Last Saturday Mr Sedgedunum Warbler and I headed to St Marys for a early morning wander. Not a great lot but hadn't done a video for a while so here is one of a few things we saw
also a couple of photos, the first are a few shots of a Kestrel and Magpies who spent a little while trying to figure out who was King of the Castle, think the Magpies won in the end.
Meanwhile down on the shore a few things were dropping in as the Tide ebbed
The Fantastic Five went for their usual wander around Big Waters last Sunday and what a good day it was with plenty to see. I only had Mr Nikon out on a couple of occasions as the Bird Watching and the inane chatter going on meant I couldn't do more than one thing at a time (its hard to concentrate when one gets old - isn't that right Alan?). Anyway here are a couple of the pics I took at their usual "amazing quality"
Now, I think you can deduce what they are now guys
Grey Heron on his, now daily, vole hunt
A few of the flock of about 50 Golden Plover which
circled Big Waters for about 20mins
A late Comma in the Big Waters car park or perhaps it was
brought here with the car from warmer climates (SG=Glasgow),
on second thoughts possibly not
If you haven't seen a Grey Heron for ages just look in a 3 Acre
field that has 1 pile of shit in it and Walla, there it is
A severely cropped pic (aren't they all?) of a Grey Wagtail
Plenty more was seen but I haven't got the time to go through the little book, so do yourself a favour come along and see for yourself where Mr J will welcome all his old pals with open arms as he doesn't leave there very often nowadays (could be something to do with the range of the bracelet possibly (just kidding)).
Managed to get to Howdon Wetlands and Big Waters on Friday for a couple of hours before heading to the Doctors. Howdon was my first stop with a fair bit on view including Curlew, Redshanks, Teal, Tufted Duck, Snipe, Grey Heron and one of the Foxes having a wander round looking for an early morning Tit Bit.
One of the many Grey Herons
Fox on the Prowl (see video below)
Cormorants galore on the Tyne behind the Hide
Curlews coming in for a wander round
Short Video of the Fox Pouncing
I then shot off to Big Waters for an hour or so before commencing on a day of "Doing Non Wildlife Things" . The numbers on the pond were building up but still couldn't catch a view of the elusive Pintail that I have been shown pictures of but never a view to be seen. Did manage to get Kingfisher though, once a reliable bird to see but this year has been very scarce. A few Snipe on the North Scrape were the only waders around although a few Lapwing did fly around but plenty of Wigeon, Teal, Mallards, Gadwall, Little Grebes and 7 Shovellers that dropped in but placed themselves directly behind the reeds again. Ian D came in and a pleasant 30mins ensued discussing the major issues of the day and wondering if we were going to get to grips with the new Dr Who (strange watching him and no profanities). A couple of Yellowhammers did appear in the Feeding Station along with the reliable Willow Tits and many others making it very busy at times
Tree Sparrow
Chiffchaff
Kingfisher
Yet another bad shot of a Shoveller
As I put my stuff into the Car a honking noise made me look up and there was 5 Greylags coming into the pond and also the birds of the day a couple of Whooper Swans but they were down onto the pond before I could get the picture machines out and unfortunately I had an appointment to get to.
No wonder the Kingfishers have been a bit scarce lately as some new inhabitants
move into their Domain
A fantastic Sunrise viewed from Cresswell
The water level at Druridge Pond has reduced drastically showing
some rocks I don't ever remember seeing before
One of the Big Water Cygnets testing out its wings
Waited ages for the 5 Shoveller to stick
their heads up for a pic but this was all
I could manage
Its been a while since I put one of my favourite views up so here it is
Finally we went to Cambois for the first time for ages and the weather was so calm it was unbelievable. The man made objects tended to be the centre of attraction wherever you looked so like them or dislike them they still make a canny subject for a picture.
Went up to Cresswell yesterday for a few hours but soon returned back to Big Waters after a text from Graeme B saying that there was a Mandarin on the Scrape there, a patch lifer for me. Quick drive back and sure enough it was still there, didn't do a great lot but got a few photos.
and a small video of course
Also at Big Waters the inevitable Kingfisher, nobody there to take any pictures so I thought I would snap a couple off, pity it was on the North Scrape but still nice to see.
Also here is a video I took at Shibdon Pond when the Pectoral Sandpiper and other waders were there
Due to Weddings, Birthdays, Hospital Visits, Work, Family Vists and many other boring exciting events Birding has been put on the back burner for a couple of weeks. Have only managed an odd hour out a couple of times in the last 2 weeks although my Mothing has picked up a pace as you don't have to travel far to switch the Trap on in the Back Garden. You can see the results at my other blog although I have just managed to get up to date with that last night. I have basically had 2 trips out of about 90mins each to Shibdon and to Big Waters. At Shibdon I dropped in to see the Pectoral Sandpiper and scored also for 8 Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, a Dunlin and several Snipe. I have put a couple of pics on below but for much better ones can I suggest you look at Rob's Blog. I also bumped into a few birders there, too numerous to mention apart from the "The Terrible Trio" (Jo, Andy and Franko) nice to see you again guys. The trip to Big Waters was for about 90 minutes and was quite pleasant but nothing staggering although the return of the Wigeon was welcome, at least 4 Water Rails spotted, couple of Chiff Chaff feeding in the area, a rather large dragonfly which I think might have been an Emperor (but is it not to late for them), a few Hawkers and 4 Buzzards from the Car Park along with Morgan who was there photographing Common Darters, nice to see him again also. I spent a pleasant hour in the hide with Mike R, who is just a nice guy to talk to, 4 other visitors came in and I bumped into another 2 on the way out whose first words literally were "has the ********** been around" I will let you all fill in the blanks (the hint is, Gosforth Hide is closed). Anyway a few pictures from my 2 Trips out
Firstly Shibdon Pond (Wall of Waders)
Also a few pictures from Big Waters The Wigeon are returning
Don't often see a Water Rail flying so I wasn't quite ready
1 of the 2 Chiff Chaffs that were in and out of the Feeding Station
