They've never been away, apparently.

Gossy Bittern

Raggy-arsed dragon.

Well.....raggy winged.
Makes you wonder how the fella managed to stay airborne or not get predated.

Migrant Hawker.

Not so raggy dragon.

Common Darter.

There have been a number of Migrant Hawkers on patrol along the new dog walking and cycling path leading to the Oddie and Budge hides at Druridge Pools. Favouring what is left of the brambles just as you cross the ditch.
The Common Darters used to be seen all along the path (that might have changed) but are always to be found at the far end where the style takes you out to the Old Rectory.
The new improved ( not for the wildlife judging by the damage done to the plantlife along the raised banks) path already has litter accumulating along it, and in the hide, not to mention the dog shit just starting to be deposited. I hardly remember seeing any litter along here before and not once can i remember seeing a dog walker never mind the remnants of such a visit. In the last couple of weeks the steam of dog walkers has been increasing, so watch where you tread. Never mind camo gear, better get a high viz jacket so the cyclists don't mow you down !!!.

Anyway, hopefully off to see a man about a Death's-head Hawkmoth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I struck Gold...........

.......but not much else.

A few sightings of Goldcrest in the bushes at Druridge but i have a feeling it may have been the same bird. Apart from a number of Robins nothing else of note.
A Velvet Scoter early morning was enjoyable followed immediately by a Kestrel showing its aerial prowess by hovering stationary at Snab Point for over 3 minutes in winds exceeding gale force. The birds tail was at ninety degrees beneath the body most of the time.Light was no good for an image unfortunately.........if i'd been able to stand upright and still that is.
A Barnacle Goose was present in fields just north of what is now Cresswell Duck Pond as i stopped briefly early morn. and later as i headed home late p.m.

Below is a couple of images from Sunday morning of the Shorelark which was close to Chibburn Burn. I was one of only five birders that saw it for 10/15 minutes picking thro' the strand line. It had been seen briefly 15 minutes earlier by one gent for only 30 seconds. Both times it disappeared into the dunes.

Getting to know you.

A kestrel was chilling and occasionally checking out the ditch below its chosen fence post at St. Marys Island this morning until, enter stage left, a couple of Magpies appeared a good 50 metres further along the same fence line. As expected they made their way towards the Kestrel and decided to give it grief. One of the Magpies and the Kestrel disappeared over the fields.

Getting acquainted.

The Howdon Blogger and i arrived to be greeted by beautiful light. Sadly i didn't manage to capture any decent images in the thirty or so minutes it glowed. Our only options were Rock Pipit, Pied Wag or Crow at the south end of the prom. where very high tides had left huge piles of 'weed piled high way up the beach, which would have been lifting with life later as the tempertures rose. Check out the wrack if you're down in the next couple of days (dog walkers permitting, as ever).
A brief Golden Plover aerial display was nice but will become dazzling as numbers increase. All the usual birds on the rocks. Although i did manage a Wren and Robin on the larger dry rocks north of the north bay.
Three Goldcrests were the best we could manage in the trees by the wetland with two Stonechats either side of a Reed Bunting out in the open just before the Kestrel caught my attention.