Slow Motion Harrier

Played with the settings on my camera and although the quality is not as good i think  the slow motion footage is quite useful.

Last Day of November

A Cold but Dry start!

Lots of berries in the cemetery and surrounding hedgerows. As a result still good numbers of thrushes. I will find a rare amongst them one day, but who cares when the common ones are so beautiful.

Not normally a fan of photos of birds on feeders but it is always great to feel you can supplement their diets and perhaps help a few more survive the colder days during the winter.

Hanging On

There are always things to look out for, late in the year. One challenge is to find flowers still blooming in November/December.

In the birding world it is interesting to note which birds are late leaving the county or which may overwinter. Two Marsh Harriers are still hunting a local patch and a Swallow was still in the Cresswell Village area yesterday.

(Scroll below to see Harrier posts.)

Bloody Cranesbill

Meadow Pipit

White Campion

Yarrow

Red Clover

Marsh Harrier Action

Marsh Harriers

How long will these birds stick around?

Another Day, Another Beach

The plan this week was to search some of Northumberland's beaches looking for Wheatears. Monday I started at Warkworth, then on to Amble, Hauxley, Cresswell and Chevington.

Knot

Of course it's not such a bad idea because there are always waders to watch.

This morning it was on to Sandy Bay (while my car was in the KIA garage for a service). A couple of Chiffchaffs hweeting and plenty of Bullfinches.

Robin

Merlin

This bird was hunting along the clifftops at Spittal Point. Plenty of Skylarks in the stubble field and a dodgy cliff path kept me busy.

I met Sta on the way back to the garage and he let me know about a Waxwing flock nearby. (See post below.)

Bar-tailed Godwit

On to Newbiggin.

Grey Plover

Curlew

Snow Bunting

Tomorrow another beach visit is planned.

Waxwings

STa found this flock of Waxwings in Ashington. They were quite mobile and I only managed pictures as they preened high up in an Ash tree. I am sure they will be seen over the next few days in more pleasing settings. It looks like there will be a lot about this year.

A day of Three Thirds

14/11/2019

Two late Swallows at Newbiggin and a further one at Druridge.

15/11/2019

Too late for the seawatching this morning (lazy starter) but did bag another Lapland Bunting. It flew North calling and appeared to land, however a quick check after a blustery shower and no sign.

A check of the East Chevington patch and the highlights were a Jay and 40 Siskins in the NE corner. Plenty of birds visiting the feeders near the North Hide.

Then a good hour or so in the local cemetery (didn't want to stay longer)!

This is where I hope to find a 'mega' Thrush!

 

Today c200 Fieldfare, c200 Redwings, c10 Mistle Thrushes, c10 Blackbirds and c10 Song Thrushes.

Starling Tree

Fieldfare Tree

Summer meets Winter

This nice find by GW is probably what might be expected at this time of year.

Snow Bunting

This excellent find by AT is not what is expected at this time of year.

Common Whitethroat