Peregrine

Very little happening around Gateshead today. Two Peregrine were the stars of the show, hunting together over the staithes at Dunston.

Birtley reed beds held 2-3 Water Rail, 2 Little Grebe and a Grey Wagtail, with a Dipper on the river here. At Shibdon half a dozen Snipe were on the ice with a Water Rail. Burdon Moor was cold and wind-swept, but held 150+ Golden Plover, 2 Snipe, 6 Skylark, 2 Reed Bunting and 3 Yellowhammer.

No Egrets

Up to north Northumberland this morning to try for the Great White Egret reported yesterday at the Long Nanny. Frosty, but a blue sky and sunny meant a pleasant walk up from the car park and Skylark were singing all the way. No sign of the big egret, but there were 2 Little Egret, a Goldeneye and a Kingfisher. Two flocks of 250+ geese flew north, the first Pink-footed and the second Greylag.

A few stops on the way back south were disappointing with Long-tailed Duck and Water Rail at East Chevington the best.

Back in Gateshead a Kingfisher was showing well along with a singing Willow Tit.

Owls

Another lacklustre visit to Teesside today. The only highlights were 4 Little Egret and 4 Pintail at Saltholme. No sign of Bittern or Green-winged Teal.

The day was saved back in Gateshead where I had Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl and Woodcock just after sun down.

Late Start

A lie in meant a late start seawatching at Whitburn this morning, but I did manage to see 2 Little Auk and a distant Bonxie. The late start did mean that I missed the Waxwing and Short-eared Owl.

The stubble field at Burdon Moor was alive with birds today. 150+ Fieldfare, 55+ Skylark, 50+ Meadow Pipit, 77 Golden Plover, 3 Reed Bunting, 3 Yellowhammer, 3 Song Thrush and a Snipe. A Little Owl was back in a usual spot and a Sparrowhawk shot through.

Snow watch

With a strong north westerly I had another seawatch from Whitburn this morning. Although not the number of birds over weekend, it ended up a decent watch with some good birds among the snow showers.

0805-1105

Fulmar  53n
Goldeneye  18n
Kittiwake  9n
Guillemot  56n
Little Auk  4n
Eider  5n
Long-tailed Duck  1n
Shelduck  6n
Gannet  8n  2s
Cormorant  1n  3s
Common Scoter  6n
Velvet Scoter  1n
Great Northern Diver  1n
Shag  1s
Red-throated Diver  1n  1s 1 on sea

Back to Gateshead and Lamesley held the drake Gadwall, 4 Wigeon and a Snipe, all just in front of the hide.

Gadwall

Snipe

Wigeon

At Burdon Moor there were the usual flocks of Skylark and Fieldfare while 100+ Golden Plover flew from the top field. No sign of any Crossbill at Chopwell, but there were 50+ Siskin and several Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

American Wigeon

A successful trip down to Yorkshire for the American Wigeon at Nosterfield. Although cold, the sky was blue and with light winds it was very pleasant. A quick scan of the very distant Wigeon got the Yank, but soon after all the birds on the lake took flight. All resettled, but it took some time to relocate the bird which luckily was now much closer and allowed some photos.

American Wigeon

Distant, but you can see what it is.

Plenty of other birds on the lake with 20+ Great Crested Grebe, a Pink-footed Goose with the Greylag and half a dozen Goldeneye.

On the way home I called in at Low Barns where a Marsh Tit dropped to the feeders, called and flew off again.

Chilly Gateshead

A look around a very cold Gateshead this morning revealed nothing new. At Birtley reed beds 2 Water Rail were calling while 2 Little Grebe and 2 Tufted Duck were taking advantage of the ice-free pools. 5 Grey Partridge at Burdon Moor have survived the hunters. At Far Pasture the Siberian Chiffchaff (sporting a shiny new ring) was showing along with a Chiffchaff and 10+ Goldcrest. 8 Snipe were around the frozen pond and the usual suspects around the car park including 6 Siskin.

Coal Tit

Nuihatch