now.
As we got back to the car Curlews were flighting into the stubbles to spend the night...
As the light faded a good skein of about 120 Pinkfeet flew north overhead. On the muddier areas of shore, 7 Bar tailed Godwits, 4 Grey Plovers and over 40 Wigeon were feeding ahead of a rising tide.
I was suprised when a Rock Pipit flew from my path, calling. I assumed that small birds would have gone to roost by now.
As we got back to the car Curlews were flighting into the stubbles to spend the night...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thats a turn up for the books. The Red footed Falcon that spent 32 days at Tophill Low has been re-identified as an AMUR FALCON! Needless to say the bird has gone...
The coming two weeks are officially 'Pallas's Warbler Fortnight'. I bet they are thin on the ground this year, unless the weather takes a dramatic turn around...Lets hope after that 'Dusky Warbler Fortnight' turns up the goods, because after that its hibernation time...
The coming two weeks are officially 'Pallas's Warbler Fortnight'. I bet they are thin on the ground this year, unless the weather takes a dramatic turn around...Lets hope after that 'Dusky Warbler Fortnight' turns up the goods, because after that its hibernation time...
Non-Motorised...
Inspired by the two-wheel birding antics of ADMc ( so far in 2008 his bike list is about 195 ), I thought I would give it a go. My bike has stood in the outhouse for years, untouched gathering cobwebs so I decided the other day to wash and oil it ready to go.
Forgetting how critically unfit I am, a 200 yard jaunt around to the shop and back left me teetering about like Bambi. Who says you never forget how to ride a bike!
So, filled with trepidation, today seemed as good as any to cover my patch on the cycle. The weather was not as bad as forecast as I left home at 8am looking as steady as a newly hatched Peewit, but after a mile or two I seemed to get it all together.
Off I went down to Low Steads and onto the links. This party of Goldfinches were drinking from the stream near the footbridge. From here the route went off road around Longhoughton Steel and in to Boulmer Village...
This is where the wheel came off ( nearly). The chain slipped and trapped between two large cogs. A bout of verbal abuse followed by a physical kicking and my trusty steed was back the right way up...Then off around Seaton Point...
where this Fieldfare was my only new migrant today and my first of the autumn. It looked very tired, probably only just arrived.
Then I circled around the runways back to the village and off home. A few Yellowhammers were in the stubbles.
Todays notebook showed -
Grey Partridge Coveys of 8, 6, 7, 3 and 5.
Goldfinch 51
Grey Wagtail 2
Twite 3 flew S
Golden Plover 75, 300, 17, 50, 20 and 11 flew S
Rock Pipit 4
Oystercatcher 30
Grey Plover 3
Bar tailed Godwit 5
Shag 3
Stonechat 6+
Pink footed Goose 14 flew N
Lapwing 50+
Redshank 51
Tree Sparrow 11 at Seaton Point
Wigeon 8
Reed Bunting 5
Song Thrush 2
Skylark 4
Meadow Pipit 9 flew S
Greenfinch 22+ at Seaton Point
Linnet 52
Yellowhammer 3+
Fieldfare 1
Heron 4
Red breasted Merganser 2 females N.
A great way to cover the patch more thoroughly than by car, I'll definately try it again, weather (and arse) permitting....I must get one of those gel seats.
138. Twite. ( I've recounted and noticed I had missed a few like Curlew Sand, Barnacle Goose and Grey Wagtail etc...)
Forgetting how critically unfit I am, a 200 yard jaunt around to the shop and back left me teetering about like Bambi. Who says you never forget how to ride a bike!
So, filled with trepidation, today seemed as good as any to cover my patch on the cycle. The weather was not as bad as forecast as I left home at 8am looking as steady as a newly hatched Peewit, but after a mile or two I seemed to get it all together.
Off I went down to Low Steads and onto the links. This party of Goldfinches were drinking from the stream near the footbridge. From here the route went off road around Longhoughton Steel and in to Boulmer Village...
This is where the wheel came off ( nearly). The chain slipped and trapped between two large cogs. A bout of verbal abuse followed by a physical kicking and my trusty steed was back the right way up...Then off around Seaton Point...
where this Fieldfare was my only new migrant today and my first of the autumn. It looked very tired, probably only just arrived.
Then I circled around the runways back to the village and off home. A few Yellowhammers were in the stubbles.
Todays notebook showed -
Grey Partridge Coveys of 8, 6, 7, 3 and 5.
Goldfinch 51
Grey Wagtail 2
Twite 3 flew S
Golden Plover 75, 300, 17, 50, 20 and 11 flew S
Rock Pipit 4
Oystercatcher 30
Grey Plover 3
Bar tailed Godwit 5
Shag 3
Stonechat 6+
Pink footed Goose 14 flew N
Lapwing 50+
Redshank 51
Tree Sparrow 11 at Seaton Point
Wigeon 8
Reed Bunting 5
Song Thrush 2
Skylark 4
Meadow Pipit 9 flew S
Greenfinch 22+ at Seaton Point
Linnet 52
Yellowhammer 3+
Fieldfare 1
Heron 4
Red breasted Merganser 2 females N.
A great way to cover the patch more thoroughly than by car, I'll definately try it again, weather (and arse) permitting....I must get one of those gel seats.
138. Twite. ( I've recounted and noticed I had missed a few like Curlew Sand, Barnacle Goose and Grey Wagtail etc...)
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Above - Simonside Hills in autumn colour. Pity the sun wasn't shining.
Above - The moors here are not as idyllic as they seem. Nice sign....
Above - My favourites, don't they look fantastic...
The pics above are todays, but first, Friday.
I was working lates yesterday so I had a couple of walks at Boulmer with the l'il G in the morning. ( She's been a bit under the weather lately but seems to be perking up now. Barking, running, nipping, ragging her toys all seem to be in order...)
A couple of Blackbirds arrived high from the east. I was interested in Newton Stringer's Mistle Thrush arrival because there was one near the shore with Starlings this morning and they are not too common here.
3 Buzzards soared over the plantation, 4 Common Scoter were on the sea and a juv male Ruff flew NW from the beach.
In the warm sunshine a Red Admiral was gliding around the shore.
Back to today.
We took a drive over to Otterburn this afternoon. Didn't see very much other than 3 Redwings move W. We collected a good bag of Conkers on Rothbury main street, though they are not for stringing , Jane uses them on her ornamental wreaths. There are few things more evocative of autumn than these smoothly red nuts of the Horse Chestnut...
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Plenty of 'string' on the pager today. Just as well its 600 miles away on Scilly. They didn't have - Hudsonian Whimbrel ( twas a Whimbrel), Blue winged Teal ( Garganey) and, best of all, Bearded Seal ( Grey Seal)...man, get a grip! Is Red eyed Vireo, Blackpoll and Sociable Plover not good enough.
Anyway, back to basics....
4 Redwings arrived over our yard first thing this morning. Later, at work, a Jay flew over Bedlington carrying its 'shopping' to bury for winter.
This evening in the twilight I walked Bunty around Seaton Point. Another 3 Redwings flushed and flew off west, a Goldcrest was settling down to roost in a hawthorn and on the beach 3 pale bellied Brent Geese fed only a few yards away on the falling tide.
Better pager news, a drake American Wigeon is at Fenham Flats ( sounds like it should be near the Regents Centre, its at Lindisfarne). If you catch the tide just right and search through several thousand Wigeon you might be lucky. Its not as bad as it sounds really, the tower hide gives great views of the area, but try and catch a rising tide, about half way in...
Anyway, back to basics....
4 Redwings arrived over our yard first thing this morning. Later, at work, a Jay flew over Bedlington carrying its 'shopping' to bury for winter.
This evening in the twilight I walked Bunty around Seaton Point. Another 3 Redwings flushed and flew off west, a Goldcrest was settling down to roost in a hawthorn and on the beach 3 pale bellied Brent Geese fed only a few yards away on the falling tide.
Better pager news, a drake American Wigeon is at Fenham Flats ( sounds like it should be near the Regents Centre, its at Lindisfarne). If you catch the tide just right and search through several thousand Wigeon you might be lucky. Its not as bad as it sounds really, the tower hide gives great views of the area, but try and catch a rising tide, about half way in...
Monday, October 13, 2008
Now that the nights are drawing in, on week days I will only be posting about what I've seen at work and maybe some gossip. As a result, there won't be much to read about...
Todays news. At home, 1 House Martin still trilling overhead and at Bedlington this morning 4 Redwings flew over west. No Fieldfares yet. I wonder if we will get any more easterlies before the end of the month?
Its a long winter...
Todays news. At home, 1 House Martin still trilling overhead and at Bedlington this morning 4 Redwings flew over west. No Fieldfares yet. I wonder if we will get any more easterlies before the end of the month?
Its a long winter...
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