Northumbrian Birding (12 Viewers)

[Bob Biggs]

Bittern showing in the reeds at the North Pool this morning. At least 6 Roseate Terns on the beach at East Chev Burn.

Later on this afternoon I went to Bothal Pond. I viewed from the back road and my luck was in as the Black Necked Grebe had moved to the west corner. It's lost most, if not all, of its summer plumage though.

 

[The Liverbirder]

Bng

Black-Necked Grebe still at the north end of Bothal Pond this morning. I thought it was a juvenile as it's all black/white/grey etc. Reading Bob Biggs' entry above, I am now not only a little older but a little wiser!

 

[woodhornbirder]

HAd a hawkmothin my garden this afternoon (aka the weedpatch to the rear of my terrace)

it was hovering and feeding off nectar. ran upstairs for my camera but was gone wheni reutned (

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Macrogl_Stellat.jpg

had orange onl lower wings, end of its abdomen was speckled b+w. AM guessing it was a huming bird hawkmoth.

 

[rokermartin]

HAd a hawkmothin my garden this afternoon (aka the weedpatch to the rear of my terrace)

it was hovering and feeding off nectar. ran upstairs for my camera but was gone wheni reutned (

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Macrogl_Stellat.jpg

had orange onl lower wings, end of its abdomen was speckled b+w. AM guessing it was a huming bird hawkmoth.

It was certainly a Humming-bird Hawkmoth you saw there has been a few seen recently.

 

[Gill Osborne]

Oooh I'm jealous - I haven't seen any since 1976 when we lived in Wallsend amd I was around *cough* 8 years old :smoke:

 

[woodhornbirder]

FUnny looking plover on beacon pt monday night. Talked to a newbiggin birder and we gonna try and relocate it. ALthough amoungst 300 golden plover it might take a while.
WIll announce if we get anything...

8 roseates on rocks, 3 juvs.

 

[Darren Pearce]

Went to Long Nanny earlier in the week. There were no Little Terns and just 3 adult arctics and 2 juvs. The wardens hut was all closed up. I assume I left it too late. Off back south at the weekend. Seen some good birds. I will probably write up a trip report but for now I have been updating my blog below while I have been up here. Thanks for all your help

And if they're not showing there then Amble Harbour is just a few minutes drive away :-O

You definitely MUST get yourself up to the tern colony at the Long Nanny as the birds are fantastic :t: Summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver reported there today too :king:

 

[Barred Wobbler]

Went to Long Nanny earlier in the week. There were no Little Terns and just 3 adult arctics and 2 juvs. The wardens hut was all closed up. I assume I left it too late. Off back south at the weekend. Seen some good birds. I will probably write up a trip report but for now I have been updating my blog below while I have been up here. Thanks for all your help

It might be worth checking out the beaches further south for little terns while you're still up here. It might be a bit hit and miss, but any tern roost at low tide is worth a scan (for roseates also). I had three little terns on the beach at Druridge last Monday evening and there were (very) occasional birds dropping into East Chevington.

On the other hand, they might have moved off.

(PS I see from your blog that you're living at Yate. Small world. My son was living there for a while until a couple of years back, and I was talking to a couple at the S'Albufera reserve in Mallorca one day who turned up to be from Yate also.)

 

[Brian Bullough]

Went to Long Nanny earlier in the week. There were no Little Terns and just 3 adult arctics and 2 juvs. The wardens hut was all closed up. I assume I left it too late. Off back south at the weekend. Seen some good birds. I will probably write up a trip report but for now I have been updating my blog below while I have been up here. Thanks for all your help

I was there on Saturday 12+ Little Terns and 4-5 Juveniles on the beach just south of the burn.
Brian

 

[Vipers]

I had a trip up to East Chev this morning. The highlights were, Greenshank, Ruff, Snipe, 2 Common Sand, 12 Black-Tailed Godwit flew low over the North pool then headed off North West and Little Ringed Plover did the same. There were a few Golden Plover in with the growing number of Lapwing and a Water Rail Showed on the East side of the North pool.

There was no sign of the Bittern that had been showing recently though. I found out this morning that there has been a Bittern at Gosforth park all summer. Then my wife gets in from work tonight and tells me she has just seen a Bittern flying North from Gosforth Park over Sandy Lane. What can you do!! :-C

I had a look for the Black-Necked Grebe at Bothal Pond this afternoon, after dipping it on Sunday. I got distant views from the Bothal end, so I went around on to the A197 to try for some photo's of this rather grotty looking Grebe.

 

[The Liverbirder]

Grotty? May be. But it's got you one step nearer, Mr Bond! :t:

 

[woodhornbirder]

this is what we need at cambois.....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/nottingham/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8362000/8362700.stm

A reserve run by real enthusiasts, and one that is actively managed!

 

[The Liverbirder]

Baird's Sandpiper there today, so it's looking good for Robin Hood (I'm a poet and don't know it, speak in rhyme all the time etc).

 

[seggs]

A very fast response from the RSPB about the Tern numbers for Coquet this year, 80 pairs nested 10 down on last year. Also the Eiders had a excellent year compared to the last few.
Thanks to the lads who responded to me asking about Roseate numbers.:t:

 

[Barred Wobbler]

A very fast response from the RSPB about the Tern numbers for Coquet this year, 80 pairs nested 10 down on last year. Also the Eiders had a excellent year compared to the last few.
Thanks to the lads who responded ringed wise.:t:

Good news to have some firm information Steve. I've heard all sorts about Coquet roseates, ranging from they've had a record year of over a hundred pairs to it's been a disaster with them all being swept away by the northerlies and high tides the other week.

Any news on chick survival rates? I've seen a few being fed by adults on the shore.

 

[Alan Tilmouth]

As I understand it they had ringed 76 chicks at last count, first born chicks had done well but 2nd born less so.

 

[Davy Tee]

Scope for sale

Celestron Ultima 80 Scope with 20-60 Zoom Eyepiece and seperate x25 Eyepiece. Waterproof and with Soft Case. Also Tripod with carry handle. Will also throw in the new Collins Bird Guide edition 2 hard back and loads of back issue Birdwatching mags if wanted.

This scope is top class and very underated.

All as new condition £100 no offers.

Please pm with tel number and i will get back to you tomorrow.

 

[The Liverbirder]

?

You're not throwing in the towel, are you?

 

[vanellus]

Four Whimbrel came over Newbiggin from the east mid afternoon. Female Common Scoter north at same time. High tide, so not much close in. Gannets busy far out.

 

[Davy Tee]

You're not throwing in the towel, are you?

No Gordon, new interest requires funds. Im still out birding.