Northumbrian Birding (1 Viewer)

[MH68]

Hi Val, the small bird activity at Gosforth has been pretty quiet up until this weekend.The most activity was along the east path following the perimeter fence towards the racecourse(squirrels very active along that path too).
There`s always Long Tailed Tit activity along the south path around the lake area too. They`re usually pretty vocal, which is the best way of locating them. Flocks increasing in size lately too (average 20-30 birds).
The feeding station hide in the woods is getting more activity too, but you may have to wait a while for a flock to enter the area.Re Nuthatches and Woodpeckers, listen out for them tapping away at the trees....easiest way to find them.

Mark

 

[Valerie]

Thanks for all the info Mark....

I will look out for you when I visit... :hi:

____________
Val :cat:

 

[MH68]

No probs Val, be happy to show you round the place if we bump into each other up there.It`s one of those places where you can go one day and see very little, and the next visit it`s alive with activity.
Mark

 

[LSB]

A quick Trip "up the coast " today produced 50 species
Highlights were
Slavonian Grebe
Juv Peregrine Falcon
Greenshank and 9 Pintail at East Chevington north pool
Cresswell
Another juv Peregrine (we think it was same bird but not 100% sure)
Being mobbed by 2 common Buzzards. The Peregrine then must of had enough as it turned on the Buzzards. Fantastic to watch..Also Pomerine Skua and Sooty Shearwater past Snab Point this morning..

 

[cuddy]

Hi Darren dont forget we also had Blackstart at Creswell and reconnted with BF member Ericmd last seen at Bempton, hope you connected with the Slav Eric.

Regards Cuddy.

 

[LSB]

Hi Darren dont forget we also had Blackstart at Creswell and reconnted with BF member Ericmd last seen at Bempton, hope you connected with the Slav Eric.

Regards Cuddy.

Ooops silly me forgot about the Black Redstart which was on the farm buildings before you go through gate to hide.. It was nice meeting Ericmd again... :t:

 

[Brian Bullough]

Sunblest

The title may mislead you I also have been to Cresswell twice and failed to see the Black Redstart had a walk around to Warworth lane and back around to Cresswell I was lucky enough to have these three drop in just to the side of the hide posed nicely for several shots save for the background a "Sunblest" bread tray for those trying to I.D.it,( its brighter red than most and this one has the word "sunblest "on the side) I got some mixed shots later ,everything looked great in the slowly setting sun hence the title ......... clever or what!!! and a sunset over Cresswell just to show its not all gloom 'up north'
Brian

 

[Keith Reeder]

Nice pics, Brian - I think that's the first time I've actually seen golden - correction, grey! - plovers wading!

 

[MH68]

Gosforth Park, 10am-1pm today.....
lake area....
100+ Wigeon
Coots
Moorhens
3 Grey Heron
Teal
Mallard
Shoveler
Fleeting glimpse of Water Rail running through reedbed.
5 Sparrowhawks in the air at the same time viewed from hide 1.
Usual small species in the woods, 4 Roe Deer seen.
Also got a few decent pics of what I think were Common Darter dragonflies mating in one of the reedbeds(see my gallery for pic).

Mark

 

[Keith Reeder]

What were the sparrowhawks doing, Mark?

Were they all behaving in a similar way (say, thermal soaring - unlikely though that'd be with the weather the way it is now!), or was it just a coincidence that they all appeared in front of you at about the same time?

I ask, because I'm trying to get a handle on why Gosforth Park seems to be so attractive to raptors - over and above the obvious reasons like plenty of food, not many people...

 

[MH68]

Keith,they were all soaring ; 2 were getting mobbed intermittently by Crows. I think the wide diversity of habitats in such a small area may increase the attraction re Raptors....mixed woodland, coniferous plantations, large lake area, lots of open areas etc......much of which is pretty secluded and sees very little human disturbance.

Mark

 

[LSB]

Juv Red Necked Phalarope at Linton Lane Pond today . Marsh Harrier their also


Here is a cpl of video grabs...

 

[Valerie]

I had a visit to Cresswell at about 5.30 today and had excellent views of a juvenile Marsh Harrier. It was being chased, firstly by a couple of Magpies and then a crow just wouldn't leave it in peace. It was chased away and then came back and picked up a dead seagull from in the reeds, but then dropped it before being chased away again.

I am disappointed to see so much water in the pool there, earlier this year it was good to see lots of birds on the sand bank but that has totally disappeared now.... I wish something could be done about it :brains:

I'm afraid I failed to see the Black Redstart

______________
Val

 

[salty]

nice one Val, there is 2 marsh harriers in the area at the moment.

i know what you mean by the water problem at cress, when it is low, the birds are there in the thousands.....sadly it could do with a little maintenance.

 

[MH68]

Gosforth Park again today.......
Mallard, 2 Gadwall,4 Shoveler (1m, 3f),Wigeon,Teal, Coot,Moorhen,Mute Swan and Grey Heron on lake.
Large flock of Goldcrest (males, fems and juvs) along with single Chiffchaff, Great, Blue and Long tailed Tits along edge of racecourse.
Great Spotted Woodpecker,many Nuthatches and Treecreepers in woods along with large flock of Coal Tits.
1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk also seen.Numbers of Pheasants and a single Partridge in one of the fields.Only 1 Roe Deer spotted, and 1 Red Squirrel.

Mark

 

[June Atkinson]

Access at Gosforth park

Gosforth Park again today.......
Mallard, 2 Gadwall,4 Shoveler (1m, 3f),Wigeon,Teal, Coot,Moorhen,Mute Swan and Grey Heron on lake.
Large flock of Goldcrest (males, fems and juvs) along with single Chiffchaff, Great, Blue and Long tailed Tits along edge of racecourse.
Great Spotted Woodpecker,many Nuthatches and Treecreepers in woods along with large flock of Coal Tits.
1 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk also seen.Numbers of Pheasants and a single Partridge in one of the fields.Only 1 Roe Deer spotted, and 1 Red Squirrel.

Mark

Mark,
For someone with very limited mobility, what is the best access at Gosforth Park? We have a disabled disk for the car, but my husband can only walk short distances on the level, using his walking stick. But with all these sightings, it is a very tempting site and easily reached from Ponteland.
Many thanks for any tips or advice you can give us. We are RSPB and NWWT members.

 

[Keith Reeder]

June,

access to Gosforth Park Nature Reserve is restricted to Northumbria Natural History Society members (although with prior arrangement guests can be shown round).

In dry weather the tracks - which are in the main natural "worn paths" through the woodland and are pretty level - would be OK for your hubby (I guess...)

One good thing is the presence of hides around the lake: you and your husband could have a stroll to a hide, take a while to rest and watch what's happening on and around the water, then have a slow wander back to the entrance.

The only entrance, incidentally, is on the east side of Gosforth Park, just off the A189 (the South Gosforth to Ashington road).

You're in woodland pretty much from the moment you get through the entrance though, so long treks aren't obligatory.

Assuming it isn't copyright, I've scanned a detailed map of the reserve and placed it here http://www.blyth3qy.freeserve.co.uk/gp.gif which should give you an idea of what's what...

 

[Ericmd]

Hi Darren dont forget we also had Blackstart at Creswell and reconnted with BF member Ericmd last seen at Bempton, hope you connected with the Slav Eric.

Regards Cuddy.

Just woke up!A week late!
Yes I did see it.The sun kept popping in and out to help.An RB Merganser appeared close to the grebe.The young kestrel kept us company perched on the field post not 20 yards off!
Re-cresswell,Was there a grey plover asleep with the ruffs?
On the way back down,I parked up at the pond and walked to the beach;4 black throated divers not 70 yards out with sun and surf in their faces.Super!
Good to see you both + Swampy;great day out AND I didn't ditch my car this time!

 

[June Atkinson]

Thank you for info re Gosforth Park

June,

access to Gosforth Park Nature Reserve is restricted to Northumbria Natural History Society members (although with prior arrangement guests can be shown round).

In dry weather the tracks - which are in the main natural "worn paths" through the woodland and are pretty level - would be OK for your hubby (I guess...)

One good thing is the presence of hides around the lake: you and your husband could have a stroll to a hide, take a while to rest and watch what's happening on and around the water, then have a slow wander back to the entrance.

The only entrance, incidentally, is on the east side of Gosforth Park, just off the A189 (the South Gosforth to Ashington road).

You're in woodland pretty much from the moment you get through the entrance though, so long treks aren't obligatory.

Assuming it isn't copyright, I've scanned a detailed map of the reserve and placed it here http://www.blyth3qy.freeserve.co.uk/gp.gif which should give you an idea of what's what...

My word, that was quick off the mark, Keith! :clap:

Thanks - this is excellent info, which I have saved - the plan, too, to my Birds Folder for future reference. I understand the access is restricted.

 

[salty]

eric: there has been a grey plover at cresswell for a few weeks at least. seen it a few times myself.