Frogs, Toads, Birders and Photographers!

Colourful boy

Loving couple









Two of seven





Food developing for the herons!

Thanks for saving me!

11^th Mar. It has to be some years since I visited Washington WWT so it was nice to make a return visit accompanied by Sam and his dad Malcolm. The later really seems to be getting the birding bug! :-) It was nice also that it was almost like a summer’s day. It was an ideal day for me to get in some practice with the camera. I enjoyed looking at some of the captive birds in close up, several of which I have seen in the wild, but generally not at such close quarters. I will probably put some of the shots taken of them in a separate post.

The wild birds were given attention, and star attractions were the numbers of Grey Herons and seven Avocets. The latter hopefully returning to breed again. We found seven of them on or near to the island. I believe eight have been seen up to now, but the eighth bird eluded us. It’s great to have these birds breeding so far north now and hopefully again at Cresswell this year. When I was much younger the Avocet was a bird I looked at in books and found so unusual and exotic. At the time I never really thought about sighting any. Other birds in this league were Waxwing, Hoopoe and Dartford Warbler. I can even remember a time when I longed to see a Great Crested Grebe! Anyway, birds on the water along with the Grey Herons and Avocets included gulls, Teal, Shelduck and Redshank. We read the notice in one of the hides apologising for the mess left by the Barn Owl which seems to roost in there. I never mind mess left by birds. I only object to rubbish left by humans, and the world is full of it!

The feeding station gave some opportunity for some photographs with the likes of Bullfinch, Great, Coal, Blue and Long Tailed Tit, Goldfinch Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Dunnock and Pheasant showing up. This bird photography is not as easy as it looks with all these branches getting in the way and the damn birds keep moving. I kept trying though! I had a bit better luck with the Long Tailed Tits this time around.

The amphibians drew our attention as much as the birds and I have to say that there are some wonderful small pools at the centre now. You would think that by now I would know the difference between Frogs and Toads, but I confess I still struggle in that area. In theory I know the difference dryness, wartyness and length of back legs, but in practice……errrr! I do know frogspawn when I see it however and I can’t ever remember seeing quite as much of this as I did today. One Toad in particular was a perfect model for us and Sam rewarded it by taking it back to the pool and out of the way of big feet! It seemed happy enough. I was hoping it hadn’t just left this pool to seek romance somewhere else, but at least it was saved from being squashed. I believe Malcolm spotted a Newt. I’m going to read up and remind myself of the things learnt as a youngster about amphibians, that I have now forgotten.

I’d kept a look out all day fro the Green Woodpecker which on arrival Sam had told me had been spotted. It was when we left I cottoned on that it had been spotted several days before! I’m not having much luck with Green Woodpeckers.

I really enjoyed the day and before it was over I had some good shots of a Common Cranes head and Sam had some bird seed to feed the waterfowl. I suspect there was a little self interest behind this in that he was enticing them closer for better photo opportunities.:-) As it happens they all seemed extremely well fed and lethargic by now and most turned their bills up to even more feed. I thought at one point Sam was going to resort to force feeding, that is until a Hawaiian Goose gave in and took some seed from him simply to get Sam to go away and leave it in peace I think.:-)

It had been a great day. Thanks Sam and Malcolm. An appropriate visit too, in that we are off to a talk on Tuesday about the conservation of the Spoon-Billed Sandpiper that the WWT are very much involved in.

‘Make the boy interested in natural history if you can……..’ Written in a letter from Capt Scott to his wife and found in the tent in which he died in Antarctica. The boy of course was the Late Peter Scott, founder of the WWT. Thanks for reminding me of this Sam.

Spoon-Billed Sandpiper/Event

Just thought I'd put this link up in case anyone out there still doesn't know.
As you'll see places must be booked.

http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/greatnorthmuseum/thingstoseeanddo/event/2012/03/13/saving-the-spoon-billed-sandpiper/

Northumberland Goose Fest

7^th Mar. It’s been a busy week for me birding wise and yesterday I met up with an old friend who I rarely have the opportunity to go birding with these days, but who knew me when my interest first began and who in fact had a large part to play in me becoming so interested in birds.

First stop was Holywell, although this was somewhat of a flying visit and we arrived just as the clouds burst and the wind got up. By the time we were watching the Egyptian Goose in amongst Greylag and Pink-footed Geese in the west field, the sun was shining again. The bird was quite distant, but showed well. I also had the chance to count at least six Tree Sparrows. Canada Geese were also about the area.

Next stop was Bassington. I wasn’t sure if the Green Woodpecker was still about, but in any event on arrival we had no idea where to look, so quickly left for Maiden Hall Lake. I’d never been here and was impressed. It looks to have the potential for a premier birding site. We were after the Bewick’s Swans of course.

We found no Bewick’s Swans, but did find lots of geese, including well over one hundred White-fronted Geese in amongst the flocks of Greylag and Pink-footed Geese. Near to the water, my friend picked up what he thought to be two Tundra Bean Geese and sure enough, a quick look through the scope confirmed that they were. Their orange legs standing out clearly and I was more than confident that they weren’t Pink-footed Geese. I picked up waders which included flocks of Oystercatchers and Lapwings. I may have missed other waders as we concentrated on the geese.

I left very happy to have seen the flocks of geese but a little disappointed that we had missed the Bewick’s Swans. The disappointment soon disappeared when very soon back on the main road we picked up the swans in a field to the left of us amongst a smaller flock of geese. We stopped for what was quite a close look at the adult and juvenile Bewick’s Swans, but we could tell that the they and the geese were probably made a little restless by our presence so we quickly moved on and headed for East Chevington. We stayed here long enough to see that the large numbers of Goldeneye remain and to see more geese! Next stop was to be Cresswell.

There were more flocks of geese on the journey and we stopped at the causeway thinking that we might pick up an Avocet, but we didn’t.

A final stop was made at the Q E 11 where we found the redhead Smew diving regularly within a short distance of us. One of the best sightings I’ve had of Smew. Pity the drake wasn’t there, but I’m not complaining. There were many more Goldeneyes.

The Bewick’s Swans and Smew were year ticks for me and the Egyptian Goose a new one for my Holywell to coast walk. I’d never seen this number of White-fronted Geese in Northumberland before. I see the NTBC site suggests that there were over one hundred and fifty. It had been an excellent day with the geese, having found six species!

On Patch and Under the Hood

The productive pairing take a break.

This lonesome guy seems to have been joined by a mate now.

A cooperating model




Two of many. although I know that some would just say 'too many'!

Popular with the ladies!

6^th Mar. I met up with Sam (Under the Hood) at the lake primarily to take a look at how the Great Crested Grebes were progressing and possibly grab some photos. It’s nice to be sharing an interest in the patch with someone so keen. The sun made it look like summer, but there was still that winter chill in the air. We were the only people watching but I suspect that won’t last for long. In fact I know it won’t as I’m aware of photographers preparing to visit. I over heard a conversation the other day when someone expressed surprise that Great Crested Grebes were breeding on ‘a boating lake’. They obviously don’t know the lake well as this small area is no boating lake. I was a little surprised to pick up that someone interested in the Great Crested Grebes didn't know that they have been regular breeders on the lake and have been very productive in recent years. Watching this area is one of the benefits of being a patch birder. You find things that are surprising, but usually only if you keep a regular watch. Killingworth Lake, boating lake or not, has a decent history of attracting birds and you make a mistake if you fall into the trap of thinking it holds only swans and hybrids waiting to be fed bread! There were a few of these being fed bread today mind!

We found the pair of Great Crested Grebes on the smaller lake seemed to be having a break between shifts. There was little action as both birds floated around heads under wings. One eventually stretched its head. A little later both birds showed quite well, but swam away from us around the lake, at least one of them making an occasional dive. That was all of the action seen. In the meantime I did manage a rather nice shot of a Coot. Big and close is how I like them at the moment.

It wasn’t long before Sam and I realised that the lone Great Crested Grebe on the larger lake has now been joined by another. This is the exact same pattern as last year. Unlike the two birds on the small lake which are well into mating now, this pair was at separate ends of the large lake and seeming to have no contact as yet.

There are at least six Goosanders remaining on the lake and a number of Goldeneye still remain. As we watched Sam saw a calling Grey Wagtail fly past. I missed it. Being beside water, and Sam seeing the bird and me missing it is becoming a habit. I have yet to live down the Kingfisher I missed.:-) At least I heard the call this time! The two Oystercatchers were found amongst the Canada Geese.

We decided to take a walk on part of the patch. Passing the old Nuthatch nesting hole we found that there is still no sign of Nuthatches this year. A Sparrowhawk was chased off by a corvid and flew over the village area. We later took a look at last years Sparrowhawk nesting site. The area we walked through will soon be echoing to the sound of Chiffchaff song, but today it was mainly Robin, Dunnock and Wren calls and song. A Wood Pigeon was found sitting on a nest.

Thanks Sam.

A Warbler, a Killy and a Shrike!

More 'Hides With a View'. Shibdon and Clara Vale.





Atmosphere at the Carr

5^th Mar. It was a raw morning when I arrived at the lake with a little time to spare before meeting Sedgedunum Warbler for a days birding. I took the opportunity to watch the pair of Great Crested Grebes on the smaller lake. Initially one of the birds, the female I assumed, was adding to what may have been the base of last years nest. The male was in close proximity seeming to want to ensure all was well. After a while the female climbed onto the nest and after a little hesitation was mounted by the male for all of three seconds. Previously his facial tufts had been spread widely. I couldn’t see the neck and head of the female as they were hidden by reeds, but I expect she had these out-stretched in typical mating fashion. This mating sequence took place twice as I looked on and on each occasion was followed by both birds facing one another closely, shaking heads and bill pointing. The female then continued to add items collected nearby to the nest with the male continuing to look on in close proximity. The pair then swam close to the nest area. It had been a privilege to watch on. I shall of course continue to watch progress as the days and weeks move on.

Having found John near the larger lake where Goosanders and Goldeneye remain, we left for Shibdon Pond, Gateshead. It’s a long time since I visited this pond and I was surprised to see how much work had recently been carried out on cutting down trees and removing reeds. There were areas showing that I had never seen before. On arrival we spotted a Sparrowhawk flying overhead. We then had a walk around the reed-bed areas before spending sometime in the hide. It was fairly quiet, but I did find two Lesser Black Backed Gulls (my first of the year), a single Ruff, Shelduck, Teal and Wigeon.

After a while we made for Clara Vale, stopping of at the very atmospheric Sled Pond. By now it was warm whilst in the sun, but bitingly cold when out of it. There were more Teal and quite a number of Wigeon on Sled Pond. Other birds included a pair of Little Grebe calling often. We had suspicions there may be another pair in the reeds. There was also a lone female Goldeneye.

Lunch was taken in the comfort of the hide at Clara Vale where we had just missed the appearance of a Kingfisher over the pond. There was a good selection of birds at or near the feeding stations. I seem to remember the list was as follows, Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jay (H), Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Bullfinch. The Bullfinches stealing the limelight! Two Goosanders were seen in the distance, flying up the Tyne. Skylark was also heard in the area.

Prestwick Carr was to be the next stop and the ending to the day. I said to John that a sighting of the Great Grey Shrike would be a good ending. Neither of us expected to see it. Whilst I had spotted it last year shortly after its arrival the shrike has eluded me in 2012 and I had though like everyone else had, that this bird had now left the area, but no it is being recorded again.

Arriving to find there was little show from the Short Eared Owls, John suggested that we walk up past the sentry box and take a look for the shrike. In doing so, we found at least six Common Buzzards, five in flight over the trees and one perched in a tree, a pair of Kestrels, I believe we found at least two pairs on this visit, and four Grey Partridges. The hedges were quiet but did hold Long Tailed Tits, of which we saw numbers today.

It was on our return to ‘the bumpy road’, that someone put us onto the Great Grey Shrike (thanks for that) to the south and way off in the distance, but still giving a reasonable scope sighting. Fieldfare and MistleThrush were seen way off in the distance. The shrike moved along the hedge occasionally, initially away from us but then it flew northwards and was much closer. When it flew across the road and seemed to drop again we walked to near where we thought it had come down. This gave me my best ever sighting of Great Grey Shrike as it perched on the fence. The scope wasn’t needed, but never the less it did give the chance to see this bird in fine detail before it eventually took off and flew into the hedges of the fields east of the sentry box road. We watched it at distance again until it finally disappeared. It had replaced the Bullfinch as bird of the day. Then we found the Short Eared Owls and the Bullfinches dropped to number three!

We ended the day watching the Short eared Owls. There seemed to be a consensus of opinion that six separate birds had been seen. Certainly at least six. They were flying over a wide area although sometimes coming quite close to us. It seemed to me that once again a few photographers had left the area a little too early! I heard Willow Tit calling and saw more Long Tailed Tits! The sun came down to give a good sunset over the Carr. Sorry John I may not need you photograph after all! :-) We left soon after sunset. I was feeling as though I had been hung in a freezer for a while! John’s car registered that it was 1.5 degrees outside. It hadn’t felt that warm to me! The day’s list came to fifty-seven species. I was delighted to finally get that Great Grey Shrike on the year list. Thanks John.

Dippers, Rats and Photographers!

I like this one

Best Brambling of the bunch


Cooperating model

Down the burn





Bank Vole (one of a pair)

Nice light

Rat after a modeling contract.

Bird of the day.

Ladies first!

Peace!

3^rd Mar. For sometime now I have hesitated at becoming seriously involved with digital photography on the grounds of too much to carry and weight, not to mention lack of skill. I’ve been having a bit of a rethink recently spurred on by some great images I see turning up on blogs and elsewhere, and also by my recent outings with Under the Hood, Sam. I’m planning on making a macro lens an early priority. With photography in mind, as well as birding, Sam and I had promised ourselves a trip to Holywell today, so off we went as planned. In the future we’ll see how things progress and whether my blogs focus widens somewhat to other aspects of the natural world.

Sam had set some targets as to what he would like to see today. Thankfully these targets were partly in fun, although I was hoping we could meet at least some of them. Dippers were high on the list, but before we tried for these we headed off towards Holywell Pond. I was hoping to catch sight of the White-fronted Goose, not having seen one this year. The feeding station off the public footpath held amongst other species both the female Brambling and Tree Sparrows. The Song Thrush continues to sing from high in the trees. The former proved difficult to photograph, for me anyway! Fields to the west held a flock of Curlew, Canada Geese and gulls. I saw no sign of the White-fronted Goose at this point in time. The pond was again fairly quiet but birds seen included Teal and at least five/six Little Grebe

After a short time we headed down The Avenue, pausing at the public hide where later in the day we watched a small flock of Lapwings. Long Tailed Tits were in the hedges of the Avenue. I think Sam may have some good shots of them. I have some decent shots of the hedge. Not sure where the birds went! I decided eventually to give my time to capturing a rather more cooperative Robin and as a beginner was rather pleased with the result.

Once in the dene we settled down in an area which I know is frequented by the Dipper/s. It wasn’t too long before we had one in our camera sights. I was confident that in no-way were we disturbing the birds. This site is frequented at intervals by dog walkers encouraging their dogs to bathe, cyclists (today an illegal motor cyclist), and youths and children at play. I don’t know how the Dippers cope to be honest, but they do and successfully bred last year. Anyway, two quiet birders at a safe distance weren’t going to add to the stress. In the event, it was we two who were at times disturbed by dogs. I have to say on each occasion the owners were very considerate. That hasn’t always been the case down in this area. It wasn’t long before we had two Dippers displaying. From what I have read in Poyser’s edition of The Dippers they appeared to be in an early stage of courtship. The male bowing and vibrating his wings. I read that the female may often sing during such advertising displays, but I didn’t hear any singing at this point. We were joined by Cain (Holywell Birding) and Stephen (British Birder). It was Cain who first picked up one of the birds singing. This is the second time this year I have heard Dipper song. Very soon afterwards one Dipper appeared to quite aggressively chase another off, as though it was defending a territory. We wondered if there were at least three birds. However having checked it out I read that in the early days of courtship the male bird can be quite aggressive towards the female, making threat displays and pursuing her, and I believe this is what we witnessed. I managed a few reasonable shots of a single Dipper during what was a very pleasant session beside the burn and the type of bird watching I most enjoy. It will be interesting to find out if there is more than one breeding pair of Dippers on the stretch of burn. Would the young from last year set up a territory near by the parent birds or would they have dispersed further afield?

Eventually Sam and I moved along and found the likes of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Song Thrush, tits and other woodland birds. My attempted shot of the Treecreeper produced a tree in perfect focus, but no creeper! To be fair at this point someone had stopped to speak thus breaking the concentration. :-) A pair of Grey Wagtails showed well as they moved up the burn. The feeding stations offered good opportunities for photography and we didn’t neglect taking some landscape shots too. We found the Brown Rat at one feeding station which although a little nervous, wasn’t too shy to come out and take its share of seed on regular occasion. Rumour has it, that such are the number of shots taken of this Brown Rat it is demanding a modelling fee! We also found a pair of Bank Voles which scurried around the undergrowth. I perhaps had better luck photographing these mammals than I had with the smaller birds. Practise makes perfect, or at least leads to improvement I guess. By now the sun was fully out from behind the cloud of the morning, bird song was in the air and the dene looked at its most attractive. I didn’t hear any woodpecker drumming today.

On our return we watched the Dippers again before moving of towards the pond. I’d been alerted earlier by Cain, to the fact that the White-fronted Goose was in the fields nearby. I soon got my eye on my first White-fronted Goose of 2012 and Sam had another lifer. It was amongst numbers of Greylag and possibly some Pink-footed Geese.

We ended the day in the members hide where I found the Mallards easy to photograph, and that drake Mallard’s head was looking splendid in the sunlight. There is always a nice atmosphere down here of an evening and now that the days are lengthening there was time to enjoy it as we listened to the whinnying calls of Little Grebe. A Reed Bunting was seen on the feeders. I had noticed a few more birds on the feeders near the hide than of late.

I’d really enjoyed a very relaxing day and later found that we actually had forty-six species of bird on the day list, with some new ones for Sam who had I’m pleased to say met some of his targets. We left with ideas for future visits and me still planning a trip to the photographic dealers and thinking I need to read that instruction manual!

What a Difference a Month Makes on Patch

I think the term some use is 'record shot'.

28^th Feb. Had it not been a leap year we would be entering March tomorrow. What a difference from some early days in the month when everything was frozen solid. Sunlight carpeted the lake today as I at last returned to patch. I kept an eye out for Nuthatches as I strolled down to the lake, but like last year there was no sign of them in their old territory. A flock of gulls on the playing field was made up of around thirty Common Gulls (many more of them on the lake) and a few Black Headed Gulls. Nearby there was a pair of Oystercatchers, their orange bills hidden by mud from their searching for food in the soft ground. For a time they pottered around the goal posts looking every bit as adept as a ‘Toon’ centre back defending a corner or free kick. They eventually took to flight and their call was heard in the distance. I decided against giving them names, as I felt it would get tiresome if I had to keep looking up how the name Fabricio Coluccini was spelt!

I’m pleased to say the pair of Great Crested Grebes are back on the smaller lake too and looking ready to set up nest. I recorded them on the 20^th February last year so I suspect they may have been here for a few days now. Another lone Great Crested Grebe was on the larger lake. This follows the pattern of last year when I recorded three of these birds present on 24^th February. I don’t think a fourth bird was hidden today. They certainly won’t be able to hide a nesting site on the bald floating reed-bed this year! Anyway I hope both pairs meet with successful breeding again this year. I said hello to someone photographing the birds.

I saw no Goosanders today. There were however eleven Goldeneye. These birds, especially the males, looked stunning in the sunlight. There were definitely four pairs of birds amongst the eleven. The usual flocks of birds were on or around the lake. I noticed the red and yellow of the Moorhens bills showed sharply in the light as did the head colouring of the Mallards. The family of Greylag remain.

As I walked home I caught sight of the Sparrowhawk circling high over the trees of the church ground and then slowly working along the village until at last out of sight. A Magpie was carrying a very large twig to the nest. It certainly felt more than ever, like spring today.