Northumberland

An excellent day in Northumberland, but unfortunately no year ticks.

Started at Stag Rocks where poor and very distant views of the Black Scoter were had. Also here were 15+ Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver.

With news of some geese it was to the Long Nanny next. A large flock of Pink-feet were separate from 30+ Greylag, 50+ Barnacle, 4 European White-front and 2 Tundra Bean.

At Birling the Redpoll flock was very mobile, but did provide good views of the Arctic and a Mealy.

East Chevington still held Slavonian and Black-necked Grebe along with a Common Scoter. Still no sign of Marsh Harrier here for me.

An hour's search for 2 Waxwing that had been seen on wires behind Druridge Pools proved fruitless.

No photos today as everything was either distant or fleeting.

No Jack

Spent a few hours on a very windy day in wellies hunting round Gateshead for Jack Snipe. With no luck and just one flushed Common Snipe, I can only assume that they are spread very thinly over the many wet and flooded fields. I did manage to add a few Gateshead year ticks, Meadow Pipit and Wigeon at Lamesley, while Burdon Moor gave Skylark and Red-legged Partridge. Also at Burdon were 250+ Golden Plover, 25 Linnet and 4 Grey Partridge.

At dusk I had a look at the Starlings at Shibdon. Loads of Starling, but the strong wind seemed to disrupt them and stop them throwing the amazing shapes that I saw on past visits. Also here were 6 Tufted Duck and a Shoveler.

Casps

An unbelievable day at Rufforth, with an amazing 27 Caspian Gulls (we missed an adult. 15x 1st winter, 11x 2nd winter and one 3rd winter was the breakdown. Supporting cast were 3 Glaucous, 1 Iceland and 30,000+ assorted Gulls.



1st winter Caspian Gull

1st winter Caspian Gull

1st winter Caspian Gull

1st winter Caspian Gull

2nd winter Caspian Gull

2nd winter Caspian Gull

2nd winter Caspian Gull

3rd winter Caspian Gull

3rd winter Caspian Gull

1st winter Caspian Gull

1st winter Caspian Gull

1st winter Glaucous Gull

2nd winter Iceland Gull

Scoter and Bittern

Had a look up north this afternoon. Cold and windy at Stag Rocks, but I did manage poor, distant views of the Black Scoter. The bird was in a flock of 40 Common Scoter and was constantly diving in a very choppy sea, giving it's self away when it's yellow bill caught the occasional burst of sun. Very little else here with just a few Eider and a fly-past drake Shoveler.

A call in at East Chevington on the way home paid off as a Bittern swam across the ride through the reeds just as I sat in the hide. The Slavonian and Black-necked Grebe were still showing and shared the same scope view at one point.



Bittern



East Chevington north pool looking from the south hide

More Redpoll

Another look at the redpolls at Birling this morning. Warm and overcast, but a bit windy, the redpolls played ball, regularly flying up from the game crop to perch on the fence. In flight the Arctic stood out as a large, grey ball of fluff with a huge white rump. When perched the bird was much whiter, larger and rounder than the Lesser Redpoll, but there were also a couple of grey Mealy among the flock. While watching a 1st winter Little Gull flew south over the golf course.



Arctic Redpoll

At East Chevington there were both Slavonian and Black-necked Grebe on the north pool, while a Barn Owl was hunting near the south pool.

A Little Owl was seen on the drive past Druridge (thanks Dave).

At Cresswell the Long-billed Dowitcher was showing to the right of the hide, but again no sign of the Ruff.



Sleeping Long-billed Dowitcher

At Lynemouth flash there were four adult Mediterranean Gull.



Mediterranean Gull

Otter

A close encounter with an Otter on the River Team was the highlight of a look around Gateshead this morning. Unfortunately the briefest of views as it scurried into a drainage pipe, but excellent to see so close to home.

A pair of Gadwall at Shibdon were the first in Gateshead for the year, but otherwise quiet everywhere.

Wrong Yank

We headed way west to try for Andy's bogey bird- Ring-necked Duck. With the long staying bird at Caerlaverock having disappeared a couple of days ago we headed to Castle Douglas. Unfortunately, despite extensive searching and hindered by crap advice from locals, the duck could not be found.

Disheartened we headed to Laurieston, where the grim weather conditions were far from ideal for raptor watching. We did have scores of Red Kite and Buzzard in the area, but a complete lack of Golden Eagle or Hen Harrier.

On to Caerlaverock, where we were a bit more successful. Obviously boat-loads of Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swan were seen along with a field full of Pink-footed Geese. A Brambling was on the feeders, while a Merlin hunted the saltmarsh before perching up for photos.



Barnacle Goose

Whooper Swan

Merlin

On the way back to the car we checked the Folly Pond for the Green-winged Teal. This was quickly picked up, as it was being chased by Common Teal. As this bird sped to the right  another Green-winged Teal briefly popped out of the sedge.



Green-winged Teal