Lucky Man

EVENT DATE	DEPARTURE	SITE NAME	AREA	COUNTRY	LAT	LONG	RECORDER_ID
11/08/2007	11/08/2007	Kalfborgararvatn, Fljotsheidi	S-Thing	Iceland	65°30.00'N	17°19.98'W	RH
29/11/2007	29/11/2007	Ellington	Northumberland	United Kingdom	55°13.01'N	1°34.24'W	IDg
04/03/2008	04/03/2008	Linton pond	Northumberland	United Kingdom	55°13.02'N	1°34.98'W	EC
12/11/2011	12/11/2011	Cresswell pond, Druiridge Bay	Northumberland	United Kingdom	55°13.98'N	1°33.00'W	RAs
01/01/2015	01/01/2015	Warkworth Lane Pond, Druiridge Bay	Northumberland	United Kingdom	55°13.98'N	1°34.02'W	TJD
23/02/2015	23/02/2015	Ellington	Northumberland	United Kingdom	55°13.01'N	1°34.24'W	RAs
05/03/2015	05/03/2015	Warkworth Lane Pond, Druiridge Bay	Northumberland	United Kingdom	55°13.98'N	1°34.02'W	DE

Well this Whooper seems to like Northumberland

A brilliant day and a very lucky one.

Started with a brace of Marsh Harriers. I knew they were around but have failed to connect until today. After a wander around the South Pool hoping to photograph Harriers failing but managing to capture this Hare. I headed back to the car.

Just before visiting the North Pool a last glance over the south pool proved fortuitous. Three birds lifted vertically from the reeds, no mistaking this sight! 3 Bearded Tits flew over my head across the track and towards the North pool calling as they went. Amazing!

I sprinted (yes ... sort of sprinted) towards JA who had managed not to notice the birds fly by him. As far as I know they weren't seen again. Looking back to last year's blog, I found one on 2nd March (near the feeding station) but it was 9th before I saw another. Hopefully I'll relocate these birds a little sooner. Guess where I'll be tomorrow morning!

Twenty Minute Twitch

A call from STa alerted me to a drake Mandarin at Sheepwash."On the weir in full light, you'll get some great pictures!" So I headed straight for he bird and as you'll see above when I arrived it was, distant, wary and in the shade!

Well I'm not a patient photographer (just a snapper) but decided to give it a little of my time. Fortunately for me, it swam towards me and into the sunshine. Despite that it still made life difficult by hiding amongst the overhanging branches.

The branches actually add a hint of the environment and stop it looking like a Washington bird in a concrete pool.

The week has otherwise been slow going. Reports of Mash Harriers from over 10 days ago just show how to connect with some birds you have to be lucky. I'm sure by next month the Harriers will only get a cursory glance but right now I'd love to see one.

Finally White-fronted Geese and Whooper Swans at Warkworthlane are worth checking. One is colour-ringed and I'm waiting to find out a little more about the bird.

March Migrants ... not yet

Drake Pintail (ranging from Cresswell to Chevington) always worth taking time to admire this elegant species. 

Wrens, Robins and Blackbirds seem to have survived the Winter in good numbers.

Cormorant and Pochard

Good close-up opportunities at Ladyburn Lake (DBCP)

News of the first Wheatear (1st March Portland) will get everyone out searching in the next few weeks. Marsh Harrier and Avocets have reached Cleveland and will no doubt be recorded in Northumberland in the next few days. Already Lesser Black-backed Gulls  and Shelduck numbers are increasing.

SPRING!

Why Wish Away Winter?

This time of year is good for catching up with local birds and refreshing ID knowledge. This was at Amble, a bit sharper than last post. A grey Herring Gull at Widdringon Moor Lake ( a shade darker than its mates) made me consider Yellow-legged Gull, but the bird never left the water). Two days later I found the same bird this time roosting, so after a 30 minute wait (a Peregrine helped the time pass) it woke, stood up and revealed lovely pink legs .. boo hoo.

A trip south of the Tyne (Tunstall Reservoir and Low Barns NR) gave me a chance to study a tricky species. My immediate thoughts were Willow Tit. I hope my ID is correct. Closer inspection shows the pale wing panel which I always thought was the key. However, time of year and wear pattern can make this unreliable. The dull cap and large white cheek patch probably enough to confirm it as a Willow Tit. Please Tweet me if I'm wrong ... we all still have lots to learn.

Sometimes the more experienced you get the more you forget and don't appreciate the commoner birds.

Grey Partridge

These Waxwings in Morpeth (found by TF and JF I think) could prove quite annoying, only showy when the light was poor. So my third trip today allowed me some photo opportunities.

Yet to get a sharp image but they were worth the effort.

Winter Wanderings

A few walks around the county included Warkworth, Bolam Lake and The 

Breamish Valley.

Nothing particularly unusual but great to prepare for the spring which can't be far away now.

Back at the Bay the only new bird was the Ruff (wintered at Cresswell but not easy to connect with until today)

Another bird which is easy to connect with is Mediterranean Gull. This one was at Amble, several frequent Newbiggin and one even turned up at Widdrington Moor yesterday. It is worth checking the gulls at Widdrington Moor, LBB gull today and one or two other interesting birds.

My visit to Chevington was also brightened by meeting two birders from Northern Ireland (Bangor West), very enthusiastic and regular visitors to Northumberland. Hope they connected with all their target birds.

Around the Corner

Fields full of winter Thrushes from Chevington to inland sites like Powburn.

Bullfinches have started pairing up.

The locals are stalking Roe Deer

Snowdrops

... I even ventured into the hills. Buzzards, Siskin, Meadow pipits and Crossbills. There seems to be a huge pine crop everywhere which probably explains the lack of Crossbills on the coast this winter.

Well spring isn't far off with Skylarks singing (10 at Chev).

Eclectic

This Norwegian ringed Black-headed Gull is back on Ladyburn (See Labels for details).

Starting to look 'punkish'

Rook

Bean Geese, Hauxley.

Tried to find them again to day without success (weather didn't help) 

Starling

Jackdaws raiding my feeders

Very brief sunny spells today meant birding through snow flurries was pretty useless.