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.

Oban 2

Had another fab day and managed a picture of the Black Guillemots at Oban Harbour, got a blurred flying shot of a Guillemot whilst on the boat and have posted some snapshots of the Red Breasted Mergansers and there seems to be Pied Wagtail everywhere I look so I couldn't leave them out. A hooded Crow was very obliging at Glen Coe. Still no Raptors but Hey Ho a Cracking few days away from the Lesser and Greater spotted Teenagers.

Oban 1

Having a fab few days in Oban, Loch Etive has thrown us some Red Breasted Merganser, Mallard and some Gulls. Boat Trip to Corryvechan Whirlpool was great, got soaking wet but saw Kittiwake, Gannets, Guillemot and a tick for Black Guillemot, Red Deer on Jura, wild goats and Bottle Nose Dolphins. Also got a glimpse of an Osprey. Their nest has been destroyed in the gales that have been buffeting the west coast of Scotland. The Sea Eagles haven't managed to hang onto their nest either. Eider ducks and Oystercatchers seen on all loch shores and although on the look out for big raptors the mist is too low. Maybe today we will fair a bit better. Heading to Glen Coe and back to Oban for Tea. Black Guillemots in the Harbour so must remember my camera.

Got some photo's of the Mergansers and will try and post the pictures soon.

Wallington Hall

A few snap shots before I head off to Oban tomorrow morning, These were taken from Wallington Hall

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Hauxley Nature reserve was our port of call yesterday morning and was delighted to get a possible 2 ticks in one day. A cracking morning was spend scanning the pond from the hides and also the fields around the reserve where the warden was telling us 4 Heron were nesting with 12 chicks hatched.

My first Tick (I hope) is of this Partridge, I have seen Red Legged Partridge before but I think these 2 are Grey Partridge....I came to this conclusion by the lack of white on its neck and also the rusty colour on its head. A hare was seen running along the top of the field which was nice. We headed to the first hide spotted Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Widgeon, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Mute Swan Redshank Mallard and hopefully Tick number 2.

I think these Geese are Pink Footed..... The bill isn't as bright as the Greylag and the necks seem a bit more stumpy. The only thing putting me off is that my book says that they are a winter visitor so if they are Pink Footed Geese then why are they here, Birds and books can be confusing hehe

Also on the ponds were what I think are Gadwell, These ducks have been pointed out to me before so it's not a tick but it will be a positive ID if I'm right. Scanning my bird book Gadwell and Pochard are the only ducks I could see with the Black rump, so fingers crossed I'm right.

On the way back to the car a beautiful Whitethroat was spotted in the trees lining the path and sat and sung it's little heart out. I have seen Common Whitethroat at Castle Island, Ashington and thought they were the Lesser variety but my gut feeling is that this one is a Common Whitethroat but still a cracking bird who was very obliging and photogenic.

Also spotted were Coot Moorhen Long Tailed Tit, Tree Sparrow (I think) ohh and not forgetting the family of Rats which apparently visit the bird feeders, ahhh I hate rats

A good morning out and as always comments and suggestions always welcome.