in and around south tyneside (1 Viewer)

[rokermartin]

This morning there were 15 magpies feeding in a group on our estate. Are these imports or do they get gregarious during the winter? I tried one for sorrow..............etc but gave up at 7:-O:-O

Brian

Its not unusual to see groups of Magpies.I once saw a group of 35 at Boldon Flats.They are quite sociable birds like the other members of the Corvid family.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Called at South Shields today, after a look round the market we decided to walk along the pier. Birds seen:

Distant male kestrel on the rocks to the South of the pier, at least 150 black backed gulls, most of which were GBB, at least 2 LBB gulls, BH & herring gulls, 1 curlew, 4 red shank, 3 turnstone, 2 rock pippet, 5 cormorant and what I believe to be RT Diver which was at the end of the pier at low tide.

Also at least three seals.

Image 2 shows a herring gull stomping on the wet sand, do they do this to attempt to force worms to the top ?, I didn't see any worms.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Oh! nearly forgot the diver etc.

Also called at Cleadon on the way back.

lapwing, redshanks, BH gulls, 1 heron and around 11 curlew.

 

[seggs]

Oh! nearly forgot the diver etc.

Also called at Cleadon on the way back.

lapwing, redshanks, BH gulls, 1 heron and around 11 curlew.

Nice one Ray yes a Red throated diver, not had a one close in yet so far this Autumn, well done:t:
If you hang over the pier about mid way along, on the south facing side at high tide you can sometimes get close to the waders resting here, another one to think about on your next visit.
The shot of the Herring gull, yes its trying to get worms to the surface by making them think its raining gulls often do this especially on grass, great to watch the foot stomp..:t::-O

 

[seggs]

This morning there were 15 magpies feeding in a group on our estate. Are these imports or do they get gregarious during the winter? I tried one for sorrow..............etc but gave up at 7:-O:-O

Brian

Brian i would have given up that song after one! lol..:-O still remember the programme and tune but not the lyrics:eek!:
Just had a look thro- my notes from last year because i remembered a large group in Marsden quay, 28 birds going ape s..t on the eigth of this month last year...seems the birds like to group this time of year for some unkown reason.
Maybe they are already pairing up(as they do breed a bit earlier) or are just happier in groups this time of year? as most corvids are, as Martin has mentioned.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Nice one Ray yes a Red throated diver, not had a one close in yet so far this Autumn, well done:t:
If you hang over the pier about mid way along, on the south facing side at high tide you can sometimes get close to the waders resting here, another one to think about on your next visit.

Cheers Steve.
Sounds a bit dodgy, hanging over the pier:eek!:, but arl givit a try sometime :t:.
I think I trust the missus enough to keep tight hold of my feet :-O o.

Keep up the good work :t:.

 

[seggs]

Late pm.

Had a hour and a half today along the coast, first off was Trow, very little except the Trowl and 3 Purple sands still around Trow point, 30+ Linnets feeding on the point also, very few Goldfinch anywhere.
Little movement on the sea, even the Med gull was not in the Marsden carpark..not seen it here for the last couple of visits.
Still nice to get out:t:
pic 1....Yes me again! sorry..
pic 2...bit closer, Hartlepools better for close ups or Amble

 

[NeilF]

pic 2...bit closer, Hartlepools better for close ups or Amble

Hi Steve, last winter period I found the rock pools just north of Roker pier a good place to get close views of Purple Sandpiper and the sun is behind you for photo's, week-days preferable for obvious reasons!

 

[seggs]

Cheers Steve.
Sounds a bit dodgy, hanging over the pier:eek!:, but arl givit a try sometime :t:.
I think I trust the missus enough to keep tight hold of my feet :-O o.

Keep up the good work :t:.

It might sound bad Ray..:-O:t: but you can climb on the wall via a seat and sit there. Just check your lass has not upped the insurance before you do it...:eek!::-O:-O

 

[seggs]

Hi Steve, last winter period I found the rock pools just north of Roker pier a good place to get close views of Purple Sandpiper and the sun is behind you for photo's, week-days preferable for obvious reasons!

Thanks Neil, will give that a try as i seldom visit this area, Hartlepool last year was incredible! how close the birds allowed you to approach.

 

[degsy_safc]

Steve,
Nice job with the Trowl - He obviously sees his best mate approaching and thinks - ohhh here comes 'our Steve' better get myself in the open :-O

Conversely - when i go to see him - he says, right time to wind this fella up again, lets get on those leafy perches that will bug him :-C

 

[The gaffer]

GS Woody

Very unusual visitor to my garden feeders at lunchtime a GS woody. A first for my garden:t:

Apologies for the poor quality of the photo but it was taken through the kitchen window and it was windy (well that's my excuse anyway):-O:-O

Brian

 

[degsy_safc]

Apologies for the poor quality of the photo but it was taken through the kitchen window and it was windy (well that's my excuse anyway):-O:-OBrian

Who cares about quality - fantastic capture Brian, man i wish i was getting Woody's in my garden :t:

 

[seggs]

Couple of hours off work today, at Clara vale and Thornley. Nowt really great, even the bird numbers were down since my last visit to Clara, only had a short time at Thornley..
All the usual suspects, the Kingfisher did not show at Clara.
But great crack!!!:-O Derek,Bill and grandson and the other couple?? s..t with names!
And Dougie in Thornley!!
Not the best for birds but good crack:t:

 

[echo24]

Couple of hours off work today, at Clara vale and Thornley. Nowt really great, even the bird numbers were down since my last visit to Clara, only had a short time at Thornley..
All the usual suspects, the Kingfisher did not show at Clara.
But great crack!!!:-O Derek,Bill and grandson and the other couple?? s..t with names!
And Dougie in Thornley!!
Not the best for birds but good crack:t:

Quick visit to Trow this morning, all the usual (Trowl showing well) others included Stonechat & Pied wagtail….. one or two waders between Trow & Frenchman’s – Curlew, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Redshank & Purple Sandpiper, also mixed flock of c40 Thrushes over the leas (Fieldfare & Redwing) other than that, things are really quiet.

Spent a couple of hours at Thornley woods this afternoon, Red Kite over, but nothing too unusual there either apart from the very high numbers of Coal Tits – they seemed to be everywhere!

Nice to bump into you Steve:t: – love the new avatar – outstanding mate!

Well done with the GSW, Brian, not a common garden bird around the area by any stretch of the imagination – I know of five successful pairs in Shields this year but even so, they do remain elusive…

Anyway, here’s a few photos.


Cheers, Dougie.

 

[degsy_safc]

Afternoon at Clara Vale, all the usual suspects in terms of Tit family, Finches etc - but both Male and Female Sparrowhawk, Treecreeper & very brief glimpse of Single Goldcrest

Great crack with Steve, Bill, Jake (Bill's Grandson), Ray & Kaz....

Anyway a couple of my efforts from this afternoon....

 

[seggs]

"Nice to bump into you Steve:t: – love the new avatar – outstanding mate!"...
Just her thoughts and mine on Stuck up birders, :-O:-O..:eek!: and one or two bad posts.

 

[The gaffer]

Marsden old quarry

Had a walk around this quarry this morning and the ususal species noted. I met a couple of dog walkers who informed me that they had just seen a barn owl being mobbed by crows towards the Lizard Lane Caravan Park.

Brian

 

[seggs]

Not much to report today really, Pairs of Stonies, Dunnocks and wrens,robins in Trow. Also the trusty trowl.
The squeakers have fledged:t:
2 R.t.divers off the point, only seen one purple sand here today.
Just dawned on me the other day i have very few or no pictures of common birds we take for granted(except Starlings but they are a favorite of mine)
Few pic,s from the last few days-

 

[rokermartin]

I think we have had our autumn for birds last month the weather forecast for the coming week is much of the same strong south westerly winds and rain at times.No good whats so ever for our patch and east coast birders.Just hope the weather pattern changes soon and we get some late migrants on the coast.The first 2 weeks of Nov can be good for birds Pallas's Warblers often turn up then.Have to keep our fingers crossed.I am still seeing the Coals Tits in my street and garden they seem to be hanging around be interesting to see if they will over winter.