April 22 2012

Out and about today, first stop, elsewhere in the county, where I didn’t have anything out of the ordinary. So I carried on and went to elsewhere in the county, here at last was something. Two Black-tailed Godwit, two Common Sandpiper and a singing Ring Ouzel. These were in an area with no general access.

From here I carried on up the road to elsewhere in the county, where there was a pair of Marsh Harrier, two Avocet, Common and Sandwich Tern and a couple of Wheatear. These were in an area with no general access.

No pictures, recordings or locations today, as is the current trend up here in Northumberland. Some of the above were on territory or maybe just passage migrants singing, so I go with the flow and suppress the news.

“Elsewhere in the county” and “area with no general access”, it’s the future in Northumberland!

April 18 2012

First thing this morning I went to Arcot, in the hope of some summer visitors. Other than Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, there were none. I did however get a nice Green Woodpecker.

Both Gordon and Steve had the same idea and turned up to have a look before heading to work.

From here I headed North and went to Harthope. While here I had a walk up Hawsen Burn

and saw my first (Northern) Wheatear and Ring Ouzel of the year. The Ring Ouzel was good enough to sing for me.

And back at the car, this Grey Wagtail posed nicely

I head for home via the coast, calling in at Cullernose Point to try and record Kittiwake. The onshore wind making that task impossible.

Stopping at Chevington the male Marsh Harrier showed briefly before the rain set in.

A last stop of the day at Druridge Pools and six Little Grebe trill nicely for me.

How big is a Goshawk?

Here’s a picture to demonstrate; a male with a female Marsh Harrier

Picture from http://birds-extremadura.blogspot.co.uk/

April 15 2012

So we head out West in the hope of a pleasant spring morning, only to have freezing winds with some heavy snow showers, winter is back (for today). At Derwent Reservoir, there were Little Ringed Plover, House Martin and Willow Warbler (all new year birds for me) as well as Swallow, Goosander and Great Crested Grebe but the un-doubted highlight was a male Merlin that flashed through causing panic in the Linnet flock.

We head off from here in the hope that we will leave winter behind, but it was not to be; winter stayed with us all day, however the birding went from just canny to excellent!

First off, we have two of these…

…this one gave a nice fly-by showing a full crop from the fish it had been dining on. The other had been flying back and forth with nest material!

Then just up the road, we have two of these…

…and these two were getting a bit frisky too!

April 1 2012

This morning, first stop was at Cresswell, where it was very quiet, migrant-less! So I took a walk up the path towards Warkworth Lane where after a bit of searching, the Common Crane was found, with seven Whooper Swans. Too far for pictures, so I didn’t try! While up here this Goldfinch sang nicely for me.

 

I then went to Druridge, where it was also a bit quiet. Only a pair of Pintail being of note.

So, next up Chevington, where there was a dozen Sandwich Tern and a nice pair of Marsh Harrier on show. Also here, Andy, Roger and Bob. Plenty of chunter!