Red

After a morning searching the dunes from Hadston to Cresswell. I settled at home to do the crossword and complete some half done jobs, I noticed RBS seen at Druridge. Having dipped several birds through laziness this week, I decided to go straight down ... and fairly quickly, with the help of HG, managed a few snaps and good views. It was very mobile due to the number of birders, photographers and weekend visitors.

Patch birds very busy this week.

Whitethroat

Influx of Red Admirals last week. c80 from Beacon Point to Power Station.

Today influx of Painted Ladies

Baikal Teal

Baikal Teal

This bird was relocated by a lady from the WWT at Druridge this morning and gave great views. 

Can you believe it?

Since retiring it's a phrase I use often.

This morning before a planned trip to Cragside I quickly visited Druridge. Just as I arrived four Spoonbills flew in. Magic!

They were unsettled. They fed briefly, flew around the field, landed near south facing hide, fed again and finally went to sleep.

This colour ringed bird may have been ringed in the Netherlands. Very happy with the start to the morning I felt it was unlikely to get better on the patch so off to Cragside.

Warning Blousy Flower pictures to come later!

Cragside

No phone signal except in tiny restricted areas. Voicemail arrived long after sent, an enquiry about the Spoonbills. I tried replying by text but it didn't send straight away. A little later a call from HG all I heard was Baikal before the call went dead. Then HG got through and we got most of the message.

I eventually got to East Chevington and managed a couple of distant photographs and some very good scope views.

Hoping for some better photos if it stays until tomorrow.

A Busy Time on the Patch

A late Whinchat, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Hobby; signs that there are still birds on the move.

Soldier Beetle

Silver-ground Carpet

Weevil (Nettle?)

Alder Leaf Beetle (?)

Brown Hare

Twenty two-spot Ladybird

Fourteen-spot Ladybird

Large Skippe

Common Spotted Orchid

Lots of fledglings today. Robins, Blackbirds, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits. Lesser Whitethroats carrying food.

This Stoat dragging a Woodpigeon squab. Did it Fall or was it Pushed (out of the nest)?

A Few from the Patch

Grey Heron

Oak

Hide and Seek with a party of fledgling Long-tailed Tits

Garden Warbler

Nice find by GW

Reed Warbler