brianfm
Botanical Birder
Tales of a Birder on a Mission (Two)!
Today was a day of moods and contrasts on the Northumberland coast. The mission was to find sea ducks, grebes and divers. A sort of ducking and diving day I suppose.
Heavy rains during the night had cleared by morning to leave a fresh, clear, rather colder, but still mild day. On the way north I found myself thinking of John Constable. I visited an exhibition of his ‘cloud’ paintings at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh a few years ago and was most impressed. The cloud formations today reminded me of the visit. Also reminded me as to why I give up fairly quickly my dabbling with watercolours a while back. Mind you, even though I quickly realised I did not have the makings of a classical artist my little experience with the brushes and watercolours did give me a greater appreciation of colour and contrast in the natural world. Bills comments earlier this week about the skill that some have in depicting wildlife in drawings and paint also reminded me how much I wish it was a skill I possessed. Then I noticed Ruth’s avatar. Nice one Ruth. I am also mindful of the aesthetic reasons I watch birds. That and a gaining of knowledge are the real reasons I go birding. My listing and recording are part and parcel of the knowledge gaining aspect and simply that. A challenge to me and no other, so don’t be getting the wrong idea. Anyway, the cloud formations were wonderful.
I caught sight of the Mute Swans, Canada Geese and Black Headed Gull flocks on the local lake within minutes, arriving at the sandy bay at Low Newton in what seemed record time. It must have been my day dreaming and the chat that made time pass so quickly. I have described Low Newton in a previous post so suffice to say it includes a typical Northumbrian sandy and rocky bay. A Kestrel and Chaffinch awaited us near the car park and Oystercatchers, Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling, Redshank and Curlew were on the rocks and sand. No Purple Sandpiper that I could find. Only birds on the reserve pool were Teal and Wigeon. On the walk back along the beach a bit of a see watch brought us Eider Ducks, Goldeneye and star birds, 3 Velvet Scoters. So partially successful, but no divers or grebes. There were several Rock Pipits about. Instead of walking to the point for a further sea watch we decided to head for Stag Rocks at Bamburgh but not before watching a couple of flocks of Lapwing flying overhead lit by the sun. I don’t think I mentioned in my previous post on this area, that there is a white stag marked on the rocks at Stag Rocks.
The bay at Stag Rocks was today very quiet as far as sea birds were concerned. The sea here was quite rough in any event, in stark comparision to the sea a little further south at Low Newton. Rather strange I thought. The wind appeared to have got up to some force mind you and it was far from ideal conditions to sea watch. Quite a few Eider around here to but no divers or grebes here either. My mate did think he got the scope pointing at some Long Tailed Duck and I quickly looked and on first impression I thought he might be correct. Think he was to be honest. Not easy birds to fail to recognise but the sea was rough and they disappeared in a second so neither of us were definite. Numbers of Razorbill, in small parties, were seen though. On a rocky spit I was able to compare very well a Shag and Cormorant. Pity you missed that opportunity Graham!!!. There really is quite a size difference, which is really noticeable when the birds are together. A few more Rock Pipits, numerous Pied Wagtails and flocks of Starlings on the shore and a Wren in the bushes. Oh yes and this time a mixed flock of Turnstone and Purple Sandpipers
During our sea watch a rainbow appeared, the end of which descended behind Inner Farne. There lies the gold. We noticed that it was raining out at sea and to the north storm clouds where gathering. Layers of cloud forming into washes of various shades of blue and then it was not long before the rainbow disappeared behind threatening grey clods. The sea appeared to change colour from a bright blue to a dark grey and viridian green. Best be off we thought as the cold saltwater laden air could be felt on out faces. Mission only partially accomplished. However, worth the trip for the Velvet Scoters alone which were definitely the birds of the day. On the way back to the car a male Stonechat was seen. Go on Janay, another one for you! A few more birds for my year list. I shall bring you up to date with that later in the year. I can say there are no divers, Long Tailed Duck or grebes on it yet, but I am off to Musselburgh and Aberlady with the RSPB group on Saturday so live in hope of some more ducking and diving. The forecast does suggest that you may all be in for a ‘tale from a wet birder’. Thought my luck couldn’t last for much longer into 2007. I won’t complain, well I guess I will, as I haven’t had a really cold days birding yet this winter
42 species today.
Best wishes
PS Seeing I have managed to drop in a few names to this thread heres another. I guess several of you will have noticed Scott (SAFM) has been missing for a while. Computer problems folks, but he says hello. He is hoping to be back on the internet on the 16th January. I will encourage a post from sunny Perth as they are a miss.
PPS I can't seem to delete my previous post, but I hope you read this one. lol
Today was a day of moods and contrasts on the Northumberland coast. The mission was to find sea ducks, grebes and divers. A sort of ducking and diving day I suppose.
Heavy rains during the night had cleared by morning to leave a fresh, clear, rather colder, but still mild day. On the way north I found myself thinking of John Constable. I visited an exhibition of his ‘cloud’ paintings at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh a few years ago and was most impressed. The cloud formations today reminded me of the visit. Also reminded me as to why I give up fairly quickly my dabbling with watercolours a while back. Mind you, even though I quickly realised I did not have the makings of a classical artist my little experience with the brushes and watercolours did give me a greater appreciation of colour and contrast in the natural world. Bills comments earlier this week about the skill that some have in depicting wildlife in drawings and paint also reminded me how much I wish it was a skill I possessed. Then I noticed Ruth’s avatar. Nice one Ruth. I am also mindful of the aesthetic reasons I watch birds. That and a gaining of knowledge are the real reasons I go birding. My listing and recording are part and parcel of the knowledge gaining aspect and simply that. A challenge to me and no other, so don’t be getting the wrong idea. Anyway, the cloud formations were wonderful.
I caught sight of the Mute Swans, Canada Geese and Black Headed Gull flocks on the local lake within minutes, arriving at the sandy bay at Low Newton in what seemed record time. It must have been my day dreaming and the chat that made time pass so quickly. I have described Low Newton in a previous post so suffice to say it includes a typical Northumbrian sandy and rocky bay. A Kestrel and Chaffinch awaited us near the car park and Oystercatchers, Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling, Redshank and Curlew were on the rocks and sand. No Purple Sandpiper that I could find. Only birds on the reserve pool were Teal and Wigeon. On the walk back along the beach a bit of a see watch brought us Eider Ducks, Goldeneye and star birds, 3 Velvet Scoters. So partially successful, but no divers or grebes. There were several Rock Pipits about. Instead of walking to the point for a further sea watch we decided to head for Stag Rocks at Bamburgh but not before watching a couple of flocks of Lapwing flying overhead lit by the sun. I don’t think I mentioned in my previous post on this area, that there is a white stag marked on the rocks at Stag Rocks.
The bay at Stag Rocks was today very quiet as far as sea birds were concerned. The sea here was quite rough in any event, in stark comparision to the sea a little further south at Low Newton. Rather strange I thought. The wind appeared to have got up to some force mind you and it was far from ideal conditions to sea watch. Quite a few Eider around here to but no divers or grebes here either. My mate did think he got the scope pointing at some Long Tailed Duck and I quickly looked and on first impression I thought he might be correct. Think he was to be honest. Not easy birds to fail to recognise but the sea was rough and they disappeared in a second so neither of us were definite. Numbers of Razorbill, in small parties, were seen though. On a rocky spit I was able to compare very well a Shag and Cormorant. Pity you missed that opportunity Graham!!!. There really is quite a size difference, which is really noticeable when the birds are together. A few more Rock Pipits, numerous Pied Wagtails and flocks of Starlings on the shore and a Wren in the bushes. Oh yes and this time a mixed flock of Turnstone and Purple Sandpipers
During our sea watch a rainbow appeared, the end of which descended behind Inner Farne. There lies the gold. We noticed that it was raining out at sea and to the north storm clouds where gathering. Layers of cloud forming into washes of various shades of blue and then it was not long before the rainbow disappeared behind threatening grey clods. The sea appeared to change colour from a bright blue to a dark grey and viridian green. Best be off we thought as the cold saltwater laden air could be felt on out faces. Mission only partially accomplished. However, worth the trip for the Velvet Scoters alone which were definitely the birds of the day. On the way back to the car a male Stonechat was seen. Go on Janay, another one for you! A few more birds for my year list. I shall bring you up to date with that later in the year. I can say there are no divers, Long Tailed Duck or grebes on it yet, but I am off to Musselburgh and Aberlady with the RSPB group on Saturday so live in hope of some more ducking and diving. The forecast does suggest that you may all be in for a ‘tale from a wet birder’. Thought my luck couldn’t last for much longer into 2007. I won’t complain, well I guess I will, as I haven’t had a really cold days birding yet this winter
42 species today.
Best wishes
PS Seeing I have managed to drop in a few names to this thread heres another. I guess several of you will have noticed Scott (SAFM) has been missing for a while. Computer problems folks, but he says hello. He is hoping to be back on the internet on the 16th January. I will encourage a post from sunny Perth as they are a miss.
PPS I can't seem to delete my previous post, but I hope you read this one. lol
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