Reynard and Magpies

24^th Oct.  I took a quiet walk on patch today so as to enjoy the sun.   Although bright and warm, the changes to the colouring of the foliage made it quite obviously autumn, as did the masses of berries, and the leaves on my lawn.  I think the birds will be well fed this year!

I’d caught sight of a Mistle Thrush feeding on berries in the trees at the bottom of my garden earlier in the day and as I wandered I came across another in flight.  Mistle Thrushes had been absent from my walks recently.  As I walked along by the hedging and stone walls I saw little, but listened to the calls of common garden birds, gulls and corvids.  Once I’d reached a different vantage point I saw that I may have well walked closely beside a Fox.  As I looked over the fields I saw that a Fox was resting behind the wall I had followed earlier.  It seemed quiet content to enjoy the warmth of the day and had no eye on making a meal of one of the many Rabbits or party of six Pheasants sharing the area with it.  A single Stock Dove was also feeding along with crows and gulls.  The only disturbance to the Fox seemed to be Magpies which were constantly mobbing it.  I watched the Fox eventually lethargically stand up and slowly walk across the field and then follow the direction of the hedge which it used for cover.  It disappeared from view on occasions but the presence of the following Magpies gave away its movements.  It appeared again as it walked through a small flooded area before stopping to rest again in the sun behind some housing.  The Magpies were relentless and on one occasion there was at least fifteen of them along the hedge as single birds flew over and at the Fox.  The Fox didn’t waste any energy attempting to chase them but instead made off once again in the direction from which it had come.  I eventually lost sight of it, but from the rattling calls of the Magpies I suspect the Fox was still present when I left the area.  I believe this to be a well trodden path used by Reynard, so I will keep a look out.

With so many Magpies present I was reminded of the related rhyme and this one is the longest I could find after a quick search.  There are many different versions.

One for sorrow
Two for joy
Three for a girl
Four for a boy
Five for silver
Six for gold
Seven for a secret never to be told
Eight for a wish
Nine for a kiss
Ten a surprise you should be careful not to miss
Eleven for health
Twelve for wealth

Thirteen beware it's the devil himself.

The rhyme has its origins in superstitions and the magpie was considered a bird of ill omen in some cultures.  A version of the rhyme appears to have been first recorded around 1780 in John Brand’s Observations on Popular Antiquities.  I know someone who salutes Magpies so as to ward of ill luck

John Barrow (1764-1848)...What's in a Name?

I think we must all have places that excite our minds and leave us with wonderful memories.  Once such place as far as I’m concerned is Cumbria, and the English Lake District in particular.  This is an area I have visited since very early childhood and to this day I remember the awe I felt on travelling through the passes and narrow winding roads of the often mist covered fells as a youngster, often with only my family and the herdwick sheep as company.  I think it must have been then that I learnt that the beauty and drama of nature isn’t lessened simply because you’re being soaked by torrential rain.  I’m not so sure I fully recognised that as a child.  I was pleased to find that Sam had found his recent week spent in Cumbria with his school such a pleasure, and his account of the trip naturally included his activities, including an unexpected dip into a tarn, narrowly avoided broken limbs (not his), wildlife, bird names and a ‘pepper pot’.  This has given me the opportunity to add to my blog which I can’t help feeling has become a little stale of late, although I hasten to add the birding hasn’t been stale.

Hoad Monument..The 'pepper pot'.  Courtesy of Samuel Hood.

The ‘pepper pot’ in question is the Hoad Monument on top of the Hill of Hoad at Ulverston.  This marble obelisk looks rather like a lighthouse and was built to commemorate John Barrow.  More anon about John Barrow but before I go on I have to mention that my conversation with Sam later took me down some unexpected pathways.  One of these pathways led me to William Joyce, perhaps better known as Lord Haw Haw.  Joyce was hanged for treason soon after the Second World War having broadcast propaganda from Germany on behalf of the Nazis.  Having read a little about Joyce my view would be that he was little more than a fascist thug.  Interestingly during one of his Broadcasts during the war he informed that people of Ulverston that ‘their pepper pot’ would be destroyed by German bombing.  It never was of course.  What I hadn’t known was that the title of Lord Haw Haw was not only given to William Joyce, but had been previously used for other German Nazis propagandists.  I hadn’t known either that in what was a complicated case, Joyce had made a deal with his prosecutors to save his wife from prosecution for treason.  Apparently it was agreed to keep quiet about his association with MI5.  The hangman responsible for the execution of Joyce was Albert Pierrepoint who is known to have hanged over 400 people, some of them war criminals.  After retirement Pierrepoint related the story of him having hanged a man that used to visit the public house that Pierrepoint managed/owned in partnership with his wife.  Apparently Pierrepoint had been on friendly terms with the man.  Now I’m thinking you would have to be a fairly cold person to be a hangman, but even colder to hang someone that used to visit your pub and chat to you!  Now I could go on for ever and talk about Derek Bentley, hanged in the 1950s and many years later given a full pardon and also the song performed about Bentley by Elvis Costello, entitled ‘Let Him Dangle’ but I best return to John Barrow.

Sir John Barrow was born near the village of Dragley Beck, on the northern shores of Morecambe Bay and he was educated at Ulverston.  He went onto become a founder member of the Royal Geographical Society and for over forty years was Second Secretary to the Admiralty.  It was in this latter role that he supported attempts to find the North West Passage and individual explorers such as James Clark Ross (Ross’s Gull), Edward Sabine (Sabine’s Gull) and John Franklin (Franklin’s Gull).  Barrow’s role was during this period more or less a desk job and he wasn’t directly involved in the expeditions however Barrow’s Goldeneye Bucephela islandica retains the common name in his honour.  I personally have only ever seen one Barrow’s Goldeneye in the wild and that was in Northern Ireland.  Barrow is also remembered in the place names, Point Barrow, Barrow Sound and Barrow Straits in the Arctic and Cape Barrow in Antarctica.

Whilst not directly involved in the Arctic Expeditions, Barrow was most certainly well travelled having spent periods of his life in places such as China and South Africa.  Barrow apparently shot a Hippopotamus and many years later whilst at the Linnaean Society of London when a Hippopotamus skull was being discussed he informed those present that it was not as large as the one he had been responsible for shooting.  Barrow later found out that in fact it was the very one he had shot!  Barrow must have had a sense of humour as he later used to retell this story.  He also must have held some influence as it is believed it is he who recommended St Helena as a good place to exile Napoleon Bonaparte.

Barrow’s writings include a ‘Life of Peter the Great’, biographies of Lord Howe and Lord Anson and The Eventful History of the Mutiny and Piratical Seizure of HMS Bounty.

A relative of an iron foundry owner who offered Barrow (in his early life) a place on a whaler heading for Bear Island and Spitsbergen, Barrow did accept this offer and began to learn the skills of a sailor.  Perhaps this is where his interest in the North West Passage began.  He discovered what it was like to be stranded by ice and Barrow never went north again.  Sir John Barrow died suddenly in November 1848, while writing at his home.

Killingworth Lake

15^th Oct.  I took some time out to visit the lake this afternoon and was pleased to find that we now have three Goosanders on the water.  A welcome return.  There weren’t many Mute Swans to be counted on the water, although they now seem to be all over the place since the fencing was put up.  I’ve lived in Killingworth since the 1970s and I have never before seen the road traffic held up so often by Mute Swans, as has happened in recent weeks.  Nor have I seen the Mute Swans entering areas that they have been visiting recently.  Some may try and convince me they are moving around to seek food now that certain people have stopped feeding bread to them.  I simply don’t accept this rather convenient reasoning and would argue that it is the blocking of access to areas of land that has caused this problem.  I also took a look again at the new floating reed-bed and fear that the wire mesh around it looks rather permanent.  I suppose it does give the Cormorants somewhere to perch.  There were five Cormorants there today.  How long before there is an out cry about too many Cormorants taking the fish from the lake I wonder?  A daft question from me I suppose, as I’m sure there has already been noises made about this over the years.  At least it’s nice to hear that a few bird and bat boxes have been put up about the area.

The wire mesh doesn't look very temporary to me!

But it must be temporary as the signs make it clear the area is to be used for nesting swans etc!

Anyway, at least I bumped into Sam by the lake and it was good to talk to someone else who knows a little about wildlife, its needs and conservation issues surrounding this.  We found the pair of Little Grebes and then a third Little Grebe on the smaller lake.  Two of the juvenile Great Crested Grebes (now adult sized) remain as do the parents birds.  I’m not sure where all the Pochards have gone, as we counted only one.  A single Shoveller flew over our heads as we spoke and a single Grey Heron had taken up its now regular position.  Sam had heard a Grey Wagtail beside the lake earlier.

I took a walk across the playing fields and found that the flocks of gulls have yet to build up to sizable numbers.  There had been no Goldeneye on the generally quiet lake as yet.  I heard only tits, Chaffinches and Wrens in the trees and bushes.

I read in the newspaper today that David Cameron is going to support a watering down of the Fox hunting ban (no surprise there then, although I never believe everything I read in the papers.  You just have to look at what is written about Killingworth Lake to realise facts are the last thing many newspapers concern themselves with).  There seems to be complete turmoil with regard to the Badger cull, Common Buzzards are the growing enemy according to some, although these same people seem to have well and truly conquered our breeding Hen Harriers and now I hear that we have concerns being expressed about growing numbers of Otters and Pine Martins.  The RSPB’s latest call is to ‘Give Nature a Home’.  Let’s hope in years to come we still have some nature to give a home to.  Let’s be positive though, as I know that there are at least some who care and even know what they are talking about and can see past their own selfish needs.  It’s for those people I have a more interesting post lined up for next time.

Whilst it’s good to talk I have to dash off and prepare for our country’s venture towards Brazil and the World Cup.  For that reason and that reason only I have pulled Willie from a long, long sleep in the cupboard.  I know many of you will remember him from 1966.  So let’s hear it for the lads and World Cup Willie!  If only we had Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks and Nobby Stiles back in an England shirt along with our Empire, Swan Hunters, The Stoll Cinema, trolley buses and aniseed balls!

Don't mess with World Cup Willie

 

Dressed in red, white and blue, he's World Cup Willie

We all love him too, World Cup Willie

He's tough as a lion and never will give up

That's why Willie is fav'rite for the Cup

Willie, Willie, he's evry'body's fav'rite for the Cup

Just Great...Skuas.

13^th Oct.  I’ve had a pretty non active period so I was determined to get out and about today what ever the weather.  As it turned out the weather was far better than had been forecast with just a bit of drizzle in the wind.  Sam and I discussed the benefits of winter birding as we joined the beach at Brier Dene and watched the high tide on the turn as four Great Skuas flew north fairly close into shore.  The flocks of Golden Plover could be seen flying over and around St Mary’s Island.  Dog walkers were out in some force.

On reaching the wetland we found at least two Goldcrest and heard others.  I’m also confident the Firecrest was heard too, although not sighted.  It’s gone onto my heard only list and Sam’s growing ‘in the presence of’ list.  It wasn’t long before we got chatting to regular birders Jack B, Brian R, Darren, Michael F and Andy S.

As we headed off towards Seaton Sluice Rock Pipits were found and numbers of Meadow Pipits were found in the fields along with singing Skylark.  A number of Golden Plover were close by us in the fields and the flocks of Lapwing were more distant.  We were treated once again to a display from the small murmuration of Starlings.

I understand those of refined taste have been following my blog to learn of premier fish and chip restraunts.  Unfortunately at this time of year the best of the lot is closed on Sundays so I took the chance to introduce Sam to the delights of Castaways Café.  I can recommend this establishment with some authority.  We enjoyed our small detour before partaking in some seawatching.  Unfortunately sea passage today was not as it had been in recent days, but never the less we did add at least another eight Great Skuas to the list, which wasn’t bad considering neither of us had seen a single one this year until today.  Several Red-throated Divers were also seen flying north.  Small flocks of Wigeon. Teal, Eider and Common Scoter were also seen as were large numbers of Gannet.

Such was the expected weather I had left the photographic gear at home, but as it happens as we had left Castaways we had found the sky over the sea much clearer and as time went on we seemed to be surrounded by blue sky, although this didn’t last for long.  A good day with the usual good chat.

Quiet Wetland

6^th Oct.  Sam and I set of from the Briar Dene car-park today.  Although there seemed to be quiet a bit of activity in the bushes close to the beach we found only Goldfinch, Robin and tits.  The walk towards St Mary’s Island gave us Pied Wagtails in double figures.

Our intention today was to try and photograph waders, but such was the warmth, sunny weather and large number of folk we eventually gave that idea up.  Instead we just sat and watched with interest the antics and fashions wear of visitors of the human kind.  Some of it very interesting and I’d like to make a video and play it back to the folk concerned.  There was little in the way of migrant visitors of the avian kind though.  The large flock of Golden Plover were washed from the island in North Bay as the tide washed over it and other waders seen were Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Sanderling, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit.  I still haven’t managed to find the Purple Sandpipers that I know are there somewhere.  The sea was like a mill pond today and there was little of interest on or over it.  Eiders and Cormorants of course.

Before sitting in North Bay we had taken a look at the wetland and Willows after chatting to BR.  The area was silent apart from the calls of I believe at least two Yellow-browed Warblers.  On returning home I listened to recordings of this birds call just to confirm we had that correct.  One bird was calling from the North West corner of the wetland and another which I saw very briefly in flight was calling as it moved through the Willows.  It was Sam who caught sight of the Peregrine Falcon directly over our heads.  It disappeared as it flew south.  As we walked to Seaton Sluice a Kestrel was briefly seen flying along the cliff edge.  Numbers of pairs of binoculars where focussed upon the sea but I can only think they were watching the boats rather than birds.  Unusually our visit did not include fish and chips although had restraunt been open I may have been tempted.  Castaways Cafe is on the list for an intended visit soon.

 

Maybe next weekend will bring a fall of birds such as I enjoyed in the area last year.  Until then we’ll make do with an image of Sam in action, or rather better described as preparing for action which didn’t materialise.  We enjoyed the afternoon none the less.

A Rare Twitch

4^th Oct.  Yes, I joined Tom and Sam on a rare twitch today and visited Druridge for the Subalpine Warbler. (Sam suggested I ought to have worn a balaclava to protect my image as non twitcher).  We arrived to find that it had being showing well.  So well that others present were getting ready to leave.  We hung around for a while as the rain began to fall and had a brief if not too good a sighting in one of the bushes in the dunes.  Then the bird flew off.  I’m pleased to say that after a while it reappeared in the bush on the west side of the road where it had been seen before our arrival.  This gave the chance of far better sightings for all present.  A few familiar faces present (many I only know by sight) which included Phil A and Jack B.

Large skeins of Pink-footed Geese and a Kestrel kept us entertained during our wait and on leaving for Creswell the family of Stonechats were seen.

 The water at Cresswell appeared to be quite high, but some mud area was showing.  Waders seen about the area were Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew and Common Snipe.  A good number of Teal were present at there was at least seven Little Grebe on the pond.  The sky blackened to the north and the rain began again as we prepared to leave for home.  The Subalpine Warbler was a UK tick for me and I believe a lifer for Tom and Sam.

Gosforth Park NR

1^st Oct.  In comparison to much of the year so far, September had been a fairly quiet month for me, although it had still brought me a couple of lifers in the shape of Spotted Crake and American Golden Plover and a new patch tick at the end of the month.  I’d also had some of my best ever sightings of Kingfisher.  Today I visited Gosforth Park Nature Reserve with Sam in the hope of finding the Jack Snipe.

Falling leaves betrayed the fact that autumn is advancing, as did the rather cold breeze, but at least the sun shone.  Unfortunately it didn’t shine on a Jack Snipe, as far as we could see anyway.  The sun did bring out the biting insects and I have the bites to prove it.  I wasn’t expecting that in October.

As we entered the reserve Sam caught sight of a Sparrowhawk as it flew off into the woodland.  Apart from that the woodland areas seemed very quiet apart from the calling Jays and one or two singing Chiffchaff.

We seemed to have the reserve to ourselves for much of the time and used our period in the hide to watch the Little Grebes and active Grey Heron whilst over one hundred Wigeon called and flew overhead, some landing on the pond.  The pond also held two pairs of Shoveller, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck and numerous Moorhens.

Grey Heron

 

 At least two Migrant Hawker Dragonflies were found and sunlit areas of the woodland held a number of Speckled Wood Butterflies.

Having walked the circuit of the reserve I found the paths drier than at anytime this year.  A good afternoon and a good way to begin a new month.