We were going…

 …my wife and I, to visit three hides, Clara Vale, Thornley Woods and Far Pastures but due to roadworks we only visited two Clara and Shibdon Ponds. After visiting Clara, we had a canny bacon sandwich at Bradley Gardens so we also had a look at the pond while we were there.

Long-tailed Tit at Clara Vale.

Reed Bunting.

Coot on the pond at Bradley Gardens.

Mute Swan again at Bradley.

Herring Gull at Shibdon Ponds.

Black-headed Gull.

A distant Sparrowhawk.

They always fly off in the wrong direction.

A very distant Pochard.

Four Hides

 08.04.24 and a visit to four hides in the Gateshead area namely Clara Vale, Shibdon Ponds, Thornley Woods and Far Pastures. Not much at Clara Vale in fact the only bird I photographed was a Yellowhammer. A few more birds at Shibdon Ponds then on to Thornley where the Woodpeckers put on a nice show. The Teal and Little Grebe at Far Pastures kept me entertained with their antics so it was a canny day out oh and it’s a long Blog.

Male Yellowhammer at Clara Vale.

Gadwall Shibdon Ponds.

Tufted Duck.

Canada Goose.

Lesser Black-backed Gull.

They are noisy when they are together.

Herring Gull.

Pairing up.

I saw something at Thornley Woods that I have never seen before, a Great Tit attacking a Blue Tit (or it could have been the other way round). They were going at it hammer and tongs but they both flew off apparently none the worse.

Male Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Female Great-spotted Woodpecker.

Jay.

Magpie.

Wren.

Blue Tit.

Displaying male Teal at Far Pastures.

My favourite image of the day.

One of the two Little Grebes I saw was being chased from pillar to post by the other. As soon as it settled it was off again.

Long-tailed Tit.

Chaffinch surrounded by blossom.

Nuthatch.