Lifer....

Taking a Tip from Dean at Mostly Macro found me checking out our local Spar shop this morning where Jane had noticed 'some moths' on the wall. There were 4 Pale Brindled Beauty easily seen roosting on painted pebble dashing. A first for me, probably because I have never looked for insects this early before. These moths are on the wing during the first quarter of the year only...



Above - Pale Brindled Beauty.

As it was a nice calm day, I had an early lunch at work and popped to Blyth to see if the Iceland Gulls were around. They were, and I was pleased to see not two, that are regularly reported, but three juveniles all visible from one spot, perched along the harbour staithes. Nice birds these and quite obliging...







Above - This Great Black Backed Gull dwarfed its northern relatives. An impressive beast...



Above - In the early spring sunshine these Eiders were defensive of the female with them..

A good day then, out of nothing...

At about 6.15 this evening, in the dark, there was such a commotion of yapping, flapping and honking only a short way over head as I walked Bunty up the main road in Longhouhton. What must have been 100+ Pink footed Geese were going north. As I looked up into the dark, the street lights just about lit up their bellies... An Oystercatcher called out in support, my first one of the spring moving west...

Waiting...

Above - Drifts of Snowdrops fill the woods at Howick Hall and there are odd small clumps at any bit of roadside...

A day off work today to wait for the kitchen delivery and an electrician.

While I waited I finished some wallpaper stripping then after the rain stopped did a bit of garden tidying. The new garden is much better than our current one. There is actually proper soil with worms in it as well as plants! Now, we have clay and hardcore in a nougat type consistency. I'll be able to do some planting again soon.

I had a visit from Nigel (Abbey Meadows) and the kids who were at a loose end on their school holidays. While we chatted, our attention was distracted by 3 Buzzards over the field behind the house as they 'mewed' and generally were belligerent with each other. 2 males and a female I think? The males squabbled as the female ran around like a pheasant looking for worms ( or moles) between the mole hills.

Two pairs of Mistle Thrushes were in dispute too, with one male doing a proper song flight over head. I cant recall ever seeing a thrush singing in flight for such a prolonged spell, it ws like a giant skylark in some ways...

Later on I walked Bunty over the fields up the hill called Hips Heugh where nice views over the farmland and sea can be had. We came back by the cliffs near Cullernose Point seing 35 Fulmars sat out on the grassy cliff ledges, while 40+ Curlews were feeding in the cliff top fields.

A pleasant day off work ...




Above - The view to our house from Hips Heugh. You can see the sea and Longhoughton Steel in the background...

Another Owl...

I was on my way home after dropping some plaster off at the house tonight when I noticed an owl on the fence, near Howick Hall, not far from the site of last nights Barn Owl. I slowed up, thinking that I'd seen the same bird, but as I got close I was pleased to see that this time my fence sitter was a nice Tawny Owl. It didn't linger like a Barn Owl would and flipped over into the trees and out of sight...

A flock of about 200 Pink footed Geese flew north over Longhoughton this morning.

The past couple of nights I've seen a moth or two flying around and they looked like proper macros. I wonder if they are Pale Brindled Beautys ? I don't think I've seen one before but I see some of the blogging chaps have been seeing them on the wing now (Mostly Macro and North Downs). I might leave an outside light on to see if I can attract one...

Garden Watch...

Above - from the Kitchen window. I love the wall, all covered in Ivy leaved Toadflax, Ivy and mosses...



Above - Tree Sparrow homes. More to come...

At the house from 08.30 until 4pm today. A rough list of what was seen from the windows or garden without bins and covered in plaster -

Fulmar 2 over the village.




Pink footed Geese 70+ N
Kestrel 1
Great spotted Woodpecker 1 male in the garden.
Yellowhammer 1
Reed Bunting 1
Curlew 1 feeding in stubble out the back
plus the usual 3 Tit species, Robin, Dunnock etc etc

A Song Thrush came to an unfortunate end when it flew into the living room window and broke its neck, possibly distracted by the fireplace (below)....

On the way home a Barn Owl was on a fence post next to the Hall entrance and a Buzzard flew overhead to roost.



Above - Its coming on nicely...? Just wait till the wood burner is in there and the sandstone is dressed and pointed. Lovely. Just ignore the carpet, right. An 'after' shot will follow in a (good) few weeks....

One for Newton Stringer...

My Stobswood bird table, April 05...I didn't believe it either! Witnessed and corroborated by NF (Abbey Meadows) as it ate sunflowers seeds. Only a one day bird...

The Exodus begins...

Working at the house all day today with JWR, so no time for proper birding. When I arrived a couple of Fulmars were soaring around over head and were added straight on to the 'from the garden' list.



A bit later and the familiar calls of Pink footed Geese encouraged me outside to see these going over. A few more groups passed during the day totalling about 300 birds. It just takes a mild day like today to set the ball rolling. These geese will be heading to Scotland on the first leg of their journey to the breeding grounds. In April they will head off over the sea to Iceland...

Quite a few birds reported in Northumberland today with several Iceland Gulls ( an adult in Amble Harbour is my nearest and may well tempt me to get the bins out...) a drake ( what else) Green winged Teal at Bothal Pond and a Smew at Bolam Lake. The Ring Ouzel is still up the coast at High Newton.

Slavonian Grebes and Long tailed Duck numbers are going up in the north of the county with 17 Slavs and 45 Long tailed Duck at Stag Rocks...

Ipin asked me if the coastal Fieldfares could have come from the continent at this time of year. I believe so, though most will already be here or in the south of Europe by now. When the cold weather on the continental side gets too harsh these powerful thrushes can just up and away westward to milder climes, to meet birds already wintering here, pushed to the coast by harder weather inland. Its the same weather system that brings the Grebes, LT Ducks and Smew... Weather induced movements are quite dynamic and can occur at any time, often well outside the usual migration periods.

Things are starting to happen...

Spring! No, not quite...

Another half day off work thanks to the weather. I came home after lunch because it had been snowing for several hours and the roads were looking tasty...This is the first 'proper' snowfall I've experienced at home since we have lived here, nearly 4 years. The close proximity of the coast generally means that when places only 5 miles inland are snow bound we are usually clear, but not today...

This afternoon I had a walk from home, down to the sea at Low Steads and back getting well soaked in the process.



The cattle looked fed up standing backs into the wind, but they did attract some birds....



There were 60+ Skylarks, 7 Snipe and 4 Meadow Pipits here while a bt further along the links were 120 Fieldfare and 20 Redwing. Grey Partridges stood out in the white and 15+ were seen mostly now paired up.



Only the farmer had been along the road....



Its not often the beach gets snow on it.

I didn't see any frogspawn, catkins or crocuses. I'll give it another few weeks....

The company we keep...

I found a letter today that I hadn't seen in a while so I thought I would tell you about it all. I may find someone out there in the English speaking world that I haven't already told...



Two years ago almost to the day, the bird club contacted me and asked if I was available the following Saturday morning. Intrigued, I said I was and asked why. 'Do you fancy taking someone out birding for a few hours?' I was asked. 'The Irish Ambassador to the United Kingdom is attending a civic reception at Alnwick castle after giving a lecture in Newcastle. He is a birder and has some time to kill.'

'His people' would be in touch to make arrangements.

The following Saturday saw me waiting at Seahouses when a black BMW complete with ensignia pulled up, the driver in a black suit, looking the part. The Ambassador, Mr O'Kelly ( O'Ceallaigh) was a very nice chap, who had previously been the ambassador in Finland. I took him in my car for a jaunt around Budle Bay and Stag Rocks where he enjoyed Long tailed Ducks, Scoter and Eiders. I even struck lucky on the day and found a drake Green winged Teal in Budle bay. We had a good chat and he left at lunchtime to continue with his duties.

Shortly after I recieved his letter above, he kindly donated to the Bird Club funds.

Now I have lead the odd walk around the county at places such as Cresswell and Kielder etc but that one will be the one to remember...

This is the view at first light this morning out the back of our house. More snow, covered in rabbit footprints. It was very cold too, -3 on the way to work.

Looking out into the garden on the other side, was this Fieldfare, looking quite weak. We put out some apples and it soon got stuck in. I hope we made a difference...This weather is starting to take its toll I think.




Pity the sun wasn't up , I could have taken some better photos an hour later, but work beckoned. Not only was it dark, but these ones were also taken through the bedroom window.

Web Page...

I have set up one of those new, free, Google web sites called ( oh what a suprise) The Boulmer Birder. Its over there, on the right.

I fancy it might be a type of introduction instead of the 'profile' on the blogger where new visitors can get an idea what has been going on, on the blog. I'm not sure if it will stay, but it shows a sample of photos and sketches that have appeared on here. There are pages for not only birds, but mammals, dragonflies, butterflies, plants etc.

Taking a new turn, I have added some field notebook pages because I think it is important to get the more recent converts to birding into the note taking habit. I mean, if people didnt take notes and submit descriptions there would be no lists at all!

Any constructive critiscism will be gratefully recieved. Is there anything I could add or change?

Two Bunty walks around our new house today. The first, early on, had very little other than a Roe Deer, a Buzzard and 3 Grey Partridges.

This afternoon a dusk stroll around was better. A nice Barn Owl was dozing at the entrance to its nestbox, a Heron flew north while this mornings Buzzard was seen going to roost. 30+ Golden Plover were swirling around and a female Sparrowhawk didn't waste any time crossing the field behind the house.

On my way home, a Woodcock had a near miss, lifting from the roadside verge, across the front of the car and off into nearby woodland.

I put two nest boxes up on the edge of my garden today. The first of a good few in the hope of attracting the resident Tree Sparrows to set up a colony.

Electrics this week, hopefully, in time for the Kitchen delivery...

By it was bleak today. Down at the house at 9 in the teeth of a NW wind with snow and sleet squalls just adding to the ambience. It was truly smashing, balanced on a 'heath robinson' scaffold, passing wet slates up to my mates ( to whome I'm forever in their debt) while they repaired the boiler house roof.

As hypothermia set in, a flock of 70+ Redwings pitched into the copse next to our garden, and we heard that a Barn Owl had been hunting at first light this morning, in view from our new kitchen window. I'm going to like it here. When its finished that is...

This afternoon I took Bunty down to Boulmer where a flock of 26 Bar tailed Godwits on the beach was a good count here, alongside 45 or so Redshanks...

A day of two halves...

Half past eight this morning was very poor indeed. It was almost dark with a strong SE7 blowing some sleet horizontally against the windows, but after lunch the wind dropped and the sun came out, making the day seem almost spring like.

Until 2pm we were working in our new house where I added to the garden list with a nice Reed Bunting calling from the buddleia on the drive. A couple of Yellowhammers were in the small copse next to the garden and a Grey Wagtail flew over.

As the weather was much better and our days work was done, I went to collect the dog and returned to have a stroll around the area.





Unlike Boulmer, there are some nice wooded areas here, though they are more parkland than wild wood there are still good numbers of woodland species to be seen. The small lake holds a few ducks on occasion too, but today all I could see were 1 Little Grebe, a Moorhen, and the resident Mute Swan pair. A Goldcrest called and displayed its crest in the willows nearby.

Further on, 4+ Bullfinches were feeding on dropped seeds and a Jay was mobbing something in the pines. Back in the village, near our house, a Marsh Tit showed but proved too elusive to photograph.

We then did a lap around the road edging the coastal fields and had 153 Curlew, 157 Golden Plover, 29 Lapwing, 4 Mistle Thrushes and 2 Fieldfares. I heard my first Skylark of the year, but I still haven't seen one yet...

So much for us getting a foot of snow...

Turned out nice again...

The weather today was quite, er, inclement. At first light there was about an inch of snow and the wind was a force 8 easterly. I headed off to work, after meeting an electrician about some wiring in our house, and by the time I got to Amble I could feel a day's holiday coming on. This was brought about by my car skidding across the Hipsburn roundabout into the path of an oncoming car and only narrowly missing disaster. The return home was just as bad, especially the RAF base bank, where two vans blocked the road as they slid back to the bottom. You wouldn't believe so little snow could cause so much trouble. I dread to think what would happen if we got a foot of snow like the south east. WHERE ARE THE GRITTERS!

Anyway, before leaving Amble I stopped in at the harbour to see the sea coming over the breakwater...






The Serbian-ringed Mediterranean Gull was loitering nearby.

Shortly after lunch I decided to brave the elements and have a wander around my new patch, the farmland viewable from our new house.




This is the view (above) from the trig point on the top of the Hips Heugh. Its only 58 metres above sea level but in the wind and hail it felt like a mountain top. In the distance, Dunstanburgh castle looks forboding...



Above - The only life at the top was a nice flock of about a hundred thrushes, consisting of equal numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing with one or two Mistle Thrushes and a few Starlings, trying to get out of the gale.




On the way down, a Kestrel was pointed into the teeth of the gale, while a Buzzard took the easier option and sheltered in the woods.



At the bottom, Cullernose point looking about as bleak as it can. The cliff with the waves breaking over the top are about 20 feet high at that point...

Off again tomorrow but will be working on some inside jobs at the new place.

Drive carefully now....

I managed to have a walk around Seaton Point with Bunty this morning ( DIY on hold until Tuesday). On the way down to Boulmer, 2 Mistle Thrushes on the hedge along the roadside looked to be a pair. It wont be long now before they are nest building, Mistlers are always one of the earliest.

The sea was rough today and a strong cold wind came in-off. The walk was very quiet, enlivened by a few Grey Plover, a pair of Shelduck, 25 Linnets and a Yellowhammer. I checked the gulls, from the car, in Boulmer haven but there were no white wings. The fishermen have lifted their boats on to the shore, so they must be expecting some even rougher seas...

I recieved an interesting email today from Dave Whittaker who is doing a study of marine life. He was enquiring about the Oarfish from the other week. Apparently they are rarer than I thought, with this fish being only the third in Britain for 30 years. The last ones being in 2003 and 1981! A great record for Northumberland.

An Art Interlude...

My friend Peter has just done a new website, showcasing his excellent artwork. Please look here and enjoy.( A new link is also in the column on the right).

Peter is very modest about his talents, but I think his work is tremendous and one to look up to.

I particularly like the Northumberland landscapes with the ancient cup and ring marked stones, but there are some great birds and cityscapes in there too, not forgetting some nice characatures of St Mary's Lighthouse...

If you are a local or a visitor to our area I'm sure there is something in here for you...

Its looking cold....

Yesterday on the way home from work a Barn Owl flew over the car just north of Hadston. Later on, at home, a Tawny Owl was hooting near the church. I've not heard one here now for a good few weeks...

I popped along to our new house this afternoon to meet a plumber ( the second one, the first should have been wearing a highwaymans mask and carrying a gun...). While I waited, a Buzzard was mewing and seeming to enjoy being tossed around the grey sky in an increasingly cold wind.

The weather forecast shows that Sunday is to be a day of strong nor'easterlies stretching all the way from Siberia via the Baltic. They look to be freezing too. If this is correct, it might push some birds across from the low countries and the Baltic states to look for some unfrozen ground. Already, Slavonian Grebes are numbering in the high twenties up on the Lindisfarne reserve, maybe they've seen the same forecast? You never know we might even get some more divers, grebes, bitterns or shorelarks on our coasts....

Pity I'll miss out....

No birding this weekend for me. It went something like this...




Above - Horrid fireplace, circa 1984, in situ ....



Above - Horrid fireplace yesterday in the hands of our friend, Derek...

Nice. You should see it today! No camera, too dusty....

Still, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard added to my new garden list. Is that allowed when I don't even live there yet?

Travelling Gull...

Ian Fisher kindly sent me a Med Gull update for the two birds in Amble Harbour. The two birds are shown above with one the brighter bird ( redder bill etc) wearing the red darvic ring. If you remember I photographed this bird last year, in March, and posted it on here. This is the update of where it has been since then...

26.05.2007. Palić lake,Subotica,Vojvodina(YU78),Serbia 46.04N 019.44E A.Žuljević & O.Sekereš breeding bird

05.10.2007. Amble harbour,Northumberland(GBNL) 55 20N 001 34W K. Walkling 131 1808 312°(NW)

12.02.2008. Amble,Northumberland(GBNL) 55 20N 001 34W Ph. Bone 262 1808 312°(NW)

02.03.2008. Amble harbour,Northumberland(GBNL) 55 20N 001 34W S. Sexton 281 1808 312°(NW)

06.04.2008. Csaj-to,Tömörkény,Csongrád(HG43),Hungary 46 34N 020 05E A. Fodor 316 62 25°(N)

10.10.2008. Amble harbour,Northumberland(GBNL) 55 20N 001 34W E. Crabtree 503 1808 312°(NW)

10.12.2008. Amble,Northumberland(GBNL) 55 20N 001 34W G. Pollinger 566 1808 312°(NW)

23.01.2009. Amble harbour,Northumberland(GBNL) 55 20N 001 34W I. Fisher 610 1808 312°(NW)

Most interesting for me is the way it heads south to breed and north to winter? Unusual that. I see that after I saw it, last spring, one month later and it was in Hungary!

More Barn Owls today. Well one for me and one for Jane. Jane's was while she took Bunty out this morning flying through the estate behind the local 'Spar' shop. Mine was hunting the roadside near East Chevington when I was on my way to work, the early sun glinting through its translucent wings, lovely.

Only other thing I've seen today was a little blue and orange cock Sparrowhawk hedge hopping through Bedlington. I like Sparrowhawks, these little assassins are so full of life you can just about hear them buzz as they go past...

I managed to escape Homebase for long enough today to help JWR do the WeBs count at Cresswell Pond this morning. There were loads of wildfowl, the best being 466 Wigeon, 86 Teal, 4 Pintail, 3 Red breasted Merganser, 2 Scaup and 122 Pinkfeet. Although there were 5 Goldeneye, I couldn't see enough difference to make a female into a Barrow's ( a possibility indicated earlier this week by someone). Not a claim I would like to make without point blank views despite having seen a some in Iceland a few years back...

On the way back north, a short stop had 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls on Amble Little Shore, behind the harbour. I had left the camera in the car, so this sketch gives an idea what they were like.




Finally, Homebase caught up with me, but not before I stopped at Denwick church to appreciate my first spring flowers of the year. I like Winter Aconites. They really brighten the day...

I worked a bit late last night and was on my way home at 8pm when a Barn Owl flew over the car right next to the RAF Radar Base at Lesbury. I was pleased with that but only about a hundred yards further on, a second Barn Owl came over and headed off towards the first. Him and her perhaps?

The other night at this very spot, I noticed the gruesome sight of a Brown Rat gnawing away at a roadkill Hare on the road side. Nice...

This mornings Bunty walk was along the cliffs near Howick and Rumbling Kern. It was a bit breezy so there was little of note, but I did have 61 Curlew and 15 Golden Plover in the field near the road and a glance offshore produced my first Gannet, Fulmar and Kittiwakes of 2009...

Goodbye Boulmer Birder...

But not just yet...

Sorry about the lack of postings recently. I haven't been out too much since New Year and it looks as though the next couple of months will be busy too.

We are on the move. A change of house and local patch is in the offing...

This is where we are going -




How good is that!

Our new house needs a bit of work doing so there will be little time for the regular blog postings but I'll add what I can. Once moved, hopefully in March, I think I'll set up a new blog...

Of course Boulmer won't be completely abandoned, just not visited as often as now. There are other places to explore...

New Link...Whitley Birder.

Just added a new link to the Blog List on the right - Whitley Birder. Jack B is just 13 and takes a canny picture. Two of his recent photos have even won competitions recently...and mores the point, the lad even found a Hen Harrier at St Mary's in November...

Check him out. Unfortunately there is no provision for leaving comments, maybe due to his young age, but good luck anyway Jack, keep up the good work!

No birding today, just a walk with Bunty. I've stumbled across a few Buzzards today with 2 at Howick, Haven, 3 over the Denwick junction of the A1 and 1 at Howick Hall this evening...

Glaucous winged Gull...

I took a day off work today and headed the 70 miles, or so, south to see if I could catch up with the adult Glaucous-winged Gull in the Saltholme Pools area. ADMc and myself arrived at Saltholme at 10am, knowing that the bird had gone off the the tip to feed sometime earlier. Figuring we had some time to kill before it returned I suggested that it was time to get the flasks out. No sooner had I stepped from the car, the pager sprang to life with the news that the bird was showing at Dormans Pool half a mile along the road...



Above - The scenic splendour of a frozen Dormans Pool on Teesside.

Here we met up with Richard Dunn and we soon had the bird in our sights. It paraded around the ice for the next half hour before flying off back to the tip to feed. I didn't get any good pics this time as it kept dipping behind patches of reed.

We decided to wait for it to return, busying ourselves with an adult Glaucous Gull, below, a nice Short eared Owl and several Pintail




We waited until 3pm before Richard called that the bird had returned. By now we had been accompanied by Brian, Northumbrian Birding, Bullough and Janet Fairclough.
This time the Glaucous- winged Gull sat out in the open for all to see, though this time the low evening light made the primaries look darker than they really were.

Also here was a large juvenile Glaucous Gull.



Above - Right, Glaucous-winged Gull lying out on the ice with a Herring Gull for comparison.

Below - A neater version of my field notes...



Thats that then, a good day all round. The GWG was the second for Britain after one trapped and ringed in Gloucestershire in 2007 and about the 4th for the WP. A nicer bird than I had envisaged...

My British List now -

390. Glaucous-winged Gull.

PS - Richard Dunn shows how to take a picture of the GWG as it flew from the ice this morning - below...




Cheers Richard!

PPS - Remember, these pics aren't mine so please don't take without permission...

WinterButter....

First good find of 2009. A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. Yes, I know its in a pint glass, no I haven't drank the contents first, this butter was doing laps around our living room when I came in from work tonight. We have obviously woken it from its hibernation so it was caught in the glass and put back to bed, this time in the cool of our pantry...

I see I have won the Quicksilver Christmas Challenge Trophy. I'm pleased with that but next year it's ton-up or bust! Have I got to hand the trophy back next Christmas? ;)

But seriously folks, its great to see everyone doing garden lists, park lists, window lists or whatever, its not about winning or quantity, its just about getting stuck in and enjoying whatever you do. I'd recommend it to anyone. Everyone who took part seemed to get something enjoyable out of it and thats what its all about.

Cheers Andrew...

On the way home from work tonight a Barn Owl was on the fence opposite the Radar Base...

2008 Highlights...

Well thats the back of 2008 and here we are into 2009. What will it bring for us? Will it match up to 2008? No doubt there will be both good days and bad, and I'm looking forward to see what will turn up.

In 2008 my personal good bits included a few good trips away to wildlife hotspots - China in May, Suffolk in June, Cornwall in September and Speyside in December.

In the summer I particularly enjoyed my quests after Dragonflies, something that is quite new to me, but it will be continued in 2009. I think I had 23 species including Norfolk Hawker, Scarce Chaser and White faced Darter. Of the butterflies Purple Hairstreak and Silver studded Blues were firsts for me and I was well pleased to see them, as I was with Grass Snake and Basking Shark too, and not forgetting Ballan Wrasse ( who would?).

I suppose birds have taken a lesser position in the year than normal, though I still had 3 lifers with Lesser Grey Shrike, Great Snipe and Stilt Sandpiper. All great stuff.

On the patch, Boulmer, there were no real rarities, but 146 species were still recorded, not a bad total for a site with no fresh water.

So what will 2009 bring?

Well I usually have some plans on that front but not so much this year. I think I'll continue to stick with my roots and do the naturalist thing rather than just birding. There is so much out there to enjoy and often the hunt for them takes you into pastures new. Speaking of which, we are off to the New Forest in June where I will be looking out for a few dragons and damsels, maybe a butterfly or two and even some of the southern heath wildflowers...

We will be busy in the first quarter house moving too, just a couple of miles up the road, but to a quieter more rural location - I'll update when I get some news myself!

As for the past few years I will continue blogging. I like it. It adds another dimension to my trips out because I'm always on the look out for something to interest you all or to stir up some banter.Thank you to everyone who has left me coments in 2008, they are much appreciated even if I sometimes don't get back to you.

In 2008 I had 48,000 hits, more than double the traffic of 2007. Now 40,000 of that will be random googlers looking for god knows what but to the rest of you, thanks very much and I hope you enjoyed it.

Lets hope 09 will continue in a similar vein.

Cheers all, and don't forget to contact me about anything I post about. Good luck for the coming year...

Stewart...

Glaucous-winged Gull twitchers NOTE!

I see that the MEGA in Teesside has not been seen today. Fear not those dippers out there, there may be a valid reason. The tip is closed at weekends.

I only moot this theory because at Ellington tip gulls are at a peak between Wednesday and Saturday when the bins wagons arrive. The Saturday birds are still at the weeks refuse, but by Sunday there's not much left to eat. On Monday numbers can be low because it takes time to realise that dinner is served again until Tuesday when the birds start to return.

So, what am I blathering on about? I mean that the GWG might just be having a day or two away and might come back when his mates realise that the food supply has been reinstated...

Unless its gone?

Stewarts top tip - dont visit tips on a Sunday, son, there'll be nowt there...

Quicksilver Christmas Challenge...

Between Chrsitmas Day and New Years day a few of us have been keeping a list of birds seen. Over this period most people have other commitments to keep them occupied, me included, so its a good way of just seing what you can get during a week in winter, whether you are all out birding or you are looking from the mother in law's window.

During the time, I counted birds mostly on dog walks, but there was a half day run around and a trip to Scotland for the last 3 days. Here's how it went...

1. Red throated Diver - Only one seen off Boulmer.
2. Little Grebe - seen in a few localities.
3. Cormorant - Boulmer.
4. Grey Heron - seen in a few localities.
5. Mute Swan - Howick pond, QEII lake etc
6. Whooper Swan - between Widdrington Village and Ellington.
7. Pink footed Goose - Many in Cresswell area.
8. White fronted Goose - 3+ near Linton.
9. Greylag - with White fronts.
10. Canada Goose - Bothal Pond.
11. Shelduck - 3 at Boulmer.
12. Wigeon - seen in a few localities.
13. Gadwall - Druridge Budge Fields.
14. Teal - seen in a few localities.
15. Mallard - common.
16. Pochard - Bothal Pond.
17. Tufted Duck - Few localities.
18. Eider - common.
19. Goldeneye - several at Boulmer.
20. Red breasted Merganser - several at Boulmer.
21. Goosander - 2 at QEII Lake.
22. Sparrowhawk - only one seen at Longhoughton.
23. Buzzard - Common.
24. Kestrel - a few localities.
25. Peregrine - Boulmer.
26. Red Grouse - 17 seen Dalwhinnie, Scotland.
27. Grey Partridge - Boulmer.
28. Pheasant - Common.
29. Moorhen - Howick Pond.
30. Coot - a few coastal ponds.
31. Oystercatcher - common.
32. Golden Plover - only one seen at Cresswell Pond.
33. Grey Plover - Boulmer.
34. Lapwing - Boulmer.
35. Knot - a few at Boulmer.
36. Sanderling - a few at Boulmer.
37. Purple Sandpiper - 2 at Seaton Point.
38. Dunlin - Boulmer.
39. Snipe - Widdrington Tip.
40. Bar tailed Godwit - Boulmer.
41. Curlew - common.
42. Redshank - common.
43. Turnstone - common.
44. Mediterranean Gull - 1 adult, Newbiggin.
45. Black headed Gull - common.
46. Common Gull - common.
47. Herring Gull - common.
48. Iceland Gull - 1 2nd winter at Lynemouth flash.
49. Great black backed Gull - common.
50. Stock Dove -only one at Howick woods.
51. Woodpigeon - common.
52. Collared Dove - common.
53. Barn Owl - one seen near Lesbury.
54. Kingfisher - a suprise at Howick Pond.
55. Great spotted Woodpecker - 2 in Howick Woods.
56. Meadow Pipit - one at Boulmer.
57. Rock Pipit - Boulmer.
58. Grey Wagtail - a few locations.
59. Pied Wagtail - a few locations.
60. Waxwing - 6 at Linton roundabout.
61. Dipper - 1 Pauperhaugh bridge, near Rothbury.
62. Wren - common.
63. Dunnock - common.
64. Robin - common.
65. Stonechat - Boulmer.
66. Blackbird - common.
67. Fieldfare - Corby crags, Alnwick.
68. Song Thrush - Boulmer.
69. Redwing - Corby crags, Alnwick.
70. Mistle Thrush - a few locations.
71. Blackcap - female in our yard.
72. Chiffchaff - Druridge Budge Screen.
73. Goldcrest - Howick Woods.
74. Long tailed Tit - Howick Woods.
75. Crested Tit - Insh, Scotland.
76. Coal Tit - common.
77. Blue Tit - common.
78. Great Tit - common.
79. Nuthatch - one at Howick Woods.
80. Treecreeper - Howick Woods and Insh, Scotland.
81. Jay - near Longframlington and over A9 near Pitlochry.
82. Magpie - common.
83. Jackdaw - common.
84. Rook - common.
85. Carrion Crow - common.
86. Hooded Crow - one at Dalwhinnie, Scotland.
87. Starling - common.
88. House Sparrow - common.
89. Tree Sparrow - a few around Boulmer.
90. Chaffinch - common.
91. Greenfinch - common.
92. Goldfinch - common.
93. Linnet - Boulmer and Seaton Point.
94. Twite - 5 at Bells Links, Cresswell.
95. Redpoll - one only Insh, Scotland.
96. Bullfinch - Howick Woods.
97. Yellowhammer - a few localities.
98. Reed Bunting - Boulmer.

Total - 98 Species.

Easiest 'misses' were Ringed Plover, Shag, Common Scoter, Guillemot, Razorbill, Tawny Owl, Skylark, Siskin, Crossbill and Snow Bunting. Slav and Red necked Grebes and Brent Geese are also not difficult if a visit to the North of the county could be made.

The first 7 are usually easy to see in the Boulmer area! Could have had 106+...must do better. I even had 2 Ravens just outside the time barrier on our way home from Scotland...

We used to do a bird race for 24 hours in January some years back. I think the most we got was 102 in a day...

Looking forward to next years challenge Andrew, it was great!