Cresswell Pond

It was nearing sunset when Hubby and I arrived at Cresswell pond to be met by 1/2 dozen Little Grebe swimming just infront of the hide, what a delight. With the light fading we scanned the pond and spotted Tuffted Duck, Canada Geese, Coot, Moorhen and Malards all within ID range. Amongst the geese I spotted what I think was a Greylag, couldn't see any more of the same kind to give a positive ID. Lapwings were in abundance and very noisy showing anything coming close who was boss, they were mostly on the left hand bank. A Heron flew in and landed near the rushes and whilst I was scanning the area I spotted some lovely Teal, so a real delight as they are my favourite duck.

On the way back to the car along the path, there was a bird I have seen before in the bushes but have not had a possitive ID. I have seen many Reed Buntings at Cresswell and this little bird has a Pale stripe above the eye but I don't think it was a female Reed Bunting. My guess is a Sedge Warbler but the camera was in my bag and after consulting my bird book it says they are only summer visitors to the North East so it remains a mystery. I think it could be some sort of Warbler???????

If any of you experienced birders are at Cresswell please let me know if you see the little bird in the bushes. It has a pale eyebrow and about the size of a sparrow, it's a long shot I know.

We headed to the beach and the tide was out allowing hundrends of Oyster Catchers to scour the rocks. Redshank and a variety of Gulls were all in abundance. I did see what I thought was a few Black Tailed Godwits amongst the Oystercatchers at the waters edge, They definately had a buff colour to the neck and chest. I was very excited at the prospect of a tick but after consulting my trusty bird book I came to the conclusion they were most probably Bar Tailed Godwits and maybe a juveniles, still a nice sighting.

All in all no photo opportunities but a cracking hour out of the house.

Garden Update

Thought I would sit at the window with my bins yesterday and was surprised to see a Coaltit visit the feeders, A bit unusual for our garden. Lots of House Sparrows bobbing about along with the two Wood Pigeons that seem to be in the garden on a daiyly basis. No Starlings today but plenty of Bluetits and a lovely Dunnock popped in to say hello. The House Martins are still in the street but the numbers have started to dwindle these past few weeks. I didn't see any Blackbirds today at the feeders which was a bit unusual as well.

Below are another set of photos I came across from our trips out this summer, Some better than others.

I think this is a redshank? The image in my book doesn't show the stripes on the belly and rump quite so clear as this. I tend to think of any bird with Red legs to be a Redshank so I may be wrong.

Newbiggin at Sun Set

My Hubby and I popped down to Needles Eye at Newbiggin by the Sea last night at about 6.30 for some relaxing birding and photos. The light faded really quick but we did spot some nice Robins squabbling on the fence and some Gulls flying past. Mike got wet as usual taking some cracking photos (see below) and I got myself settled with the binoculars handy. I didn't have to wait long to see some Cormorants fly past and to my absolute delight a Gannet flew really close to the rocks which made my day. I didn't have the camera handy which was a real shame but I think these birds are a real delight, The black wing tips and yellow tinge to the head was clearly visable, a very powerful and stately bird and after such a long time recuperating it was a nice surprise to see one so close.

Low Barns and Craster Snap Shots

After hunting through some photos from a recent trip to Low Barns WWT Durham and the small fishing village of Craster I have salvaged a few snap shots.

Swallows on Craster Rocks

Robin at Low Barns

Cormorants at Low Barns

Woodpecker at Low Barns

Nuthatch at Low Barns

Here are a few chicks finding there wings.....

Eider Duck Chicks finding their sea legs at Craster

Coal Tit at Low Barns

NutHatch at Low Barns

Many wanderings

Scotland - 30-8-10 - Caerlaverock WWT
Hubby and I drove to Caerlaverock WWT in August and although there wasn't many ducks or waders around because of the dry spell there was plenty of others to see - Chaffinch were everywhere, Blue Tit, Great Tit Long Tailed Tit, Tree Creeper, Greylag Geese, Swallows, House Martins, Moorhen, Canada Geese, Tuffted Ducka and Kestrel were all spotted. In one of the hides we were told about an Osprey resting on a fence post, to me it could of been anything as through my bins it was just a blob but those with scopes had a fab view. Nice to see even if it was just a blob.
We stayed at Newton Stewart the Bruce Hotel (not recommended at all) and the follwoing day headed to Ayre stopping off at Culzien Castle, we headed down to the small private beach and it was delightful, deserted, quiet and the most tranquil beach imaginable. Not much in bird life unfortunately but Cormorants, Gulls and Oystercatchers came to visit and to my delight 2 seals came and sunbathed on the rocks right where we were, fabulous morning and such a shame we had a time schedule as I could of stayed there all day. The sea was like a mill pond and the island of Arran was clearly visable. A place to go back to for sure.

Craster - 11-07-10
Popped to Craster for a day trip to discover it was lifeboat day, it was very busy and there was a nice atmosphere to the place. Tide was out but we did manage to see, Pied Wagtails, Oystercatchers, Curlew, Cormorants, Gulls, Sand and House Martins, Swallows Redshank and to my delight following a fishing boat a little way off shore there was a Gannet which was a delight.

Low Barns WWT - Durham
Summer isn't the best time to try and see birds but we had a cracking drive to Durham and did see plenty of Blue Tit, Mallard, Coot, Cormorant, Moorhen, Heron, Robin, Grey Wagtail, a family of Canada Geese and a wonderful Little Grebe which was nice.

Have had plenty of little trips this summer and although I have had the camera, not much in the way of good photos. Recovering from an operation on my leg but am planning a trip to the lake district at the end of October so hopefully plenty of photos to post.

Please only leave comments if you are interested in birds as I am getting fed up of foreign readers leaving links to unsuitable sites.

Lots of Wanderings

Update on Garden birds - Abundance of Sparrow chicks, Starlings and a few Blackbird. The occassional Wren and Dunnock come to visit and Pigeon and Doves make a regular apperance.

We have had a few trips out and about - Roseberry Topping a few weeks ago was a fab day, I heard my very first Cuckoo which was a delight, lots of Bluetits in the woods and Skylarks were quite bold perching on fences. Jackdaw were nesting on the clifs and were swooping quite close to where we were sitting recovering from the heat and tiring walk. Great day out though.

A short trip to Walkworth and was delighted to see a Redwing, didn;t manage a good photo but a cracking little bird. A Dipper was seen along with Heron, Mallard, Wren Gulls and a Blackcap.

Gibside was another cracking afternoon out with Redkite being spotted quite a few times patrolling it's territory. Along the river we watched a family of Grey wagtails, parents frantically feeding 2 chicks who looked big enough to fend for them selves but were quite happy for mum and dad to do all the work. A couple of young Dippers were seen which was great, one of my favourite birds.

I'll post some photo's once I have them sorted, back to work and a hectic schedule as normal.

Wandering around Northumberland

Yesterday saw hubby and I head off to Langley and surrounding area for a bit of a road trip. Spotted my first Swallows of the season and there was an abundance of Martins feeding low over the fields just after the rain showers. Mike spotted a Sparrow Hawk attacking a smaller bird but was unsuccessful at bagging a meal. After a pit stop and bacon sandwich we headed back via very small country roads and spotted a male Redstart on a fence post. By the time we got the camera out it was out of range but I got a cracking view through my binoculars. It was a tick for me so a very nice day so far. We decided to park up next to the hedgerow and wait to see if it returned, but unfortunately it didn;t but lots of Tits including Long Tailed tits were flitting here and there.

I spotted this cracking little bird gathering nesting material on a near by bush. Out came the camera and bird book and after several minutes of debate I came up with the conclusion it is a Willow Warbler. I also thought it was a Chiffchaff at first but then spotted the brown legs, so my un-educated guess is a Willow Warbler. Of course any suggestions are more than welcome. Either way it's another tick for me so I'm really pleased we headed out in the rain and drizzle.

Another road trip on Monday is on the agenda, it's nice just to head off and see where you end up.