Last Weekend on the Patches

Sunday morning and a quick trip to Howdon Wetlands which turned out to

be quiet for a change although there were several families with chicks.  

I then visited Big Waters on Saturday also and then again for the walk on Sunday

First Small Skipper of the year 

Lots of young about, some a couple of weeks old some just a couple of days

Finally at least 2, if not more, Mute Swans dealt with a young Swan, in a 

most brutal manner (more can be seen in the video also)

A Bridge and a Garden

On Friday before work I went onto the Tyne Bridge to see how

the Kittiwakes were getting on, too many nests to count was the 

answer so I just stood and watched from my favourite spot but

within a couple of minutes I realised that another 2 nests had been

built just inches from my feet so had to move back a bit.  This made

my thoughts on the nests being more numerous a definite in my 

opinion although I still await the official figures from whoever does

them.  I also noticed 2 more Kittiwakes with rings on in various places

dotted around the area but was unable to get the scope on them to

try and obtain numbers.

Now its nowhere near DSLR quality but its amazing how decent a picture you can

get with the new long range lenses  (Panasonic Lumix 60) especially in good light.

Now I just need to get Lightroom or some such other super post production piece

of software to help make my pictures better

One of the Kittiwakes I spotted with a ring on but even the power of a 60x zoom

was still a "Bridge Too Far"

Back in the garden on Friday night after work sitting with a nice cuppa
watching mainly House Sparrow, Starlings, Blue Tits and various Gulls
dropping in for a feed is a pleasant way to end the day, especially when
there are young ones around

Then to round it all off a short video of the above

Note the use of a salvaged shopping basket so the little birds can 
feed in peace without being disturbed by the pigeons, Jackdaws,
Magpies, Blackbirds and Gulls.

Its Video Time (with one super picture)

Just a couple of videos which I store on UTube (saves space on my computer 

plus they are instantly available wherever you are), can't recommend them 

enough, they are always available for help and their limited editing facilities

are great for anyone who just want to tidy things up without going into 

Speilberg epics

First is another one from Howdon Wetlands from last Sunday

For some reason one section of the video turned to black and

white (which looks quite nice really) although I have now realised

what I have done and hopefully will not do it again.

and then a small compilation from a visit to the Saltholme/Hartlepool

area by myself and my nice smelling companion (well he will be when

Madam Avon delivers his Skin So Soft)

One picture from Howdon Wetlands

(Thanks Andy)

NOT MY FIRST ODONATA OF THE YEAR

Have eventually got my card out of the camera to look at the pictures from the weekend and here are a couple including a few pics of ODONATA (which were not my first ones of the year (sticks tongue out at Sedgyduntime Warbler))

 Its not out of focus intentionally just wanted the head in focus

(thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it)

Now for the Birds, the first being a Garganey at Seaton Common

At Big Waters the final of the 60m Sprint Takeoff

 "AND THEY ARE OFF"

WINNER BY A SHORT BEAK IS CANADA GOOSE No 32

In Our Garden

Avocet at Saltholme

Kittiwake stopping off for a shower at Howdon Wetlands before heading up to the Tyne Bridge

Fulmar at Seaton Sluice

For all those people who wonder my amazing videos are the good news is that

I haven't got round to them yet, the bad news is they will be in my next blog

Back To Derwent Reservoir

Another trip to Derwent Reservoir last week with John A which turned 

out exceptionally well with some great weather and great birds.  The

highlight for me was the number of Cuckoos seen and heard and the 

Osprey putting in an appearance again.

First Cuckoo sighting of the Day, 2 of them being chased by Meadow Pipit

Then we had another sighting, once again being chased by Meadow Pipit

Half an hour later we had another flyover, once again it being chased by a Meadow Pipit

The pictures this time were a bit more scrappy than the others.

The only decentish shot I got was one of Mipit returning to a tree near us

Quite a good sighting of a Goldcrest too

From the hide we watched the Osprey moving round to different trees but after an hour it headed East up the Reservoir

 

Finally a couple of early morning landscape shots I took on our way there