Wednesday 28 March 2018

Mainly Curlew

Here are a few shots from Burdon Moor and Lamesley from a couple of days ago. I have included quite a few Curlew shots for no other reason than I like them (the pictures and the bird).

Long-tailed Tit gathering nesting material




Singing Goldcrest

It looked quiet sad a little later

Red Kite


Curlew


About to land

This one has a deformed leg




 

Monday 26 March 2018

My first Chiffchaff of the year…

…at Far Pastures on Friday, two birds were in the hedgerow along the lane. Kites were on the wing but there was nothing much on the pond except for a pair of Teal and a Little Grebe. The only thing of note at Thornley Woods was a Heron.

Red Kite





Chiffchaff

2nd Bird

Little Grebe


Teal

Grey Heron


 

Saturday 24 March 2018

Disappointed to miss…

…the Little Gull, Glaucous Gull and Kittiwake at South Shields last Tuesday. However, the Snow Buntings more than made up for it. Moreover, it is always fantastic to watch the Fulmars performing from the cliffs. A Sparrowhawk at Lamesley was the pick of the bunch (for me at least) of some canny birds including Shelduck, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon and Curlew. A couple of Bank Vole and a Rat (unfortunately) have moved in outside the hide picking up the seed dropped from the birdfeeders.

Sparrowhawk






Curlew


Rat

A cracking male Snow Bunting


Female Snow Bunting


Fulmar


Kestrel

Common Gull

One of the many Pigeons on the cliffs at South Shields
 

Saturday 17 March 2018

Northumberland

A foray over the border on the 14th into Northumberland. And what a canny day it was.

Barn Owl. I just love watching these birds hunt.






Avocet

Displaying Goldeneye

Curlew

Godwit

Pintail (always distant)

Distant Water Pipit. Just as I was about to leave the bird flew in. I managed a few shots before it disappeared.

There were seventeen Whooper Swans on the pool.


Oystercatcher

Record shot of Great Northern Diver

Sanderling on the beach at East Chevington disturbed by dog walker.

Sanderling