Northumbrian Birding (1 Viewer)

[Barred Wobbler]

I went back to Newbiggin this morning for another spell with the rock pipits. Lovely day, but the hard light made for some difficult exposures. Other close range attractions on the rotting seaweed were sanderlings (one colour-ringed, probably Iceland - I'm awaiting confirmation), turnstones, knot, redshanks and a purple sandpiper.

Nice views of a sparrowhawk on the way back along the beach, but when I tried to photograph it as it perched the camera wasn't playing the game. After the bird left I finally noticed that I'd knocked the lens into the manual focus setting. I'll bloody know next time.

 

[Alan Tilmouth]

How many littoralis today Alan?

 

[Barred Wobbler]

Hard to say. 4 at least. The flock was mobile and kept settling on the bank further back along the beach when they were disturbed by dog-walkers and such. I sat tight, still and quiet on the tank blocks and let them come to me, so the only time I saw them all together was the odd occasion when they were in flight. I'd say I saw 7 or 8 pipits in the air at once and some were in display flight mode, especially around the sandstone boulders at the point.

This one was a little cracker.

 

[Leee]

itducks

Hello, what are itducks? have a vision of scoters with bluetooth headsets and floating laptops.

 

[Middy24]

Heading up to Cresswell/ Druidge tomorrow, Anyone know here the best place to view the Hooded Crow at Hemscott Hill if its still around?

Cheers

 

[Barred Wobbler]

Heading up to Cresswell/ Druidge tomorrow, Anyone know here the best place to view the Hooded Crow at Hemscott Hill if its still around?

Cheers

The dead sheep it's been feeding on in the fields north of the pond is visible from the hide and it was also sitting on fence posts that were clearly visible from the hide.

The sheep is also visible from the road just south of Hemscott Hill farm, but the blind summit there can make stopping the car dangerous.

 

[One Man and His Dog]

Hello, what are itducks? have a vision of scoters with bluetooth headsets and floating laptops.

Now that would be a bird to twitch!!! i guess you are refering to my earlier post? ltducks are in fact long tailed ducks.
cheers
steve

 

[Alan Tilmouth]

The sheep is also visible from the road just south of Hemscott Hill farm, but the blind summit there can make stopping the car dangerous.

It can but when you get to our age Alan that's about as exciting as it gets!

 

[Stephanie M]

Whats the best place for Purple Sandpiper? Stag Rocks??

 

[Alan Tilmouth]

Whats the best place for Purple Sandpiper? Stag Rocks??

Yes Stephanie c.100 present most days, Closer to Alnwick would be Boulmer where you can pick up much smaller numbers on the rocks to the north (5-10).

 

[Stephanie M]

Thank you Alan

 

[woodhornbirder]

Epimedium grandiflorum

recomended as a cure for old mans problems.(or maybe its just retailers hype)

 

[Ray.Scott]

Cresswell Hide

Visit on Saturday:
Teal, wigeon, gadwall, dunlin, golden eye, shell duck, R.B merganser, curlew, common,black headed & herring gulls, 4 whooper & 2 mute swans, grey heron, oyster catchers, redshank, moorhen, coot, mallard, pheasant, cormorant, canada geese, about 300 pinkies, pied wagtail, reed bunting, little grebe and barn owl.
Also tree sparrow, house sparrow and dunnock along the approach path to the hide + distant stoat and hare.

 

[Ray.Scott]

A few flight shots.

 

[Blythman]

And I'm still looking for that owl Ray. Nice to meet you.

 

[Stephanie M]

Just home after a brilliant weekend on the Northumbrian coast. Started off with Purple Sandpiper at Boulmer and just got better. Thanks for the information everyone.

 

[Ray.Scott]

And I'm still looking for that owl Ray. Nice to meet you.

Hi Alan.
When we were there, It turned up at around 10.30am and hunted for a good 3/4 of an hour before heading back towards the barn.

 

[Blythman]

Hi Alan.
When we were there, It turned up at around 10.30am and hunted for a good 3/4 of an hour before heading back towards the barn.

Yeah, you showed me a pic Ray just before you headed off at teatime.

 

[Blythman]

Finally caught up with it tonight

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54050400@N05/5547643267/sizes/o/in/photostream/

 

[Ray.Scott]

Finally caught up with it tonight

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54050400@N05/5547643267/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Just required some patients and luck , pleased you finally caught up with It :t:.