Northumbrian Birding (1 Viewer)

[Barred Wobbler]

I went prepared today and took the digiscoping gear as well. After a couple of hours an otter showed up, but just messed around and vanished over in the north east corner. About another hour passed and I had packed my gear up and was about to leave when the gadwall scattered and the otter reappeared, this time making for the island.

It only spent a brief time (twice) there sniffing around before it went off again, lounging on the surface for spells doing a Loch Ness monster impression (three "humps").

I got the impression it wasn't hunting today, probably still full of yesterday's eel.




EDIT; I've just noticed that it appears to be spraying in the first photo below.



While I was waiting for the otter to turn up I amused myself by taking some shots with the new camera of a cormorant having a bath.

 

[seggs]

excellent shots alan...
in the now hot spot for otter..
i know they have been seen here on and off for years..but recently they seem to be showing far more..!(great) ive seen a one 3 out of 4 visits..
any mammal experts views??...i have a similar experience going on at trow quarry with the weasels..(ok not so rare, but not seen often)..not seen one in 3 years of regular visits ..and then nearly every visit lately a one has turned up!??
hedgehogs..another one ..my son who lives near the wansbeck in ashington..has told me they are all over the place here ..(he and his friends often move them off the roads)..and i had my first a few weeks ago at wwt.
but are they just feeding up for the winter...?..(and know something we don,t!)..
or a good breeding season..?
great to see and hear about..all the same.

 

[The Liverbirder]

West Hartford

After a half hour at Arcot (5 - 5.30pm) (6 Mute Swans, 3 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Goldeneye and many Teal), an hour at WH had 1 Kestrel, 1 Heron, numerous Crows, Snipe/Wren/Robin/Blackbird (heard not seen) and at 6.20pm a brown owl on the west field (did not look like an Asio so would guess a Tawny (the light was very poor)).

 

[craigthirlwell]

Barlow Area

Had a couple ours wandering around here today. Lots of redwing and fieldfare feeding on the Haws. Other birds included green woody and a curlew.
.... and a few kites

 

[tony robb]

had a look in at Linton this morning....the first time since the summer...sun was just rising on the pond creating stunning views of Gadwall,Pochard,Wigeon,Mallard,Tufties,Coot,Moorhen,Little Grebe ...moved onto Cresswell where i got lifers in Scaup and Long Tailed Duck...Barn Owl hunting in field next to the small pond..and Peregrine flew up the coast high and fast.....on a sadder note spoke to a fella who`d found a dead Barn Owl on the road that morning...

 

[DEREK.C.]

Caistron

9 Whooper Swans (3 juves) there this morning.

 

[DEREK.C.]

Simonside Hills

Been great seeing the Crossbills change gradually from the dull, grey birds of Aug/Sept to the bright coloured birds of last week. 150 Siskin moving about still, with a few Grouse and 6 Stonechat still on the moors.
No sign of the Merlins now,probably moved further down onto the farmland .

 

[The Liverbirder]

Gruesome but interesting

Anyone see this and able to add some detail?

13:53 21/10/07 Leach's Storm-petrel Northumbs Druridge Pools 12:45
one this afternoon then killed by gulls and Cormorant

From Birdguides

 

[Derek Polley]

Great kite shots. The RSPB are planning to release 30 in South Down fairly soon so I hope to get shots like this soon without the expense of an Easyjet flight to Newcastle. Bring it on!!

 

[DEREK.C.]

Plenty of activity on the Coquet last week, great watching the Salmon,what a struggle these have trying to get up river, the otter was active as well.
The Slavonian Grebes was still near the Heugh on Holy Island.
Popped into Cresswell for the Scaup and Long Tailed Duck before heading back South.

 

[dmansfield]

i have never seen a crossbill & would appreciate a more specific location, if that is possible,

derek

 

[DEREK.C.]

i have never seen a crossbill & would appreciate a more specific location, if that is possible,

derek

I find this a pretty easy place to find Crossbill, although you have to be patient sometimes . The Grid Ref is NZ0399. Park in the forest car park,and if your lucky you might hear them straight away , if not just have a wander about and you should see/hear them, just listen for a loud sharp chip chip call .

 

[craigthirlwell]

i have never seen a crossbill & would appreciate a more specific location, if that is possible,

derek

Welcome to the forum Derek.
I also find Harbottle Wood good for crossbill. Link attached

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf

 

[John Fleet]

I find this a pretty easy place to find Crossbill, although you have to be patient sometimes . The Grid Ref is NZ0399. Park in the forest car park,and if your lucky you might hear them straight away , if not just have a wander about and you should see/hear them, just listen for a loud sharp chip chip call .

Derek,
I'm struggling to find the location on the map; any chance of posting a more precise location?

many thanks

John F

 

[craigthirlwell]

Derek,
I'm struggling to find the location on the map; any chance of posting a more precise location?

many thanks

John F

Try this link John

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&ax=403500&ay=599500

 

[John Fleet]

Craig
Perfect - many thanks; methinks a trip in the next few days...

John

 

[rokermartin]

Kielder Forest is normally good for seeing Crossbill,some years there are hundreds about .

 

[DEREK.C.]

12 Whooper Swans at Caistron yesterday, along with 8 Goldeneye.
The other pictures are from Amble harbour.

 

[Barred Wobbler]

The Whoopers did me a good turn by flying off from East Chevington while I was there this afternoon, otherwise all was quiet. Brief views of an otter at Druridge at midday.

 

[MalR]

The Whoopers did me a good turn by flying off from East Chevington while I was there this afternoon, otherwise all was quiet. Brief views of an otter at Druridge at midday.

Lovely atmospheric pic, Alan!:t: