Thursday 20 February 2014

Hello, hello (it's good to be back)

I spotted a Great Crested Grebe on Killingworth Lake this morning and wondered if it had just arrived. This was confirmed on Killy Birders blog by Brians partner in crime Sam. Two days earlier than last year apparently.

 
Although the G.C.G. remained distant all the time I was at Killy the Scaup was much more obliging.

Elsewhere on the larger lake there were counts of 27 Pochard, 29 Goldeneye and 4 Goosander.
A pair of Oystercatcher moved between the fenced field and sports field. I have a feeling these have returned to Killingworth also as I saw a pair hanging around the same areas last year.
3 more Goosander were the highlight on the smaller lake.
An enjoyable ninety minutes.
Not much activity at the Rising Sun where I stopped off on the way home, more to stretch my legs than anything. The Med. Gull that's been frequenting the sheep field still eludes me.

3 comments:

  1. Good to see the GCG back and hopefully they'll have another good breeding year. They surely must be up there with the most photographed birds in Northumberland! The Oystercatchers have been regulars over the past year (two pairs on occasions). My patch birding has been restricted of late so glad Sam was able to confirm 1st day of appearance of the GCG. Cheers.

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  2. Nice surprise to see the GCG Brian.
    Plenty of birds keeping it company, including a pair of Coot with nesting material tight to the side of the "metal monstrosity" wondering what to do with. I think they may have nested on there last year before it was " capped off". They looked rather forlorn. I hope they sort something out. Poor buggers.

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    Replies
    1. Seems to me that the reed-bed is there for the benefit of helping fish stocks (and anglers) and despite what the boards say I see no encouragement from NT Council or Swanbusters to encourage nesting birds!!!

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