Doh ... itcher

The Bittern at Chev has been showing well recently so as I approached the hide and saw it walk into a patch of reeds 10m across with a clearing either side all I had to do was wait. I did! It didn't (appear that is),must have had a little mid-morning snooze. Plenty of Water Rails showing and squealing but the hides are too far from the reed edge for good photo ops.

Monday 9th Nov

Having covered all the local beaches I headed back home and straight past Cresswell. Lunch in the microwave, washing drying I checked the internet to find I had driven past a Dowitcher. I headed back to find the Dowitcher-shaped bird some distance away. The howling wind gave little opportunity to enjoy the experience and so I headed home and tried again (with the same results) later.

This morning I was there at the crack of dawn! No Dowitcher although the light wasn't brilliant. I headed to Druridge Pools and was delighted to find the Long-billed Dowitcher swimming amongst the Teal.

Still distant but much more obvious than yesterday. I rang people, put the news on RBA and Twitter at the same time I tried to keep up with the bird it was quite mobile. 

Suddenly the most surprising of flyovers, a Black Tern. It eventually flushed the Dowitcher but in my eagerness to get a good look at the tern I lost the Dowitcher. I checked from the other hides with no luck but it did reappear at Cresswell. I noticed lots of visitors yesterday and today came to see the bird because the information was being broadcast frequently. I would hope that those who visited do likewise when they see a bird and don't restrict their news to 'whatsappers' and cliques

My day couldn't get better and it was only 9am. Well a Merlin at Druridge and a Black Redstart at Hauxley proved it could.

Gloomy Days ... Brightened by Nature

The poor light means many grey looking photos but still lots to keep up the interest. Redwings and Woodcock still arriving.

Whoopers trickling in but very few juveniles accompanying them.

This preening Snow Bunting was one of the rewards of scouring the beaches in the rain.

Still Goldcrests around the Country Park, probably most will overwinter. The Marsh Harrier (ad female) is still lingering in the bay.

When the weather forces me indoors my bird feeders are a source of entertainment. House and Tree Sparrows the main visitors. This magnificent Sparrowhawk kept me amused for over 15 minutes as it went under and over the hedge no doubt wondering where the sparrows had gone.

Even these bright yellowhammers look dull in the current spell of weather.

I have been checking the waders at Newbiggin looking for colour-ringed birds without success. I did however come across this Black-headed Gull (2XHV). It is probably  Scottish bird but I'm still waiting for details.

Great Birding

Down in One

I could watch these all day. Love them!

Weather almost perfect. Windy from the South East, rain and mist. (North East or East would have been better.) The poor light however makes the snaps a bit dull.

When the rain stopped there were flies everywhere. The week was notable for the almost constant stream of thrushes. Most headed straight inland after grabbing a few berries. The blackbirds lingered a little longer near the coast. A dull looking Yellow-browed warbler eventually identified as YBW caused quite a discussion in the field with no one willing to offer an opinion. Photographs however show the bird to be well marked and not a Hume's. (Would have been clinched in the field if it had called.) 

Black Redstarts turned up everywhere. This rare 'eye-browed' form was at Newbiggin.

Same bird as above, without its make-up.

Siskin at Druridge

A very dark SEO at Druridge. Just as the light improved tonight I was told about two more Black Redstarts along the cycle track at Druridge. I only found one but it was a beauty!

The Coast

Following news of a bright yellow Wilson's Warbler up North I was pleased to find my own lemon yellow beauty in the trees at Hauxley.

In the last couple of weeks I have visited most sites between Tynemouth and Lindisfarne. There are some great birds to be seen and always the chance of 'the special one', no not the Chelsea manager.

Very pleased with this, 1/40th second setting, virtually no light but easily recognisable if a little blurred.

Not the most handsome of waders in winter plumage but worth checking in case there is an American mixed in with the flock.

Flies ... lots ad the pipits and wagtails were very happy.

Crossbills were noted at three sites, GS Woodpeckers more obvious than usual and Kingfishers  and their posts cropping up everywhere.

Some redpolls worth checking.

Oh and just in case the little teaser at the start got you, here is one with its tail showing.

Searching Everywhere

Aaah October

A time to check new habitats and reliable old ones.

Two Ring Ouzels, a Brambling and a good fall of Goldcrests at Newbiggin on Monday

Trees around the Amble Yacht Club well worth a check.

Today plans to visit Holy Island were dashed when I heard news of a Pallid Harrier on Monday. The thought of bumping into loads of people not my ideal day. So I visited Blyth in the hope that there would be fewer people checking out this rather smart bird.

So tame it was almost squashed under the wheels of a van.