The Gambia
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
November 25 2010
Traffic chaos this morning meant that it took me 90 minutes for a journey that would normally take 25 minutes. My detour took me past Cresswell, where the Long-tailed Duck was seen from the car, without stopping, and Bell’s Dunes, where I did stop for a distant look at the Twite flock, which had a Snow Bunting with them.
Eventually I arrived at Beacon Hill (I know, I know!! From my house, Cresswell is not on the way to Beacon Hill, but I did say it was chaos) and as expected it was very quiet and it had plenty of snow. Six Woodcock and two Jay being the highlight here
Heading further inland, I stop briefly at Harwood, but there are no birds at all, not even crows, and a swift retreat is called for as it starts to snow hard, again, when I’m up there. So I go to Wallington, only for it to be closed due to the “severe weather”.
I park at the bridge and do the river walk, and again very little is seen, not even a highlight!
Crossing the bridge back to the car a Dunnock is close to the road and it’s calling, I’ll get something from this. While doing this, a couple walk up to me, even though I am obviously pointing a microphone and stop to ask me what I’m doing… I also have this trouble when I am taking photos; I have spent ages getting into a good position, getting close to the bird, then some plank just walks straight up to where you are and then after the bird has flown off say’s something like “how far can you see with a lens like that?” or “what are you taking pictures of?” or, from a birder, yes a birder, “anything about?” Well actually, no, nothing about, not anymore, thanks! Think about it, please.
This is from before they walk up, just.
Driving home I pass through Seghill, where a flock of birds on a berry laden tree just over the road from Ian F’s house, just happen to be 23 Waxwing. I turn the car round and get the camera ready and try phoning Ian, only to look up and see Ian on his way, camera at the ready. Sadly no pictures as the light is rapidly going and no recording as they are next to a very busy stretch of road.
Eventually I arrived at Beacon Hill (I know, I know!! From my house, Cresswell is not on the way to Beacon Hill, but I did say it was chaos) and as expected it was very quiet and it had plenty of snow. Six Woodcock and two Jay being the highlight here
Heading further inland, I stop briefly at Harwood, but there are no birds at all, not even crows, and a swift retreat is called for as it starts to snow hard, again, when I’m up there. So I go to Wallington, only for it to be closed due to the “severe weather”.
I park at the bridge and do the river walk, and again very little is seen, not even a highlight!
Crossing the bridge back to the car a Dunnock is close to the road and it’s calling, I’ll get something from this. While doing this, a couple walk up to me, even though I am obviously pointing a microphone and stop to ask me what I’m doing… I also have this trouble when I am taking photos; I have spent ages getting into a good position, getting close to the bird, then some plank just walks straight up to where you are and then after the bird has flown off say’s something like “how far can you see with a lens like that?” or “what are you taking pictures of?” or, from a birder, yes a birder, “anything about?” Well actually, no, nothing about, not anymore, thanks! Think about it, please.
This is from before they walk up, just.
Driving home I pass through Seghill, where a flock of birds on a berry laden tree just over the road from Ian F’s house, just happen to be 23 Waxwing. I turn the car round and get the camera ready and try phoning Ian, only to look up and see Ian on his way, camera at the ready. Sadly no pictures as the light is rapidly going and no recording as they are next to a very busy stretch of road.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
November 24 2010
The weather forecast for today was poor, so I decide to stay local, just in case!
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
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
Monday, November 22, 2010
Bullfinch calls
Never having heard a "trumpeting" (or is it "tooting"?) Northern Bullfinch, I had a bit of a search in my collection of bird songs, nothing at all in there, so I went online and voila ;
From Finland by Matthias Feuersenger XC47921 pyrrhula
From Denmark by Niels Krabbe XC25923 pyrrhula
From UK by Stuart Fisher XC26609 pileata
From The Netherlands by Ruud van Beusekom XC29034 europoea
From Russia by Ukolov Ilya XC30551 rossikowi
From Spain by Juan Malo de Molina XC35846 iberiae
Now I know what they sound like
From Finland by Matthias Feuersenger XC47921 pyrrhula
From Denmark by Niels Krabbe XC25923 pyrrhula
From UK by Stuart Fisher XC26609 pileata
From The Netherlands by Ruud van Beusekom XC29034 europoea
From Russia by Ukolov Ilya XC30551 rossikowi
From Spain by Juan Malo de Molina XC35846 iberiae
Now I know what they sound like
Sunday, November 21, 2010
historical bang…
‘twas on this day, in the year of 1879, on the olde patch of the Boulmer Birder, that an Upland Sandpiper was seen (and shot) at Longhoughton, Low Stead…
…now if he had tried to photograph it, or god forbid, just let nature take its course, he would have gotten some serious grief.
No doubt about it from a dodgy descrption or a crap digi image, no trial by internet, no, fortunately for the finder, he shot it!
Northumberland’s one and only record, preserved for posterity!
…now if he had tried to photograph it, or god forbid, just let nature take its course, he would have gotten some serious grief.
No doubt about it from a dodgy descrption or a crap digi image, no trial by internet, no, fortunately for the finder, he shot it!
Northumberland’s one and only record, preserved for posterity!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Waxwing
20ish Waxwings on Wiltshire Drive, Wallsend. Seen from the driving seat of the bus!
Sent from my HTC
Sent from my HTC
Thursday, November 18, 2010
bang…
I’m thinking that I may make a return to the old days, you know where you would send out your man to find the bird, then you would walk on to it and shoot the thing for your collection!!
Seems that may be slightly more socially acceptable than being a birder who just also happens to want to photograph what he sees…
Seems that may be slightly more socially acceptable than being a birder who just also happens to want to photograph what he sees…
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
November 17 2010
Win some, lose some!
That just about sums up my day today, although I had more wins than loses!
I started at Chevington, in near gale force winds, with a seemingly hopeless task of seeing the Cetti’s Warbler that has taken up residence here. I didn’t see it, but, bloody hell, I heard it! Against all the odds, considering how windy it was, not only did I hear it, I recorded it as well…
… I’m happy with that. Not too bad for a county first and in a gale.
it was at the other end of there
Also here, a very nice male Hen Harrier flew by giving an excellent view, and the Slavonian Grebe was showing close to the hide, no pictures as the light was poor.
Leaving Chevington, I head North via Alnwick, in case the egret was back (it wasn’t) to Seahouse’s where there was no sign of the Desert Wheatear. Not surprising, as it was even windier on the beach, where it was yesterday. I searched for it through the dunes but failed to re-find it.
The Farnes getting punished!
So leaving Seahouse’s I head South calling into Low Newton, nothing out of the ordinary on show and no Ghost, probably too windy for haunting today. Further down the road I pass through the patch of the Boulmer Birder, the sea was very impressive, waves crashing up to cliff top height. I head again for Cresswell skirting past Ipin’s patch, nothing here at all!
Again, I decide to wait for the Whooper Swans to come in to roost and some canny birds are seen during the last hour of light; Long-tailed Duck, Water Rail and best of all, the Bittern did a fly-by. Just as it gets dark 71 swans came in, an excellent end to the day.
That just about sums up my day today, although I had more wins than loses!
I started at Chevington, in near gale force winds, with a seemingly hopeless task of seeing the Cetti’s Warbler that has taken up residence here. I didn’t see it, but, bloody hell, I heard it! Against all the odds, considering how windy it was, not only did I hear it, I recorded it as well…
… I’m happy with that. Not too bad for a county first and in a gale.
it was at the other end of there
Also here, a very nice male Hen Harrier flew by giving an excellent view, and the Slavonian Grebe was showing close to the hide, no pictures as the light was poor.
Leaving Chevington, I head North via Alnwick, in case the egret was back (it wasn’t) to Seahouse’s where there was no sign of the Desert Wheatear. Not surprising, as it was even windier on the beach, where it was yesterday. I searched for it through the dunes but failed to re-find it.
The Farnes getting punished!
So leaving Seahouse’s I head South calling into Low Newton, nothing out of the ordinary on show and no Ghost, probably too windy for haunting today. Further down the road I pass through the patch of the Boulmer Birder, the sea was very impressive, waves crashing up to cliff top height. I head again for Cresswell skirting past Ipin’s patch, nothing here at all!
Again, I decide to wait for the Whooper Swans to come in to roost and some canny birds are seen during the last hour of light; Long-tailed Duck, Water Rail and best of all, the Bittern did a fly-by. Just as it gets dark 71 swans came in, an excellent end to the day.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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