Dodging the Showers

Mixed Woodland

Not far from home, this mixed woodland provided three (camera shy) birds to liven up the morning. Nuthatch, Jay and Willow Tit.

Plenty of water on the Budge Fields.

Carrion Crow

Corvid not Covid

Wind Turbines

Aeroplane top right same as one in next photo using max zoom. Think it is military type.

Yellowhammer

Shorelark

The wet muddy fields in the bay are exposing food for a variety of birds that are often scarce in winter. Stonechats, Meadow Pipits, Water Pipits, Pied Wagtails, Skylarks and this Shorelark. This Shorelark has been in or around the same field for most of the month but can be very difficult to pick out.

 

North and South

Little Egret

Saltmarsh south of the River Aln.

(Buston Links)

Feathers in lovely breeding condition if a tad early?

Yellowhammer

Ashington Community Woodland

Treecreeper

East Chevington Feeders

The Pheasant was so bright on a relatively dull day. The Water Rail did visit a couple of times but was disturbed by the slightest movement in the hide.

Chaffinch (male)

 

A visit South of the Tyne and I came across this flock of 34 Waxwings.

Unfortunately they were not allowed to feed on the berry laden tree because it was being protected by the Mistle Thrush below. Managed also to see the 7 Snow Buntings flying over the beach as I headed for a coffee on the coast.

Heading home from South Shields a brief detour to Northumberland Park and the NS Fish Quay.

Eider (drake)

Herring Gull

(No white-wingers though)

Today it was over to Fontburn Reservoir.

Very little on the birding front but the peaty water in the reservoir made for some nice reflections.

Rings (with Coot Update)

Amble

Warkworth

Warkworth

God to have some sunshine, even if it's a bit cool!

QEII Country Park

Iceland Gull

A better shot of RbM today. What a difference with more light!

Pipits along the coast

Lovely pink throat and ringed (Hauxley)

Two Norwegian ringed BhGulls

This was at DBCP last year in February (search blog for details) I am currently waiting for more details on both.

This colour ringed Coot is probably one of Kane Brides birds again I'm awaiting details

A QUICK UPDATE FROM KANE BRIDES

Ringed as juvenile 09/03/2014

Location Nosterfield NR, North Yorkshire.

Out and About

Amble to St Abbs

Less birding and more travelling. Branton Gravel Pits, Powburn and the Borders

Today it was back to local patch birding.

An early morning Grasshopper Warbler, not always as secretive as people think.

Skylark

Wheatear

2 Newbiggin Golf Course and 7+ Cresswell

Teal

5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ruff, Druridge.

1 Reed Warbler, Chev