I start just after dawn at Cresswell, where I failed to get to the hide before it started to rain / hail / sleet, so I was a little damp when I opened the shutters. Three Whooper Swans were left over from last nights roost, but they didn’t stay long, a Water Rail called but never showed, the Long-tailed Duck was in front of the hide with Goldeneye and 6 Red-breasted Merganser and that was about it.
I made a dash for the car between showers and drove to Druridge. I stop at the Budge screen where the Little Egret shows nicely, although by now its snowing and the egret heads to the trees for some shelter. I try to get to the main hide but as the path is well flooded and I don’t have wellies on, I give up and turn back and connect with a passerine flock moving North through the trees. Mostly Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit with a few Chaffinch and, strangely, a Chiffchaff. I only saw it because it was calling.
Chevington is the next port of call, to pay homage to the Cetti’s Warbler. Well, it didn’t play today, not a sniff! As I’m walking away, I’m watching a large bird fly towards me, slowly my cold effected mind started whittling away the candidates for an ID. It’s not a Cormorant or a goose, it’s a, it’s a, what the hell! A Great Northern Diver at just over head height flies overhead towards the North pool. I can hear the wings whooshing through the air, it’s that close. It lands on the North pool briefly and then takes off and heads West, inland, I wonder where it’s gone?
After a stop in Amble for some lunch, I head inland myself. A text from Alan had reminded me that I could get back the Great White Egret that I dipped at Alnwick on the 14th. Initially no sign, and as I think I’ve dipped again, it appears with a big fish. I’ve no idea what sort of fish but it took some getting down.
While walking to a vantage point to take the pictures, I come across a couple of Bullfinch. After listening to the calls the other day, I’m all clued up, sadly these are just pileata, the normal one.
And then it is time to leave, the snow has started to fall hard and it’s settling
5 comments:
The GWE is eating a Perch. The rod-caught British record is 5lb 9oz, making the bird's dinner quite a decent sized one! Great shot btw.
Thanks Gordon, the fish I see mostly have batter on them
A good day Richard. Like the egret & snow!
Great stuff Richard. Love the shots particularly the Bullfinch. I like the idea of putting bird calls on the blog, it has helped me identify Richard's pipit...a bird that has eluded me for years but that is exactly the call I heard at Widdrington tip a few weeks ago among the pipit flock but I couldn't connect with the bird. I'll know next time.
Cheers John! I decided that when the snow started falling, it was a good time to leave
Thanks Nigel, I read about that pipit on your blog, and knew what it was. I still need one for Northumberland
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