North Shields Fish Quay

Iceland Gull

Herring Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Mild Winter Days

Visiting Amble and North Shields at this time of year is common for birders hoping for a last rarity Several Glaucous Gulls have been reported in recent days but none put on a show during my visits.

A couple of colour-ringed birds were present.

X:018

and

JU085

More details when I get them.

Well quick response from both ringers. Many thanks to them!

X:018 was ringed as a nestling on the Isle of May, Fife, Scotland (19/06/2016). I photographed it on 10/12/2016 it now is 113 miles SSE from its nest and it is 174 days after ringing.

Well that didn't take long!  Brilliant website gives instant feedback!

JU085 ringed 23/06/2016

Harkniba, Mandal, Vest Agder, Norway.

Observed 10/12/2016 Amble Harbour

http://www.ringmerking.no/

??????? never goes out of fashion when Gorse is in bloom?

The mild days have meant Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs have been back in the dunes. No doubt they'll retreat into the thicker vegetation as soon as we get the next chill. Numbers this year much higher than in previous five years.

Along with obliging Harriers and darting Kingfishers, there is plenty around the bay to see. Two Water Pipits are still around but favouring distant pool edges.

Drizzle

Miserable, drizzly morning so I thought I'd post more photos. Quite a mixture!

Field Pansy

(Viola arvensis)

Budge Fields (Snipe above, Ruff below)

Great selection of waders even though viewing is difficult. I wonder if the relocation is due to the returning Avocets at Cresswell?

Common Storksbill

(Erodium cicutarium ssp dunense)

Using BSBI maps it doesn't appear to be very commom.

Bush Vetch

(Vicia sepium)

These two I haven't yet cracked the ID.

Common Lizard/Viviparous Lizard

(Zootoca vivipara)

and its Poo

The encounter with the Lizard was one of those lucky moments. Setting up the tripod to watch the antics of the Avocets, I noticed it basking on the fence. It didn't move for quite some time. I then saw it wriggling and  was distracted by the alarm calls of the birds. When I looked back it had gone but it left a little reminder.

This morning in the drizzle I saw this from Snab. A distant shot (not waning to get closer and risk spoiling its breakfast). The Turnstone was keen to have a share of the Octopus as well.

The grey drizzly start meant photos were tricky unless the birds sat still, like this Meadow Pipit.

When it moved 1/25th second shutter speed was not fast enough. Oh well I'll just have to sell it to some fancy art studio.

That's better, thank you.

Couldn't resist a celeb shot of Brian (Magic Roundabout) ... Google it if you're young!

Colour Ringing (more finds)

Budge Screen

Pintail in fine form soon there'll be Garganey?

Warkworth Lane

Ideal Penduline habitat?

I expected this chap to be showing some colour by now, but apparently they may not achieve the orange colouration until their second year?

Real geese at the 'Goose Farm'.

Buff-tailed and Orange-tailed seen today. The Orange one was trying to pollinate a BMW badge.

This Herring Gull was ringed in SE Scotland I believe. Waiting for details. Today it was in Amble Harbour.

This Great Black-backed Gull also at Amble today was a Norwegian bird. 

Nils Helge Lorentzen (and team) have set up a great website. Type in details and you get immediate feedback.

http://www.ringmerking.no/cr/default.asp

copy and paste into browser

http://www.ringmerking.no/cr/default.asp

Last CR-Code Black ring with white code: JU527 LBNW(JU527);RBM

Ringing Centre Stavanger Museum (Norway) Ring number 3020779

Species Great Black-backed Gull  Larus marinus    

Date  Place Coordinates    Days    Distance Direction

  

20.07 2015      

Jarstein, Nord, Karmøy, Rogaland, Norway 59°09'00"N 005°10'25"E ----- ----- ---

  

21.03 2016     

Amble, Northumberland, Great Britain 55°20'02"N 001°34'04"W 245 587