Far Pastures

Not a lot on the water today as some of it was frozen. There were a few Snipe about and one in particular showed well. The usual birds were in the carpark including a small flock of Long-tailed Tits. In the field opposite the wood yard, a couple of Jays were rummaging about in the leaf litter.

 

Can’t make the pictures larger as I normally would or add a caption, I don’t know why, anyone got any suggestions? 

Far Pastures

The Kingfisher showed very well at Far Pastures today, here are (quite) a few shots. Also on the water were Snipe, although no sign of the Jack Snipe, Moorhen, Coot, Teal, Mallard and Black-headed Gull. I also heard but did not see a Water Rail.

 

The Run Around

Prudhoe today to get a lifer, a Rose-coloured Starling (not the bonniest bird I have seen), it gave us the run around though. I lost count of the number of times I was around Cheviot View in the three hours or so I was there. At one point it was perched in a tree along with loads of other Starlings giving good views to some of the assembled birders however just before the rest of us got there, they were off. We eventually got it sitting on a TV aerial so just a record shot I’m afraid, still it’s a lifer so hey.

Rose-coloured Starling

 

Reds

Dropped my wife off at the hairdressers this afternoon and borrowed her car for a couple of hours. I went up to the reservoir for the Red Squirrels of which two were scurrying around. Also heard a couple of Tawny Owl just as my wife sent a text to say she was finished at the hairdressers, thought I’d better not push my luck since it was her car, so could not stay long enough to locate the Owls. Might be able to borrow it again tomorrow if I’m lucky so might have a look for the Rose-coloured Starling if it’s still around.

 

Thornley Woods & Far Pastures

A lift today from a good friend of mine to Thornley Woods and Far Pastures. The usual birds were in the carpark at Far Pastures but the only birds on the water, most of which was frozen, were three Snipe. The Snipe were right outside the hide but as soon as the window was opened they were off. Thornley also had the usual birds but at least I managed to get some pictures.

Jay

Robin puffed up against the cold

 

Garden Birds (again)

Sat in the conservatory this afternoon and took pictures of some of the birds that visited the garden, it was snowing and the light was rubbish, but the car is still off the road so beggars can’t be chooser’s.

House Sparrow

Dunnock

Dunnock about to take off

Robin

Starling

Woodpigeon

Collared Dove

 

A Garden Bird

A couple of shots of a Collard Dove, one of three that have been enjoying the afternoon sun in the garden.

Oop’s That Was an Expensive Buzzard

And I didn’t even get to see it. I had a drive to Quarrington Hill today for the Rough-Legged Buzzard that has been around for the last few days. Unfortunately, the ice and a post had other ideas. The car skidded on some ice near the waste disposal yard at Quarrington Hill and I ended up hitting a large fence post and a small tree (no damage to the post or the tree). Have just taken it to a local garage to asses the damage and I’m now waiting to see how much it’s going to cost me. Looks like I will be doing my photography on foot for a while (cannot see the wife lending me her car).

Oop's

 

Far Pastures (again)

Haven’t been out for a couple of days so thought I would try Far Pastures this morning to see if there was much about. As you can see by the shot of the rainbow over the pond there wasn’t (not quite true there were about six Mallard and two Teal oh and one Moorhen). The Kingfisher was right at the far end of the pond while I was there and the record shot is just to prove he was actually there (I had to take a picture of something).
The carpark area had all the usual birds. The Siberian Chiffchaff showed well as did the Goldcrest.

Rainbow over Far Pastures

Siberian Chiffchaff

Goldcrest

Great Tit

Kingfisher

 

Far Pastures

A few shots from Far Pastures today. Nearly every bird that I tried to take a picture of was either hidden among twigs and branches or high in the trees so some of the shots below are just record shots.

Redpoll

Siskin

Treecreeper

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Siberian Chiffchaff

Wren

Long-tailed Tit