Teeside

Saturday and off down South and our first trip through the new Tyne Tunnel.  We arrived at Teeside just after 7 the headed for the Bus Stop Hide although from 300m away you could already see the Avocets circling.  We watched from the hide for quite a while with the Avocets alighting then taking off within a minute or so.  Got some decentish pics which would have been better if the light had been.

A wander over to the other side of the road gave us some great views of the Seals which were closer than I had ever seen them, also a Little Egret about 200m further on with Canadas, Greylag and Pinkfeet dotted all over the place. 

Off to Saltholme for a quick walk round.   The best birds were the Great Crested Grebe and another Little Egret (wasn't the same one as earlier as it had been there all morning) although there were many others around.  Our quick walk round turned into nearly 3hrs as when we arrived in Saltholme Hide the few people there were all watching 6 Hares in the distance who were doing a bit of boxing.  They were running, chasing, fighting and XXXXXX.   This went on for nearly 90 minutes with about 25 people watching them.

There were several Skylarks around with Meadow Pipits also.  Due to the Hares we didnt have time to check the other places around Teeside as we had to fuel ourselves up.  Ended up at the Merry Go Round in Hartlepool which for a franchised chain was not too bad.

Off To Scotland For The Day

Last Friday had a day off so went over to Laurieston to see the Red Kites feeding.  Once again I trusted the BBC a bit too much with their weather forecast.   We first went for a walk in the Kern Dee Marshes, well it was a case of under a tree for 5mins whilst it tipped down then 5mins walking under the thickest clouds I have seen in a while.   We did see plenty including several White Fronted Geese but without a doubt the Oscar for the best performance by a Goose goes to the following Greylag who landed then walked around with chest out and wings unfurled for a couple of minutes.

We managed to get to one of the hides and sheltered in there for 30mins.  It was filled with Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches in unbelievable numbers.  They were queing up to get on the 4 peanut feeders.   Also seen were 2 Willow Tits, at least 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a couple of Nuthatches.

We eventually got to Bellymack Farm just as the skies really opened yet there was still 10 people there for the Red Kite feeding.  Most of the time was spent watching them although I did manage to get a couple of passable shots.  The size of the birds differed greatly and some of them seemed to be tag free.  We watched them for nearly 45 mins then most of them settled in trees and we were informed that they digest the first bits of food which takes about 10-15mins then they return for "pudding".

Kittiwakes Return To Newcastle

An early morning visit (06:50) produced the first Kittiwakes I have seen round the Tyne Bridge this year.  Couple of quick shots and as stated in other Blogs you can see the nests built around the wiring which was probably put there to deter the birds but is now being used as a method of securing the nests.



Its March and I Still Haven't Left Northumberland

A bit of an improvement in the weather, emphasis on the bit, allowed me to get out slightly earlier in the morning although gone are the days when I would lollop over to Lamesley, amble to Arcot or sully over to Shibdon for 15-20mins before work.  The bloody astronomical rise in petrol has seen to this and I could point the finger at the government, the previous government, the Saudis, struggles for democracy in far flung places, garage owners or oil companies but I personally think all are to blame one way or another.  Having worked/existed/holidayed in the far flung places Im not blaming them.  The rest of them are to blame one way or another.  Anyway thats my whine over.  So taking the above into consideration a walk along the Tyne for 30mins is all my pocket can manage.  A bit of early morning sunlight on a Shelduck is a great start to the day.  Looking westwards along the Tyne I could see between 6 to 10 most mornings along with Curlews, Redshanks, Teals and plenty of Gulls

At the weekend my first port of call was of course Big Waters with once again the star of the show being the Mealy Redpoll although quite a few others were seen including 3 Shoveller, 7 Curlew, 7 Goldeneye, a Ringed Plover and an outstanding count of 14 Coot. 

Off down to North Shields for a couple of bits of shopping and a stop off on the Fish Quay for a relaxing lunch of Pie and Chips.  Not liking to eat alone I asked a couple of passing strangers to share my sustenance they both accepted although their topics of conversation could have been a bit more intellectual

Hadn't been to Holywell for a while so off I went but alas there was very little apart from a few Pinkfeet, 40 or so Greylag in the field behind the hide and from the hide plenty of Gulls, a few Pochard but the only thing in camera range was this absolutely stunning (although the picture isn't) Tuftie.

The sun started to come out so I decided on a fast wander round St Marys.  It was around high tide time so everyone there was congregated in one place with lots of dogs running around.  I went over to the wooden screen just in time to see a dog running along the top of the embankment causing the birds in the wetlands to skedaddle. 

On Sunday the beloved and I headed for Holy Island, arriving very early and only a couple of cars in the Car Park gave us an opportunity for a decent 3 hr walk around.  A couple of Bar Tailed Godwit, a Ruff and plenty of Brent Geese were seen.  Plenty of  Eider on the sea and at least half a dozen big (80+) skeins of geese high overhead. 

It was still a bit brisk when we headed into Berwick for a bite to eat but we both opted for a big mixed grill instead of the traditional Sunday Lunch.  A  wander round the harbour afterwards to get the circulation then a little wander up the Tweed with nearly a 100 Goldeneye on show.  Off South stopping at Hauxley but failing to see the Barn Owl again.  A great day out

Quick Glance at Last Week

Highlights of week include what seems to be an influx of Song Thrushes late last week with 4 within a couple of hundred metres of each other instead of the usual one

At home in the garden a few Goldfinches have returned alternately swopping places on the Nijer feeders with the Siskins.  The Goldfinches haven't returned in the same numbers as last year but have now seen 6 instead of the pair that have been around since last year.

The Siskin numbers dropped off for a few days but they are now back in force with a high count of 62 late  Saturday afternoon

Most of them favour the tree in the Garden either side of mine then swoop down to feed on the feeders and table although some of them are now perching in the Hawthorn and Privet Hedges with the House Sparrows

At the weekend I didn't venture far with only a couple of trips to Big Waters taking place.  A fleeting glimpse of a couple of Ringed Plover taking off from the East end of the lake was the only new bird on Saturday morning.  The Feeding Station was still alive with Siskin and a fleeting visit by half a dozen Long Tailed Tits added further colour.   On the pond 2 Oystercatchers were the only other waders we spotted although they just stayed put on the island, if only they would come onto the slowly developing scrape and possibly attract a few more.  The Lapwings just flitted in and out during a 2hr spell although they never landed (at least not in view from the hide).

On Sunday a walk round with Alan J and Ian D increased the patch count with 3 Partridges, one of which launched itself from a ditch only 2ft from Ians feet making us all jump to say the least, 3 individual singing Skylarks, 2 Mistlethrushes and as we were nearing the hide a couple of Shelduck were on the pond.  When we got to the hide and looked out they had dissappeared, no doubt the Mute Swans were involved one way or another just as they were culprits when a flock of 6 other Swans landed but within 10 secs the resident pair were straight into the middle of them with that look of evil.

The next picture shows the 11.40 Emirates on its way into Newcastle although this one came right over the pond instead of a bit more to the South and not one bird flinched.  Just for Alan J

Sundays Travels

Sunday and the weather was a tad better than the previous day so the Beloved and I shot up to Big Waters for an hour.   Not many duck around but the resident Mute Swans had decided to wander into the Feeding Station for a poke around and a bit of a snack. 

Amongst the 30-40 Siskins flying around was a "Mealy" Redpoll although even after looking at various books and pics I'm still not 100% positive, so just give me another 15-20 years and I might be able to tell them apart as quickly as everyone can tell Glaucous and Iceland Gulls apart.

Once again the beloved beat me to the punch with the following pic

We then set off for Howick Hall to see the Snowdrops although the first thing we saw was a Treecreeper

scrambling up the wall, time for a quick rather unfocussed pic but it is one of those

birds that I tend to fit into the prehistoric looking types and never get fed up of looking at them

Whilst wandering around looking at the Snowdrops which were actually still quite firmly closed due to the still crappy weather we did come across an unusual plant.  I asked a couple of knowledgable looking people who were looking around and they didn't know either.  Why did I think they were knowledgeable ? well they were all old (60ish) the male of the species were carrying binoculars, one of the females was carrying a SLR camera, they were appropriately dressed - hang on, I am describing Carole and I and knowledgeable I am certainly NOT

After a nice wander round the stomach was runbling so off to Seahouses for Pie and Chips.  First we stopped off at Beadnell and 6 Black-Tailed Godwit were feeding quite merrily on a high advancing tide. 

There was also quite a few Turnstones moving around at a fast rate of knots

Also a bunch of Redshanks playing follow the "littler leader".  I thought they were all Redshanks when they (16) came flying in and landed in single file along the rocks on the edge of the advancing tide.

Finally, Oystercatchers which are some of the prettiest birds in flight you can see.

It was then time for food so after grabbing a Pie and Chips we headed back to Beadnell to sit and watch the waders being forced off the shoreline and lots of Eider coming close in and doing a bit of this and a lot of that.  Pics taken through car but destroyed due to being out of focus a bit on the risque side.

Snowy Saturday

Saturday off for a day out again with the Beloved.  But first this lovely shot of a Blue Tit that I took at work during the week.  

Anyway off to Allen Banks for a nice walk,  in Newcastle it was absolutely hissing down but further West it was cold but a lot drier with just an odd drop of rain.  Some early lambs were frolicking around but before I could get the camera on them along came the farmer and down went the bucket which they kept swopping over feeding from every few seconds.

After a couple of hours wandering around with the glimpse of a Tree Creeper, loads of Great and Blue Tits, the odd Mallard we then headed off North.  As we were driving along Carole shouted and I pulled over as soon as possible.  She said she saw a fast moving bird then feathers flying everywhere.  About 20m behind us in a field was the Sparrowhawk riving away at what looks like a Wood Pigeon.  It picked it up at least 3 times and tried to fly off but only managed a couple of metres each time.  Sat and watched it tear away for about 15 mins ignoring the Corvids that were flying overhead occassionally dropping down close

Quite few miles further on yet another shout from Carole and when I pulled over she said I had run over a bird.  Turned around quickly and as I made my way back I could see a bird in the middle of the other side of the road and the first 2 cars I had seen in 20mins driving also went straight over it.   Got out and walked up to it expecting it to be wiped out and it walked off to the other side of the road.  I realised immediately it was a Crossbill and remembered seeing one last year on a road also.    Got out a bit of seed and dumped it by the side of the road and walked round forcing it to go to the side of the road where it walked into the seed then flew off, did a couple of circles then landed on a conifer and walked along the branch.   It seemed quite happy so we watched it for a little while then drove on and went for another walk.  First birds we saw were a pair of Crossbills sitting way up on top of a conifer.  Thanks to Carole who took these pictures whilst I was trying to get it off the road.

After a 2 hour walk through the snow we decided it was time for a hot meal so off we went stopping at a hostelry not too far from home for a Big Mixed Grill.  Absolutely great day out, not a great amount seen but the scenery in Northumberland is amazing specially when there is snow around.

Carole's Garden

Haven't wrote about the Garden at Chez Hall for a while so here goes.  The picture below was taken a couple of weeks ago prior to my Staff and Resident Landscape Garden Consultant deciding on a slight redesign.

Gone is the Pigeon and Sparrows roundabout and a couple of feeding platforms installed.  It looks a bit better now but desperately need to trim hedges but suspect I have left it too late.  Note the expensive custom made hide at the bottom right of the picture

The House Sparrows are here in force with approximately 70 flitting between ours and the Neighbours Gardens.  Quite a few Blue Tits and Dunnocks are gathering also but no sign of Great Tits for a while.

The small flock of 8 Collared Doves are still coming into the garden and are looking for a new place to
perch with the removal of their "roundabout"

The most enjoyable site in the garden is Sparrow Bath Time.  This sometimes goes on for up to 30mins although it does not happen every day.  About 7or 8 of them spend a few minutes going crazy in the water then fly off into the Hawthorn to dry and a couple of minutes later another few arrive and the process goes on

The Starlings are now returning in quite large numbers and although they are not Carole's favourite bird as they tend to chase the smaller ones away their antics are sometimes quite hilarious.  They also enjoy a good bath and the tit bits we put out in anticipation of attracting a more exotic species and are almost immediately devoured or "stolen".

We still have a few Goldfinches joining us daily although nowhere near the amount we had last year

After getting our new garden lifer, Siskin, only a few weeks ago our garden is visited at least thrice daily by a flock of aprox 60 of them and they feed on the niger and "British Finch Mix".  Havent spotted any Redpolls with them yet as I scour the flock each day but live in hope.

Only 22 species spotted so far this year as opposed to 28 at the same time last year with no Grey Heron (one landed on top of the Greenhouse in next doors garden last year) nor the Oystercatcher which appeared 3 times in the same day last year, no Long Tailed Tits and not even a Herring Gull yet.  She also just reminded me that we are out of peanuts (you think petrol is going up fast, check peanuts out).