Golden Day

Well a mixed bag today. Lots of birds to work through inc 400+ flighty Golden Plover, Goldeneye and Golcrests.

 Greeenfinch, M Pipits, Siskin, Redpoll and Skylarks all moving South. YBW remains in the Country Park where today's event was a Triathlon. Later in the day a triathlete found a Siberian Stonechat at Howick??

The Juv. Goosander was on Druridge pools having a good wash and a Long-tailed Duck remained on Ladyburn doing the same. Bird of the day was a male Sparrowhawk, stunning pink and grey (like a monster subalp) gliding through the woods at DBCP. 

Widdrington Moor Lake ... not a single Pochard today. However a new bird for this new lake, Little Egret! I didn't get long to admire it because two young Herring Gulls gave it some grief and chased it off high to the North. Probably end up at Hauxley.

Lots of weed on the beach. Must turn up a black redstart or snowb soon.

What a Difference ...

Patch covered thoroughly with ST starting a little too early this morning. NOWT! Well apart from 3 Long-tailed Duck (DBCP .. there was one last week) and 1000+ Pink-footed Geese (EChev). This was followed by a good soaking!

A coffee break and the House Sparrows have found the seed, plenty of them but still missing from the patch.

A short visit to Druridge Pools, Blackcap, Chiffchaffs and lots of Blackbirds.

So back to repeat the Hadston to Chev Patch. What a difference when the wind drops and the temperature rises. A Long-tailed Tit flock, Goldcrest flock 10-12 and then a Yellow-browed Warbler.

A pale Redpoll with a white rump. Closer inspection revealed it was streaked.

The North pool E Chev is amazing 200 Golden P, Ruff, Bar T Godwit, Slavonian Grebe, 8 Pintail, 1 Curlew Sand and much more.

A walk around the South pool and a patch tick Jack Snipe. (8 more for my year target!)

A late visit to Widdrington Moor Lake and it is looking great. 20 Pochard, Wigeon, Tufties, Mallard and 3 Ringed Plover (Plus lots more of interest!).

Another Great Days Birding ... eventually! 

Sandwich Tern North

Seawatching this morning ; lots of Gannets and 1 Sandwich Tern (N?)

Few migrants of note mainly because the wind didn't swing to the East, no doubt it will all happen tomorrow when I get to work.

Productive

Plenty of these in the dunes.

Well Friday started with an interesting sight. NCC worker using a leaf blower?

Friday evening seawatch was a hit with two good birds; Adult Sabines Gull flew North at Hadston and a close in Balearic Shearwater. Most birds however were heading NE away from the coast.

Saturday I started early and managed to pass a Ring Ouzel at the T-junction Hadston moving inland with a few blackbirds. Seawatching produced 7 Bonxies, 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Goosander,

 1 Brent G, 3 GN Divers one very close, Black-throated diver (2 on sea).

Happy with my haul (Even though I still haven't seen Pom and no Petrels or Phalaropes ... greedy or what?).

Hadston and Chevington Dunes were lifeless so a quick Coffee stop and back to Hadston. Now there was plenty to see. Loads of people doing an orienteering challenge through the dunes, down to Druridge and all over the country park, just as a mini fall happened. 20+ Redwing followed a quickly moving LT Tit flock and accompanying Crests. A look up and over my head a Hawfinch! It flew in towards the visitor centre but my quest to re-find it was thwarted by the massed ranks of map readers (I really do hate people).

Another visit mid-afternoon and the awards ceremony was in full swing. The birding had slowed and all that was left was to enjoy a steady N passage of bonxies and another 2 Velvet Scoter.

Hopefully the wind will swing a little more to the East tonight. My target 9 more patch birds for the year! Will I make it ??  

What a Whooper?

A few of the 14 Whoopers which dropped in for a wash and brush-up at Chevington tonight. Looking forward to a Friday night seawatch and a bird-filled weekend!

Where Did The Weekend Go?

Another day wondering what might turn up. Plenty of interest but nothing startling. Lots of Rock pipits at Hauxley (or are they Buff-bellied?), Grey Wags heading South, Pieds everywhere.

Good groups of Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers with attendant Robins, Dunnocks and Tits.

East Chev still a wader watchers paradise and Jack Snipe appearing all over the country, even at Chev whilst I was bush bashing.

Next week should be quiet until Thursday but I predict Grey Phalarope Friday/Saturday.

Expecting .. not me .. that's the beer!

Good morning birding with ST. Hadston, lots of birds mostly Willow/Chiffs one Redstart briefly and lots of overhead migration (including Grey Wags, Skylarks, Siskin, Tree Sparrow and Mipits). Yellow wag still in field with Wheatear. East Chev still teeming with waders including 9 Blackwits, 20 Ruff, S Pool.

Subalpine Warbler still at Druridge and reports of Firecrests and RBFs keep the expectations high.