Low Hauxley and Howick

Last weekend my photographer for the day and I went to Low Hauxley for a spot of birding. I met a very miserable birder who complained that all he could see were Ducks n Geese, but if he looked a bit harder through his bins then he would've spotted quiet a nice surprise. Male and Female Red breasted Mergansers were swimming quite a way away but we still managed a decent photo. I spent a while trying to identify a small bird diving and I was hoping it was a Pochard but alas when I popped the photos on the computer I realised it was a female Goldeneye. There were several pairs dotted here and there. Not a Pochard but still nice. Other species spotted were, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Shelduck, Mute Swan, Widgeon, Goldeneye, Heron, Lapwing, Cormorant, Mallard, Curlew, Redshank, and Godwits on the island. The miserable birder ID them as Black Tailed Godwits but I didn't manage to get a good enough photo to get a decent ID. On the path back to the car park I spotted Starling and Long Tailed Tit which was nice.

Yesterday we spent about an hour or so at Howick Hall and got a cracking photo of the Chaffinch. Loads of bird song could be heard and I did spot some Great Tit and Blue Tit. A Buzzard flew over and we also saw some Kestrel. After a cracking lunch at the Gray's Inn at Embleton we headed home, Lovely couple of days afternoons. Must try and get to Howick Scar to see the Fulmar and Kittiwake when they start to nest.

Garden Watch

After a few weeks of house decorating and non birding I decided over the weekend to do a spot of garden watch. Blue Tit, Great Tit, Sparrow, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Robin, Starling, Dove, Song Thrush and Wood Pigeon were all regular visitors.
We have two Sparrow families that are nesting in the gutters of the house across the road, they are visiting the Pampas Grass in our garden for nesting material and constantly coming and going. The Two Wrens that are seen every day must be nesting close by and I hope the Black Bird that nests in our tree is successful agin this year with his chicks. I'll keep you informed with any exciting sightings and garden visitors.

Tales from the Lake District Two

Woke t0 a wet and rainy day yesterday so we packed up the car and headed off to the South Lakes Animal Park. Got some cracking photo's of some wonderful ducks and swans. The male Manderin Duck was definately trying to impress the females. Others on show were Ringed Teal, Black Swans and loads I could not even guess at identifying. A good day ended up with a quick stop at Coniston for a photo shoot and Tea at Hawkeshead. Below are some of the ones I have no idea what they are?

Today saw another wet and misty day but we headed off regardless stopping at Thirlmere and Ambleside before attempting the Kirkstone Pass to Ullswater. Brightened up a bit by then and a quick stop at the lake was well worth it. Coot and Canada Geese were abundant but to my utter surprise 2 Oystercatchers flew right by me and landed on the opposite bank. Also spotted were a couple of Greylag Geese. (I was very proud of this spot hehe) We headed to a waterfall near by and was delighted to spot a Treecreeper. A tick for me and it made the day. What a fab little bird, it was hanging around with some Long Tailed Tits and it was a real delight. Also spotted were Chaffinch, Great Tit and Blue Tit. A lovely day and the weather brightened up which made the day complete. Heading home tomorrow after a cracking couple of days and a Tick which is always nice. Will be back soon.

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.