Pipits and more...

Hauxley Beach

A Red Kite was reported flying North at Ashington and again at Lynemouth gave me hope it would fly over my patch while I was there. I had almost given up on it and then a circling bird in the distance made me get the camera ready.

Getting Closer

Then closer still.

Magic

Not my first on the patch but a welcome sighting. Thanks to AP for updates. Apparently others were seen heading North also a couple Cranes over Morpeth and a Goshawk South past Tynemouth.

Early Pollinators in Action

 

Anticipation

This is probably a 'Carlsberg' time of year. Probably the best?

Winter birds hanging on. This Redpoll checking a few old stems of Rosebay Willowherb.

Sky Dancing and Nest Building

Early Spring Flowers

Ladybird

Rooks

This rookery declined in the last few years but it looks to have picked up and plenty of activity this Spring.

OK, I know everyone is posting pics of these magnificent birds. There are lots to see at the moment and judging by the pellets in the hides they seem to be feeding well. A very close encounter again with one I startled in the hide. I ducked so it could fly over me and out of the doorway.

One morning this week I had sightings of 3 Barn Owls, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Water Rail, 2 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, Kestrel and a singing Cetti's Warbler. Add that to 30+ other species and I can't really complain (but I do).

Lambing seems a little later this year in the bay.

Ruddy Shelduck

Scarlet Elf Cup

Sarcoscypha coccinea

I think that is what this is?

I think I might take my telescope with me next walk. Think I may have missed one or two good seabirds by not taking it with me.

 

Early Mornings

Crossbill

DBCP

I will eventually get a snap of one with a darker background ... I hope.

Whoopers 

I received a message from AP to let me know some Whoopers where heading my way. I picked the three of them up quickly as they struggled against the side-wind. They looked as if they might head for Chevington (I was at Druridge). So it wasn't a big surprise when I saw three very smart Whooper Swans on the North Pool.

Some new watery habitats created at Chev and when the sluice is finally opened it could be a bumper year for crake sightings. (Fingers and Toes crossed.)

 

Ruddy Shelduck

A couple of newcomers in the field at Bell's Farm with up to 40 Shelduck and a few Mallard.

This morning a flock of Carrion Crows were having a feast as frogs were working their way to the pools to spawn.

 

Highs and Lows

A couple of White-fronted Geese at Maiden's Hall

A few garden birds.

Coltsfoot

A bit of wader movement. Today 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Avocets in the bay along with the 3 Ruff which have over-wintered.

Two (3 actually) big birds missed on the patch last week.

White-tailed Eagle and 2 Ravens. Oh well can't see them all.

A not so happy meal.

The littering lasses drink of choice.

The littering lads choose Carlsberg or John Smiths.

These (two of many) were obviously thrown out of a vehicle as it travelled down the road. In the past there was a use for a pair of bricks. Hopefully it will come back into use on some of the anti-social, ignorant people in this country.

Some of the local farmers likewise have little respect for the countryside.

 

On my way home I heard a commotion on the Budge fields. I looked around expecting a Harrier flying past  ...  oh no!

 

Marching On

Well, March already. The first migrants trickling onto the south coast so in three weeks, weather permitting, Northumberland will have a little fall. (I know there have been a few birds already.)

Barnacles and Barn Owls (It is also togger Season as they pursue their owl targets.)

 

Water Pipit

Taken through the dirty plastic window. Hardly surprising it took off when I opened the hide window.

Early morning Little Egret on Druridge Beach

Stoat

This fabulous animal eventually worked its way to the main reedbed. I missed the chance to video it swimming across the water.

Another Chiffchaff at Druridge. This one was calling constantly.