Monday 30 September 2013

September List .. additions


White-rumped Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Sooty Shearwater
Spotted Flycatcher
Yellow-browed Warbler

Sunday 29 September 2013

Recreational Birding


Kite Surfing not really getting off the ground.


The windsurfer was a little more successful. Oh the joys of birding Widdrington Moor. I'm considering this for Chev with my telescope and camera mounted on the 'mast'.

The real birding was much more productive. No sign of MH's Black Redstart at Hauxley, however, the wagtail/wheatear field at Hadston was well worth a thorough checking. A YBW at DBCP gave good views in the sycamore near the car park. (Sadly it was nowhere to be seen when BB arrived.)

East Chevington still awash with birds. (Thanks to NWT for the dry summer.) Waders included Grey P, Golden P, Knot,Turnstone, Ruff, Dunlin (all shapes,colours and sizes), Ringed P, Curlew Sand, Snipe and Redshank. 1500+ Pink-footed Geese and a few Pintail amonst a good selecton of common wildfowl.

A sizeable Reed Bunting flock also contained Yellowhammer and 4 Tree Sparrows.

A Good Days Birding!


Saturday 28 September 2013

All Gone ..... ?

News of a Yellow-browed invasion mid-week meant a frustrating wait for the weekend. Out at 06:45 to Chev (a bit too early) however a walk to Hadston and back and my worst fears were to come true. No birds of note apart from 2 Yellow Wags still at Hadston.

IR texted to say he was at Druridge and had heard a YBW. I decided to persevere with Chevington and the last big willow suddenly came alive with birds. Reed, Garden and Yellow-browed Warblers; accompanied by a Lesser Whitethroat.

On to the burn and another fed on the sunny side of the bracken dune. When I arrived at Druridge IR had just released a YBW, shortly after, he caught a second (my third of the day) and when I later walked from the Ponteland hide a further two were calling but not seen. Phew!

East Chev still alive with Geese and Waders. 7 Barnacle Geese were new and 2 Sandwich Terns.





Sunday 22 September 2013

WEBs Day





A Pectoral Sandpiper at E Chev was a nice find but not a new bird for the patch. IR mentioned one at Cresswell yesterday and it was still present today so two on the Bay today. 850 Pink Feet and 8 Pintail were amongst the WEBs highlights.

At Hadston GS Woodpecker in DBCP and a field of birds included 3 Yellow Wags, 20 Pied Wags and 100+ Meadow Pipits.

Saturday 21 September 2013

Saturday in the Bay










Nettle-tap hundreds of them at Druridge (Anthophila fabriciana)



Spotted Flycatcher lingering at Druridge Bay, 4 Stonechats and plenty of common migrants. A similar picture at Hadston with the addition of several Goldcrests. East Chevington alive with birds (inc 300+ Pink-footed Geese ). Microlights seem to only arrive when the geese return, circling and making them take flight. After being flushed three time the geese flew off and didn't return.

Thursday 19 September 2013

Spotted


A rather grainy picture of this little beauty (fading light and on the Eastern edge my excuse). Flycatchers are probably my favourite birds. I thought I might go all year without seeing one but the Bay didn't let me down.

There appears to have been a small fall tonight. Spotted Fly (possibly 3), blackcap, 20+ Willow W and Chiffchaffs and a Reed Warbler. All the birds appeared in one small section of Alders.

185 4 2013

Sunday 15 September 2013

Sunday Sunrise


Sunrise Sunday.
The Sun wasn't visible for long and the heavy rain did not materialise. So a disappointing lack of grounded birds.
Strangely a Chiffchaff and Robin were singing in the gloom?

At Chevington c500 Starlings left the roost at 7:10am. c560 Geese flew in (c160 Canada, c340 Greylag, 60 PF and 4 Barheaded Geese).

A male Marsh Harrier hunted around the South pool and still a mixed collection of waders.

Saturday 14 September 2013

View from a Hide





Thanks to NWT the birds a East Chev can now be viewed a little easier. It would be great if they could do similar work on the remaining two hides. In addition a cut in the South West of the South pool would also be helpful. 

13 Pink-footed Geese on the North Pool (were present yesterday per TB), Merlin and Peregrine, Goldcrest and newly arrived Whitethroats (replacing the ones that left last week) were the best birds of the day.

Caught up wth Sooty Shearwater midweek.

Widdrington Moor Lake still has 3 Bar-headed Geese. 100 plus Swallows and a few House and Sand Martins fed over the East shore. Hundreds of Meadow Pipits on the way South and 50 Skylarks heading North (Probably just looking for a feeding stop.).

Sunday 8 September 2013

Migration, what migration?


Wind and Rain promised a birding bonanza. Sadly, very few migrants materialised. Saturday the highlight on the patch was a wheatear. The North pool still is the big draw; Black Tern, 3 Little Stints and a host of supporting acts means it's nevr dull at Chev right now.

Another quirky highlight was a little stint which flew alongside my car for 100m at about 25MPH into the wind.



Sunday didn't produce anything different, however, the willows at the South end of he North Pool  were teeming with birds. Standing in the wet grass and not getting brilliant views of one Sylvia warbler was quite frustrating. However the other birds gave stunning views: Reed Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Blue Tits, Wren, Reed Bunting and Lesser Whitethroat.

At Druridge: 2 Whinchats and a juv Cuckoo

Well a bit of work and cooking, Watch the start of the Grand Prix (maybe) then back to the willows.



Wednesday 4 September 2013

Waderfest


A Quick Update.

Monday back to work! Tedious meetings by a variety of speakers from the inept to the average. A midday call from DD and news of a White-rumped Sandpiper at Chev. Fortunately an early start and working lunch meant an early escape. W-rS still present and seen. The distance meant largely relying on other peoples directions (thanks).

Tuesday more tedious meetings ending with a late speaker, with the ability of an Amoeba (&%$£). A late finish and back to Chev. Great close views of W-rS. The water level continues to expose fresh mud, ideal for migrant waders.

Wednesday; proper work! No *%%3^% and some actual work (Yes it is work!). Midday text from BD; Pec Sand Chev! Late finish after a 7am start, but Pec still present! Yes!

Please don't find anything until Friday pm. I think it's looking good for Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. (Fingers Crossed!)