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