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

 

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

 

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

 

Northumberland

A foray over the border on the 14^th 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