Northumbrian Birding (1 Viewer)

[binka]

Hi everyone. I'm coming to Alnwick for a week in August and planning to do some birding while there. Would love to visit Kielder - now the AA route guide says it will take me over 2 hours to do the 46 miles from Alnwick to Kielder!!!!!! Is that right?

Also planning a day trip to Farne Islands.

Any other good spots I should visit?

Thanks.

 

[Barred Wobbler]

Alnwick to Kielder's about an hour and twenty minutes to an hour and a half.

Alnwick-Rothbury-Otterburn-Kielder.

The coast south of Alnwick (Druridge Bay area) is definitely worth a look, as is Holy Island.

 

[seggs]

Nice one Steve, glad you caught up withe the Firecrest and Wippit.

thanks brian..
the crest here is so more easier to view and pick up than the boldon bird..less cover.
the pipit...thats my luck..at times:t:

 

[binka]

Thanks Alan

 

[The Liverbirder]

Arcot This Evening

90 Whooper Swans over north. Barn Owl near the pond for a good hour on and off. SEO and LEO also seen between Arcot Lane and Beaconhill in various fields.

 

[Stewart J.]

Home on leave last night and out for a few hours birding in Plenmeller and Allen Valley area's, still some big Golden Plover flocks some 500+ many showing Northern characteristics very smart birds, most Lapwings have now moved on though a few small groups lingering on many resident birds displaying and some appear to be sitting! Snipe displaying everywhere with over 20 in air near Knockburn. Meadow Pipits displaying everywhere along with Skylarks. A male Merlin on moorland Northumberland side of Allenheads a nice find.

Gardening this afternoon and a Chiff Chaff heard singing in Birches behind house an unusual location. While garage door was open a very persistent and tame Robin had a recce of my garage and started nestbuilding in a strawberry pot as pics below taking no notice of me or the missus.

Maybe worth watching for Ospreys over next couple of days, one was seen over Geltsdale flying north this afternoon.

Good birding all

Stewart

 

[scrabble]

Photos of White Stork at Newcastle Great Park last week

Here are my four best photos from our brief sighting of the Stork at about 5.30pm last Thursday, 27 March. Wasn't using a very long lens, so this is best resolution I can get. Please feel to use but try to give me a credit!

 

[craigthirlwell]

Here are my four best photos from our brief sighting of the Stork at about 5.30pm last Thursday, 27 March. Wasn't using a very long lens, so this is best resolution I can get. Please feel to use but try to give me a credit!

Good stuff scrabble, welcome to the forum.

 

[DXB]

Firecrest

having missed it at St.Marys two days ago.. happy to say caught up with it at 1530 today at Durridge Ponds.Just short of first hide on either side of path.
Showing very well and very cooperative!!
Thanks to vipers!!

 

[Vipers]

You're welcome DXB. After going for the Morpeth and St Marys birds the day they disappeared, i was going for my hat-trick of Firecrest dips. Fortunately this one showed very well and what a cracking little bird too.

Been out locally on my bike a few times this week. There must have been a big influx of Chiffchaff recently, as they were singing all over the place at Havana and Big waters. Very little else of note.

 

[Mike Cook]

It's raining chiffchaffs

There must have been a lot of Chiffchaffs come in this week. On Monday I struggled to find one down Jesmond Dene. Today, doing an Atlas tetrad through the woods between Ellington and Lynemouth, the place was dripping Chiffchaffs. I got fifteen in a 2 hour period.:-O

I tried for the Cranes in the usual field on the way back but dipped out, unless they are disguised as Shelduck. Was I just unlucky or have they finally departed?

 

[June Atkinson]

Cranes coming our way

Here are my four best photos from our brief sighting of the Stork at about 5.30pm last Thursday, 27 March. Wasn't using a very long lens, so this is best resolution I can get. Please feel to use but try to give me a credit!

Apparently five Common Cranes have passed over North Norfolk and then flew over Saltwick Nab in Yorkshire at 14:20 today, heading northwards - so keep a look out!:t:

 

[Gill Osborne]

Just got back from a fabulous day out at Wallington Hall :t:

Chiffchaffs singing all over the place and toads in amplexus in virtually every bit of water! Also had a few Red Admirals and a Comma butterfly - I didn't realise these were found so far north but on checking up it seems they are :t:

Spring definitely seems to have arrived...let's just hope this weekend's SNOW is all just a vicious rumour!

 

[level seven]

Chiffchaffs singing all over the place and toads in amplexus in virtually every bit of water! Also had a few Red Admirals and a Comma butterfly - I didn't realise these were found so far north but on checking up it seems they are :t:

I was at the Gosforth Reserve today and saw a Comma there - the earliest I've ever seen one (well, in the two years I've been taking an interest in butterflies anyway ). I think it's one of those species which have worked their way north in recent years.

Chiffchaffs were everywhere - I've never heard so many there.

Also lots and lots of toads, not something I've noticed there before.

Not so welcome was a grey squirrel (reported). Some of the reds have aleady died there from the whatsitsname virus apparently.

 

[rokermartin]

Well the birds and the insects etc are in for a nasty shock at the weekend Snow showers are forecast and into the beginning of next week.So that will certainly slow migration up for the time being.Might be ok for seawatching.

 

[brianr]

Last weekend at Brier Dene saw my first butterflies of the year, and up to 4 Chiffs singing.
Also noticed that a load of Meadow pipits around. First Bumbler of the year today.
Not to expectant of migrants this weekend with the forecast.

 

[gbstrat]

Hi, could any one please tell me how to get to Gosforth Reserve, where best to park etc.

Thank you.

 

[Stewart J.]

As mentioned by others there has been some influx of Chiff Chaff this last few days, they are singing from the most unlikely locations here in the South Tyne valley, 1st Sand martin (for me!) over the river at Haltwhistle yesterday.

Good birding

Stewart

 

[level seven]

Hi, could any one please tell me how to get to Gosforth Reserve, where best to park etc.

Thank you.

The reserve is reached from the A189 north of South Gosforth and before the roundabout near West Moor but access is restricted to members of the Natural History Society of Northumbria.

 

[brianr]

Pair of Garganey back on the wetland today, these seem to turn up the same time every year. Also Wheatear and Sandwich tern seen by other birders. Good numbers of Turnstone (63)and 70+ Redshank. No sign of the Water Pipit, but the well Marked Scandanavian Rock pipit is still on the North beach. Also around is a partial leucistic Carrion crow which really stands out.