The Liverbirder
Well-known member
Unless There's Two!!
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Northumbrian Birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Stewart J.
- Start date
martin kitching
Obsessed seawatcher
Maybe you've stumbled upon the breeding RLB that were claimed in another thread
Now if you can just find us the Gyrs and the Red-footed Falcons as well...B cheers
martin
The Liverbirder
Well-known member
Back To Basics
Starting from scratch, year's endeavours extended from 27 to 55, the better additions were Med Gull (3 at NBTS) and Goosander (10 at Arcot, 7 M and 3 F).
Starting from scratch, year's endeavours extended from 27 to 55, the better additions were Med Gull (3 at NBTS) and Goosander (10 at Arcot, 7 M and 3 F).
Andy Atkinson
Druridge Bayer
Large Brambling flock
In case anyone's struggling with this species in Northumberland this year, I had a cracking flock of 70-100 <b>Brambling</b> at <b>Bolam Lake</b> yesterday. They were around the car park at the main visitor centre and cafe. One or two were coming to grain where people leave food out on the walls but the main flock were feeding on the ground in the large expanses of leaves around the beech and other big trees. Couldn't get any snaps as they kept getting disturbed by walkers but first thing in the morning should be good for this.
Andy
In case anyone's struggling with this species in Northumberland this year, I had a cracking flock of 70-100 <b>Brambling</b> at <b>Bolam Lake</b> yesterday. They were around the car park at the main visitor centre and cafe. One or two were coming to grain where people leave food out on the walls but the main flock were feeding on the ground in the large expanses of leaves around the beech and other big trees. Couldn't get any snaps as they kept getting disturbed by walkers but first thing in the morning should be good for this.
Andy
Newton Stringer
Well-known member
Nice one Andy... great birds brambling's, one of my firm favourites !!
Here's a couple of pics took in September on my annual outing to Unst in Shetland...
If you're interested there's a link to my trip report, with some more pics here....
http://www.newtonbirding.co.uk/unst2007.htm
Attachments
Andy Atkinson
Druridge Bayer
Great little birds and all vanishing from the usual feeding station haunts - Gossy Park, Big Waters, Thornley Woods. A few on Holy Island this year I think so Bolam's done well.
Your Unst trip sounds interesting. Good selection of birds but 5 tick stressed guys crammed into a small cottage.....a recipe for disaster ! The grass is always greener (Foula) but I think you did OK - a yank thrush and the Arctic Redpoll's worth the trip alone.
I've tried to stop mulling over the ones that got away. OK I still brood over one or two - like that Red necked Stint at Blyth....I was coming back from Norfolk and was knackered that day so didn't ring Birdline....if only I had....
One Man and His Dog
GATESHEAD BIRDER
Had a trip up to caistron nr today, although the weather closed in just managed to get red-necked grebe and then off before the roads were covered in snow!. Then stopped off at newbiggin and got med gull, no luck with hawfinchs in the morning (try again and again).
cheers
one man and his dog
cheers
one man and his dog
[email protected]
FATHER AND SON TEAM
holy island
planning trip in morning has anyone been lately/know whats about?
cheers will
planning trip in morning has anyone been lately/know whats about?
cheers will
Gill Osborne
Well-known member
I was chatting to a guy this morning at the entrance of Hulne Park whilst waiting for those blasted Hawfinches to show up (they didn't!) and he was just off up to Budle Bay as there's a Hooded Crow there.
I did Cresswell Pond, Druridge Pools & East Chevington today - not much about apart from usual wigeon, teal, lapwing etc.
I'll be heading north as the week progresses.
Speaking of Caistron......are we allowed there? I've read so many conflicting things about how we can bird there and then will be told that no, we can't as it's been bought by a fishing consortium.
I did Cresswell Pond, Druridge Pools & East Chevington today - not much about apart from usual wigeon, teal, lapwing etc.
I'll be heading north as the week progresses.
Speaking of Caistron......are we allowed there? I've read so many conflicting things about how we can bird there and then will be told that no, we can't as it's been bought by a fishing consortium.
level seven
Registered user
I was speaking to the man in the office only last week about this Gill. As you probably know, it hasn't been a nature reserve for some years, since the company changed hands. It didn't seem possible even to arrange access beforehand through the office and it's only viewable from public right of way.
Gill Osborne
Well-known member
Cheers Graham :t:
I've never actually ever been up to Caistron as I thought it was 'out of bounds' to birders. But then I kept reading reports of some super birds being seen there so thought that it WAS still open to us and that I, as usual, had got my wires crossed somewhere along the line Didn't realise there was a public footpath next to it.
I'll have to get myself up that way soon and see what's about.
I've never actually ever been up to Caistron as I thought it was 'out of bounds' to birders. But then I kept reading reports of some super birds being seen there so thought that it WAS still open to us and that I, as usual, had got my wires crossed somewhere along the line
Didn't realise there was a public footpath next to it. I'll have to get myself up that way soon and see what's about.
brianfm
Botanical Birder
My local walks often throw up some good birds. Yesterday, Tuesday 22nd Jan certainly did. As I was stood amongst a party of maybe 15+ feeding Siskins a small bird caught my eye which I initially though was a Goldcrest as I often see them in this particular hedge. I soon sensed it wasn't and on closer inspection and given very good views I was rather chuffed to find a Firecrest. Other birds seen included Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Great, Blue and LT Tits.
I went back today with a mate, but no luck, although I did find Nuthatch in Killingworth Village. The Firecrest was seen in the hedge on the foot path between Great Lime Road and the big wheel. Its the council nature walk that leads up to Killingworth village.
I went back today with a mate, but no luck, although I did find Nuthatch in Killingworth Village. The Firecrest was seen in the hedge on the foot path between Great Lime Road and the big wheel. Its the council nature walk that leads up to Killingworth village.
brianfm
Botanical Birder
I have had a very promt reply from the Bird Recorder concerning my Firecrest sighting. I knew they were rare in Northumberland, but hadn't realised quite how rare. Apparently there were only 2 Firecrests recorded in 2007. I am devoting a page to this one when I write my book.
Gill Osborne
Well-known member
Aw shucks Bri......there was me thinking I'd had a fabulous sighting this afternoon on a coastal site close to home of a Peregrine :t:
Yet along you trots in all your innocence of the enormity of your find and blows my sighting outta the window with a Firecrest!!!! :eek!: Seriously jealous man!!!!!!:-O
I'm heading down your way tomorrow for a day's birding with Neil so I may just take a slight detour :t:
Yet along you trots in all your innocence of the enormity of your find and blows my sighting outta the window with a Firecrest!!!! :eek!: Seriously jealous man!!!!!!
:-O I'm heading down your way tomorrow for a day's birding with Neil so I may just take a slight detour
:t:
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Newton Stringer
Well-known member
I have had a very promt reply from the Bird Recorder concerning my Firecrest sighting. I knew they were rare in Northumberland, but hadn't realised quite how rare. Apparently there were only 2 Firecrests recorded in 2007. I am devoting a page to this one when I write my book.
FIRECREST !!! NICE ONE !!! AWESOME BIRDS !!!:t::t::t::t:
Yep pretty rare in Northumberland, I was lucky enough to find one back in November on my patch at Newton by the Sea.... Normally only a few records per year tho (maybe about 1 - 5 records) and most often in the autumn on the coast....
There has been the odd winter bird before, and the odd spring bird too, there's one down in Co Durham at the mo.....
Well done ! Top find !!
Derek Polley
Well-known member
I have had a very promt reply from the Bird Recorder concerning my Firecrest sighting. I knew they were rare in Northumberland, but hadn't realised quite how rare. Apparently there were only 2 Firecrests recorded in 2007. I am devoting a page to this one when I write my book.
Cracking bird, never seen one as they are rare in NI, hope we get a page in the book as well?
Binocularface
You've all got one...............!
Red-necked Grebe, still present at Caistron NR and giving relatively close views today!
brianfm
Botanical Birder
No problem about that Derek!
Barred Wobbler
Well-known member
I was there for it this morning and it was over in front of the mini-island off slightly left from the west hide. I hoped it would come into zoom range, but it was happy where it was. After 25 minutes of waiting I decided to try for some digiscoping because the range would be OK. I set the scope on the bird, fitted the camera, looked through the eyepiece and it had vanished!
It had flow off to the west end of the pool. Camera-shy.