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.

Sandy Bay Sea Watch

Went to Sandy Bay tonght for an hours sea watch. The sun was shining and it turned out to be a pleasent evening despite half of the Sandy Bay caravan parks youth population trying to set fire to every available piece of shrub. The amount of rubbish in the dunes was disgusting but we managed to find a quiet spot and sat down and waited.

To my delight Martins were seen dashing here and there and my guess was they were Sand Martins, they are darn quick and everytime I focused on one through my bins the little blighter flew into the light.

Next Terns started fishing just in front of us. Now I went to the Farne Islands last year and was told by the wardens all about the terns that visit us and my un- educated guess is that the ones I saw were Sandwich Terns. I think they had black beaks and to be honest thats all I can remember. They didn't stay long but they were a delight to watch.

A few Eider ducks swam by and off to the left of where we were sitting I spotted a group of odd birds. The sun wasn't doing me any favours but there semed to be a redish tinge to some of them, others had dark heads and necks with pale chests. They were well away from shore and after consulting my book and ruling out Eider Duck, Scoter, Goosander and Shelduck I finally came across Red Breasted Merganser . I think they may have been Mergansers but they were to far away for photo's.

On the way back to the car either Pipits or Sky Lark was spotted on the ground running up the little path. Didn't get a good look at it but the behavior seems to steer me towards Skylark running away form the nest site. I didn't realise that they can be seen in the dunes till I consulted my book. I'm often wrong though.

So I definately spotted Eider Ducks, and Martins but unsure weather House or Sand. Skylark but it could of been a Pipit and and odd thing that could be a Merganser, and a Tern that really could of been either Sandwich, Common or Arctic. Hey Ho hehehehe had a cracking time though. I'm pleased when I'm out and about that people don't ask me to ID something because my answer is normally one of several.

Wallington Hall

Popped out for the day with Lesser Spotted Teenager, my Mum and Hubby and ended up at Wallington Hall. Wasn't the sort of day that I could sit and watch birds for ages but did spot a tick. Whilst in the hide Brambling was spotted which was a first for me and also the usual Tits, Blue, Coal and Great and also male and female Chaffinch. 3 Bank Voles were keeping well fed on the fallen seeds under the feeders and were delightful to watch. Nuthatch one of my favourite birds was popping to and fro between the feeders. Along the River walk a pair of Wagtails were seen on the rocks and at the time was usure weather they were Grey or Yellow. Managed to get a good photo and they were identified as Grey Wagtail. Lovely day out and some cracking birds.

Saltholme

We decided to head off to RSPB Saltholme yesterday a place that I have never been to and it ended up being a fab day. Camera man for the day Mike had a job on his hands at times as the birds were quite distance, but still got some cracking shots and 2 ticks.

This bird I think is a female Pochard and I hope it is as it will be tick number 1. A very dainty looking bird and one of several on the first pond we visited. Other ducks were Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Widgeon and Golden Eye.

Second tick is what I think is a Black Tailed Godwit, it has an orange blush kneck and white belly, a cracking bird. The feeders were awash with Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Reed Bunting and Goldfinch. The fields and ponds were home to Canada Goose, Greylag Goose and I also heard that Pink Footed Geese were there but I didn't catch sight of any personally. Kestrels were hunting along Kestrel walk and Skylarks were singing beautifully. Pipits were along the hedges and we were able to get quite close.

Other sightings today were Cormorant, Shelduck, Little Egret (nice) Redshank, Lapwing, Great Crested Grebe and a very excited birder had spotted a Hooded Merganser. I didn't get a good look and to be honest it was a blob amongst the gulls when I looked through my bins, so obviously he had a very powerful scope and set up. Below are some of the best shots of the day even if they are a bit distant. Cracking day and some fab birds.

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.