Saturday 29 November 2014

Grey to Black


Young Seal at Warkworth



Wheatear on the beach. Late but not the hoped for pale bird and no isolated dark carpal.




Gloomy weather but a group of 4 Black Redstarts at Newbiggin. When they weren't on the beach they fed under the caravans.



Oh well, hopefully some sunny weather, bright light and colourful birds next week!

Tuesday 25 November 2014

Light ... I wish.


As soon as I arrived the early morning sunshine disappeared behind the clouds. Two stunning birds on show but impossible to capture the way I'd hoped. Anyway here are a couple of pictures anyway.

Waxwing




Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler


Today the car was in the garage for a service and it was bright and sunny all day.. Ho Hum!!



Saturday 22 November 2014

Ripit


Richard's Pipit
Low Newton (Tuesday)



Beamish (Wednesday)

Chips from Davy's Chippy .. mmmm!


Chevington Cemetery

Alive with birds (sorry). Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, Blackbird and Mistle Thrush.


This was followed by a Smew (red-head) at Chevington and Peregrine at Widdrington Moor. Then news of a Hume's YB Warbler at Whitley Bay. So still birds to be found.

Sunday 16 November 2014

Not Much Room for Words



Health ad Safety Note
Please do not eat any mushrooms if you are not 100% sure of the Identication.
Saffron milkcap (Lactarius deliciosus)
Thanks IR for ID (apparently common and edible)


two



three



four



five



six
Slippery Jack (Suillus luteus)
Again ID by IR also edible



seven



eight



Rat feeding station at Hauxley.

Well a busy week, injections, shopping and walking.

I came across numerous fungi in DBCP. It looked as if I had just missed  a fungal foray. Several mushrooms were turned over, then left on the ground. I could recognise a Boletus sp  (pores not gills). As for the others I haven't had much time to investigate. Hopefully during the week I'll replace the numbers with names.

If you're an expert mycologist and fancy tweeting me some names I'll be over the moon.

Birding wise lots to see but the only unusual sight was a late Sandwich Tern at Cresswell on Saturay 15th November.

Sunday 9 November 2014

Black Redstart and more ...


Early morning Water Rail.


Afternoon Spiderling dispersal



One of three Black Redstarts at Cambois today.



They were feeding on the numerous flies warming themselves on the sea defences approaching the North Pier, Blyth.




And another Snow Bunting (courtesy of SH) which allowed a very close approach. Pity the camera wasn't up to the challenge of the poor light.

Friday 7 November 2014

Little Auk .. update


This Little Auk was looking pretty sick on the beach. It kept following me and even sat on my shoe at one stage. After struggling to carry it home whilst also carrying tripod and camera, I tried to tempt it with food.

After a couple of hours in the warmth its feathers were in much better condition. It looked well enough to release. I wasn't sure a night in a box would help it.


Despite the rainstorms there were plenty of flies along the beach.



Coquet Island looking great in the post storm greyness.



Snow Buntings are scatttered around the coast. (1 Newbiggin, 4 Chevington and 2 Low Hauxley)


The litle auk released at dusk seemed quite perky, diving and preening. No sign of it on Saturday .. did it make it?



Well camouflaged



another Snow Bunting



Siskin

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Northerlies and High Tides (mixed bag of pics)


Always look better against a grey sky.
Mediterranean Gull


Perfect weather for Little Auks, sadly they were passing a long way out. One at Hauxley flew straight towards me on the beach. I was so stunned I couldn't switch the camera on. I saw a total of 5 in two hours (close in). They counted c3000 passing the Farnes.



This duck was name after a James Bond film 'Octopussy' I think .. not.
Yes .. I know it's a Goldeneye (can't understand why).



Fab Bug City at Druridge Bay Country Park.




I know it's down here somewhere!


Aah pretty in pink .. Redpoll

Sunday 2 November 2014

Looking at Me?!


Another Bullfinch


TD and JD picked out this bird at Druridge. I returned later to try and get a decent shot. Unfortunately my camera was more interested in focussing on the branches rather than the bird.

Little Owl

East Chevington was 'waderful' today. The Spotted Redshank (found by JF) gave itself up, A Grey Plover in amongst 150 Golden Plover was a nice find. 10+ Black-tailed Godwits showing how the water levels on the pools can be a great attraction for birds. If only the Wildlife Trust would manage the reserves better we could have stunning habitats for visiting birds and the general public.