Patch Birds (and a few extras).

A List: Ring Ouzel, Redpoll, Siskin, G S Woodpecker, Blackcap, Woodcock (Newbiggin), Goldcrest, Whinchat (still 3 at Druridge), Whooper Swans, Jay, Black Redstart (Cambois), Brambling, Merlin, Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler (2 singing), Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Sparrowhak, Kestrel, Pintail (12) and (8 Pintail at Druridge.)

Not quite sure about this mid grey gull. Pink legs. Herring to lefz and GBB to right.

Sperm Whale, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

Borin

Redwing, these are not borin!

Spurge-laurel

(Daphne laureola)

I think that is what it is?

Now this one is borin!

(Sylvia borin)

Garden Warbler

Chiffchaff ...

... and another

Still Arriving

A lot of visible migration today. 100+ Swallows, 20+ House Martins, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Grey Wagtails.

A change of patch today. Sandy Bay and Cambois. ST found a Black Redstart at Cambois yesterday, so I joined him today and he quickly relocated it on the sea defences. A Kingfisher on the pier was a nice surprise. Returning back along the pier we came across 4-5 Rock Pipits and suddenly we both saw the Shorelark in amongst them; what a nice addition to the day list. Then a Wheatear was seen on the sea defences.

Shorelark

Black Redstart

The old railway line at Cambois was quiet, probably because of the patrolling Sparrowhawk. Just as we were leaving a Yellow-browed Warbler called repeatedly and another call suggested at least two were present. (Neither seen.)

Later on my patch the highlight was two Grey Wagtails feeding in the car park.

Still a few thrushes arriving and an early stop at Druridge produced 30+ Goldcrests. Water levels at Cresswell are now very good so hopefully a good wader could still to arrive?

Cock-a-Hoop oe

Thanks to a call from AP, I headed to Amble to twitch this Hoopoe. I think the last one I saw was at Boulmer (2005?). Years back I found one on Holy Island and saw the one ST found at Bothal. Not a bad haul for Northumberland.

At East Chevington today the 2 (possibly 3) Yellow-browed Warblers remained. Birding has been tricky in the wind and rain but the possibility of seeing something out of the ordinary makes it all worthwhile.

6 Swallows still around the bay. Thrushes in modest numbers arriving. Robins, Chaffinches and Goldcrests also arriving.

A (new?) Whinchat at Hadston.

Then a call from Alan at Newbiggin. A warbler at Beacon Point was being typically elusive and he hadn't managed to photograph it. So when I finished my patch I headed to the Beacons.

No sign of Alan but a sudden metallic call and a flash of a bird diving in to thick grass. It did this several times. Just as I decided to ring Alan, it landed on the cliff face. There was something oddly familiar about this bird. As we were describing the bird to each other I tentatively suggested Cetti's Warbler. On the path, cliff face and diving into thick grass???

It was, ha, I would never have expected to see that. John and Alan have some better photos but these record shots will do for now.

Any Day Now?

Why can't Y-bWs sit in the open like this |Robin?

A trickle of Barnacles moving through my patch.

This flock of Goldfinches were joined by c20 Siskins today.

2 Yellow-browed Warblers at East Chevington today.

This Lesser Whitethroat appeared very pale in the open but once it was in the bush it appeared like a typical LW.

A few thrushes and news of one or two more migrants arriving were exciting. Fingers crossed for next few weeks!