Oddities

Popped to Cresswell today and came across quite a few Canada Geese on the sand bank in front of the hide, mixed in amongst them there were a few Greylag Geese, Lapwing, and Mallards. On the water a few Littel grebe were infront of the hide and Tuffted Ducks, there was a discussion going on about a Scaup and I think there was one amongst the tuffties but the camera didn't catch it in time. Moorhen and Coots were dotted about and a Heron popped by. Cormorants and more Greylag Geese were on the far bank.

3 Whimbrel flew in which was nice, there was a discussion about these as well as someone thought they were Curlew but I'm sticking with my initial ID of Whimbrel. Also on the pond I came across 3 oddities, I think they might be Pochard but any correction greatly received.

1/2 hour at Druridge

Whilst my lesser Spotted Teenager and her boyfriend walked along the sands at Druridge today I popped to the hide for a 1/2 hour bird watching to see if anything new was around, and boy was I not dissapointed. A Marsh Harrier was pointed out to me in the far field through my binoculars I got a cracking view. Pity it was to far away for my camera to get a shot but never mind a tick for me. At first I thought it was a Buzzard but the pale head was a dead give away, beautiful.

Also spotted were Coot, Moorhen, the two Mute Swans with 2 young, lots of Tufted Ducks and Mallards. Swallows were flying here and there and also numerous Sand Martins. Just before I headed back a couple of Heron flew by, 2 Common Sandpipers made an apperance and I spotted a couple of Little Grebe. All in all a cracking 1/2 and hour. I didn't manage to get an decent photo's but these Moths / Butterflies took my fancy along the path...no idea what they are but pretty pleased with the quality of the shots.

Spotted Redshank - What a beauty

Popped to Druridge Pools yesterday and was struck by how I had missed the place, Lots of Tuffted Ducks about, a couple of Mute Swans with 2 young, Little Grebes and Heron were all showing nice. Sandmartins were swooping close to the hide feeding and Cormorants were drying their wings on the island at the far end of the pool.

2 Spotted Redshank were pointed out and wow what a beauty, fab birds and also 3 Ruff were pottering around next to the hide. 2 Snipe was spotted for a short time just in front of the hide but soon dissapeared into the shrubbery. A few Teal were spotted and as I was about to leave 2 when 2Common Sandpipers dropped in to say hello and of course I stayed a while longer. A cracking couple of hours.