Another day, another Falcon

 Back down in Kent so my son could take his mam to centre court at Wimbledon. I had a day out at Cliffe Pools on Tuesday and apart from seeing my first rare SHRILL CARDER BEE and before that a pair of GREAT CRESTED GREBES performing the "weed dance" the highlight was a juvenile PEREGRINE FALCON landing on the sea wall which protects the reserve and surrounding area from the mighty River Thames on the other side. After a couple of fly byes the bird reappeared barely 20 metres away giving stunning views before a Herring Gull took a dislike and dive bombed a few times causing the beauty to move on, sadly.

Two nice rare birds...... dirty rotten twitcher !

 I was already down in Kent house/ cat sitting when this bird turned up so i had to have a day (i actually went twice) birding so headed down to Worth Marsh via Sandwich Bay Observatory. 

ELEANORAS FALCON

This wasn't the only Falcon present..... a Red-footed Falcon and numerous Hobbies hunted the surrounding fields. On my first visit within a period of thirty minutes i had the Red-footed, a Hobby and then the Eleanoras. All slightly too distant for decent images but it was a memorable half hour.

Saturday gone i picked up Gary from Ashington at 4 a.m. for our trip up to Long Nanny to see the other rarity.

AMERICAN BLACK TERN

On arrival at Long Nanny we had nine Little Gull on or around the tank blocks close to the footbridge then within ten minutes the American Black Tern lifted doing a quick circuit then back down into the marran grass. Easy peasy ??? Sadly not, this was our only sighting and my images aren't the best but fantastic seeing it in flight. I spent more time watching the bird than taking pics thinking i'd concentrate more on that on it's next flight. Little Terns doing well according to wardens despite the high tides. The close proximity to nesting Arctic Terns was in fact the highlight of the morning. And they didn't once make a deposit or try to draw blood !!!

ARCTIC TERN

....and what it's all about NEW LIFE

Returning Iceland ?

 Monday was my first day out for some time having contracted Covid (despite all the precautions) and then developing further complications in the form of a clot on my lung. While i'm still not 100% i feel that i'm well on the way to recovery thanks to the wonderful NHS staff at my GPs practice and Cramlington hospital. I ventured down to Tynemouth first and headed out along the pier. Funny how times have changed, i used to go along and could spend an hour on my own along by the lighthouse and be asked if i had seen anything by folks who had gone along for the walk. Following the large number of sightings particularly in the last couple of years of dolphins recently when i walked along the pier a large group, many with cameras and BIG lenses appear to be camped out there waiting for the dolphins to "put on a show" It's a bit like how things developed at Cresswell with the barn owls !

I was actually rewarded with a pod of 8+ Bottle-nosed Dolphins myself although they were just out of range for any decent images but the views through the bins were cracking as they interacted and tail slapped before slowly drifting off north. There were a few Auks still in view also but nothing like the numbers a couple of months back, i'm pleased to say. From Tynemouth off down to North Shields Fish Quay for an hour. Not expecting to see too much i suddenly saw a white winged gull lift from the outer quayside then proceed to patrol along the edge of said quay and river. A couple of passes in i thought to myself "You've been here before my friend" thinking back on an Iceland Gull which, over the last couple of winters had done the exact same thing of often sticking to that outer quay. On further inspection i reckoned it looked to be a 3rd winter bird which fitted in exactly with this gull returning. An Iceland Gull turned up two winters ago as a juvenile and last year a 2nd winter bird showed up, both times an Iceland Gull flew back and forth along the full length of the same area between the lifeboat station and the end of The Gut. Having posted pics of the bird on Twitter a couple of the locals expressed their views that this might be a returning bird. It would be nice to think so.

So my first day back out again was excellent, but as you all know i might not see anything interesting again for a while. That doesn't matter in my book. Just being out in the fresh air and enjoying the peace and tranquillity that can be had is the most important thing. You can't put a price on how much that is good for the soul and your health.

Off Church Point, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

 Just after 5 a.m. 

It's getting 'otter

 It sure was at Cresswell on a wild and windy first day of restriction easing on Monday. Despite the "fresh" (as described on BBC weather, more SEVERE GUSTS in my book) wind the birds on the Budge showed reasonably well. Notables being pairs of Pintail, Lesser black-backed Gull, Black-tailed Godwit and a single Avocet. 50 plus pairs of Shoeveler, the highest number i recall seeing here, were spread around all of the site. I absolutely HATE windy days and didn't fancy the walk up to Chev so returned to Cresswell where i had seen 18 Avocets north of the causeway on the way up at first light, Apart from the Avocets, which were hunkered down on the sand bar, only a male Red-breasted Merganser caught the eye as everything else was tucked away on the western shore. Thinking "I'm not going to be here long and i'll head down to the beach and shelter from the wind" i was expecting to be on the move however two Otters appeared and proceeded to play fight and feed for the next 90 minutes with the exception of twice when they disappeared into the reedbeds for around 10 minutes each time. Obviously wonderful to observe as they moved to most parts of the pool BUT never came reasonably close to the hide. No complaints here. They were still around when i left as a couple of folk had arrived in the hide and that was the signal for me to exit. Despite the fact that an unbelievable number of people seem to think things have improve re this pandemic i am still social distancing and disinfecting an surfaces i come into contact with. No ease up as far as i'm concerned !!!!

Here's a quite heavily cropped image of the otters who might be last years young 'uns judging by their similar size and antics. There might be a few more to follow. Also i quite like this image of some of the Avocets that must have move to the north end of the pool and decided to relocate back.

 

Killingworth visit

 My first visit since last year. A bit of rain in the air so it wasn't too busy. Lovely seeing 2 pairs of Great Crested Grebes back and displaying along with a dozen or so Goldeneye. A male and 2 female Goosander made up the other interesting birds on the lakes. A togger with a huge lens was encamped on the wall in front of the smaller lake with gaze transfixed on the GCGs (what else ?) so he missed this nice photo opportunity as one of the female Goosanders decided to relocate. I hope that he was happy with at least one of his probable two thousand GCG images taken. LOL

No birds just boats.

North Shields Fish Quay.... Thursday.

YOU FAT BASTARD !

 Not you...... me.

Weeks of loafing about drinking tea AND EATING BICCIES trying to avoid catching this virus is taking its toll

Keeping my distance

 I've never really needed much of an excuse to keep my distance from folk. I've always been happy with my own company and although i do enjoy listening to people who actually have something to say i find most folk tend to be more wrapped up in themselves. Heading up to Abbey Mills near Morpeth the forecast wasn't as good as it had predicted ( surprise, surprise) It was raining which meant that the light would be awful and it never stopped all morning. A double edged sword as it meant photography would be tricky but it might mean it was quieter than expected and that's how it turned out. Picked up a single HAWFINCH on arrival close to the path but way up in the top of the Hornbeams. It was active and feeding, great to observe but no chance of a decent pic. I had the bird all to myself for the hour or so i was there and only one single dog walker came anywhere near close. The plan was to enjoy walks along the river and woods, especially along towards Mitford but as mentioned the lack of any decent light put paid to any landscape captures, my camera with the shorter lens stayed in the car due to the wet conditions. I didn't mind carrying one camera and trying to keep it dry but didn't want to mess about with two. It was nice to find another colony of Tree Sparrows in a small plot with a couple of feeders in it on the outskirts of Mitford. This species has been doing really well here in the north east it would seem. I remember not that long ago the only place i was guaranteed to see any was at Big Waters but now i can think of 8-10 sites. My time along the Wansbeck brought me great views of a DIPPER. Heading up Druridge way regularly these days means its been some time. Thoroughly enjoyed spending time in its company as it did what Dippers do as leaves fell from the trees continually.

 

Roebuck close up

This male Roe Deer was on the north bank along the Oddie path as i arrived at Dru. It scarpered along the bank when it saw me but stopped and turned as it reached what is left of the bushes. I stood, it stood, we both stood staring  then it seemed comfortable and had a few picks of grass. I cautiously took a few pics so as not to disturb it. It jumped down to the path then onto the south bank but instead of dropping down immediately to the Budge Field it took its time, picking more grass. Eventually it did drop down out of sight but reappeared close by as it moved along the field. Being 6 foot 4 inches has its advantages and this was one of them as i managed some lovely close views as it trotted past.
Close encounters are always wonderful and getting a nice image a bonus !!!

Budge Field SPOONBILL

I promised Andy yesterday that i would post images of the SPOONBILL that i had briefly on the Budge Field at Druridge on 13th May. It had a nice bit of colour about it.
Been meaning to post them but kept forgetting !

East Chevington capture.

Another Stoat image from East Chevington, this time captured in front of the south east corner hide while sitting in the company of Andy Mc.
It moved swiftly, as they do, across the back of the two cut rides and quickly out of sight. I saw what must have been the same animal do almost exactly the same thing about ten days ago. It was a nice surprise to see i had something worth sharing given the fact i literally just fired off a few shots. I have to give the fast focusing attributes of the Canon 7d mkII the full credit.

Common Crane

Got lucky with the Crane just south of Middleton last week. A good 90 minutes in and no sign of the bird. I had passed the area where it had been reported and was just about to head back to the car when two birds lifted distantly ..... a Grey Heron in pursuit of a COMMON CRANE ! Bingo.
They had lifted in the area near Middleton Mill and the Crane continued east along the course of the river before settling out of site. As i retraced my steps i noticed the bird directly ahead of me and as i did it lifted again, disappearing behind a small copse. I re found it on the south side of the River Wansbeck beside where Middleton Burn joins. Although slightly distant i could have gotten closer via the small copse BUT i was out of time and left it looking like it was not going anywhere fast. Might return if it sticks around which looks likely.

East Chev Stoat.

Nothing much about on the bird front on Saturday morning on a visit to East Chevington. The thing is you never know when or if you will see anything, that's my fascination with getting out and about in Northumberland. Literally minutes from leaving and on my way back to the car this Stoat appeared out of the reeds and onto the edge of the main track that runs between Druridge C.P. and Druridge pools and along the eastern edge of the north pool at Chev. It sat and looked at me for a moment but disappeared the moment i moved slightly to get a decent shot with the camera that i had slid gently from my side. I didn't move and seconds later it reappeared before darting across the path, stopping to take a look then it proceeded to run directly towards me before quickly turning and disappearing again. Wonderful.

Smarter than any Meerkat

Iceland upon Tyne

At North Shields Fish Quay.

Diving off the pier

Tynemouth Pier that is.

Druridge Dragons

 These two male Hawkers posed nicely along the path leading to the Oddie hide at Druridge Pools Sunday morning. Others were on the wing inc at least three Migrant and a couple Southern Hawkers with two Common Darters perched in amongst the Brambles. I used to see many Migrant Hawkers along this path before they disrupted the habitat by renewing the path. Far fewer Darters and various Damselflies seen here now. Other species must have suffered also. All that so humans would have a nice path to walk along and not get their feet wet in the winter. A nature reserve managed by a wildlife trust …… so much for wildlife !!!!!

SOUTHERN

MIGRANT

Divers off Tynemouth Pier

There must have been a shoal of some sort not far off the pier end as hundreds of Terns, mainly Common & Sandwich, were plunge diving into the North Sea. I' will often see Terns in the mouth of the Tyne but this morning they were joined over a period by a decent number of Gannets. I see Gannets passing back & forth along the north east coast regularly with Newbiggin being a particularly good place for close encounters but they don't feed that close in normally. Today however the Gannets joined the Terns some 20 metres or so from where I stood giving amazing views of their diving. Not only the sight but the sound of them hitting the water was brilliant.

 

Gannets

                                                                  Sandwich Tern

On the cliffs under Tynemouth Priory at the beginning of the walk the Kittiwakes seem to be having a good breeding season. Here's an adult with a chick

DUCK !!!

…. actually it was a Spoonbill but I thought I might have to duck at one stage.

A1068 Barnie

The A1068 being the busy road between Widdrington Village and Amble. It was just before 5 a.m. on Sunday morning so the road was quiet. I was heading north along the road wanting to turn off for the side road that would take me down to Hadson Carrs then back towards East Chevington. The Barn Owl caught my eye just before the junction so I had to turn back and park on the grass verge, something I wouldn't consider later in the day or during the week. Lovely sitting watching it as it surveyed the wide grass verge but a gut in a van pulled alongside and asked if everything was alright, probably thinking I might have broken down. "I'm fine thanks" I replied as I pretended to be on my phone. Unfortunately as the van pulled away it spooked the owl which disappeared off down the road. I was going to have to go back the way I had come and turn to get back on track. I drove about 100 metres then spotted at gateway on my right and decided to turn there. As I was about to pull out something caught my eye on the other side of the road.
First image was taken with my 35mm lens. The other three with the 300 mm and are cropped. Bird sat for 15 minutes quite happily flying off twice but returning. Cars make wonderful hides !