Fudge

A text from George while I was tucking into my breakfast had me at Shibdon before work. It took some time, but I eventually picked up the Common Sandpiper bobbing on the small island in the south west corner.

Common Sandpiper

 

Confirmation of the Ferruginous Duck at Gosforth Park came through while I was at work and unable to get there until 18.00. I arrived at the hide to the news that the bird had flown to the reeds at 17.00 and hadn't been seen since. 45 mins of Coot and Little Grebe with the occasional squeal of Water Rail before I picked up the duck flying in from the left. Good, though distant views were had, but looking into the dipping sun meant crap photos.

 

Ferruginous Duck

 

 



Gateshead Mega

A quick trip to Burdon Moor after work in hope of a Ring Ouzel. Just after turning left to walk up the loop a bird flushed from the field to the left. Large, fat, long neck and a tiny head, it was all grey/brown with white wing bars. My brain turned to mush as it flew away strongly, gaining height to over 100 feet and flying several hundreds of yards and seemed to drop in the fields to the right of the house on the top of the fell. Female BLACK GROUSE...WOW!!!!

Ran back to the car and up to the top, but 45 mins of searching couldn't relocate the bird. Hopefully it has just gone to roost and can be found in the morning.

I have never heard of any Black Grouse being released in the area, so unless I hear otherwise it is wild and on my Gateshead list. Get in!!!

Little Owl

Headed  south to Teesside while home was still draped with fog. An on/off, possible/probable Water Pipit was the aim at Seaton Common. No luck, with just a few 'littoralis' Rock Pipits feeding in the rough grass. Nothing exciting at Saltholme from the road and just a Roe Deer at Dorman's.

Roe Deer

 

I headed back with a detour to Castle Lake. No sign of any Corn Bunting, but a good selection of ducks, 6 Great-crested Grebe and a fly-over Greenshank.

 

Back to Gateshead and 3 pairs of Little Owl around Ravensworth Fell. Watergate held a pair of Teal and fly-over pair of Goosander. The Ruff still at Shibdon.

 

Little Owl

 

After dipping the Blaydon Waxwing due to work yesterday I was pleased to find it again present this afternoon and posing for photos.

 

Waxwing

 

 



Marty Pellow

Very wet at the coast this morning. It started raining as I got out of the car at Druridge at 07.45 and didn't stop till early afternoon. Spent an hour there dipping Black Redstart and getting soaked before heading north to Bamburgh. The weather was awful still and little was moving at sea. A tight flock of 7 summer plumage Slavonian Grebe were feeding just off the rocks.

Braved another drenching at Newton, walking from the tin church, around the point, down to Newton Pool and back again. Little was showing in the rain, but 2 Willow Tit and a Goldcrest were near the pool that held 6 Goldeneye. The walk back was more productive as the rain stopped. Plenty of Rock Pipit and 2 Stonechat were on the rocks and the trees behind the tin church were alive with birds. 6+ Chiffchaff, 3 Goldcrest and the first Willow Warbler of the year. Also loads of Linnet, 2 Coal Tit and 2 Tree Sparrow.

Garganey next at Buston Links Pond. A cracking male was seen immediately and after a couple of minutes it flew over to the next pool where it coaxed another out of the reeds.

Garganey

 

 

 

 

After this success I had another go for the Black Redstart at Druridge. It took over an hour to pick up the bird which flitted over the road and onto a fence. It was joined by a Meadow Pipit and then another Black Redstart flitted up before all three dropped into the field. I jogged round to the gate, but could only re-find one of the Black Redstart for photos.

 



Black Redstart

 

 

 

Also seen here were fly-bys from male and female Marsh Harrier.

 

Other than getting soaked and getting a puncture, a canny day.

 

 

Apologies are due to an Italian visitor to the blog. They had typed "dogging" into Google and I assume that they were disappointed to be directed to my ranting about dog walkers thwarting my attempt to see a Bonaparte Gull. I hope that they found satisfaction in a car park closer to home!

 

Tit's Out!

After umpteen visits I finally connected with the Bearded Tit at East Chevington. Initially picked up on call, it eventually popped into view just to the right of the south hide.

Bearded Tit

 

When I first arrived a pair of Marsh Harrier were over the south pool.

 

Female Marsh Harrier

 

Female Marsh Harrier

 

Male Marsh Harrier

 

On the north pool were the regular Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe and 3 Long-tailed Duck. A bonus was 3 Otter ( I presume mother and 2 cubs) playing in the water and on the main island.

 

Otters

 

Otter

 

New for the year were Sand Martin with groups of 3 and 6 moving through.

 



Sand Martin

 

I moved north to Stag Rocks, but the sea was quiet and only 100+ Linnet, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard in the fields behind.

 

Moved down to Newton hoping for a Black Redstart in the easterly winds. No joy with the only migrant being a Goldcrest in off the sea. On the seaweed were 20+ Rock Pipit of various hues. I got photos of a pink 'littoralis' and a light bird with very light wing bars and white outer tail that wasn't far from a Water Pipit. A Stonechat was just behind the beach.

 

'littoralis' Rock Pipit

 

'Almost Water' Rock Pipit

 

Stonechat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 





Spring

The first proper sign of spring this morning with 2 Wheatear in brilliant sunshine at Burdon Moor. Loads of Skylark and Meadow Pipit flitting around the fields and 2 Chiffchaff singing along the lane. 6 Fieldfare, 2 Redpoll and 2 Goldcrest were moving through.

Wheatear

 

At Watergate I heard my first Green Woodpecker since early January and on the pond were now 4 Little Grebe.

Man Flu

Woke up this morning with man flu, but bravely got up and headed for East Chevington. The north pool was very choppy with the strong wind and held the Black-throated Diver and 3 Long-tailed Duck. No sign of the Red-necked Grebe and the Bearded Tit again failed to 'ping' past.

The drive to the north side gave a Marsh Harrier hunting by the road. The feeders at the hide had loads of Lesser Redpoll and 3 Siskin, but no sign of any Mealies while I was there.

Lesser Redpoll

 

Siskin

 

After East Chev I caught up with a distant, scruffy Black-necked Grebe and then headed for Prestwick Carr. Having failed twice after work this week I wasn't overly confident in the Short-eared Owl showing on such a windy day. Hit lucky as a pair of angry Lapwing forced the owl up briefly before it disappeared behind a hedge.