Making the most of a few hours this week.

 On Thursday me and the UN-trained hound Bob....or Bobby (depends on how he's behaving name wise to what he's called) ventured around the northern end of the Leas. Its been a few weeks since I set foot here last, but the sight and sound of a few Skylarks and Meadow pipits starting to lay claim to ground here was just lush!.. And ...4 Snow buntings flew off over the mound area from the south end of Frenchmans bay as we approached this bay. I thought this might be my last sighting on this visit here and also of this winter period in our parts. But on the return leg around Frenchmans a pair hopped up out of the grass onto the railings, a real surprise! as Me and Ian Mc. had'nt seen the orignal birds sighted do a return lap here.

 He,s a stunner no doubt about it.!

 And wor Med. gull is looking great also now.

Sighted the Shorty from the obs end of the LNR at Whitburn the other day also, big ask photo wise but great to see all the same again.

This late morning was spent helping plant sapplings above the Don valley area in Jarrow. Some 300+ planted in only a few hours by the few who turned out to try and make a difference within South Tyneside. 

This weekends exploring.

 I cannot praise the local council highly enough for thier endeviours to protect and encourage our dunes to develop, with a little human introvention.  Matt, the former Countryside officer for our borough is the man to thank regards this great project.  Over the winter period our dunes have enlarged big style because of the fencing erected around the area, which has acted like a barrier.

 This was the scene yesterday... what path?? This is(was) the one leading from the skateboard park(behind the fair) to the pier, and I really hope that this path is never seen again.! 

 The pier wander- This ship still has me doing a double take each time I see it around the Tyne area., its just not the normal.

 Marine park (south) produced my first Chiffchaff of the year on Saturday ( More than likely wintering)  and also a couple of Goldcrests in tow.  8 Pochards on this lake is the best count in our area.

 And what can you say about this beauty.. ? Wor Marsden resident is looking very smart again.( bar the noise, camera wise)

 A Short-eared owl showed briefly along the coastal path in Whitburn after i landed with the dog in tow.

 Just a blob on a rock..? i hope not.  Sign of Otter me things along the Don. Anal jelly ( sounds a tad naughty) but it looks like the real thing.  

 Lesser Black-backed gull on the way back to the coast on the Moor lane flash.

And this arsehole .....words fail me.

Chester-le-street riverside.

 We've many a happy experience bird wise at this regular duck feeding site over the last few years, so with nowt else on the radar really to try for this afternoon we headed down the A1.... again.
It did take the return leg of this venture here before I picked up 'the Scaup'. Interesting bird,all signs of a female but maybe still in eclipse mode.?

 Love was in the air here, Mutes bonding including young birds and a few fights going off regarding mating! How I miss this sight in Marine park these days.

Only one pair of Goosanders on view this visted, and they kept to the far bank.

Nice all the same.

The splenders of Hartlepool

 Another one of those 'where do you fancy ?' moments this morning between me and Jan trying to pick a area to visit today for a few hours. Waxwing hunting around Washington? , Geese viewing in Northumberland ?or....a trip down to Hartlepool.?? these where the suggestions i put forward. Hartlepool got the nod because its a while since we visited and a certain Grebe has been showing well.

 The Slavonian grebe showed really well doing a circuit of the boats moored behind the Travel inn here on our arrival! After this it tended to hang about the centre of the marina area here. Stunning bird and by far our best views to date of this species in winter plumage.
 The Black-throated diver had done a one before we arrived due to the boys playing on thier sailing boats here today we were informed ,and I only seen 5 Red-breasted Mergansers flying in when we first left the car,these were never located again. Great banter here with the folk viewing the bird.. ;-)

Another reason for visiting this neck of the woods was hopefully to get Jan onto Ring-necked Parakeets in Ward Jackon park. A task ive tried twice before with our lass but have failed on each visit with her in tow. Third time lucky today!  About a dozen birds showing not far from the toilet block area and very vocal.
Job done! ..Now a ST bird has to be had.

Back again.

Its seems like ages since i was out and about and posted last on this blog. (it is and has been!). The new year week was a write off due to being struck down with the 'bathroom bug' for almost 7 days! Mind this sorted the Christmas excesses out big style,and the toilet roll stock pile our lass had amassed...enough said me thinks.!

The last time i had a serious look around the doors was the ST bird race day which seen 4 teams taking part this year, an excellent turn out for this event after recent years when only a handful of folk have turned up and showed a interest. Moans and groans are still being heard about this years race and will do for a while (as per- the normal) but it just goes to show how folk remember this day. The wooden spoon award went to our team..dipping the likes of Reed bunts, Yellowhammer, Snipe, Tree spug. and Little Owl to name a few. But a cracking and knackering day around the doors with good company to say the least!

So today i picked up the camera and bins and headed for the Leas area with a hour or so to spare.

 The numbers of waders using this area was apparent almost as soon as i left the car and headed towards the mound area. Canny selection in this shot above, especially of the Purple variety, first time ive managed a shot away from our beaches etc. of these birds!. . one knot also flew over.

 Birds and photographers etc. this series continues whilst watching .

 Common gulls... just a lovely looking bird in my eyes. Numbers probably peaking around these parts at the moment.

Marsden car park Med. gull looking great in the snow and as friendly as ever.

 Harton cem. produced great views of winter thrushes on a few drive around's..

On a final note sadly Max has been put to sleep a few weeks back.

This new kid is now dragging me around the local area when i can get out!

Just a joy to see again.

 Its probably been about 6-7 years or longer since me and Jan clapped eyes on a Red Squirrel. Theres a disagreement going off still between us where was the last one we seen? I think the Lakes whilst on a camping trip, Jan thinks Thornley woods, Gateshead when there was Reds still around here and we witnessed a poor looking Red from the bird feeding hide here...This individual being the last one we seen here.

But what a joy today seeing these truly British Squirrels again after such a long time span especially only 20 miles up the A19!..

 When I lived in the Wansbeck area over 10 years ago I often seen them around the Sheepwash area on walks along the river here (pre- digi camera time), so after picking up on a few tip offs on the net we tried our luck at Woodhorn museum in Ashington.

 The £3 per-person admission charge was paid on the entrance approach road to this site and loads of Red Squirrel crossing notices encountered on the way in ...looking good we thought.!

 How good was it??? exceptional we thought!
One of the friendly staff/volunteers here has set feeders up (has had for 2 years apparently) beside the car parking area and the Reds along with countless birds etc. are benefiting from this locals endeavours. Hats off to the bloke! He even let me, Jan and Malcolm( pleasure to see you again) sit on the small train here to be more comfy to view the feeders.

 Three of the belters visited these feeders in about a hour we had here....Smiles all round with the viewing public. Three quid each well spent!

On a sadder note :  A Grey Squirrel was photographed earlier today here, the first the local lad who tends the feeders here has encountered. Trap set and lets hope its caught or taken out!

 Downed tired Heron on the Leas last weekend, harried by Jackdaws etc.

 Waxwings in Jarra ..(cheers Davy F.)  opposite St. Pauls in the Don valley last weekend, 2 first off and then built up to 7 during the week.

More Snow buntings!

 The question this morning was where to have a wander.??? Well, the Leas area has still been producing canny birds and it also has the benefit for me of getting the dog a good run, so off I headed in this direction.
After about a hour around the mound area here, there was no Shorties hunting or showing and quite frankly nowt much else either. Sless and Scuzz appeared soon after my futile wander and we decided to try the section of the cliff tops just south of Frenchmans bay which has produced winter buntings over the years. We met Vivien returning from this patch who informed us that 4 Snow Bunting were in the area...nice!

After wandering along the cliff tops to Manhaven bay here with no sign of the blighters we were about to turn back, when a couple of these belters put up, followed by 2 more just by the steps here.
They flew back towards Frenchmans bay and after a few disturbances by passing traffic along this coastal path they settled to feed in the near by grass.

One of only 2 Skylarks encountered on this visit, its more than likely heading south.

Turning around on the Leas road is not the easiest of manoeuvres and its recommended to head to the Marsden mini-roundabout to do so. If nowt else you can check if the resident winter Med.gull is present in the car park here.( take some bread).

No luck Owl related on this visit but the banter was excellent with many a friendly face on show.

Theres been no privacy in our bathroom the last few weeks, this lass has become a lodger here for now.