Moth Caterpillar

Drinker Moth Caterpillar! Took several weeks research ( no chance!) but a quick tweet to Northumberland's ( or actually Britain's) leading Naturalist and the ID was a sinch. Cheers Stewart!

A visit to the Dentist in South Shields and limited birding in the afternoon meant no additions to the patch list. Tomorrow I WILL find Snow Bunting!

S no w Buntings

A few migrant thrushes in the dunes early morning along with two Blakcaps and a Great-spotted Woodpecker. Searching for Snow Buntings and Black Redstart along the shore proved to be un-rewarding and having been out from 08:00 o 12:00 it was frustrating to learn of a fly past Swift S? shortly after getting home for lunch. Well it seems even I can't see all the birds! Furthermore, my decision not to visit Druridge and instead return to Chev meant I missed my target. Thanks to IR for the news of 3 on the beach, hopefully they will still be on the patch today.

No Pics

Yesterday as I approached the factory near the A1 (used to be Searles) a pale buzzard was flying West/North West. This area is well known for Buzzards especially near the Gubeon junction. This, however was worth  a better look. Standing on the stile I was watching a Rough-legged Buzzard. The light was perfect white tail (above and below) and narrow dark tips, pale head, underwings almost completely white apart from carpal patches and primary tips, white upperwing patches (juv?).

Today, closing the garage door a warbler flew overhead calling. Pallas' W, landed in tall Leylandii (Spelling?). Brief views through bins. Then sitting having tea another small warbler in the front garden, probYBW. Unfortunatey only briefest of views.

This time of the year is frustrating because I can only go birding at the weekend, but this week I've hit lucky again.

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 ??