Tales from the Lake District

After stopping at Melmerby for a light lunch we headed to Haweswater for a spot of birding. Neither of us had been there before before and didn't really know what to expect. Very isolated and with stunning scenery you couldn't ask for much more. Not many birds today and although there is a Golden Eagle RSPB spotting post somewhere at Haweswater it proved to be very hard to find with the only directions at the car park and with so many tracks and trails we gave up. It didn't matter though as the pure beauty of the place was enough. On the lake we spotted a couple of Mallard, a few Tufted Ducks, and to my delight some Goosander. There was some Gulls near the dam but that was about it. Sat for quite a while watching the Tufted Ducks while Mike was perched on the side of some rocks trying to get the light right without shadows for a decent photo.
On the way to our acommodation we spotted a fabulous Buzzard perched on a branch right on the road side, unfortunately with nowhere to park the photo opportunity passed. Next Time!!!
Out again today - Great without the greater and lesser spotted teenagers.

Destined to remain a MYSTERY

A brief walk to Churchpoint at Newbiggin on Saturday resulted in me acting like a total nutter whilst trying to identify a group of birds. I immediately spotted a group of Oystercatchers and while watching these lovely birds I spotted something odd amongst the small gathering and immediately went into stealth mode and crept forward hiding amongst the rocks. Mike just shook his head in despair at my efforts at being a wildlife photographer. There was a small group of Turnstones and Redshanks amongst the group and I could see these small grey/white birds running to and fro. I got into a good spot, got out my bird book and tried to get a photo...I got what I thought was a cracker but once home I realised the little blighters had ducked between the rocks and I was left with 2 Redshank. Nice but no good to ID my mystery birds. In my not so scientific deduction I think they may of been Dunlin as they had a white belly and grey upper parts but despite my deductions I am probably wrong as in my book it stresses they are waders and these were amongst the rocks acting a bit like Turnstones. So the Mystery is destined to stay a mystery.

Other sightings were Heron, Gulls, Cormorant and some cracking male Eider Ducks. I was amazed to get a good shot of 2 different birds one the first one I think is a first winter male as the colours are not quite as sharp and it is a sooty colour, I first thought the bird was an eclipse male but then noticed the white chest and ruled it out. The second one is what I think is a winter male, it is much more brightly coloured with the white head but the green on the head is still a bit shabby looking. I may be totally wrong about most things related to birding but one thing I do know is that it is awfully good fun. Off to the Lake District at the weekend for a few days holiday with some birding and photography thrown in for good measure.

The birds I can ID now are still a challenge as I am wanting to learn more such as - are they 1st winter, mature or eclipse. Fascinating stuff.

What a delight

I have been feeding the birds everyday and my garden species to date are, Robin, Great Tit, Black Bird, Song Thrush, Dunnock, Blue Tit, Gull,Wren, House Sparrow and Chaffich. To my delight a large bird came to enjoy the apple this afternoon and I new immediately that it was not an ordinary bird that I have seen visit before. Brief description - Large, long tail with white edges, upright stance , spotted chest - Mistle Thrush. Such a delight and although I thought it may be a big song Thrush the white tail edges in flight gave it away. A tick for me and I hope it visits again.

Highs and Laughs

It's been just over a year since I started birding and thought I would share a few highs and laughs with you.

My biggest high was at the very beginning when Mike and I went to Bolam Lake to try out our new walking boots. We were on the wooden Jetty and I identified a Golden Eye, I was so excited I was jumping up and down and nearly fell in, I must of looked a right plonker but the birds didn't mind.

Another one of my highs was at Hauxley Nature reserve last January and in the little hide we spotted a couple of Dunnocks and I fell in love with these little birds right there and then. They are now one of my favourite garden birds and am very pleased when one comes to my feed in my garden.

I have had loads of laughs whilst out birding trying to ID them and get photo's, Screeming at Mike to stop car and get the camera. The biggest laugh was at Druridge bay and up the little path at the end of the road are some ponds and I stopped dead in my tracks as there was a large white thing at the side of the pond. I sank down into the grass pulling Mike with me so I didn't scare it away and got out the binoculars .....only to find it was a carrier bag and not some exotic bird after all.

Another high was at Howick last February where I saw some Eider Ducks for the first time, at the time I didn't know we had sea ducks and these are fab with the males being very impressive. I could go on for ever, Dunlin, Turnstone, Teal, Siskin (new ID) Stonechat, Long Tailed Tit, Sanderlings, Nuthatch were all exciting finds and when I spotted the difference between a Mute Swan and a Whooper Swan well that was something special for me.

There have been no low points on my birding expeditions as every day something catches my eye, be it a common Robin or exotic Glossy Ibis it doesn't matter, it is a thrill to share a few moments of their lives and just watch.

Wallington Hall and Bolam

I have just about got over my cold and sore throat and had a couple of days birding, first to Wallington Hall and then to Bolam Lake. Not much was happening at Wallington Hall as the feeders at the hide were empty but I managed to get some nice photo's of the Robins and this Great Tit. Dunnocks, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Moorhen and Bullfinches were all spotted and the snow made for some nice landscape photo's.

Yesterday despite the snow saw my hubby and I head off to Bolam Lake and we were not disappointed, birds everywhere. We took some seed and sat in the car for a while just watching and it was great. Robin, Bluetit, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Coal Tit, Dunnock, Great Tit, Chaffinch and Woodpigeon all came close to the car for a feed. Below are some snapshots that I am really happy with.

There was a small area of lake not frozen and all the birds were huddled together, I spotted Mallard, Golden Eye, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose and Mute Swans. We got caught in a snow storm and took shelter under a few trees and to my delight I saw something new in the trees hanging mostly upside down. Out came the binoculars, camera and bird book and I started to jot down some characteristics, White underbelly, yellow breast with yellow flashes on wings and black head and black bars on wings. I quicky ruled out Yellowhammer after seeing the picture in my book but quicky came to the conclusion I had spotted half a dozen Siskin. Utterly speechless and delighted one of my 'Must See Birds'. We didn't manage to get a decent photo but posted this one just to make sure it is a Siskin, the yellow isn't too clear but the stripes and black head are visible enough. The first time I visited Bolam Lake after I got interested in birds I was over the moon to identify a Golden Eye and this group of birds gave me the same thrill, just spectacular and a delight to watch even though we were covered in snow. I popped some seed under the tree and quietly left them to it. Wonderful, just wonderful

Unexpected visitor

At work yesterday (School) I was chatting to a colleague when a flash darted infront of the window and landed on the grass right outside. I totally blanked out what she was saying and literally pushed past her and SHOUTED BIRD . At this point she thought I had lost my marbles but joined me to see who the visitor was. To my delight a Pied Wagtail was quite happily sitting looking up at the window, rather smug as if to say 'Look at me'. I was just telling my friend what it was when a Grey Wagtail joined our little get together. at first I thought it was a Yellow Wagtail but after consulting my bird book today realised it was more than likely a Grey and they surely made my day. They didn't stay long but never the less it was a lovely suprise in a busy school quadrangle.

Lapwings Galore

At Cresswell hide I was greeted by a lovely bunch of Lapwings all resting on the sand banks, It was cold and windy and I was pleased the hide was relatively warm. The picture isn't very good but I did spot some strange birds amongst the Lapwings which left me in two minds as to what they were. In the picture there are 3 birds which I believe to be Knots but as I haven't seen a Knot I could be wrong. I came to the conclusion due to the fact that they had a red tinge and Knots have a red chest in summer. Another thought was Sanderlings but I'm just guessing really. So my uneducated guess is Knot. Of course I could be totally wrong.... as usual any comments welcome.

Other birds on show was Mallard, Goosander (Mike tried to point a couple out but I didn't see them) Curlew, Teal (yippee) Redshank Little Grebe, Moorhen and over 300 geese flew over. A Cormorant was fishing quite close to the hide. On the way to the hide a couple of Goldfinches sang in the trees lining the path which was lovely.

I tried to get a nice shot of a female Stonechat which was perched on the field wall but I didn't manage to get a clear shot. Mike took the reigns and got some cracking photo's. What got me with this little chap is the pale eyebrow and the white under the chin (picture 2). I have seen these birds with the pale streak on the neck before but not so distinct. I think it is a Stonechat neverless due to the peachy orange chest.

We popped down to the beach which was freezing and I have decided to hunt out my woolly hat and thermal gloves, not much on show as there was too many people fishing and walking dogs but a nice flock of Ringed Plovers flew over and

Gulls and Eider Ducks were on the rocks. A lone Pied Wagtail was spotted on the way back to the car. A fab afternoon rounded off with a hot cup of tea. Delightful.