Friday 29 April 2022

Early Days

 

This will be my local patch now. The Country Park, Whitburn, North along the Leas and Trow Quarry to the Pier at South Shields. Any birders spotting me please introduce yourselves and give me some local knowledge tips. Thanks. Oh, you'll spot me ... scruffy, ugly, old bloke with bins and bridge camera.


The smell and sounds of seabird colonies is definitely something I didn't have on my last patch.




Skylark

The Leas. Keeping to the paths but these birds must be used to disturbance by all the dog walkers.



Marsden Rock


Oh no! Fly tipping is such a menace. Oh no! I'm wrong its a stone sofa.

Marsden Quarry

I used to live on Quarry Lane as a youngster. All these places were my childhood birding patches. Finding birds here will be more difficult now because of the extra cover. This site is also worth avoiding at weekends and school holidays (I guess?). When I first visited this place it was used for Motorbike scrambling and even Side Car racing. My last visit here was to see 3 (I think it was 3?) Ortolan. Now how long ago was that.


A longing look North. Looks like Newbiggin and the Bay are having a bit of mist today.

Good Birding everyone!


 

Tuesday 26 April 2022

Farewell

Grasshopper, Reed and Sedge Warblers back on patch. Blackcap, Common Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat also present.

So my last visit (for sometime) to East Chevington was bittersweet. I will miss the patch and all the friends I have made in Northumberland, as I received my passport so I can head south across the Tyne to start a new patch. A rather large one which I have decided to name 'Tyne2Tees'.


My old patch sent me off with a magnificent  present. This amazing Male Black Redstart above in the gloomy early light (06:30 ish)


Then on the way back from my walk it was a little brighter and some slightly better images were obtained.




I will be back!


I will rename this blog and update you on my new adventures. 'Good Birding' to all those who continue to birdwatch in Northumberland and please don't find too many rarities at East Chevington.

 

Saturday 9 April 2022

A Trickle


Garganey 28/03


Green Winged Teal
07/04

also
10 Sand Martins, 2 Swallows and 1 House Martin

Sandwich Terns
08/04


Willow Warbler
09/04


Little Ringed Plover 09/04

Next Week !!

 

Wednesday 6 April 2022

Otterly Omazing

 


Moorhen

Ooh and what is that in the background?





Otters are not as rare and difficult to see as the wildlife tv programmes make out. However to get a 20 minute performance at close range is something special. Definitely worth getting out of bed for.





Monday 4 April 2022

April 'an early birthday present'


Right Place, Right Time

Common Crane


This is probably the bird which has been seen a few times over the last couple of weeks. I was approaching the main road to Amble from the Hadston Boat Compound and spotted this bird flying North. It looked to be descending so after a few snaps. I drove around to likely fields but didn't relocate it. Despite their size they can be hard to spot on the ground.


Greenshank

Earlier this morning at East Chevington I heard two Greenshank on the North Pool but didn't see them. I assumed I had been mistaken (A bit early?). 

Then I spotted them on the Island. 

AP mentioned someone reported Greenshank heard in March. I also heard Greenshank calls last week (Tuesday) and I was definitely not going to claim them without seeing them but now, I am sure that's what I heard.

Well it has been a busy few days and to finally get out for some birding today I was handsomely rewarded with these two sightings. Definitely a much appreciated early Birthday present!