Whoopers and Owls

I started the day with another try at Swalwell for the Starling. Another dip, but I did have a Little Grebe, 2 Grey Wagtail and a drake Goosander on the Derwent.

Up to Tanfield where there was no sign of any Corn Bunting, but there was a good flock of 50+ Yellowhammer, c20 Fieldfare and 2 Redwing.

Burdon Moor was cold and windswept, but still held a male Stonechat.

The Tyne at Timber Beach was the place to be, where 2 Whooper Swan were taking a break from their trip north and sharing the mudflats with a Common Seal. While watching these a pair of Peregrine dropped in, displaying and swooping low over the mud.

Whooper Swan

Common Seal

Peregrine

All quiet at Shibdon and 20 Lesser Black-backed Gull at Stella.

The action was all at Burdon Moor this evening with Red Kite, Buzzard and 3 Kestrel hunting when I got there. After a few minutes the Short-eared Owl show started up. 3 birds hunting and battling for over an hour.

Short-eared Owl

On Ravensworth Fell 2 Long-eared Owl were hunting as darkness fell.

Long-eared Owl