Northumbrian Birding (1 Viewer)

[cuddy]

St Marys today large fall of Goldcrests totally unafraid of humans were for me the sight of the day. Pallas warbler showed well probably 2 birds, also Chiffchaff, Redwing Blackcap Brambling also met BF member Valerie.

Cresswell a Red breasted flycatcher was elusive but eventually gave decent views.

Tynemouth no sign of the reported Firecrests but Woodcock, Brambling, Redwing, and great views of a Sparrowhawk with a Thrush at our feet.

Ahhhh moment. 2 of the St Marys goldcrests were seen to drop from there perches never to rise again, seems such a shame after they had made dry land

Regards Brian.

 

[Keith Reeder]

I had another afternoon there myself - the sun was lovely and bright by time I was there.

I technically saw the pallas' today, in that I'd just got the bins on it, when some absolute knacker came booling right through the willows from the south side towards where a small group of us were watching the pallas'.

It was completely obvious where we were all looking, yet this tool came right through the middle of it, spooking the bird at the precise moment that I'd finally found it.

I had to walk away to avoid blowing my top with him.

I came back after I'd calmed down (cheered up a bit by having a goldcrest perching on my knee for a few seconds) to find this same bloke plonked down not four feet from the edge of the willows, whereas the rest of the group were keeping a sensible fifteen to twenty feet away.

What a prat (and yes, he was - ostensibly - a birder).

So yes, I "saw" the pallas, but what an unsatisfying lifer it was.

Is there a smiley for "p***ed off"?

 

[MH68]

There`s always one idiot who spoils it eh Keith? At least you managed to get some more cracking Goldcrest shots mate.....

Mark

 

[cuddy]

Know what you went through Keith, as i was down early i got great views of the bird.
Was up at the Paddyfield other day and this divvy stood right in front of me 3 times so i mentioned i might place my size eleven where the sun dont shine, im getting pretty fed up about this kind of behaviour some of it from so called quality birders.

 

[Keith Reeder]

Death's too good for 'em...

You're right of course Mark - these little fellas are ample compensation.

I'm pleased with the blackcap as well, if only because - if you'd seen where he was sitting - you'd have thought that any identifiable, reasonably in focus picture would be impossible.

I was lucky there.

Brian, your restraint is to be admired!

I'm glad you got the paddy in spite of having to deal with your own cretin.

 

[Brian Bullough]

I was also at St mary's yesterday and had several good views of the Pallas's I like to find a good vantage point,stand and wait it does not always pay off usually as Cuddy says someone sees the space and stands right in front of you right at the moment the bird pops up,some you see running around like headlless chickens, or the guy yesterday that saw the Pallas's snapped away without a word to anyone that it was in view we should give them some fitting names to describe there behaviour.
On the positive side you also meet some great people while birding,friendly helpful and a good laugh.
Brian

 

[Keith Reeder]

I'd been standing stock-still for twenty minutes when this bloke put in his appearance..!

You're right though - most folk are great (I got to chatting with several really nice, considerate, polite folk there yesterday).

I also spoke for a while with what I believe was the photographer you refer to above: to be fair, he told me that he kept schtum about seeing it while he photographed it because he'd pointed it out several times previously, only to then have it scared off before he got his pictures.

 

[cuddy]

Final day of my summer holidays today so oft i toddled to Boulmer in the hope of the Hoopoe.
Met BF member who sends the rig reports and whose name i cant remember who had just had it close on the road but nowhere in sight so i found a vantage point and waited.

For the next two hours no sign but Merlin, Woodcock and Short eared owl were picked out.
At last the Hoopoe lifted out of the dunes and was duly watched by the small number of birders spread around the area.

Back down to ST Marys another Woodcock, Pallas Warbler, and other interesting birds to finish off the day.

Added another BF tick in the name of Vipers, who i believe had a canny day himself.

Back to work tomorrow so you lot will get on my wick, as im sure there are gonna be some birds out there and i am going to miss them.

Birders should have May / October off on full pay.

Enjoy.

 

[Gill Osborne]

Birders should have May / October off on full pay.

I'll run that past the boss when I see him on Thursday! :-O *even half pay would do just to have those months off LOL*
I'm due a week off soon anyway....going to see about it tomorrow...NEED to get some quality birding time in!!!

What's the odds of that Hoopoe still being there tomorrow morning - about 7amish - just done a 12-hour day today and tomorrow stuck indoors at work 9.30 - 5.30.
Earliest I can escape out birding is THURSDAY!!!!! :storm:


Gill

 

[normski]

Having listened to my wife going on about all the birds at Whitley Bay and of course me having to do all the jobs on my “jobs list” || I couldn’t go and see them What made it even worse was when she returned with over 100 pictures in her camera. :storm: I think you should also have a law passed which outlaws all work when there are flocks of birds to be seen. :flowers:.
Having said that I managed an hour this evening before it got too late.

 

[Keith Reeder]

Sadly Gill, the hoopoe's done a vanishing act - no sign as at 16:00...

Blyth's reed warbler at St Mary's though and RB flycatcher at Briar Dene.

Still a few YB warblers at various sites too.

It's going to kill me, this: I'm technically not at work tomorrow - working from home - but there's no chance I'll get out.

Probably...

 

[Vipers]

Northumberland birding

I set off at the crack of dawn to make the most of the tide at Holy Island, as safe crossing was up to 12:55. My first stop was the snook. There were thousands of thrushes coming in from the sea, mainly Redwing and Blackbirds with the odd Fieldfare, Ring Ouzel, and Song thrush mixed in. Every bush was full of Goldcrests with a few Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Redpoll and just One Yellow-browed Warbler, trying to stay out of the strong wind. Occassionaly a Woodcock would burst out from under foot.

In the village all of the trees were alive with Goldcrest and Straight Lonnen held Brambling mixed in with the thousands of Redwing and Goldcrests. Hearing of Long-eared Owl near the school, we headed straight there. As we arrived at the track past the school, a stunning male Black Redstart flew up onto a post, giving superb views as a Ring Ouzel flew overhead calling. We soon found the Long-eared Owl and while watching this bird another L E Owl flew over our heads and landed in a sycamore in one of the gardens. After a quick look in the vicarage, I returned to see if the L E Owl was still in view. Seeing it was, I rushed back to the car for my scope to try and get some Photo's. I managed to get a few shots and get off the Island at 13:00.

Next stop St Mary's. It was the same story here, thousands of Goldcrests with the odd Blackcap, Brambling and Woodcock. While working my way through the many Goldcrests looking for the elusive Pallas's Warbler, a few other birders were trying to positively identify a Acrocephalus sp Warbler. While watching the unidentified bird, the Pallas's Warbler flew into a bush in front of us giving good but brief views before flying off and disappearing into the scrub. As Cuddy, Littlestintboy and I (Nice to meet you lads) looked on, the Acrocephalus was identified as a Blyth's Reed Warbler. Ending a superb day with a lifer. Nice!!

 

[salty]

nice work Gary mate, cracking pics.

Brian and Darren are canny birders, and they do a very fine job of keeping us up to date with the going's on in the coastal area!

 

[cuddy]

What's the odds of that Hoopoe still being there tomorrow morning - about 7amish - just done a 12-hour day today and tomorrow stuck indoors at work 9.30 - 5.30.
Earliest I can escape out birding is THURSDAY!!!!! :storm:


Gill[/QUOTE]

The Hoopoe does go missing for long periods so may still be around, i think the weather will be good for birds to stay and should be a few arrivals.

Good luck, i feel the onset of technical bad back rare condition known to afflict birders in October.

 

[StevieEvans]

.....Ending a superb day with a lifer. Nice!!

Nice report, Very Nice.
SE

 

[LSB]

Was nice to meet you to Vipers (Gary) St Mary's gone be hard to work with nothing showing for ages but when it shines it shines...Glad you enjoyed your day nice report.

 

[Brian Bullough]

Good report Vipers I could picture the scene,
I spent last night with a genuine case of BACK ACHE hobbled off to the docs in agony for some pills took the max allowed and as soon as able went for a walk( as prescibed by the doc) lots of Goldcrests as there seems to be everywhere went as far as Meggies Burn then the Cem,good number of crests here, Redwings,Blackbirds and 2 Woodcock and the resident group of Goldfinches on the way home found a Woodpigeon still feeding a squab on the nest taking advantage of the mild weather.
Not much to show compared with whats around ,but just glad I could get out.
Theres always tomorow,wheres me pills !!!
Brian

 

[Keith Reeder]

Shame your back's causing such problems, Brian.

Did you see the woodcock in the cemetery? They'd be a patch tick for me (sad as that sounds!)

 

[Alan G]

There was a Woodcock hooning around Ridley Park first thing Sunday morning, trying to avoid me & some fella walking his dog.

Also a couple of YB Warbler in the trees near the toilets in the park - a most unfortunate position considering there was I lurking around the bogs at first light, wearing a baseball cap with binocluars dangling around me neck!

I must remember to bring my 'Honest, I'm not a porvort' T Shirt next time I pop down there !

Loads of Goldcrest in the cemetery, but couldn't see anything among them and after too lmuch time spent looking up (and a stiff neck) I decided to head to St Mary's and the relative comfort of some low shrubbery.

Picked up the Pallas's Warbler in the willows at St Mary's here, where one fella did seem intent on smashing his way about the place as if oblivious to the presence of anyone else........and he seemed unable to control his scope & tripod which boonced off the deck every other step!

Alan

 

[Brian Bullough]

Shame your back's causing such problems, Brian.

Did you see the woodcock in the cemetery? They'd be a patch tick for me (sad as that sounds!)

I should have noted in my post that it was BLYTH and yes Woodcock in the cem they could be anywhere on the coast as long as the cover is good, one in off the sea at StMary's today ,2 Pallas's and good numbers of crests present.
Brian