Kestrel

Decided on a short walk around the village today, nearly didn't because of the rain but glad I did. This Kestrel gave some superb photographic opportunities and even in the rain and poor light I'm pleased with the results. I think this bird (near the busy road) had had a bump because it was flying weakly. It did however drop down to feed on a worm, flew onto the hedge and then on to the roof. Hopefully it will fully recover soon.

 

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).

 

Avoiding the Coast

Leopard's-bane

(Doronicum pardalianches)

Decided to avoid the coast this weekend. So I set off later than usual and walked from home to Felton Lane Crossing. The first part of the walk past Widdrington Moor Lake was fairly uneventful mainly because of a brisk Westerly wind.

Bugle

(Ajuga reptans)

Kestrel

Syrphus torvus

As you know I have a new field guide; 'Britain's Hoverflies'. I didn't realise they were so tricky to identify. So please excuse any mistakes and if you can correct my mistakes. Thank You.

Helophilus pendulus

(female)

Most of the photos taken along the road which passes through mixed woodland as it approaches the railway crossing.

Leucozone lucorum

(male)

Xylota segnis

(male)

Herb Robert

(Geranium robertianum)

Finally...

 Eristalis Sp?

I think Eristalis nemorum

Struggling in the Wind

Two Treecreepers very active around the feeding station at Chev. Must try harder to get a decent snap.

3+ White-fronted Geese, 4 Ruff,14 Herons and dozens of Shoveler on the Budge Fields.

Buzzards, Harrier and Kestrel the highlights today.

 Hope we get a day or two of light winds soon.

It's a Tough Time for Some.

Whoopers returning along with increased numbers of Goldeneye at East Chevington.

Late October and the winds are finally from the East for three days. Birders turn up on the coast to do a bit of sea-watching. Hours on end sat on chilly headlands waiting for Pomarine Skuas and Petrels. I used to be a fanatical sea-watcher in the seventies and many a long cold day was spent at the hut at Whitburn. Nowadays they have a 'luxurious' hide where as Northumberland offers very little in the way of protection from the elements. My best attempts are from the car at Snab, Cresswell.

The Easterlies also get birders like myself walking long stretches of coastline hoping some wayward passerine will pop up unexpectedly. Thrushes, Goldcrests and Woodcock are common occurrences but is always the hope that something a tad rarer will be found.

This Goldcrest was at Newbiggin right on the cliff top. Sadly after this c6 gram bird had travelled across the sea from Norway it fell as easy prey to the Kestrel. A sad sight but that's the way of nature. It just goes to show it is not just birders on the look-out for these new arrivals. Similar stories of Little Auks and Storm Petrels being killed by Great Black-backed gulls are also common.

Another new arrival was enjoying better luck as it sheltered in a small patch of vegetation.

Even in my garden the bird feeders are a mixed blessing for the birds. They quickly attract a large number of House Sparrows, a few Collared Doves and occasional other species. However, they are now the target for a Sparrowhawk and I have witnessed a few close shaves this week.

 

Druridge Bay Country Park is currently hosting a few new birds. In addition to 3 Chiffchaffs, 10+ Goldcrests and numerous Tree Sparrows there is a small flock of Crossbills and a couple of Brambling. A bright sunny morning and they can be found drinking from the car park puddles. This morning I got great views but never close enough for a decent snapshot.