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Return of a Wet Birder! (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter brianfm
- Start date
Pam_m
Well-known member
I must firstly Congratulate you Brian on your splendid sighting of the Firecrest! Well done, and rightly so that you are well chuffed!:clap::clap: Have you come down from cloud 9 yet?
The response from your local recorder stating the rarity in Northumberland is brilliant, I wonder if yours will be the only recorded sighting in 2008!
I enjoyed reading your 'Local Walk' report, as ever an interesting one! I have commented on your blog that I would have been pleased to have seen the Siskins alone! Your local area must be a delight to walk around, Brian! So much to see throughout the year and the odd Firecrest to boot!:t:
Once again many Congratulations on your Firecrest sighting, I sincerely hope you get the pleasure of seeing it again!:t:
All the best
Pam.
ps: I hope your strained back is now on the mend!
The response from your local recorder stating the rarity in Northumberland is brilliant, I wonder if yours will be the only recorded sighting in 2008!I enjoyed reading your 'Local Walk' report, as ever an interesting one! I have commented on your blog that I would have been pleased to have seen the Siskins alone! Your local area must be a delight to walk around, Brian! So much to see throughout the year and the odd Firecrest to boot!:t:
Once again many Congratulations on your Firecrest sighting, I sincerely hope you get the pleasure of seeing it again!:t:
All the best
Pam.
ps: I hope your strained back is now on the mend!
brianfm
Botanical Birder
I must firstly Congratulate you Brian on your splendid sighting of the Firecrest! Well done, and rightly so that you are well chuffed!:clap::clap: Have you come down from cloud 9 yet?
I enjoyed reading your 'Local Walk' report, as ever an interesting one! I have commented on your blog that I would have been pleased to have seen the Siskins alone! Your local area must be a delight to walk around, Brian! So much to see throughout the year and the odd Firecrest to boot!:t:
Once again many Congratulations on your Firecrest sighting, I sincerely hope you get the pleasure of seeing it again!:t:
All the best
Hi Pam
My back is getting better by the day thanks.:t:
Yes the more I think about it this Firecrest has gotta most certainly be the most signifigant bird found on my local patch. When I say local patch I mean within walking distance of my home of course. These birds do not come easily of course as I have walked that path hundreds of times now and in all weathers.
I think my patch kills of any suggestion that you need to live in grand countryside or near reserves to be able to enjoy wildlife on a daily basis and that is a message I always like to try and get across. My patch is housing estates and a village which happens to have a lake and still small amounts of farmland and fields surrounding it. No great deal, but some good birding to be had. Most people don't live ruraly and it is those people who will be required to ensure we make the most of what we have got and try and conserve it.
best wishes and thanks for the coments.
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Ruth Daniel
Well-known member
Sorry Brian....I seem to be still catching up with events here and what an event for you eh? A Firecrest and on your own patch....brilliant you must be chuffed to little mint balls? I hope you get to see it again and dare I say photo it in the future?
Tis true what you say about our own door steps as we once (only once mind) had a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in our garden and have had a White Stork in the village.....just goes to show you don't always need to travel for miles or live anywhere exotic!o
Like Pam I'd love just the Siskins here for now!
I hope you get to see it again and dare I say photo it in the future?Tis true what you say about our own door steps as we once (only once mind) had a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker in our garden and have had a White Stork in the village.....just goes to show you don't always need to travel for miles or live anywhere exotic!o
Like Pam I'd love just the Siskins here for now!
brianfm
Botanical Birder
Hi Keazza and Ruth
Yes still really taking in my Firecrest. From what I have been told on the Northumberland thread it was a real find.
I can't get away from Siskins at present. I have had two on the Nyger seed in the garden today. It has been a struggle to attract birds to it. So far I have had one, yes one Goldfinch (that I have seen anyway), but it did appear on Christmas day which was rather nice.
Take care
Yes still really taking in my Firecrest. From what I have been told on the Northumberland thread it was a real find.
I can't get away from Siskins at present. I have had two on the Nyger seed in the garden today. It has been a struggle to attract birds to it. So far I have had one, yes one Goldfinch (that I have seen anyway), but it did appear on Christmas day which was rather nice.
Take care
There is a thread in the Food and Feeders forum about birds ignoring nyjer feeders Brian. I was delighted that my Siskins and Goldfinch took to it within an hour of putting it out. But some people say it took weeks or months for theirs to be used and some gave up eventually. Strange how this varies from garden to garden.
Hopefully now they've used yours others may come too? It does seem to be a good winter for Siskins, I'll miss seeing them in a few weeks time
Hopefully now they've used yours others may come too? It does seem to be a good winter for Siskins, I'll miss seeing them in a few weeks time
brianfm
Botanical Birder
Well the winds of the past two days did subside, but not before reaching 80 mph and causing considerable damage and even more irritating, disrupting my sleep pattern! By 9.30am I was on North Shields fish quay feeling rather thankful that I was not being blown into the River Tyne. I met up with a few hard core members of the local group and we watched gulls, gulls and more gulls. Unfortunately this did not include any of the rarer gulls that I had hoped for but none the less watching Great Black Backed, Herring, Common and Black Headed Gulls in such numbers and such stages of plumage is good for the recognition skills and I think for the soul too. Seriously, I do think that getting to grips with such things puts one in good stead to notice any rarer gull one comes across in the future.
North Shields has come a long way since the days I first encountered it, what with all of the fairly new riverside buildings. God bless European grants and a labour council! ;-) The area does retain much of its old charm however, if very few of its fishing boats, which includes a very nice fish and chip shop, no I didn’t as it was far to early, and its fresh fish sellers. The entrance to the Tyne and the view up river was looking good in the sunlight.
We walked to Tynemouth and encountered, yes many more gulls along the way, including a Great Black Backed Gull standing next to a Carrion Crow. That crow looked very small in comparison. There were the waders too of course, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Turnstone, Sanderling Redshank, and Curlew. The odd Eider Duck was seen on the river and large numbers of Cormorant. I was surprised I saw no Rats. Rock Pipit was a new one for the year list. Not much else around apart from Magpies (could I go anywhere without a Magpie? Well actually yes, north of Edinburgh!), Blue Tits and Starlings. A good walk was toasted with a cup of coffee at the end at the home of one of our members.
I walked along the sea front towards Cullercoats and Whitley Bay in the afternoon but not too far as the temperature appeared to have dropped. At the boating lake I added Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen and Jackdaw, then on the journey home a small flock of Lapwing.
Take care
North Shields has come a long way since the days I first encountered it, what with all of the fairly new riverside buildings. God bless European grants and a labour council! ;-) The area does retain much of its old charm however, if very few of its fishing boats, which includes a very nice fish and chip shop, no I didn’t as it was far to early, and its fresh fish sellers. The entrance to the Tyne and the view up river was looking good in the sunlight.
We walked to Tynemouth and encountered, yes many more gulls along the way, including a Great Black Backed Gull standing next to a Carrion Crow. That crow looked very small in comparison. There were the waders too of course, Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin, Turnstone, Sanderling Redshank, and Curlew. The odd Eider Duck was seen on the river and large numbers of Cormorant. I was surprised I saw no Rats. Rock Pipit was a new one for the year list. Not much else around apart from Magpies (could I go anywhere without a Magpie? Well actually yes, north of Edinburgh!), Blue Tits and Starlings. A good walk was toasted with a cup of coffee at the end at the home of one of our members.
I walked along the sea front towards Cullercoats and Whitley Bay in the afternoon but not too far as the temperature appeared to have dropped. At the boating lake I added Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen and Jackdaw, then on the journey home a small flock of Lapwing.
Take care
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Pam_m
Well-known member
Sounds as though you had another good day, Brian.Fortunately the weather was kinder than you have been experiencing of late. I have never seen a Great Black Backed Gull but with the comparism you give with the Carrion Crow I am sure I will know one when I eventually see one!:eek!:
All the best!
All the best!
You do get some weather up your way don't you Brian, if it's not rain it is gale force winds!
Some birds there I'd love to see especially the Sanderling and Eider. I'm been trying to get to grips with gulls, but I don't think I'm succeeding!
Do they not have Magpies in the north of Scotland them? I didn't know that, thought they were everywhere.
Some birds there I'd love to see especially the Sanderling and Eider. I'm been trying to get to grips with gulls, but I don't think I'm succeeding!
Do they not have Magpies in the north of Scotland them? I didn't know that, thought they were everywhere.
Ruth Daniel
Well-known member
Nice report of your Tyne visit Brian!:t:
Glad that the winds abaited for you....but don't plan on going anywhere this Thursday as they are back with vengeance apparently!:eek!:
Glad that the winds abaited for you....but don't plan on going anywhere this Thursday as they are back with vengeance apparently!:eek!:
brianfm
Botanical Birder
Hi Kezza
There are some in Northern Scotland Kezza but from my experience far fewer as the Magpie is far more localised up there. I have noticed on recent trips that as soon as I passed Edinburgh I saw no Magpies. On a recent trip to Perth I saw no Magpies at all once past Edinburgh. What I did see were large flocks of Jackdaws.
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brianfm
Botanical Birder
After yesterdays snow, winds and bitter cold day I took the chance of a local walk today 2nd Feb. It was a cold, but bright day. Very muddy in places under foot. I am still searching for the Grey Partridges!
I started in the wooded area behind the old village in the hope of finding the woodpecker but had no luck with that, however I did have really good sightings of Goldcrest. Great Tits, Blue Tits, a Wren, Robin and Dunnocks were about and of course the Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves. Carrying on to the open fields I found one field holding large numbers of Redwing which were all showing well. Numbers had increased from last week. This winter has been blessed with winter thrushes in profusion. Along with the Redwings were Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds and a single Song Thrush. Magpies, Rooks and Jackdaws were never far away.
It didn’t seem to long before the light began to fade and the bitter cold began to get through my clothing. I took the path where I had seen the Firecrest recently but today I only added more Dunnock to the day list and found another Song Thrush. The fields behind the hedge were holding many 100s of Wood Pigeon, all busily feeding. I assume these are the birds that roost in Gosforth Park just over to the west. I gave the fields some attention and whilst I didn’t find the Partridges I did manage to find a Stock Dove in amongst the Wood Pigeons. A new one for the year list. A few Pheasants were wandering around behind the houses at the bottom of the field and the occasional Rabbit was seen. The rain pools were still partially frozen and by tonight I think will be frozen solid again.
As I walked back towards the old village I checked out the fields to the left and I am almost certain I heard a Partridge and also Skylark, but I am not 100% certain so won’t be counting them. There were more Robins Dunnocks, Blackbirds and Tits but little else apart from overhead gulls, mostly Black Headed Gulls. As I reached the road I noticed a female Pheasant dart of the road and into the hedging. As I walked through the park area Starlings were making some noise and the Rooks had gathered in the area of the rookery. There had been the odd Carrion Crow about too. It was good to see the Snowdrops Galanthus nivalis and an occasional Daisy Bellis perennis.
I was glad to get back and have my cup of coffee and dream of spring.
Take care
I started in the wooded area behind the old village in the hope of finding the woodpecker but had no luck with that, however I did have really good sightings of Goldcrest. Great Tits, Blue Tits, a Wren, Robin and Dunnocks were about and of course the Wood Pigeons and Collared Doves. Carrying on to the open fields I found one field holding large numbers of Redwing which were all showing well. Numbers had increased from last week. This winter has been blessed with winter thrushes in profusion. Along with the Redwings were Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds and a single Song Thrush. Magpies, Rooks and Jackdaws were never far away.
It didn’t seem to long before the light began to fade and the bitter cold began to get through my clothing. I took the path where I had seen the Firecrest recently but today I only added more Dunnock to the day list and found another Song Thrush. The fields behind the hedge were holding many 100s of Wood Pigeon, all busily feeding. I assume these are the birds that roost in Gosforth Park just over to the west. I gave the fields some attention and whilst I didn’t find the Partridges I did manage to find a Stock Dove in amongst the Wood Pigeons. A new one for the year list. A few Pheasants were wandering around behind the houses at the bottom of the field and the occasional Rabbit was seen. The rain pools were still partially frozen and by tonight I think will be frozen solid again.
As I walked back towards the old village I checked out the fields to the left and I am almost certain I heard a Partridge and also Skylark, but I am not 100% certain so won’t be counting them. There were more Robins Dunnocks, Blackbirds and Tits but little else apart from overhead gulls, mostly Black Headed Gulls. As I reached the road I noticed a female Pheasant dart of the road and into the hedging. As I walked through the park area Starlings were making some noise and the Rooks had gathered in the area of the rookery. There had been the odd Carrion Crow about too. It was good to see the Snowdrops Galanthus nivalis and an occasional Daisy Bellis perennis.
I was glad to get back and have my cup of coffee and dream of spring.
Take care
Pam_m
Well-known member
I bet you were glad to be out walking after the recent bad weather you have had up in your neck of the woods, Brian! A good selection of birds seen too, especially the Thrushes! An interesting report of your walk on a bright, cold day, thanks for sharing it with us all.
Not long to wait now for Spring and for the Botanical side of your walks to begin in earnest!
Bet that coffee was good!o
Not long to wait now for Spring and for the Botanical side of your walks to begin in earnest!
Bet that coffee was good!o
brianfm
Botanical Birder
T’was Tuesday evening 5th Feb that Graham contacted me and asked if I would like to join him on a walk in Weardale the following day. Well the sun was forecast and it was to be an easy going seven mile walk so I jumped at the chance. It was no to be a birding trip as such, but the opportunity of a peaceful stroll appealed to me. Wednesday arrived and true enough the sun shone from a clear blue sky. It was one of those perfect winter days where you are at you best out of doors. We were soon out of the hustle and bustle of the city and travelling across large area of moor land with the sun picking up every detail in the hills. We soon arrived at Westgate where the stroll was to begin, but not before seeing a flock of Greylag Geese. Some threatening cloud never really threatened too much, but only added to the scene. Taking my gloves of for a cuppa soon had me realising just how cold it was though!
Now of course despite this not been a birding day we both had our binoculars just in case! Well as we walked along by the river, through woods and occasional small villages it has to be said the birdlife was not in abundance. In fact the only birds I saw on the river all day were a couple of plump farm geese. We looked for Dipper and Grey Wagtails from the outset as the area seemed perfect for these species. There was not a sign of either. We did have sighting of a Sparrowhawk in short flight and perched however. In the main birds seen were of the corvid type and Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove and Wren. Later into the walk we did come across Mistle Thrushes and Fieldfare and at about the same time a flock of about 25 Lapwing flew overhead as they were lit by the sunlight.
The scenery was quite stunning in places and as I mentioned the sunlight picked out areas really well and left sharp shadows across the hills. Much of the land was farmed and I did wonder if this played a part in the lack of birds. I did find even the woodland of which there were frequent patches devoid of birdlife. Maybe it was just one of those days! In any event it did not spoil the walk. Some of the older buildings were interesting and some were in ruin. I assumed many of the ruins as we reached the wilder areas were remains of lead workings for which this area was well known in the past.
Anyway the later part of the walk was not really for bird watching or ruin examination………no it was a matter of survival. Graham had not mentioned the army obstacle course! First of all it was at least half a mile of thick mud. As we yomped our way through this area I almost lost my boot in the mud which came up to my shins. My trousers are in the wash today! We dealt with this as true men of grit do and finally come to the stream crossing which as the book says has a ‘nice set of stones to aid crossing’. Well it might in August, but not in February! Most of the stones were covered in fast flowing water! I don’t like these sorts of crossings as some may remember I have fallen in rivers before! At this point a group of hardy youngsters with their adult leader met the same stream. I think they took the sensible course and took of boots and socks and paddled over. I was about to do the same until we saw this log over the stream with wire hanging from it. We thought we would try that. I did have visions at this point of starting a new thread entitled Tales of a Birder with Hyperthermia, as I certainly would have been if I had fallen in the stream. Well to put you all at ease we both did get across unscathed. Thank God those kids were not watching. It was an exercise in ‘what not to do if you wish to survive in the wild’. I am actually thing of sending it in to the BBC as a sketch for Last of the Summer Wine! We waved goodbye to the youngsters and were on our way now down a really scenic part of the walk by the river. It had been good to see a group of youngsters out in the hills for the day and I’m sure that they enjoyed it.
Oh, most enjoyable, I was thinking, and then we came to the falling trees across the pathway. We negotiated them quite well I though and I even had time to take a photo. No it is not available! Just as I was about to shoot I saw a round dark bird shoot centrally up river. Not a good sighting, but at last it was a Dipper! We have seen the odd Pheasant on the walk and there had been no shortage of Rabbits as well, but now it was the short walk back to the car.
It was decided that a short trip into Teessdale would be worthwhile just on the chance that we may find the Black Grouse in an area where e had both seen them before. We soon covered the 7 mile journey and began to scan the area. Initially I think we both thought that we would be unlucky. Large Blackcocks are not as easy to pick up in the distance as one might think. Then we found two in the field a good way off but a new one for the year list. Then just as we were admiring the two a group of Blackcock flew over the wall behind then to join the two. We counted 16 birds, one of them standing on the wall. A great sight. Even greater was to watch the 16 birds lift off, fly off in front of us and land in the fields on the opposite side of the road. Then they lifted and flew off over a brow of a hill. We did take another look for them and found 2 Blackcock at the bottom of a dry stone wall where the snow remained. Just behind them I got my eye on some browner grouse type birds which I am certain could only have been the female birds. We had unknowingly timed our visit to perfection. A few minutes later to arrive and the Black Grouse would have been away! This is going to be one of my top sightings of the year I reckon.
On the way home across the moors I said now all I want is some Red Grouse on the Road. At that very second two Red Grouse appeared as we cornered a bend. We both agreed that when I mention this on B F no one will believe me, but honest folks at that very second the Red Grouse appeared! We actually saw 6+. Another year tick! I tried my luck again and wished for Merlin but knew i was now pushing it. We did find a female Kestrel which appeared to fligh low and swiftly across the moor just like a Merlin, but no matter how hard I tried I could not get the Kestrel to change species. Anyway Kestrels are nice birds. I saw another two on the way home.
The drive home was as wonderful as the drive had been in the morning. The sky was still clear for the most part although we hit one small shower. I am sure the large bird I saw circling near Gateshead was a Red Kite. I didn’t really identify it so I’m not counting that one. Plenty time for that later. I was so tired I didn’t take much notice of the birds around the area of the Tyne but I do recall a Mute Swan.
It was a wonderful day.
Take care
Now of course despite this not been a birding day we both had our binoculars just in case! Well as we walked along by the river, through woods and occasional small villages it has to be said the birdlife was not in abundance. In fact the only birds I saw on the river all day were a couple of plump farm geese. We looked for Dipper and Grey Wagtails from the outset as the area seemed perfect for these species. There was not a sign of either. We did have sighting of a Sparrowhawk in short flight and perched however. In the main birds seen were of the corvid type and Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove and Wren. Later into the walk we did come across Mistle Thrushes and Fieldfare and at about the same time a flock of about 25 Lapwing flew overhead as they were lit by the sunlight.
The scenery was quite stunning in places and as I mentioned the sunlight picked out areas really well and left sharp shadows across the hills. Much of the land was farmed and I did wonder if this played a part in the lack of birds. I did find even the woodland of which there were frequent patches devoid of birdlife. Maybe it was just one of those days! In any event it did not spoil the walk. Some of the older buildings were interesting and some were in ruin. I assumed many of the ruins as we reached the wilder areas were remains of lead workings for which this area was well known in the past.
Anyway the later part of the walk was not really for bird watching or ruin examination………no it was a matter of survival. Graham had not mentioned the army obstacle course! First of all it was at least half a mile of thick mud. As we yomped our way through this area I almost lost my boot in the mud which came up to my shins. My trousers are in the wash today! We dealt with this as true men of grit do and finally come to the stream crossing which as the book says has a ‘nice set of stones to aid crossing’. Well it might in August, but not in February! Most of the stones were covered in fast flowing water! I don’t like these sorts of crossings as some may remember I have fallen in rivers before! At this point a group of hardy youngsters with their adult leader met the same stream. I think they took the sensible course and took of boots and socks and paddled over. I was about to do the same until we saw this log over the stream with wire hanging from it. We thought we would try that. I did have visions at this point of starting a new thread entitled Tales of a Birder with Hyperthermia, as I certainly would have been if I had fallen in the stream. Well to put you all at ease we both did get across unscathed. Thank God those kids were not watching. It was an exercise in ‘what not to do if you wish to survive in the wild’. I am actually thing of sending it in to the BBC as a sketch for Last of the Summer Wine! We waved goodbye to the youngsters and were on our way now down a really scenic part of the walk by the river. It had been good to see a group of youngsters out in the hills for the day and I’m sure that they enjoyed it.
Oh, most enjoyable, I was thinking, and then we came to the falling trees across the pathway. We negotiated them quite well I though and I even had time to take a photo. No it is not available! Just as I was about to shoot I saw a round dark bird shoot centrally up river. Not a good sighting, but at last it was a Dipper! We have seen the odd Pheasant on the walk and there had been no shortage of Rabbits as well, but now it was the short walk back to the car.
It was decided that a short trip into Teessdale would be worthwhile just on the chance that we may find the Black Grouse in an area where e had both seen them before. We soon covered the 7 mile journey and began to scan the area. Initially I think we both thought that we would be unlucky. Large Blackcocks are not as easy to pick up in the distance as one might think. Then we found two in the field a good way off but a new one for the year list. Then just as we were admiring the two a group of Blackcock flew over the wall behind then to join the two. We counted 16 birds, one of them standing on the wall. A great sight. Even greater was to watch the 16 birds lift off, fly off in front of us and land in the fields on the opposite side of the road. Then they lifted and flew off over a brow of a hill. We did take another look for them and found 2 Blackcock at the bottom of a dry stone wall where the snow remained. Just behind them I got my eye on some browner grouse type birds which I am certain could only have been the female birds. We had unknowingly timed our visit to perfection. A few minutes later to arrive and the Black Grouse would have been away! This is going to be one of my top sightings of the year I reckon.
On the way home across the moors I said now all I want is some Red Grouse on the Road. At that very second two Red Grouse appeared as we cornered a bend. We both agreed that when I mention this on B F no one will believe me, but honest folks at that very second the Red Grouse appeared! We actually saw 6+. Another year tick! I tried my luck again and wished for Merlin but knew i was now pushing it. We did find a female Kestrel which appeared to fligh low and swiftly across the moor just like a Merlin, but no matter how hard I tried I could not get the Kestrel to change species. Anyway Kestrels are nice birds. I saw another two on the way home.
The drive home was as wonderful as the drive had been in the morning. The sky was still clear for the most part although we hit one small shower. I am sure the large bird I saw circling near Gateshead was a Red Kite. I didn’t really identify it so I’m not counting that one. Plenty time for that later. I was so tired I didn’t take much notice of the birds around the area of the Tyne but I do recall a Mute Swan.
It was a wonderful day.
Take care
