A Green-winged Teal has continued to attract the attention of birders. It was at Backworth on the weekend of 9th-10th and at Swallow Pond on Friday 15th.

There have also been further sightings of a redhead Smew. It was at Big Waters on the 13th, Gosforth Park on the 14th and at Killingworth on the weekend of 16-17th.

Photos below by Chris Barlow
A Redhead Smew at Killingworth Lake, and a Green-winged Teal at Backworth

Beadnell,  Northumberland.

Lots of birders are busy helping the BTO with the Non-Estuarine Waterbird Survey (NEWS) and The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBs) at the moment. One lucky birder was lucky to find
a Jack Snipe on the tide edges at Beadnell.

Photos below by Mark Eaton

As a result of the recent storms and bad weather, hundreds of Little Auks had been blown off course.  Some were grounded along the eastern coasts of Scotland and NE England.  Many were weak and found it difficult to return to flight.

Thanks to organisations such as the Scottish SPCA and members of the public, lots of birds were rescued and cared for, before being returned to the wild.

Local Naturalist, Wildlife Photographer and Filmmaker Cain Scrimgeour, cared for one grounded Little Auk overnight.

“Last night we had a Little Auk Stay with us.  It had been grounded in South Shields, Tyne & Wear. It was released back into the wild again this morning.  A Little Gull was feeding alongside”,

Cain Scrimgeour.

The short video clip below is by Cain Scrimgeour

Druridge Pools, Northumberland.

As I was walking along the muddy path to the budge screen hide, I was rewarded with close views of a my first Siskin of the year, which was feeding with some Tree Sparrows, Reed Buntings and Blue and Great Tits on the plastic bottle bird feeders.  I also admired a pair of Stonechats, which calmly sat nearby watching the rain.  A pair of Pintail were on the pools, with no sign this morning of the second male I noted on the weekend.   The pools were alive with 70 Wigeon, a dozen Shoveler and over 25 Teal.  I closely checked through the Teal to see if there were any Green-winged Teals (as there is a few in the north at the moment and Druridge Bay has been good for them over the past few years) ;there was no sign of any today.   The only waders I could find were over 100 Lapwing, but there may have been more hiding.

Next, I was startled by a Redpoll, which landed on the fence in front of budge screen. Nice Surprise and it was so close.  I guess it came to say hello.  As the sun came out, a flock of Goldfinches came into a view.  Amongst them I discovered a lonesome single Twite.  After almost an hour, I was finally rewarded with a visit from one of the Water Pipits.  I spotted it to the right at first, however it soon landed in front of the hide.  It didn’t stay for very long, but it was very welcome.

Paul Buskin

Cresswell Pond, Northumberland.

For weeks, Northumberland has been home to a visiting Long Billed Dowitcher.  Many birders have observed this rare wader, through a telescope, whilst it was at the far side of Cresswell Pond.  At times it has wandered up to Druridge Pools.

On the 4th January, the Long billed Dowitcher, spent a few hours on the sand bank at Cresswell Pond and could be observed very well from the bird hide.  It has since often returned, to the delight of the local birders.

Photos below by Bill Richmond 

I had looked forward all week to a day’s birding at Druridge Bay this Saturday and I was reluctant to give in to the wet and windy weather.  I started at Killingworth Lake, in the hope that yesterdays red head Smew was still around.  No sign today however.  As the rain showers become more persistent, I considered my options.  I was thinking of driving instead to Holywell and the shelter of the NWT bird hide, when I noticed on my twitter, an Iceland Gull was at Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Country Park, Local Nature Reserve.  Filled with new enthusiasm, I made my way to the A189 and up to Queen Elizabeth Country Park.   Great choice as I was rewarded with very close views, from the car park, whilst sitting in my car, sheltered from the rain.

As the weather started to settle, I drove up to Druridge Pools, where On the main pool there were seven Pochard and a moutling male Scaup.  I find Pochard are more difficult to find early January, at my local sites.

Nearby at Widdrington Moor Lake, a Great Northern Diver which I had seen on New Year’s Eve was still present to the right of the lake.

Paul Buskin

Towards the end of 2015, East Chevington was busy with birdwatchers hoping to see one of the Water Pipits which were often seen between the southern part of the reserve, Chevington Burn and Druridge Pools.  On New Year’s Day however two birds were entertaining birders at Druridge Pools from the budge hide, providing for many a life tick to start the year.

Other birds present included Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit, Scaup, and Shorted eared Owl.

Photos below by Jonathan Farooqi

As many birders were out enjoying New Year’s Day, starting their year lists from fresh, news broke, of a Smew at Killingworth Lake.  The bird remained till dusk, but was gone the next day.

Elsewhere on the Lake there were up to nine Goosander,  11 Goldeneye, over twenty Tufted Duck and couple of Grey Heron and Cormorant.  There was no sign of any Pochard.  Killingworth Lake is usually a great site to view Pochard, sometimes in good numbers.

Photo below by GK Knox 

A Green-winged Teal was recorded at Howdon Wetlands, North Tyneside on the 29th December.  There was also a juvenile Scaup with three Tufted Ducks.

Photo below by Jack Bucknall

A Mediterranean Gull was on the Paddy’s footy fields at Jesmond Dene today.  This was the first record for Jesmond Dene.  The bird had a coloured-ring but it was too muddy to read.

Photo below by MP Frankis

Towards the end of the year up to two Black Redstarts were showing very well at Tynemouth on the rocks below the Priory at the base of the pier.

Photo below by MP Frankis.

On the 26th-30th November 2015

This weekend I decided to go in search of berry loving Waxwings. Saturday proved fruitless, with no sign at any of their favorite places. On the sunday however I heard reports of a group at Ashington, Northumberland, so after breakfast I drove up to have a look. I was in luck, close to Woodhorn Motors in Ashington, eleven Waxwings were showing extremely well.

The next day, before the heavy rain, I was very happy to catch up with a Black-throated Driver on the north side of East Chevington. Great views of a very attractive bird with lots of character. On the drive back I drove past Cresswell, but there was no sign of the reported Hooded Crow. Maybe next time.

Paul Buskin

Despite the icy cold weather conditions this weekend, birdwatchers flocked to the coast to witness a good passage of Little Auks. Between work commitments, I managed an hour myself at Newbiggin. I was welcomed on arrival by my first Little Auk of the year, which flew over my head, whilst nearby three more were sitting on the sea. Within the next hour I noted 65 all traveling north.

I also recorded 26 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, Shag, Cormorant, Eider and Guillemot. I was also pleased to find a dozen Purple Sandpipers on the rocks.

No sign for me of any Great Northern Divers , Black-throated Divers or Velvet Scoters, however these had been recorded along the Northumberland and Tyneside Coast by other birders.

Elsewhere over the past couple of weeks  a Long-billed Dowitcher has remained at Cresswell Pond.  I was lucky to catch up with this on Sat 14th November.  My views were distant, but were still canny.  I also recorded three groups of Whooper Swan totalling, 10 birds between Cresswell and East Chevington.

Nearby there has also been sightings of  Hooded Crow and Twite.

Paul Buskin

Short eared Owls have been arriving from the north in large numbers this autumn all along the east coast, with birds seen at St.Mary’s,Whitley Bay since September. At the moment four remain, hunting the fields and affording excellent close views for many birders and photographers, with many fine images taken. At one point yesterday,15th, one owl was enjoying a rodent meal sitting in the field, when a second flew in an pounced down attempting to snatch the meal. A short tussle ensued before the owls parted. Hunting in the Wetland area,one low flying owl flushed two flocks of Snipe from the reeds on two occasions,with the Snipe circling calling above, 42 were counted.

A Kingfisher is being seen regularly on the rocks along the shore and fishing in the wetland lately,with two seen on one occasion. An adult Mediterranean gull preened on the rocks yesterday and a pair of Purple Sandpipers noted among the Redshanks, Ringed Plover and Oystercatchers. Sanderling number around 100 at the moment, feeding with a few Dunlin. Around 1,000 Golden Plover observed on several days.  At nearby Hartley,13 Knot roosted on the rocks at high tide and another sighting of a Kingfisher here, perhaps the same bird? A late Swallow hawked for insects below the promenade on Sunday the 8th in incredible temperatures reaching 19 degrees in warm sun and a report of it or another on the 10th.

In the stubble fields here up to 15 Herons have been counted.A flock of Linnets,a few Tree Sparrows and Skylarks feed here too. Six or seven Reed Buntings can be seen as well as up to three Stonechats which range up to Hartley and Seaton sluice. Raptors lately incude Merlin,Peregrine ,several Kestrels and Buzzard ( the latterto the west ,pic. from Holywell Dene).

Alan S. Jack

An unseasonally warm Autumn day,with temperatures reaching a balmy 17 degrees in the sunshine and a morning southerly wind falling light, made for a superb days birding in the North of the county. Starting at Budle bay on the falling tide where the mudflats were alive with birds. A very large Lapwing flock took to the air as a Peregrine alighted on a rock out on the flats. The birds broke off into six smaller flocks, some gaining quite a height ,others landing near the road ,an estimated 1,500 in total made for a great spectacle. With them were around 40 Knot and 30 Dunlin,also evading the falcon. Grey Plovers and Redshanks, Oystercatchers and Curlews settled once more as the Peregrine sat preening unconcerned. 52 Pink Feet headed south high overhead,with an unidentified larger goose among them. A telescope count of feeding Shelduck revealed 533 birds here. Wigeon were too numerous to attempt a count I felt. Two Goldeneye swam in one of the channels.  A Buzzard perched on a post and Yellowhammer and Fieldfare noted. 20 Yellowhammers were along a nearby hedgerow.

Onward to Elwick, where 29 Collared Doves on wires was a good count. 100+House Sparrows at a farm which always holds good numbers. A farmer had spilt some grain here and it attracted a good many birds of several species. Tree Sparrows,Yellowhammers,Chaffinches and several Robins taking advantage of the food,then 25-30 Skylarks took flight, brief song from one bird was nice to hear. Pink Feet were calling from the next field and with them were 190 or so Barnacle Geese. Several Roe Deer nearby and another Buzzard on a bush-top.

Next stop, Holy Island and two Little Egrets fed in the pools at the causeway. A stop at Chare Ends and a walk along the shore here and a call revealed 30 Twite feeding among weeds at the field edge. My first of the Autumn. 15 later seen at Snook House,drinking at a puddle. The mud flats here held a huge flock of Golden Plover, in their favourite spot,easily 3,000 birds creating quite a noise of calls. Many Knot,Bar tailed Godwits and Dunlin fed here, until a Merlin sped in and landed on a fence post. Brent Geese were numerous out in the pools here and good numbers of Skylarks over the adjacent fields. Into the village next, and a Black Redstart was found feeding in the trees near the coach car park,then affording very close views on walls here. Quite a few Redwings remained on the Island from the midweek arrival, with around 100 noted along the Lonnens with lesser numbers of Blackbirds. 5-6 Chiffchaffs seen and a few Goldcrests.A Willow Warbler was a late find near the harbour (per.AM),with two Blackcaps. Short eared Owls have been hunting the Harbour Pools area for a few weeks and one again showed very well here today.Two others seen on the Snook . A single Black tailed Godwit fed in the field next to the road here. At St Cuthbert’s Island, a Slavonian Grebe noted and a few Mergansers too. More Brents here out on the flats,with many loudly calling.

As high tide approached a final halt down at Fenham and 50-60 Tree Sparrows fed behind the hide with a few Yellowhammers and Linnets. Several Redwings in the bushes. Towards the north, on the water, was a great spectacle to round off a very good day, of  thousands of Wigeon,with Brent Geese and Shelduck all but covering the water’s surface.

A.S.Jack

Was great to finally catch up with a Shorelark which has been entertaining birders over the past week at Blyth, South Beach. We tried a quick drive over after work on Wednesday, however despite our best efforts, we only got there about 15 minutes before the light went and missed out. We enjoyed some fish and chips however at the nearby ‘Coastline’ restaurant.

I had better luck on the Friday. After leaving the car in the small car park close to South Beach, it was only a short walk to the pier, where the bird was showing extremely well. A very welcome year tick and a great start to the weekend. It was a beautiful bird.

Paul Buskin

I’m a visiting birder called Alan I’ve been on holiday in Berwick with my family.

We had a day out in Seahouses, so took the opportunity for a spot of rare birding!

At Budle Bay, there were two Little Egrets, a female Pintail and three Goosander.  There was also a single Knot.

On the little pool between Bamburgh and Seahouses there were several Snipe, Dunlin, Ruff and a lovely late Greenshank.

Alan Robinson

St Marys Island.
I set my alarm early this morning, so I could drive down to St Mary’s in the hope of catching up with some migrants.  Initially everything was quiet, with only a single Chiffchaff and a couple of Goldcrests .  After an hour, a Water Rail suddenly appeared in front of me, in the branches of a Willow.  Far from where I’d expect to see a Water Rail, and wow, amazing close views.  About 20 secs later it dropped to the ground and strolled off.  Deffo not a shy one this one.

Further searches of the nearby area, proved fruitless, so I went for a wander to the wetland and around to the main car park.  The wetland was alive with a few Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Gadwall.  A good selection for a small area.  As I made my way between the two car parks, a small bird on the path caught my attention.  The distinctive face pattern, behaviour, size and markings were that of a Lapland Bunting, which is a great record for St Mary’s and well worth my early start on a Sunday morning.

Next was a walk on the rocks, as the tide was very low, and I thought I’d check out the nearby waders.  Nothing of note, but there were plenty of Curlew, Redshank, Golden Plover, Turnstone, Sanderling and Oystercatchers with a couple of Grey Heron.

Tynemouth
Whilst reading my Twitter, I noticed a Ring Ouzel had been recorded close to Tynemouth Pier.  So as it was on the way home, I stopped off.  Whilst I was chatting to the birder, whom had tweeted about the Ring Ouzel he pointed to a Firecrest which had only arrived about ten minutes earlier.  How lucky is that. Great close views and the Ring Ouzels were still nearby as a bonus.

On returning home, there were confirmed sightings of a Firecrest at St Mary’s, also near the 2nd Mound and at Whitburn.

Paul Buskin

A couple of weeks of high pressure dominated fine weather, with unseasonal temperatures in the high teens did not suggest I would be inundated with migrants on the island, but at this time of year, it is always worth a visit as anything can turn up and it had been foggy overnight,which can ground migrants. Also, there is a vast array of birds to be seen on the mud flats as wintering geese,duck and wader numbers build up as birds arrive on their winter quarters or pass through.

Starting at the Snook,I was joined by a few other local birders and we began a search of the dunes and bushes here. At Snook House, a pair of Stonechats fed from bushtops,the male in sub-song at times.A second pair seen further east along the beach. A few Redpolls overhead,calling as they headed west, several Meadow Pipits here too. Three Chiffchaffs,a Great Tit, Robin and Dunnock were feeding in the house garden. In bushes in the dunes, six Song Thrushes were found,a common breeder on the island,however these could be newly arrived migrants, a few more were in the village later. A flock of around 120 Linnets fed in the weedy areas,the first of four flocks seen  during the day.A tacking call was thought to be from a Lesser Whitethroat,but the culprit could not be seen? So fairly quiet here.

On to the village and the Straight Lonnen,where a thin seeping call revealed an island scarcity,a Treecreeper. A few years since the last island record I believe? It fed on the thin trunks along the Lonnen,with several Goldcrests,one of which sang frequently. 2 Coal Tits,2 Great Tits, Lesser Whitethroat,Song Thrushes and then 11 Redwings noted here,with two dozen Blackbirds. A call alerted me to the presence of a Yellow browed Warbler , but in thick foliage it could not be seen. In fields along the Lonnen,a Short eared Owl hunted before alighting on a post where it sat preening .A few more Redwings overhead arriving from the North East. A second large Linnet flock bounded over the fields,as a young Kestrel called from bushes to a male nearby. Then a female Sparrowhawk glided into the Crooked Lonnen garden. As I returned down the Lonnen, two birders had seen the Treecreeper and were watching the Yellow browed, which then showed well feeding in the bright sunshine. More Redwings were around the church gardens in the village. A third Linnet flock of around 150 were near the main island car park.

On to the vast mud flats along the causeway,where a lunch stop revealed large numbers of birds. A flock of Golden Plover numbered 1,800-2,000 calling away as they sat resting and preening on the mud,allowing quite close approach. Here too, were large flocks of Bar tailed Godwits and Knot,Dunlin and around 40 scattered Grey Plover. Curlews,Redshanks and Oystercatchers in good numbers added to the scene. Groups of Brent Geese fed in the shallows,and along the mainland shore to the west at least 2,000 stretched all along the shoreline. Here too fed a large number of Wigeon and  few Pintail and Shelduck . With the Brents 163 Barnacle Geese were counted and a skien of Pink Feet flew over. A Little Egret fished the pools . Finally, a fourth Linnet flock seen at Beal of 100+.

Other recent sightings;

Barred Warbler 02/10 St Mary’s. Yellow Browed Warbler, Whitley Bay Cemetery 30/09 and 04/10. Yellow browed and Redwings Briar Dene 05/10.  Peregrine and Kingfisher regular at St. Marys recently,c. 2,000 Golden Plover.

Alan S. Jack.

At Holywell Pond…
It was nice to see good numbers of Grey Heron again at this site, with half a dozen feeding around the pond today. There was also very high numbers of Little Grebe present with over 15 recorded. The highlight however was a visiting Kingfisher, which flew directly in front of the trust hide, landing on a post briefly. A welcome treat for a sunny Sunday afternoon. From the public hide, there was over 30 Lapwing, but no sign of any Greenshank or Snipe.

At the Aln Estuary, Alnmouth…
There were lots of Redshanks, Curlews and Oystercatchers, this evening, noisily announcing their presence. Again, the highlight was a Kingfisher close to the mouth of the estuary. This was a surprise but they are always amazing to watch.  There has been regular sightings of Kingfisher in the county over the past few weeks, with birds recorded at St Mary’s Wetland and along local rivers etc.

At Alnmouth there was no sign of any Greenshanks or autumn/winter visitors but the walk was relaxing as always. Other birds present included a couple of Grey Heron, Cormorant, Eider and some Rock Pipits.

Paul & Adriana Buskin

On the 26th September 2015..
An hour visit to Swallow Pond was well worth it, as I was lucky to see great views of a Water Rail, which was only a few metres away in front of the public hide. This usually shy, but noisy resident was very easy to find. On the pond, there were high numbers of Gadwall, with over sixty present; and Shoveler with 26 recorded. There was also four Wigeon, six Teal, a single male Pochard and three Tufties.

Paul Buskin

Male Cuckoo, Cresswell on wire alongside road up to access to hide.

Approximately 1730 hours.

John Hall

Visiting my local patch twice a day for a month resulted in a good variety of species and some enjoyable sights, as  local breeding birds complete their nesting season,with many fledged young on the wing and passage birds arriving or moving through the area. Species feeding fledged young included Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler both in the bushes lining the main footpath,with three young of the latter lined up on a branch, awaiting food. Reed Bunting,with around six family groups seen. Linnet and Goldfinch, both in small flocks. Whitethroat,now quietly skulking as opposed to their familiar bushtop singing and song-flighting,again several family parties noted. Skylarks too with young birds in the fields.Grasshopper Warbler continued to sing into August,with 2 heard/seen and four Sedge Warblers still singing at the end of July.

The small Sand Martin colony here in the cliffs has had a successful season,with 7 pairs raising around 18 young,all of which could be at times, seen returning to perch at their nest holes having fledged,roosting each night back in the nests. On one warm day, a huge group of feeding Swifts could be seen over the fields to the west as a large insect hatch occurred,with numbers estimated at around 800 birds! Other birders enjoying this spectacle. Towards the end of July,the local farmer cut the grass field adjacent to the Wetland,which had been a riot of wild flowers,attracting many nesting and feeding birds, as well as good numbers of butterflies. This resulted in an abundance of  insect and mammal food for many birds,with 3 juvenile Kestrels from a local nest and the adults,up to 5 Grey Herons and some gulls seen to take rodents. A juvenile Short eared Owl arrived at the end of July and was still present at the time of writing. A Barn Owl regularly putting in an evening appearance too, flying off with prey for it’s young. The finch flocks enjoyed the feeding here too. Another suprise was the arrival of a young Cuckoo that spent four days feeding in this field,allowing great views,before continuing south. As the grass flattened further,a gull roost built up here with up to 4 Mediterranean Gulls,2 adults,a first summer bird and a juvenile present and a first summer Little Gull joining them for a few days among the numerous Black Headed. Several Sandwich Terns could be seen here at high tide.

This period sees the return from further north of a selection of waders to the site. Golden Plover an example,with 18 birds in the first week of July, increasing to 450-460 by the month’s end. Sanderling likewise, with a handful  of nicely coloured birds returning increasing to around 80 . A few splendid red Knot put in an apearance and Whimbrel joined  returning Curlews on a  good number of days.Turnstones still in summer garb, Dunlin and Ringed Plover with juveniles,Redshanks and Oystercatchers could all be seen at the shore. On two visits Common Sandpipers were seen in the north bay feeding before moving off southward,calling as they flew.

Offshore, many Gannets,  Kittiwakes and Guillemots could be seen on days particularly with winds from the south east. Common, Sandwich and Arctic Terns present in numbers either on the rocks of diving for fish,with youngsters in attendance. A visit on August 4th saw a good patch bird in the shape of a Green Sandpiper calling as it arrived from the north to land in the Wetland area, pausing on it’s southward migration.

Butterflies noted during this period included many Ringlets,Meadow Browns,Common Blues,Small Skippers,Speckled Woods,Tortoishells,Red Admirals,Peacocks and Large Whites. Numbers were high at the time of the Swifts sighting,with warm weather.

A.S.Jack

There was a Whimbrel 1N off the Pier and 1 Ad Roseate Tern on Spanish Battery rocks today.

Tom Middleton

Arriving at Whittle Dene, the early morning sunshine at the coast had all but disappeared under a shroud of drizzle and low cloud. Fortunately, later this cleared into a fine,though breezy day. Common Terns were very much in evidence here, with 23 birds counted,four-five pairs having young on a floating,perspex walled island. Two Yellow Wagtails noted as they called and a Great crested Grebe swam out on one of the reservoirs, a Little Grebe called. Two Skylarks sang over the fields nearby, perhaps the last time I will hear their song this year,a s most have  ceased. Sedge Warblers were still very vocal, with four heard here. Swallows and Sand Martins noisily mobbed a passing female Sparrowhawk as a Heron fished, unconcerned.

On westward, I headed for the Blanchland area, where the moors were now strangely quiet save for the odd Curlew call. Much of the local breeding Lapwing population had gathered in a flock now in one field, 82 birds counted,including large young. A few Oystercatchers with them and four Curlews. A few alarm calls from the Lapwings as a Red Kite soared overhead and right over the nearby village roofs. Later, a second Red Kite was cautiously feeding at a road kill lamb, and a further 33 Lapwings noted on the moor. A Kestrel and Buzzard seen here too. Then another moor, and the sound of displaying Golden Plover, with 7 or 8 heard. A pair were next to the road, alarm calling as two small young hid in the heather. Fantastic, close views were had as I remained in the car. Red Grouse were common here, with an adult  with 3 large young birds very close to the car,giving great views and then an adult female with six young, smaller this time, in close attendance.

In Blanchland village,screaming parties of Swifts,birds swooping into nest holes on the old buildings, Swallows and House Martins gathering mud and young lined up to be fed on wires, Spotted Flycatcher and several Grey Wagtails all made for good birding.

A.S.Jack