Still Arriving

A lot of visible migration today. 100+ Swallows, 20+ House Martins, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Grey Wagtails.

A change of patch today. Sandy Bay and Cambois. ST found a Black Redstart at Cambois yesterday, so I joined him today and he quickly relocated it on the sea defences. A Kingfisher on the pier was a nice surprise. Returning back along the pier we came across 4-5 Rock Pipits and suddenly we both saw the Shorelark in amongst them; what a nice addition to the day list. Then a Wheatear was seen on the sea defences.

Shorelark

Black Redstart

The old railway line at Cambois was quiet, probably because of the patrolling Sparrowhawk. Just as we were leaving a Yellow-browed Warbler called repeatedly and another call suggested at least two were present. (Neither seen.)

Later on my patch the highlight was two Grey Wagtails feeding in the car park.

Still a few thrushes arriving and an early stop at Druridge produced 30+ Goldcrests. Water levels at Cresswell are now very good so hopefully a good wader could still to arrive?

Cock-a-Hoop oe

Thanks to a call from AP, I headed to Amble to twitch this Hoopoe. I think the last one I saw was at Boulmer (2005?). Years back I found one on Holy Island and saw the one ST found at Bothal. Not a bad haul for Northumberland.

At East Chevington today the 2 (possibly 3) Yellow-browed Warblers remained. Birding has been tricky in the wind and rain but the possibility of seeing something out of the ordinary makes it all worthwhile.

6 Swallows still around the bay. Thrushes in modest numbers arriving. Robins, Chaffinches and Goldcrests also arriving.

A (new?) Whinchat at Hadston.

Then a call from Alan at Newbiggin. A warbler at Beacon Point was being typically elusive and he hadn't managed to photograph it. So when I finished my patch I headed to the Beacons.

No sign of Alan but a sudden metallic call and a flash of a bird diving in to thick grass. It did this several times. Just as I decided to ring Alan, it landed on the cliff face. There was something oddly familiar about this bird. As we were describing the bird to each other I tentatively suggested Cetti's Warbler. On the path, cliff face and diving into thick grass???

It was, ha, I would never have expected to see that. John and Alan have some better photos but these record shots will do for now.

Any Day Now?

Why can't Y-bWs sit in the open like this |Robin?

A trickle of Barnacles moving through my patch.

This flock of Goldfinches were joined by c20 Siskins today.

2 Yellow-browed Warblers at East Chevington today.

This Lesser Whitethroat appeared very pale in the open but once it was in the bush it appeared like a typical LW.

A few thrushes and news of one or two more migrants arriving were exciting. Fingers crossed for next few weeks!

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.

Lapland Bunting

Two Whinchats still around (Newbiggin and Druridge Pools)

Sunflower on the Beach

New 6 Blade Turbine (LOL)

Wink Wink

I have been checking the bay for the last week hoping for one of these. Finally caught up with one ... at Newbiggin.

Small Tortoiseshell

(Also saw a Dragonfly fly in off the sea and straight across the Golf Course.)

Interesting Stonechat at Newbiggin.