A Splash of Colour

Grey Wagtail

Not much birding done in the last couple of weeks as a result of the miserable weather.

Goldcrest

Pied Wagtail

The car park at DBCP is a good area to search when you haven't much time and want something to lighten the mood. Otters on the North Pool seem to be very active at the moment but I haven't had the luck of close views. Well you can't have everything.

Warkworth Castle

No review of the year but looking forward to  a 'different' year in 2022!

All the Best!

 

Waiting

ZM406

A lot of waiting about this last week. Currently waiting for a delivery. (Why is it that everything seems to break at the same time?)

Photos above and below taken (Thursday) while waiting for the Black Redstart to reveal itself. It did very briefly so a visit the next day was on the cards. Unfortunately more waiting and only a Wren and a Robin to show for it!

Saturday

Two chiffchaffs still on the patch one with very pale legs but no chance of a decent snap as they were very busy feeding.

Jackdaw

A good amount of variation in the Jackdaw population. 

 

Saltholme RSPB

A brief visit to Saltholme RSPB on Thursday (9th) was rewarded with some special sightings. Firstly a Merlin (although distant) gave great views through the telescope.

This fly past was interesting. KC390 and I guess it belongs to the Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea). Apologies for the smudge, it is somewhere inside the camera.

Then my highlight of the day.

Weasel

I see lots of Stoats and even manage the odd snap, but Weasels I have difficulty seeing and photographing. So to find this one scampering around outside the wildlife watchpoint hide was a treat.

They move very fast so in the end I was very happy with these snaps.

Oh and a Water Rail at East Chevington on Friday, Kingfisher, 3 Otters, a Chiffchaff and Cetti's Warbler today

 

Tough Little Birds

Snow Bunting

There are a few being spotted along the Northumberland Coast still, so it's always nice to see one on a cold December day.

Siskin

Following a large southward movement of these birds last month, a few small flocks have now settled for the winter.

Chiffchaff

Two birds together at East Chevington was nice to see this morning. The fairly dense plantation at the south end of the reserve and the reedbed are offering a good supply of food so far. There is at least one more species of warbler wintering here.

I wish I could do that!?

Redpoll

Like Siskins a couple of small flocks linger around the reserve.

Otters are showing well. 3 seen at Chevington and 4 at Cresswell. I wonder if this is just one mobile family group or two separate groups.

 

Stormy

Luckily, I seemed to have escaped any house damage due to 'Storm Arwen'. Some of the wildlife did not  escape the harsh conditions though. Several dead seal pups were washed up on the coast and provided a feast for the crows (or are they melanistic Ivory Gulls).

The heavy rainfall flooded the dunes as usual and this water/ice is always a draw for Water Pipit, so I was not surprised to find one almost immediately.

Red-throated Diver giving splendid close views. Only a few metres away it let out the loudest wailing call. Quite unexpected but also magical.

Sadly the roof has been blown off the new hide at Druridge and now lies on the budge field. The path to the l-shaped hide, East Chevington, is now very wet as is expected at this time of year. If the blue bags of sharp sand lying in the sheep field could be transported to this path it would be fairly easy to remedy the problem.

 

Twitching again...

While visiting Mum in South Shields, I checked for news of the Pied Wheatear. There was none, so I thought there mustn't be many looking for it (it was in its second week at Whitburn) so I decided to head down the coast to check.

When I arrived it quickly put in an appearance at the base of the cliffs in rather pleasant sunshine. I duly rattled of a few snaps and the headed to see another rarity. Yes after walking for what seemed an age I reached the spot. 50 metres from the wheatear and there it was.

Wood Duck

Yes a rarity.

Well I know most will reject it but hey it is a first for Britain for me!

;-)

Marsh Harrier searching for oranges (I prefer plum sauce).

Grey Heron

I do like a bit of industrial architecture!

Stonechat

Still to see a Little Auk but should connect with one soon. (Well I though that about Curlew Sandpiper but didn't see one this year.)