Birder's Tides

Well finally with no really big news and a good weather forecast (for birding rather than finding birds) I decided to go to Holy Island. The Brown Shrike was reported as still present on Saturday but with clear skies I didn't expect it to stay any longer.

Birder's tides (Get on island before dawn, tide comes in and the island remains pretty quiet for most of the morning!)

Tourist's tides (Tides go down at 9:00am, people flood on, and the whole day is busy)

The Brown Shrike was still present and distant as most people had reported last week. Sitting on the Straight Lonnen for well over an hour watching this bird were rewarded with some closer views. Never really close but with the warm light it was brilliant to see.

In addition to the Shrike there were; 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels, 1 Merlin and 1 Peregrine.

 

A super flock 50+ Twite on the Snook and an impressive raft of Brent Geese.

When I left there was a queue of traffic almost back to Beal Barn (waiting to come on the island).

 

Another Post

Getting stuck for titles as you can see.

What a year it has been for rare birds in Northumberland. Here is a list of some of the ones I didn't see: Desert Warbler, Brown Shrike, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Red-flanked Bluetail(s), Red-breasted Flycatcher, Lesser Grey Shrike, Rosy Starling, Pallas' Warbler and a few others.

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Today I ventured out to see the Dusky Warbler at Spittal Point. Knowing most people would have seen the Holy Island bird or this bird (yesterday) I felt there wouldn't be a crowd. Well it did reach a total of 5 while I was there so I got my snap and made a hasty retreat

Then I stumbled upon a group of 5 Snow Buntings. I nearly walked right past them.

Super little birds.

 

Barred from Newbiggin

Small Tortoiseshell

One of four species of butterfly seen today at Newbiggin. Sadly the Wall Brown was camera shy.

Small Copper

Red Admiral

(Behind Bars)

Ah, now you get it?

Barred Warbler

This little beauty jumped out in front of AP and myself on the ash lagoon banks. Sunshine and a good crop of Blackberries meant it wasn't as elusive as they can be.

The morning had gone well with gulls, terns, divers, pipits, wheatears and waders at the beacons but this added that extra boost to the birding day!

Think I  managed to get all the diagnostic features in these few snaps.

Still on rarity mode, my first instinct on seeing this late Whinchat was to check that I wasn't letting a Siberian Stonechat slip through my fingers (not literally). Head and tail pattern confirmed it was a Whinchat.  Nice to see.

10 Whooper Swans flew south past East Chevington and Swallows were still hoovering up the flies over the seaweed on the beach. (Even 10 House Martins went through yesterday.

A Grand Day Out!

 

Migrant Madness (Missed)

Garden Warbler

What a brilliant start to October. I'm still learning what I missed as I catch up with birders I meet on patch. Unfortunately I was unable to get out during the peak of the fall. I have had to make do with picking up scraps that were left behind once the 'cream' had departed.

I did catch up with a few Goldcrests, Blackcaps and this Garden Warbler.

Hopefully I'll get a chance if the forecast for this weekend is good.

Fungus sp?

Of course patch birding has its consolations. Greenfinches love these rosehips. Water Rails easily observed following the reed-cutting. A trickle of Whooper Swans along with many more Pink-footed Geese and Barnacle Geese. Jays, Treecreepers and Great Spotted Woodpeckers becoming more showy along the North of the reserve.

Dragonflies enjoying the sunny spells. This Southern Hawker allowed a close inspection.

Southern Hawker (above)

Common Darter (below)