Here We Go Again

2022

I hope it is a good year for all of you!

I started the year with a few short walks at Newbiggin Bay, Amble Harbour and Hadston. Not much birding done but pleasant walks nonetheless.

My thoughts for the future year. My first resolution is not to find any rare or scarce birds. To keep a number of lists and to be more sociable. (By the way I should say I never keep my New Year's Resolutions.)

Predictions

1 Dartford Warbler in Northumberland

2 Pygmy Cormorant crosses the Channel

3 My predictions fail

Well one is guaranteed ;)

4th January

My first proper birding day of the year and quite a productive one. Jay, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and a single Redwing.

Chiffchaff

 (only one today and very active)

Kingfisher

Delighted to finally watch it settled at the burnmouth and giving the chance of a few snaps.

If you haven't visited East Chevington it is well worth a visit any month of the year. You are almost certain to top the 50 species mark on one visit with some quality birds. Oh, almost forgot to mention, the Cettis's Warbler was singing also.

 

Shorely Not ...

A victim of the cold snap in Scandinavia?

Woodcock

There have been numerous reports of birds coming in off the sea. Obviously some don't make it. Predators and Scavengers make the most of the bounty.

The birding this morning was terrific. Over 1000 Fieldfare drifted South. The dunes and beach were alive with Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Chaffinches, Reed Buntings, Twite, Linnets and Goldfinches. Even greater numbers than yesterday's walk. The weather wasn't so kind but made the walk more special. Then to come across a distant Shorelark on the beach, wow, can't top that!

Fortunately between the squally snow showers it was really pleasant.

Warm enough for some to have a quick bath ... brrrr!

Aaah ... refreshed, now bring on those worms!

Twite

Kingfisher

A two second blast of colour. It was off before I could zoom in on it.

Wowser!

I said it couldn't get better ... wrong. About a mile from my first sighting I heard a Skylark call. When I looked around two birds flew towards me from the farm. The Skylark went straight past and out of sight in the dunes. This beauty landed in front of me for a short time (right place, right time).

Grey Heron

Even the ponies added to the birding experience as pipits and Redwings fed around them. No doubt hoping for some 'flat' worms.

 

Oh No!

Can't resist a photo of my local Kingfisher.

Love Redstarts!

This one was at the plantation Druridge today.

Feeders aren't always a lifeline for our small birds. Yes they supplement the diets of my local birds, but the large gatherings attract predators too. Two weeks two kills!

Also mentioning gatherings; the Starling roost at East Chevington is 2000+.

Apologies for the quality of photos, they were taken through double glazing.

Eventually

Willow Tit 

Druridge Pools

Kingfisher

Leaves and branches getting in the way all week.

4 Kingfishers seen this week. Newbiggin 1, Chev 2, Hauxley 1.

Great White Egret

How times have changed. Ten years ago I would have tried to get a decent picture but now, this was probably my fourth of the year in Northumberland, I hardly gave it a second glance.

Surprisingly Newbiggin has not had much luck with migrants this year. No doubt it will all change next week when a Black and White Warbler is found on the Ash Lagoon Banks.

Whinchat, Lesser Whitethroat, Redstart and a small influx of blackbirds.

Yellow-browed Warblers are everywhere (except Newbiggin and East Chev :(  ...) 

This was one of the South Shields birds. The piers at North and South Shields draw in birds which follow the pier and end up at Tynemouth or the Pier Head Car Park, South Shields. I visited before dawn and was lucky enough to find YbW and Red-breasted Flycatcher. It was too dark for photos as you can see from the picture above.

After taking Mum shopping we returned to the car park but it was raining and the North and South Marine Parks proved too difficult to search for birds. I eventually left for home. As I got through the tunnel AP rang to let me know about the Rustic Bunting. I decided to go back and spent two and a half hours searching sadly it wasn't seen again. Notoriousy skulking birds I guess it is still there and might give itself up this weekend.

Nearly Got You!

 

Today I found another YbW which showed really well in good light but was impossible to capture (great to watch though) ... it was in there somewhere.

Earlier in the week I had a fabulous close up encounter with a Weasel at Newbiggin. I mentioned to AP that I rarely see Weasels but often see and photograph Stoats. Well ... eat my words, today I saw another at Druridge and even grabbed a quick snap. It's not all about the birds.

What a Weather Week

Storms, Snow, Rain and Wind!

A distant Diver on Friday had the heart racing. No flank patch ...could it be the Pacific Diver? The Cornwall and Wales birds returned  but could this be our bird returning? The weather was awful, the diver distant and my hands numb with the cold. Eventually (after a few wing flaps) I realised this was a big, chunky diver and concluded ... Great Northern Diver.

Saturday (02/12/2017) and the weather was better and the views so much better. No problem now with ID.

A Peregrine Falcon and 3 Otters may have been the reason for this posture which was repeated frequently.

Now that is an impressive bill!

The burn muddied by silt washed down by heavy rains, made the Kingfisher relocate to the North Pool. Too far from the hide for good photos but a treat to watch for over an hour.

Now this morning calm, mild conditions and still 2 Chiffchaffs feeding in the reed bed.