Monday 27 July 2020

Wader Movement



Not sure who found this Cattle Egret, but being only the fourth for Northumberland it was a great discovery. Never got close and I wasn't going to use the hide (only space for three 'safely').


Today was a good day for waders. The weather was awful but plenty of birds were visiting the wetlands.


This Pectoral Sandpiper was always distant.


Druridge

3 Greenshank, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff (juv), 6 Dunlin, 6 Redshank, 8 Black-tailed Godwits. All these waders were constantly being chased by the Avocets and many departed quickly.


East Chevington

Further North the numbers of birds were even better.

40 Redshank, 150 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Greenshank, 5 Knot.


I shall have to make return visits later today because the were birds arriving and departing all the time.

Range Expansion



Great to watch this Cetti's Warbler taking food to the nest (also removing faecal sacs).



A coupleof days later it had moved and could be heard giving shortened songs and the trill call. Probably just contact calls for the Juveniles to follow.



This is the second nest to fledge young here. Whether it was a second brood or a second pair nesting we'll never know, but it is good to know they are  being successful at this site.

Wednesday 22 July 2020

Mixed Bag



Chicory

Field full of this again at East Chevington.



Small Copper on Ragwort


Teasel


Feverfew


Notch-horned Cleg

Nasty biters! The following day I was chased by several of these. Much waving of arms ensured I didn't get bitten (Yes I'm a wimp.).


Juvenile Whinchat


Cuckoo


Small Fan-foot



Shaded Broad-bar


Hare's-foot Clover


Common Sandpiper


Osprey


Swallows
Juvenile being fed a Common Bluetail (damselfly). I'm not sure my 'twitter' followers understood my comments when I posted the photo because you have to zoom in to see the damselfly.


Red Squirrel


Today the patch was bursting with recently fledged birds. Three Stonechats have second broods which are now fledged. This time the number of young per nest increased (2x4 and 1x3) compared with an average of 2 young per nest (first brood) for the 9 pairs in the bay.

Water Rails are becoming more obvious now muddy areas are appearing. Tern numbers on the beach are increasing. The adult Hobby is still in the area as is the Black Tern. Any day now I'm expecting to see Spotted Redshank and Pectoral Sandpiper, fingers crossed.


Short-eared Owl

In the distance this dark owl looked like a Long-eared. Closer inspection and the; yellow eyes, short tuft, plain flank streaking and lack  of orange cheeks help to ID this one. The angry look is because my lack of field craft led to it waking and flying off. Sorry!

Friday 10 July 2020

Cuckoo



Early morning, grey and drizzly. Will I ever get a decent picture?



A couple of hours later my return visit was rewarded with better light and closer views.







Enjoying a Cinnabar Moth caterpillar which is toxic to most birds but not Cuckoos.




South Shields



A lovely walk along the clifftops from South Shields to Whitburn.

Greater Knapweed



Pyramidal Orchid


Razorbills and Kittiwakes



Cormorants