tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68150719166760915172024-03-13T04:08:39.151-07:00South Tyneside birder (sometimes when I can).Experiences on my travelsShields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-82437738618876354662017-12-30T09:30:00.001-08:002017-12-30T09:30:36.822-08:00Just a few pics and words from this year ;-) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It started with a 'twitch' more or less when the Pacific diver showed well in Drurigde bay cp.<br />
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Still 'ower the water' (only just ;-) I sight I will never forget...A Glauc.gull being robbed by a Great blacked backed.<br />
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Dipped the one in Marine park a few times...Iceland gull, North Shields.<br />
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Long-toes on the Don banks earlier this year.<br />
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Rare visit over Weardale.<br />
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Couple of Jarrows finest<br />
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Ain't had the pleasure of a Goldcrest preening like this before! ..almost glued to the spot. (just exhausted migrants normally)<br />
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And then its getting lower than a snakes belly time ;-) first Common blue of the year and just waking up.<br />
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Well I couldn't leave these little bettlers out in ST post... especially after recording them at 3 different sites this year. (Dingy skipper) there's more I'm sure to be found and reported. ;-)<br />
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Mating Small Coppers in Jarrow, first time I've been lucky enough to see this.<br />
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And its been a canny year for the Banded demoiselles compared to last year.<br />
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Small heath<br />
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Short interlude...Washington WWT . Nice company from the wader lake hide<br />
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Ok...couple more butterflies. Ringlet- fresh. and Coma below.<br />
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Flying bombs. Cannot better Marsden bay for action,sound and smell in the breeding season along our coastline. Love and protect always!!<br />
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Slip-slidding away, wrong ledge. ;-)<br />
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I'll keep this one brief...'Terns' (not like me )<br />
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Pretty average this year again number wise- but I'm pleased to see Sandhaven does have more folks reporting sightings this year on twitter etc. Great stuff ! spread the joy!<br />
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My best count was 3 adult Rosy and 2 juvs on a visit this August. ..nowt better than sitting with terns. Gutted when I was house-bound in the latter-half of the this season.<br />
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This Juv. Cuckoo didn't half give good views in Trow .<br />
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The Whitburn Bee-eater above the wooden viewing screen .<br />
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And this 'puddle duck' by the pier.<br />
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-18175488331209427062017-01-23T12:08:00.000-08:002017-01-23T14:25:54.651-08:00What goes around comes around.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm blogging this as I've never seen the likes before and confirms how clever/clued up the adults birds are here. Today I had't to venture over the water and had thoughts of dropping into the fish quay for a while this afternoon. At first this Juv. Glaucous gull sat rested on one of the shed roofs here, before eventually dropping down to join the feeding frenzy of mainly immature Herring and Great-black backed gulls in the gut.<br />
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This bird bossed its way to the front of the by-catch throw out-as expected<br />
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Did a few nice fly-byes in the gut<br />
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Followed the bird onto the river side of the quay- wasn't long before 'wiser' eyes made this birds efforts in vain.<br />
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-52989743534430906522016-11-13T11:19:00.002-08:002016-11-13T11:19:20.869-08:00Star of the show for me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First chance on Saturday to view the Waxwings in the centre of South Shields resulted in a 1st for myself, never seen a Waxwing so young looking. Eventually edited a few takes of this bird which I did get slightly excited about at the time.<br />
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Big crops - but a fantastic short time had.<br />
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-24647399218126341412016-10-02T10:53:00.000-07:002016-10-02T10:53:10.058-07:00This years Roseate tern experience on Sandhaven.Unfortunately this tern season I've had no way near the amount of visits I usual make.Never the less I managed to double my count from last year(one adult and a Juvenile) on a couple of occasions this year, great stuff! ..but the canny counts from a few years back seem to be a thing of the past now.<br />
This years show started on the 6th of August- with a adult and Juv.<br />
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Managed to get slightly better views-<br />
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Pity about the light for these one's.-<br />
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Next sighting was on the 14th of August- 2 Adults and 2 Juvs..(.this being the only occasion I seen 2 juvs this year).<br />
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On the 15th of August- 2 adults briefly on a morning visit and a adult and juv. seen from the pier side late afternoon.<br />
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On the 22nd of this month 3 adults and a juv. The paired Roseate terns didn't have any offspring with them but still displayed a bond. The beach was virtually empty on this visit (which, made a change) so the terns were pretty much settled allowing great views.<br />
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This years joy was over for me after the 4th of September when 4 adults graced the big beach on the morning , one of the birds having no jewellery on display. </div>
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And on the evening visit this day 2 adults rested here. </div>
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So it hasn't been the worst season ever for sightings here, hopefully some folk have had better numbers on this busy beach. Wake me up again next July... ;-) </div>
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Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-18831171420110216202016-09-19T13:59:00.002-07:002016-09-19T16:48:52.312-07:00A few from yesterdays ocean voyage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Picked up upon a tweet a couple of weeks back advertising a pelagic going out from the Tyne on Sunday gone- too good to miss I thought at £35 for the full day! and also I hadn't been on a one for years so booked up.<br />
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Really nice day had with the lads from over the water- the usual suspects bird wise and some great views at times.<br />
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A few Sooty Shearwaters had,this one showed really well- interested in the gull gathering from the chum slick created from the boat.<br />
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I think it's a first for me, getting any shots of Manx Shearwater settled on the water? 2 birds in feeding mode with Kittiwakes and a immature Little gull (not in the pic).<br />
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Skuas passing thro- couple of Bonxies and also 2 Arctics..if my memory serves me well?<br />
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Missed out on the bird sweep stake (number of bird species seen from departing port to returning) by one! Curlew seen close to the jetty taking the count to 35.<br />
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Hopefully I'll be on this one again next year.!<br />
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-38753923923960907502016-05-30T13:49:00.000-07:002016-05-30T13:49:00.253-07:00Mull 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After not setting foot on Mull for 3 years, we decided it was time we returned to the Isle of Bliss this year. As always we set off early doors to take in the pleasures of Oban harbour before embarking on the ferry crossing- this alas didn't go as planned, the weather put pay to this. Thankfully a small window of opportunity opened before leaving Oban.<br />
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Red-breasted Mergansers<br />
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Great-Northern's still around the lochs on Mull and showing great at times near the shore.(still trying for good pics of these) Didn't manage Red-throated on this visit.<br />
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The only Whimbrel this week - 8 in the fields around Fidden farm.<br />
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4 Golden plover at Pennyghael one morning.<br />
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Iona on the first ferry Monday morning and the longest spell we've spent to- date to hear a Corncrake call here. It took 2-3 hours unbelievably on this visit and we were just about to give up and try another day when this male popped up right in front of us calling. The Tea break was postponed indefinitely.<br />
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Whilst he sat here his mate ran through the grass just feet way.A locals comment was just classic after our wait- 'try going to sleep here' ..<br />
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Closest I managed of Raven on this visit-<br />
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Golden eagle above the cottage (seen on 3 occasions here) - we stayed here this year,http://www.isleofmullcottages.com/cottage/the-byre.html cracking base and cottage with great views.<br />
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Loch-na-Keal Goldie.<br />
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Nice birds-:-)<br />
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Expectational visit regards Hen Harrier - Grass point first drop- in after getting off the ferry and we bump into Mick and Mish! and Hilary a couple of times also this week.<br />
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Kintra male displaying above the bay with a kill<br />
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Female hunting at the regular drop in ;-)<br />
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Otter picked up at four different areas.<br />
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Wild goat?<br />
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Another fantastic visit to Mull -Eagles,Harriers,otters etc. we dipped on Mountain hares this year around the Ross area and Twite but cannot complain..Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-13760729676923930422016-03-08T13:50:00.000-08:002016-03-08T15:35:25.275-08:00Cracking few hours out west on Sunday and a bit more local.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Another impromptu jaunt on Sunday - out west for the first time this year resulted in my best count of Black grouse seen to date. This after nearly coming a cropper on the St.Johns chapel to Langdon beck road, which the summit area was a tad naughty snow wise on this visit. So a bit of a detour via Stanhope followed-got there eventually....<br />
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In the usual fields to the north of the hotel- 33 males picked up (could well have been more) after a few counts from the car. Only 3 females and theses hid well.<br />
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7 males near the Cow Green turn off - providing the closest views on this visit<br />
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And 15 males rested up just north of Langdon beck seen from on the St.Johns chapel rd. </div>
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Cow green <br />
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Saturdays visit along the Don seems to have restored my belief - only the one really old 'glue- like' sign on this rock over a week ago and some great pics on the net of Water Vole sightings this week. Great local sightings along the Don wildlife wise.<br />
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The Green-winged teal at the flats on Saturday- closer!Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-4218165018734780872016-02-29T12:51:00.000-08:002016-02-29T15:26:02.519-08:00A few from the weekend and more.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I paid a couple of visits this weekend to the Hebburn area after learning about Redpolls coming to feeders at a site I've never visited before (thanks Paul! ).Polls have been pretty low on the ground this winter in our area so thought I'll give it a try. Really pleasantly surprised with what has been created at the Monkton community woods. Nice woodland type walkways in a urban area and a viewing screen overlooking a feeding area which the locals and folk looking after this site seem to keep topped up.<br />
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5/6 Lesser Redpolls on Saturday visited whilst here, but only one yesterday on a shorter visit. More around the area after reading a report from today!<br />
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All the usual suspects visiting the feeders - another nice place to pop into when in the area!.the more eyes the better watching this area.<br />
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Seeing Dabchicks (Little grebes) ain't that rare a sight really in ST ....but this pair on the Cockcrow pond (ok technically it's Gateshead) is something I hadn't seen before-not that I visit much and don't hear of any reports from here.<br />
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And the best shot I've managed of the Green-winged teal at Boldon flats on Sunday- still distant but closer than any other visit.<br />
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And my first Water Vole sighting for the year a few days back in Station burn, a couple of ripples of water encountered along this stretch of the Don before one showed briefly.<br />
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Couple of latrines found on this visit, hopefully more to follow in the coming weeks. No luck so far with fresh otter sign on the few visits so far this year here or the Scotchy dene-hopefully other folk have had better luck.Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-48545804618987796582016-02-20T10:42:00.000-08:002016-02-20T10:42:24.861-08:00Well it had to be done- the Fudge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had a half hearted attempt at trying to see the 'free flying' un-ringed Ferruginous duck at Washington wwt a few weeks back.But that just resulted in waiting for any male to get out of the water to check his legs out....nil points.<br />
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So off I went again today after seeing reports of this bird hanging out on the reservoir lake in one of the wild sections here.<br />
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He was still there when I arrived and stayed there for about 20-30 minutes. In that time he hung<br />
around mainly with the Tufties but never seemed settled with his companions here .Three times he swam to one end of the lake and took off to fly to the other end- into the wind. Then he finally done a one heading off towards the enclosures. <br />
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Plastic fantastic or not...great to see.Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-64839543729806598432016-02-08T13:58:00.000-08:002016-02-08T16:12:42.060-08:00Only the second time I've had the pleasure of Shore lark.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Set out yesterday with the better half and the dog in tow. First off we thought we'd have a look at Hawthorn dene woods since it's been about a year since we last visited this site.The parking area by the farm was packed when we arrived here,must have been some sort of ramble going on? When we eventually reached the small feeding area the signs didn't look good- no evidence of anyone keeping up feeding the birds here now. We put down seed and waited a canny while before deciding to wander a little further as no birds came down-returned later and sadly the same result...zilch. Hopefully it was just wor luck on this visit.<br />
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So it was head scratching time after this...where to try next? Saltholme did appeal for the obvious reason/s but alas no, not with the dog in tow. So the next best thing -some place in Hartlepool that I've only heard of in reports. Found the Spion kop cemetery (eventually) and about 6 cars were parked up with birders etc. all scanning the scraped off area just to the south of here. Five Snow bunts flitted around but it hardly surprising they kept disappearing due to the disturbance from the motor X types that use this area. Gave up after a short wander with the dog....Gave it another go a while later- this time it was quiet and after scanning the ground the reason for the visit was found feeding at the southern end of the barron area.<br />
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Cracking! only the second sighting we've had- the first being the Trow bird a few years back.<br />
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Not the best pics but went away happy just seeing them.Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-17142425944105761152016-01-23T11:00:00.002-08:002016-01-23T12:15:14.834-08:00Cracking visit over the water today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First off -apologies again for not blogging for a while due to mainly circumstances beyond my control..ie- having free time to get out!. So with the sun god showing this morning and a gorgeous little red- head still being reported at Killingworth I took the chance of trying for some pics..<br />
On arrival here she was in the NW corner of the small lake but soon made off towards the reeded area.<br />
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After about half a hour she started to show signs of moving off from this area- so I made my way back along the road here.<br />
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Arse parked on the small wall here as she passed close by- treated to the best encounter with Smew I've ever had!<br />
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And across the road on the large lake- Close encounters of Goldeneye hovering around with many a 'sliced' white feeding.<br />
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Then onto the QE2 in Ashington. After not seeing nowt but the usual from the car park I walked around the lake. Picked up the reported Slavonian grebe in the southern area of this body of water..tad distant for my lens and the light was shite...(blah..blah..)<br />
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-74337616875472811372015-09-25T15:16:00.002-07:002015-09-25T16:47:01.715-07:00This week's outings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple of canny hours today around the pier area late pm.- After not being able to venture forth yesterday and learning of a few reports locally, I thankfully had a bit time on my hands later today. Didn't have to wait long to see this Snow bunting - it hopped across the pier right in front of me by the old Brigade building as I walked up the pier. This one obviously is of the 'showy' type not too bothered by disturbance. Later picked it up again on the pier wall- the other side of the gate.<br />
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About 18-20 Common terns around on this visit, some rested up on Sandhaven others taking advantage of a feeding frenzy taking place on the south side of the pier wall- sprats maybe??? jumping out of the water attracting the attention of loads of gulls etc.<br />
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Yip it's a Little gull (again) ! another one in the mix on the south side of the pier.<br />
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Couple of Gannets also joined in and gradually edged in a bit closer.<br />
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Only seen about 3- 1st.winter Common gulls here this year and still trying to get a canny shot.<br />
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On Wednesday's visit to the pier I witnessed something I've never seen before ..This Carrion crow was first seen to be picking up a couple of empty Fosters cans- then I figured out what the corvid was actually doing, tipping them up to get the dregs out! It's probably learned to do this from the empties left here during the Mackerel season, when the litter left here is at its highest. Clever bugger!<br />
Little gull on the beach also on this visit. ;-)<br />
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Monday -when the rain stopped for a short time I ventured into the Trow bowl- couple of Whinchats and a single Stonechat (not the photogenic types). Couple of Chiffchaffs in the treed area, Song thrush and the odd Wheatear around the area. Six Red-throated divers on the sea from gun point was canny thro- group of 4 together (probs family).<br />
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Last Sunday- After 2 failed attempts with trying to see this species in the same field at Whitburn over the years- finally it was third time lucky! This after not being able to get here until later in the afternoon. Only my second one ever, so was slightly pleased also to even get a semi-decent shot. Oh and another Little gull here also ;-)<br />
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-88769420487503312392015-09-19T13:27:00.001-07:002016-12-01T15:03:31.216-08:00New lifer despite being a daft lad (again!).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After seeing a few reports and pic's of Black darter on twitter over the last week or so, I headed off to the old brickworks pond in Kibblesworth this morning when I got the chance. First time I've ventured here this year!...It really was a comedy of errors this visit- first off after wandering about a third of the way from the parking area to the pond my zippo dried-trip to a garage followed. Then I discovered the battery on the camera was on its last legs after deleting the memory card....I thought the writing was on the wall so to speak. after this!... Thankfully not.<br />
It took me a while and a few 'stand' about moments before I picked up the first Black darter in the south end of the pond,behind the small plantation area. Well worth getting wet knees for! after this picked up a second one in the same area, the first one landed on my shoulder a couple of times!!! (reached for the phone for a selfie but alas not to be.)<br />
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Met another interested bloke at the northern end of this pond, who I ve met before. (It just got mad after this!). 3-4 Black darters hovered around right in front of us, one landed on his foot. Then a female hawker landed on my boot and used it as a landing platform to get the next generation on their way.<br />
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Distant one, taken with the macro.<br />
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Crap one taken with my phone, the camera battery had died by now.<br />
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Absolutely fantastic couple of hours here despite the set backs- sheds loads of Common darters in various stages of breeding, hawkers aplenty also. </div>
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Bird wise- 6 Siskins over calling, couple of Jays, GS woody, Buzzard, Spuggyhawk,Kestrel and the usual stuff calling from the treed areas.</div>
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-3328180414385188392015-09-13T12:39:00.002-07:002015-09-13T17:25:08.818-07:00Being a beach bum in August-tern wise.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yip I'm blogging again after a canny while. A few folk have asked how's the terns done this year around the Sandhaven area? so I've eventually put together a selection of shots taken here during August along with some of my observations of rested birds on Sandhaven.<br />
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Common tern - Pretty much as last year with no 3 figure numbers, best count being 40+ birds on a few occasions.<br />
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Nowt like getting mugged on the beach.<br />
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Sandwich tern- again pretty average number wise with between 10-25 birds on some visits during the month.<br />
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But a visit on the last day of August produced my best count to date of Sandwich terns here- 106 counted at one point when I first arrived.This number slowly tailed off after little disturbance(for this public beach) and what I can only refer to as migratory behaviour. Small groups took off together calling noisily,birds seem to pair up and then circled gaining height before moving off. Something I've seen Roseates doing in the past here.<br />
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Arctic tern- 18 was my best count here this year in the first week of this month and only 3 Juv's .<br />
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Little tern- This is the only one I seen rested here on the first day of this month.<br />
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Roseate tern- After only views from the pier on a couple of occasions this month,eventually on the 12th these two were had on Sandhaven. The only one's I've seen here this year.(but beats last years count..doubled ;-) ).<br />
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And a special mention has to be made for Little gull sightings around this area in the last 6 weeks or so- Started late July and continued most of August.<br />
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Again these are my observations on this public beach when numbers can change here by the minute.Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-43615674379558941962015-07-24T12:50:00.002-07:002015-07-24T12:50:53.013-07:00A few additions since the last post.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The lure of the pier and Shields beach seems to have taken over again the last couple of weeks or so. No idea why? ;-). The tern action here on the visits I've had so far hasn't been exceptional to say the least,hopefully that will change in the near future if this area is blessed this year.<br />
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Two Arctics on the beach on the 14th. only one's I've seen rested here so far.<br />
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On the afternoon of the 15 th a bit of a northerly blew. A couple of Whimbrel circled the area calling and a canny bit passage from the end of the pier- Gannets,Auks and a few Scoter, also picked up a bonxie.<br />
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After having enough of being windswept I ventured back down the pier to the usual haven of the steps overlooking Sandhaven. That's when 3 other dark shapes were picked up about to pass the pier head...typical!.<br />
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Last Saturday was my first sighting of a juvenile Sandwich tern this year here.<br />
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Last Sunday- Chester-le-street roundabout. Two White-letter hairstreaks showed in blustery conditions in about a hour and a half here.<br />
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This female Banded demoiselle also put in a show.<br />
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On Tuesday this week my first Common tern juv.<br />
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Med. gull/s now a regular sight along the Leas.<br />
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And the late evening visit today found me in the good company of these waders. Single Bar-tailed Godwit and 6 Sanderling still with a nice bit of summer finery.<br />
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Another local lad reported 4 Purple sands and a couple of Little terns here about 2 weeks ago, right place at the right time. Hopefully the action is starting to pick up.Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-56263851763405684302015-07-04T12:53:00.000-07:002015-07-04T16:26:09.689-07:00This afternoons highlights.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When the glimmer of fine weather broke this afternoon and I had time on my hands, I headed back down the Don (Scotch est. dene). As expected the water level here was a tad on the high side, which kind of made for some great entertainment.<br />
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From the 3 main ovipositing places seen a few days back, only one had a small scrap of surface weed on show today- which obviously was a highly sort after bit of turf.<br />
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My first Small copper of the year from the same place above.. tatty but great to see.<br />
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Dropped into Testoes pond in Boldon after visiting the Don. My first visit here for a while.<br />
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The usual Dam's around here and about 6 larger Drags. near the matchbox building. Including this 4 spot chaser that defended its patch from a stick stuck in the mud here.<br />
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I didn't really check this site too well last year, so was pleased to see this Black-tailed skimmer here today, first for me for 2 years here.<br />
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In the wheel..Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-7740036026869059952015-07-03T13:48:00.000-07:002015-07-04T15:19:34.223-07:00A few from over the last week (non-feathered type).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Apologies to anyone who reads this blog for the lack of content of late. Getting the time and weather to have a wander seems to be getting rarer as I get older -thought it would be the opposite!<br />
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Last Saturday saw me on Cleadon hills for the first time in a while, to see a big bird do a pass over...Whilst here picked my second Painted lady of the year up (this number increased during the week) and Chimney sweeper moths out in force. As also they can be a pain the butt to get a shot of.<br />
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The last Vulcan in the sky, worth the effort to see this.<br />
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Last Saturday afternoon It was down to Bishop middleham quarry for the annual visit, it's just a fantastic site that has to be done !<br />
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The tricky subject matter of separating Brown argus began again, a one I'm still not fully confident with.<br />
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Been told all the shot's look ok for 'Northern'<br />
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Still a learning curve with many butterflies.<br />
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Also seen my first Ringlet of the year here.<br />
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Last Sunday I had a wander on the South Shields pier, didn't expect to see a great deal but that soon changed. Picked up a few fins breaking the surface a fair way out heading north from about half way along here. Continued to the pier end living in hope they'd pass closer for better views.<br />
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The pod of about 10 Bottle nosed seem to split up when I reached the end of the pier and four of them did come in closer including calf.<br />
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Common blue male<br />
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Large skipper<br />
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The only Dingy skipper I've seen this year taken at the Scotch est. dene Jarrow. (missed the boat last month). But good to know 8 were recorded at Boldon.<br />
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Scotch est. dene did provide my best count to date of Banded demoiselles earlier this week here, 18 at least picked up at 3 different spots here on this small section of the Don. Could well have been more! At one point I had 7 sat within a metre or so of each other.<br />
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It's always a pleasure to watch these belters.Love watching their behaviour.<br />
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And 3 Broad-bodied chaser around the pond (what's left of it waterwise) here. Another couple seen in the Boldon area.<br />
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Small skipper<br />
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-64743087806940270622015-06-01T13:53:00.000-07:002015-06-01T13:53:17.054-07:00What a week in pastures new- the Speyside area.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mr stress heads holiday didn't really get started until a visit to Chanonry point on the black isle after doing the Loch Ness tourist thing on the Monday.. What a 2 hour visit watching the dolphins so close in hunting and playing with Salmon before downing them. Picked up 2 young and another older juv. getting in on the action with this pod...no idea what size this pod is...? maybe 15-20.<br />
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Tuesday - added to and maybe surpassed the day before ...(I cannot decide). First train up the Gorm. (10am) we were on it. Hot chocolate and cake from the cafe whilst scanning from windows- Ptarmigans (3), Ring ouzels (4) and Mountain hares( 3/4) all picked up. We sat back and enjoyed the wildlife in comfort from here for a couple of hours before the masses arrived.<br />
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And Loch Eilean in the afternoon, was our first and only sighting of Crested tit, 2 birds called and one showed nicely just above head level on the clockwise 'blue' path by the small stream bridge about half a mile from the carpark. By what we heard over the week a canny few other folk were struggling also to get onto these belters.<br />
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We booked on the Speyside wildlife site for the Badger and Pine marten experience after getting sorted with the cottage just a few months back, what a treat this was...! 3 Badgers showed on the other side of glass enclosure just inches away at times,male Pine marten showed nicely before doing off with the egg, the female sat for 20 minutes or so the night before...just wor luck.:-) <br />
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Just a unusual sight I thought- Common tern on the hunt up a small stream just off the Findhorn river.<br />
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Flying over the dolphins- Long-tailed duck, tatty but nice.<br />
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Three of these spectacular prime specimens seen on the roadside in the Findhorn valley area a couple of times....The weather wasn't kind to us each time we visited here.<br />
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We picked up 4/5 Ospreys all a little distant unfortunately but great to see all the same. On one of our visits to Loch Ruthven we picked up these 2 in the air together. We visited another site where a nest can be viewed from a public walkway at a fairly close distance and sat for over 2 hours...No show, but a few locals kept us entertained especially a family of Treecreepers here. <br />
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5 Black-throated divers seen over the week, this one is from Loch Ruthven. Another pair at a loch not that far from Ruthven and the other pair across the A9 on a different loch.<br />
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Best count we had of Slavonian grebes was 3 pairs on loch Ruthven and it took a few visits before the grebes were encountered this close to the hide here.<br />
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Got a surprise one evening when a pair of Mandarins dropped onto the cottage bird table briefly , they came back the next day also. When I mentioned this to the owner he informed me they are fairly regular visitors and have breed in the area. He also told me about a drake Pintail that used to visit regular also...! <br />
We also managed 3 Ravens (all in the cottage area), 3 Hooded crows (I was surprised not to see more) from the cottage flying thro-, Probably about 15 Red Kites, One female Hen harrier whilst driving along a busy road and I couldn't stop!, 2 Crossbills at Loch Eilean landed briefly before doing off, along with all the usual type suspects expected.<br />
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What a cracking week we had for our first visit to this area, we stayed in a Cottage at Farr just about 10 minutes from Loch Ruthven so obviously this became a regular site just to drop into and enjoy.<br />
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Many thanks again to the folk who helped me out on this visit with their great advice.Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-49778318047744362212015-05-01T14:37:00.002-07:002015-05-01T14:37:54.653-07:00A few taken this month.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few more shots bird related from last months brief visits around the doors.<br />
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Hoping more entertainment will be coming our way tern wise this year. ;-)<br />
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One of a couple of Long-tailed tits nests,which are always a joy to stumble across. Master's of construction.<br />
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Nowt like a good natter on the cliff tops..<br />
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Hopefully this month I can get more...;-)Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-25049567252532321312015-04-28T16:33:00.000-07:002015-04-28T16:33:21.259-07:00Last weekend.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Not the usual type post from one's self regarding photo's etc. But last weekend's early mornings were spent along the Don's banks in the Jarrow area helping out the Durham wildlife trust otter survey, which is a fantastic project and I hope to help out with every year. Even if a machete is needed on a path or two. ;-)<br />
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As expected after weeks of no fresh sign picked up by myself ...None picked up this weekend otter wise either.We live in hope! especially after hearing of reports submitted by other observers along the Don over the last few weeks just outside of the patch recorded.<br />
Water vole sign picked up just about all the way along this stretch of the Don...<br />
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On the bird front-<br />
Saturday morning was the more productive (before the rain).<br />
Singing males- 9 Chiffchaff, 9 Blackcaps, 1 Willow warbler, 5 Bullfinch (calling), 1 Reed bunting, numerous Wrens,Robins,Gold and Chaffinchs. Three Song thrush males along the stretch of waterway were slightly outdone by 3 Mistle thrush territories pretty close together just off the Don's path. And my first ducklings of the year 13/14 of them in the Calf close section of the Don.Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-28040744626292204762015-04-06T12:48:00.000-07:002015-04-06T13:15:04.233-07:00Local waterways again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just a few shots of some fantastic Water vole action taken on a couple of visits along the Don this week. Station burn seems the 'hot spot' at the moment but I've no doubt other sites especially more into the Boldons will be productive also.<br />
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Four sighted on one visit in less than a quarter of a mile.<br />
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Two in the water together on one visit, a local dog walker put me/us onto these.<br />
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Checked on another couple of sites along the Don yesterday which seldom get reported upon. Fresh Vole sign in places but no way near the amount that the burn has.<br />
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No fresh Otter sign over the last week.<br />
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Pair of Grey wagtails still around one section of the Don and a single male along another section.<br />
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Plenty of Chiffchaffs calling now around these parts.<br />
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Even more Wrens than usual it seems...?<br />
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Yesterday a pair of Willow tits were seen along one section of the Don, first I've seen around these parts for a couple of years.<br />
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First and only Comma this year so far...seen twice in the same place. Plenty Peacocks and Small torts. on the wing yesterday.<br />
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And the Green invader from last week, it's only a matter of time. :-).Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-89039667969481825202015-03-23T14:05:00.000-07:002015-03-24T09:03:35.762-07:00Back down Station burn again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ventured yesterday back along the Don's bank again to Station burn. This time the sun god was out which made a change!. The first bird heard when I opened the car's door was Chiffchaff belting out his call, caught up with 6 in total along this stretch of the Don, 4 calling...none really fancied getting their photo taken.<br />
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It was great to see 3 pairs of Greenfinches in the area, another bird that seems in decline in these parts.<br />
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Two pair of Bullfinches at opposite ends of the burn, a possible 3rd pair but wasn't too sure.<br />
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Robins and Wrens aplenty along with- 3 Grey wags (one pair and a single), Male Reed bunting singing, Heron stalking the frog pond, 3 male Chaffinches of note.<br />
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My first Small Tortoiseshell of the year and 3 seen here this day.<br />
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On the mammal front- Poor for Water vole,only seen the arse end of a one disappearing down a hole!<br />
But I did pick up upon another 2 marking posts used by otter on this visit, counted 5 in total. The shot above is pretty fresh evidence maybe marked within the last few days.(wasn't there last weekend).<br />
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One of the new one's to me in the above shot.<br />
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Dropped into the Scotch est dene later yesterday morning and was gutted to witness this sight...Best part of the main meadow area has been destroyed by fire starters. Station burn and other local sites have also suffered such mindless,senseless vandalism over the last few weeks. This site was just recovering from 'wild horse' grazing after the council stepped in to prevent further use by horses damaging the vegetation here...Sickening as it's a great little spot for Butterflies in the summer months.<br />
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Popped back down Station burn today, for a quick once over after shopping duties with the better half in tow. Only a couple of Chiffies calling on this visit but the better half broke her 'duck' regarding seeing a Water vole after numerous attempts...in style! Job done at last... Also our first Speckled-wood futterbye of the year.<br />
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<br />Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-73369963386379918032015-03-15T12:59:00.000-07:002015-03-15T12:59:24.854-07:00Starting to wake up.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been weeks since I ventured forth properly to visit a few local sites due to one reason or another. So yesterday one's arse decided to take a visit to Station burn , a section of the Don which the DWT have had a lot of involvement with over the years and a local stamping ground for a year or two. ;-).<br />
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The two above shots of 'Ratty' do not do justice of the experience had on this visit here- Spotted this Water vole swimming across the Don and then lost sight of it.Moved into a area that isn't normally accessible during the summer months and sat and waited. Within 5 minutes the vole was picked up feeding on the grass...( loads of vegetation etc. between us). After about 10 minutes of watching this mammal feeding it moved off into the Don's water, I lost sight of the vole briefly at this stage. It then surfaced again, climbing up a man-made bit of rubbish wrapped around a pipeline ..It then swam towards me before doing the usual 'plop' and disappearing under water...within 4 feet away.<br />
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Frog love in the area.<br />
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'Older otter sign'<br />
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Also today I caught up with the Water rail briefly reported first by Sid Gibson. Only the second time I've seen a one here!<br />
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This shot show's a Kit breeding on a ledge at Readheads landing last year. One of the adults has returned again this year to the same ledge despite all the work going off here.Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-55168780297827786262015-01-18T13:01:00.000-08:002015-01-19T17:40:07.437-08:00A couple of reports (ringed birds) etc.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The first shot is of a Herring gull juv. taken yesterday in Marine park, South Shields. Almost 3 weeks now since the bird was picked up here (to the best of my knowledge) and it's still hanging about. Despite a few folk sending reports off, there's been no data sent back regarding this bird as yet as far as I know.<br />
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The second shot is of a G.B.B. gull juv. taken at North Shields fish quay whilst the 'white winger' show was taking place. Within a few day's of sending a email (to the wrong ringing group) they passed it onto the 'right' one and despite the poor shot submitted -this bird was recorded.<br />
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Ringed in Norway as a bairn last year. ( permission required about sharing data publicly with some ringing groups).Shields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6815071916676091517.post-2346058855720630632015-01-05T15:00:00.001-08:002015-01-05T16:08:46.063-08:00A few from the now binned memory card.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Io3NkSzmoYQ/VKsO250jYMI/AAAAAAAADxE/6kBWSI30PqU/s1600/IMG_9078.viking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Io3NkSzmoYQ/VKsO250jYMI/AAAAAAAADxE/6kBWSI30PqU/s1600/IMG_9078.viking.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
I didn't hold much hope of getting anything from the faulty memory card I used last Friday at North Shields. I was over moon when 'tech-head' son visited yesterday, armed with gadgets and disc's that I'll never begin to understand and he managed to just about get every shot taken off the card.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dbo6UZywEgc/VKsO44xZJlI/AAAAAAAADxM/O5FIA_S06ps/s1600/IMG_9079.vikings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dbo6UZywEgc/VKsO44xZJlI/AAAAAAAADxM/O5FIA_S06ps/s1600/IMG_9079.vikings.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVTx0hbq9Uw/VKsO6mYmxYI/AAAAAAAADxU/uV-z5QKvqzQ/s1600/IMG_9104.vikings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVTx0hbq9Uw/VKsO6mYmxYI/AAAAAAAADxU/uV-z5QKvqzQ/s1600/IMG_9104.vikings.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></div>
The 3 above are the 'Viking' Glaucous bird.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5PLpoROPAw/VKsO8jyB1oI/AAAAAAAADxc/LgH5bXNEMxA/s1600/IMG_9140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5PLpoROPAw/VKsO8jyB1oI/AAAAAAAADxc/LgH5bXNEMxA/s1600/IMG_9140.jpg" height="178" width="320" /></a></div>
This is the same bird in different light later that day during a feeding frenzy.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpIbLND21uY/VKsO_QsTNpI/AAAAAAAADxk/eviwUO_oJhQ/s1600/IMG_9271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpIbLND21uY/VKsO_QsTNpI/AAAAAAAADxk/eviwUO_oJhQ/s1600/IMG_9271.jpg" height="203" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKQSLS3V6pw/VKsPBdJ3B3I/AAAAAAAADxs/fC7lpu6DEzw/s1600/IMG_9274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QKQSLS3V6pw/VKsPBdJ3B3I/AAAAAAAADxs/fC7lpu6DEzw/s1600/IMG_9274.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12mAeM4pv6c/VKsPC2CaG-I/AAAAAAAADx0/3lyVN_hfSvg/s1600/IMG_9303.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12mAeM4pv6c/VKsPC2CaG-I/AAAAAAAADx0/3lyVN_hfSvg/s1600/IMG_9303.1.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
''True' Glaucous the 3 above shot's me think's, taken during the same gull free for allShields birderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10135807953096623664noreply@blogger.com0