Subscribe |
| St Mary's Island - Whitley Bay |
 |
| Grey Seal - Photo by Stephen Wales AKA Noddle |
 |
1 day ago
St Mary's Island (Sat 20th April 2013)
The sun has finally arrived so Noddle, Mrs Y & I take a trip to the seaside.
In search of migrants (Sat 13th April 2013)
Noddle picked me up at 7am on the mission to see the return of the spring migrants.
After a quick stop for breakfast, we head up the coast to Cresswell Pond.
The first migrant of the day flew by in the distance, a SAND MARTIN. Plenty of Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Redshank along with a pair of Long Tailed Duck & a Brown Hare running along the fence.
Next was a trip to Newbiggin-by-the-sea (Church Point) to walk along the beach looking for migrants.
In truth, just a male WHEATEAR could be found on the migrant front along with regulars such as Grey Heron, Sanderling, Oystercatcher, Turnstone & plenty of Gulls.
After a quick stop for breakfast, we head up the coast to Cresswell Pond.
 |
| Cresswell Pond Hide |
The first migrant of the day flew by in the distance, a SAND MARTIN. Plenty of Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Redshank along with a pair of Long Tailed Duck & a Brown Hare running along the fence.
Next was a trip to Newbiggin-by-the-sea (Church Point) to walk along the beach looking for migrants.
 |
| Newbiggin-by-the-sea |
RSPB Saltholme & the surrounding area (Monday 1st April 2013)
Mrs Y & I picked up Noddle for a trip to one of our favourite reserves, RSPB Saltholme.
On arrival we watch a fox on the bird feeding station for a good 10 minutes helping itself to the welly full of sunflower seeds. Once the fox had gone there were plenty of Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch etc to help themselves to the food on offer.
After a coffee & bite to eat we headed towards Greatham Creek & Greenabella Marsh. No sign of the Spotted Redshank but a group of 20+ Avocets could be seen huddled together on a pond from the A178 road hide, with a couple of other pairs feeding in the pools of Greenabella Marsh.
Overall a good day out even if it was freezing cold.
On arrival we watch a fox on the bird feeding station for a good 10 minutes helping itself to the welly full of sunflower seeds. Once the fox had gone there were plenty of Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch etc to help themselves to the food on offer.
After a coffee & bite to eat we headed towards Greatham Creek & Greenabella Marsh. No sign of the Spotted Redshank but a group of 20+ Avocets could be seen huddled together on a pond from the A178 road hide, with a couple of other pairs feeding in the pools of Greenabella Marsh.
Overall a good day out even if it was freezing cold.
QEII Country Park & Linton Lane (Sunday 31st March 2013)
After the excess food consumed on Saturday night at a friend's house, Mrs Y & I decided to pop out for a couple of hours to try & walk some of it off.
Mobbed by a large group of Mute Swans as we left the car, the lake was half-frozen with a pair of Mute Swans determined to break the ice as the head for the edge.
Four Goldeneye on the pond & a Goldcrest calling from the trees were the highlights.
Then it was on to Linton Lane, which had nothing out of the ordinary (Goldeneye, Canada Geese, Teal, Little Grebe, Tufted duck etc) but it was nice & peaceful way to end our little trip.
Mobbed by a large group of Mute Swans as we left the car, the lake was half-frozen with a pair of Mute Swans determined to break the ice as the head for the edge.
Four Goldeneye on the pond & a Goldcrest calling from the trees were the highlights.
 |
| Linton Lane NR |
Big Waters & Preswick Carr (Friday 29th March 2013)
A 7am start on a freezing cold morning saw Noddle & I fit a couple of hours birding in at the start of Easter weekend.
Big Waters had the usual suspects with the highlight being a pair of Pintail on the water.
Plenty of tits (Willow, Great & Blue), finches (Gold &Chaff) & sparrows (Tree) on the feeders along with a GSW.
Big Waters had the usual suspects with the highlight being a pair of Pintail on the water.
Plenty of tits (Willow, Great & Blue), finches (Gold &Chaff) & sparrows (Tree) on the feeders along with a GSW.
Trip over to Cumbria & Lancashire (Sat 2nd March 2013)
Mrs Y, Noddle & I set off in the middle of the night in order to get over to Sizergh, Cumbria in order to catch a glimpse of the HAWFINCH & we weren't disappointed.
Following an hour watching the wonderful Hawfinch, we popped down the road for a visit to LEIGHTON MOSS. After a wonderful breakfast in the cafe, we then spent the next few hours on the reserve with amazing views of 8-10 SNIPE close up in Lillian's Hide along with a pair of MARSH HARRIERS hunting over the reed beds.
Following an hour watching the wonderful Hawfinch, we popped down the road for a visit to LEIGHTON MOSS. After a wonderful breakfast in the cafe, we then spent the next few hours on the reserve with amazing views of 8-10 SNIPE close up in Lillian's Hide along with a pair of MARSH HARRIERS hunting over the reed beds.
A Quick Visit Before The Match (Sun 17th March 2013)
Mrs Y & I took a quick hour long visit to the Rising Sun Country Park on Sunday afternoon before watching Newcastle-Wigan game on TV. We were a bit early for the SEO, but plenty of gulls & wildfowl on the Swallow Pond.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
