Big Numbers ... Guesstimates

Great week so far SEOs everywhere but not close to the camera. As the winter progresses I'm sure there'll be better opportunities. Tonight I watched one sitting on a fence post for over an hour, (distance 1 mile) I guess it had just had a meal.

Feeders at Chev are starting to pull in a good number of birds (although my grit tray may be untouched).

Starling Spetacular

I estimated the roost at 5,000

I ought to print out a picture and count the dots. I'm sure there is a minimum of 3,000. I was encouraged to see a group of children were visiting the roost and that staff from their school were encouraging an appreciation of the Natural World. 

Fab bird, poor light :-(

2-3000 Pink-footed Geese in the field north of Druridge.

Back to the Starling Roost tonight. The light faded quickly but the birds gave a fabulous show. Lots of shape-shifting but a bit too difficult to photograph. The Marsh Harrier remains and went to roost quite early, on one of the old nests.

A Few (more) Blurred Images

Update on this B-h Gull. I found the ringers details on the CRbirding Site and received this information.

Newbiggin by the Sea

NZ320880

Date 07/11/2015

Time 12:49

Yellow Ring 2XHV (left leg)

Metal Ring (right leg)

Colour Ring

Metal Ring

Age

Age

Colony

Site

X

Y

Distance (km)

Days

Date

Notes

Record

2XHV

EX72198

6

Adult

Ythan Estuary

400663

825275

0.00

0

17/07/2014

EW

N

2XHV

EX72198

6

Adult

Eastfield, East Lothian

332552

673237

166.60

194

01/02/2015

Keith Gillon

UKS

2XHV

EX72198

6

Adult

Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland

432000

588000

130.98

276

07/11/2015

David Elliot

UKS

The strong winds and cold weather meant the focus changed to sea passage. Predictably Little Auks played a starring role but the hoped for Grey Phalaropes haven't appeared yet?

Yesterday (23/11/205) the female Marsh Harrier was struggling to find a meal. Firstly it attempted to catch a Teal from the water on the South Pool. it swooped more than ten times (The Teal just made a splash and shallow dive to avoid the harrier.) before giving up and resting in a nearby tree. 

Later the Harrier was over the North reedbed but gain was unsuccessful. Hopefully it caught something when I left. The Harrier now has a missing weather or two on the right wing maybe from the unwanted attention of the local crows?

Take a Second Look

A trip to South Shields and a walk along the beach started a pleasant morning. Few birds of note but the early light was brilliant. Then on to Sunderland? Well JA (Sedgedunum W mentioned a Dragon Hunter (Alan Mould) and on checking his blogs, he mentioned an exhibition of Eric Ennion's work. Eric Ennion famous for his art work, writing, work at Monk's House and much more .. so I couldn't resist.)

If you are in the area and want to fill a few hours Sunderland Museum and Mowbray Park (aka Baillon's Park) are well worth a visit.

This time of year and thoughts switch away from rarities and back to taking a look a our fantastic resident species and incoming winter visitors. Anything extra is a bonus.

This Little Gull seems to be spending winter with us in he bay.

Curlews enjoying the temporarily flooded fields.

AP (Newbiggin's regular birder) knew I was nearby and let me know that there was a tern off Beacon Point. Having just walked back to Church Point I was able to use my telescope to check. Then I thought it might be worth a closer inspection, even though I was sure it was a Sandwich tern, so I headed back to Beacon Point. As I headed towards the point it flew South past me ... typical. It was a Sandwich tern, a good late record for AP. 

Stormy weather has curtailed the walking a bit. The Dowitcher sticks mainly to is favoured West Shore well away from cameras.

I the past week I have managed to meet two more enthusiastic naturalists. NF (Abbey Meadows blog) great to catch up with him and MH, Northumberland's most enthusiastic Harrier expert and a great artist. Birding is such a special hobby it enables you to meet some really knowledgeable people.

The water level at Cresswell is very good, thanks to a man with spade? Snipe enjoy the area right in front of the hide. hopefully a Jack Snipe will join them soon.

Finally Whooper Swans passing through the bay seem to have few juveniles with them. (Apparently Iceland had Snow until June (per MPF).) Today a flock of 47 included only 5 juvenile birds.

Long-billed Dowitcher (part 2)

When I arrived at Cresswell this morning the LBD was very close but it was dark and wet.

Same photo crudely lightened by the computer. At least it shows the barring on the tail.

Slower shutter speeds gave a better picture but made it impossible to get anything sharp.

These were my best efforts before it flew further away, the rain stopped and it brightened up. I'm sure someone will get a decent photo today.

Black Tern and Little Gull also then put on a good show.

Doh ... itcher

The Bittern at Chev has been showing well recently so as I approached the hide and saw it walk into a patch of reeds 10m across with a clearing either side all I had to do was wait. I did! It didn't (appear that is),must have had a little mid-morning snooze. Plenty of Water Rails showing and squealing but the hides are too far from the reed edge for good photo ops.

Monday 9th Nov

Having covered all the local beaches I headed back home and straight past Cresswell. Lunch in the microwave, washing drying I checked the internet to find I had driven past a Dowitcher. I headed back to find the Dowitcher-shaped bird some distance away. The howling wind gave little opportunity to enjoy the experience and so I headed home and tried again (with the same results) later.

This morning I was there at the crack of dawn! No Dowitcher although the light wasn't brilliant. I headed to Druridge Pools and was delighted to find the Long-billed Dowitcher swimming amongst the Teal.

Still distant but much more obvious than yesterday. I rang people, put the news on RBA and Twitter at the same time I tried to keep up with the bird it was quite mobile. 

Suddenly the most surprising of flyovers, a Black Tern. It eventually flushed the Dowitcher but in my eagerness to get a good look at the tern I lost the Dowitcher. I checked from the other hides with no luck but it did reappear at Cresswell. I noticed lots of visitors yesterday and today came to see the bird because the information was being broadcast frequently. I would hope that those who visited do likewise when they see a bird and don't restrict their news to 'whatsappers' and cliques

My day couldn't get better and it was only 9am. Well a Merlin at Druridge and a Black Redstart at Hauxley proved it could.

Gloomy Days ... Brightened by Nature

The poor light means many grey looking photos but still lots to keep up the interest. Redwings and Woodcock still arriving.

Whoopers trickling in but very few juveniles accompanying them.

This preening Snow Bunting was one of the rewards of scouring the beaches in the rain.

Still Goldcrests around the Country Park, probably most will overwinter. The Marsh Harrier (ad female) is still lingering in the bay.

When the weather forces me indoors my bird feeders are a source of entertainment. House and Tree Sparrows the main visitors. This magnificent Sparrowhawk kept me amused for over 15 minutes as it went under and over the hedge no doubt wondering where the sparrows had gone.

Even these bright yellowhammers look dull in the current spell of weather.

I have been checking the waders at Newbiggin looking for colour-ringed birds without success. I did however come across this Black-headed Gull (2XHV). It is probably  Scottish bird but I'm still waiting for details.