One today seen at three different locations (by different observers) late morning and may be lingering in the area. At 11:00 returning from a kid’s football game I had one cross the A1 near Little Waters flying southwest. Texted GB from car and later got a reply that they had connected, possibly at Big Waters and it had gone ‘straight through’.

Later in the day I read that JPD had seen a Red Kite from the top of Weetslade CP at just after 11:00 and that MPF had seen one around Gosforth Park earlier in the week.

Edit: Also received a text late on that one was watched mobbed by crows near Moor Farm Mcdonalds at 10:30

A Tilmouth

Linden Hall,early morning and a chorus of spring bird song led by 6 Song Thrushes in full flow,accompanied by Robins, Blackbirds, Chaffinches ,Great ,Blue ,and Coal tits, Goldcrests ,Nuthatches (3) and Treecreepers (2) and 2 Skylarks all in great voice. A perched Tawny Owl was  less happy,being mobbed by Blackbirds and a pair of Jays .  A few Fieldfares noted ,then around 2,000 Starlings flew over ,having left their overnight roost.

At nearby Todburn ,my first singing Yellowhammer of the year perched high in a tree and several others called from bush-tops. Here too 4-5 Skylarks were in full song and a pair of Lapwings were displaying on territory. Also here were 2 Bullfinches and more Fieldfares ,with a few Redwings. On up to Simonside and yet more Skylarks ,quite a difference from last year’s extremely cold March where birds were weeks late returning to territories.At least 15 birds were in song . A pair of Jays here too ,then a cracking female Merlin flew west over the moor. Kestrel and Buzzard noted too. Great to see were 3 Stonechats ( 1 male) on their breeding grounds,still recovering from recent harsh winters. with 2 female Reed Buntings and 12 or so Meadow Pipits. Red Grouse were very active ,with good numbers calling . At least 20 noted here.

Over now to Harwood village,where the feeders were alive with birds. Perhaps 60 Chaffinches in the area,with Coal,Blue and Great Tits ,Siskins and Greenfinches. At the Gibbet a splendid sight, as on the fell to the south a flock of Ravens tumbled and called together . I counted 9 birds,then later 2 others joined in flying over the road ,but hard to tell exact numbers ,as they dipped below view. One person said he had seen 14! A couple of soaring Buzzards seen ,then a Peregrine headed over the moor.

On down to Wallington next, and 25 Brambling were among the great many birds at the feeding station. These included Siskins, Redpolls, 20+ Coal Tits, over 50 Chaffinches, Marsh Tit,Treecreeper and Nuthatch. A Red Squirrel too put in an appearance. More Brambling noted at Bolam Lake and several Song Thrushes singing here. At Killingworth Lake a returning Great crested Grebe and the female Scaup remained with 3 Gooseanders and 11 Goldeneye,males of which were all calling and displaying. Water Rail calling at St. Marys to end a good day.

A.S.Jack

The weather was ever changing today, and I welcomed the shelter of the bird hide. On the water there were 5-6 Goldeneye, 55-60 Wigeon, 3 Little Grebes, 6 Goosanders and a pair of Tufted Duck. To the right of the hide in a neighboring field there were 85-100 Greylag Geese. There was no sign of the Bean Geese, which have been reported at this site over the past couple of weeks, however I was lucky to witness a Green Sandpiper, which landed to the left of the hide.

Whilst watching 9 Curlews, which suddenly flew up, calling noisily, a Peregrine also appeared, and after an exciting aerial display, the bird landed on a fence post, where it remained for over 20 mins.

Finally there were two groups of Oystercatchers, one of 3 and the 2nd of 2.

Paul Buskin

                  The Slavonian Grebe was showing exceptionally well today at Warkworth weir. Easy parking in layby south of Warkworth. Little else of note though at Amble & Hauxley. TRD/JD

Lots of waders on the move this morning, a flock of c.120 Golden Plovers circled the field to the south, calling and trying to land but remained skittish. On the main lake Oystercatcher numbers have nearly doubled in a week with 23 feeding in the grass field to the south; a single Redshank added to the variety.

Red Kite hunting over fields near Bardon Mill at *Thorngrafton* 10.00hrs this morning, drifted off West and lost to sight toward Henshaw. A visit to the East Allen valley in good weather (a pleasant change) this afternoon. Lapwing now well established on many upland sites with both displaying birds obviously on territory and several sizeable groups also in attendance. At *Hollin Green near Keenley* 2 Greyhens graced a roadside dry-stone wall and on the moor Red Grouse were displaying and a group of 30+ very vocal Golden Plover provided a musical backdrop. At *Knockshield near Spartylea* a group of 4 feeding Greyhens and nearby 20+ Red Grouse, a party of 3 Curlew dropped in. The usual field at *Swinhope Shield* held 10 male Black Grouse. Onto *Paxhill (nr Allenheads)* 5 male and 3 female Black Grouse, group of 8 Curlew, Lapwing everywhere including a group of 120+. Red Grouse displaying all over moor more than 20 males seen. Small group of Golden Plover also put in a fly-by. *Carr Shield* was quiet with only 2 female and 1 male Black Grouse at the usual site, again Red Grouse very common and displaying all over the moors Good birding all Stewart

No sign this morning of the North Shields /Tynemouth Iceland Gull,which was yesterday, initially mistakenly reported as a Glaucous Gull. However the Glossy Ibis reappeared,this time  on a field next to the Tynemouth Sea Life Centre and the Lesser Whitethroat remained faithful to Mr Bradshaw’s well stocked garden feeders.

Later up to Warkworth,where a very obliging Slavonian Grebe dived for food on the river ,close to the main road . Here too were several Goldeneye and a drake Merganser,also 6 Knot on the  estuary mud.

Hauxley,and a pair of Stonechats seen and on the reserve at least 50 Tree Sparrows.

At East Chevington, the Red Necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes remained,as did 2 Long tailed Duck. The female Marsh Harrier hunted the South Pool reedbeds and 2 Skylarks sang . At the feeders, up to a dozen Redpoll seen again.

Druridge Pools held 3 drake and a duck Pintail as well as many Wigeon,Teal and Lapwings,with a few of the latter breaking into “song”.

Newbiggin beach held 21 Med. Gulls of varying ages.

A.S.Jack

Big Waters 

The highlight today was a Green-winged Teal which was with a group of Teal in the North West corner of the pond.  A female Scaup was in front of the smaller hide to the right, presumably the same bird I’d recorded at this site in January. On the feeders, I was pleased to see a visiting Siskin, feeding with the familiar Tree Sparrows and Blue and Great Tits. A Willow Tit also put in a brief appearance at times.

Holywell

In a field close to Holywell Pond, there were  a group of 22 Greylag’s,  accompanied by a single White-fronted Goose.

In a field between St Mary’s and Holywell, there were over 200 Pink-foots.  There was no sign of any Bean Geese, however Bean has been recorded in this area, this year.

Paul Buskin

Birds never cease to suprise and amaze in the places they often choose to frequent. This morning news broke of the second Glossy Ibis of the winter,not at some bird-filled wetland site as you might expect,but on a thin strip of muddy grass  between a North Shields housing estate and the busy road from Billy Mill to Tynemouth. Apparently present for it’s 3rd day,the bird was reported to a birder by a local resident. It fed well on worms,allowing close approach  and was still present at 3pm.

A.S.Jack

A welcome sunny,clear day saw me up at Cresswell where the large flock of Pink Feet remain,around 2,000+ being disturbed from feeding by a Police helicopter. I didn’t attempt to count the many Wigeon here,but noted 80 Twite adjacent to Bell’s Farm. Here too were a few Skylarks and a Meadow Pipit. Larks were heard singing today at several sites including St Marys and East Chevington. Great to hear!

At that latter site the female Marsh Harrier was hunting the reedbeds and a pair seen at another site. On the North Pool were Red necked Grebe,2 Slavonian Grebes , 26 Goldeneye and 2 female Long tailed Duck and a Red Breasted Merganser. A female Stonechat seen near the track to the south hide. At feeders here, 14 Redpoll, 4 Siskin, 4 Reed Buntings and several Tits and Chaffinches gave a good show until a male Sparrowhawk landed on the ground among them causing panic. On this occasion he missed.

Widdrington”lake” held several Shelduck, 700 Pink Feet,with a nice Linnet flock of 120 and 6 Yellowhammers and 5 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels and 4 Herons noted.

On the river at Blyth, a high tide roost held 8 Black tailed Godwits and 16 Bar tails, as well as  200 Lapwing, 55 Curlew and a similar number of Oystercatchers. 41 Shelduck was a good count ,as was 36  Eiders,12 Goldeneye,and 5 Mergansers.

A.S.Jack

Wednesday, 12th Feb A Bittern seen flying upstream near Whiteadder Point at about 11:00 in morning. Landed among reeds near Coroner’s Meadow (NT960519).

TBrewis

Saturday 8th February – Leazes Park 

On Saturday I spent some time in Leazes Park, in Newcastle city centre. The weather was wet and windy. On the lake there were good numbers of Tufted Duck. I counted 27. In the trees there were 15-18 Goldfinches and 5-8 Chaffinches. There was also over 100 Greenfinches in flocks ranging from 6-30 birds. In a group of 8 I felt lucky to find a single Brambling, which was a welcome year tick.

Monday 10th February – Hexham & Grindon Lough. 

Today I was in Hexham. On the river there were 5 Goosanders. There was also a feeding party of Long-tailed Tits in the trees. During my lunch I drove the relatively short distance to Grindon Lough. The weather was cold, but very bright and sunny. Amongst the 100-103 Canada Geese, I found 3 Greylags, but there was no sign of any White-fronted Geese. On the water there were 5 Goldeneye, 45-50 Wigeon, 30-35 Teal, 9 Tufted, 2 Shelduck and at least five Mallard’s.

Paul Buskin

Another visit to Druridge Bay starting at East Chevington.  First bird seen after getting out of car  ….  Marsh Harrier !   A female was quartering the reed edge of N Pool and then moved over to S Pool.  Janet was much quicker off the mark with a photo which to my reckoning is the first February record for the county. On to the hide and a fine Short-eared Owl moved W over the pool. The Slavonian Grebe was also visible distantly as were two Long-tailed Duck. On to Cresswell Pond and little of note other than two Pintail and an Otter. Finally Druridge Pools also had a pair of Pintail & interestingly five Black-tailed Godwit.  No sign of the Green-winged Teal as presumably it has moved to Big Waters. TRD/JD

A tour around the local sites saw me at St. Marys and the first singing Skylarks of the year,as 2 birds noted on high. A Stonechat along the west fence line and 3 Reed Buntings seen. A few Rock Pipits,Grey Wagtail and an assortment of waders frequented the rocks and beach. Among these were a single Purple Sandpiper and 68 Sanderling , around 250 lapwings,19 Turnstone and flocks of Oystercatchers,Curlew and Redshank. The wetland held small numbers of Teal , Wigeon and Snipe.

Holywell was quiet, with a few Tree Sparrows and Great spotted Woodpecker at feeders. Dipper in the dene.

On to Killingworth Lake, where 5 Gooseander,12 Goldeneye and 4 Shoveler were among good numbers of Coot and Tufted Duck.

Swallow pond next, and 2 jays in the wood,then 1 flying n.w. towards Benton. Water Rail briefly and Siskin and Coal Tit in the woods. The Red Deer remains in residence with the horses.

Along the Bee Hive road at Earsdon, a flock of Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings noted.

A.S. Jack

Another foray to Stag Rocks, Bamburgh and at last connected with the Grey Phalarope !   Marvellous views just offshore 200 metres south of the Stag painting on the rocks.  Strangely quiet otherwise though main Common Scoter flock of 400+ was a long way out. Just a couple of Long-tailed Ducks and 20 Purple Sandpiper. Other stops at Budle Bay, Fenham le Moor & Fenham Mill were also on the quiet side with just 10 Whooper Swans visible from Fenham Mill bridge over the railway line though probably others hidden. A few Pintail visible at distance at Fenham le Moor. TRD/JD

1st of February – Stag Rocks

When we arrived there was no sign of the Grey Phalarope, but plenty of other birds were present including an adult Black-throated Diver and a very close Red-necked Grebe. A Little Gull arrived from the north, and there were a few Slavonian Grebes and Long-tailed Ducks offshore.

We then went to Budle Bay, where a few Grey Plovers were out on the mudflats and Brent and Barnacle Geese were in the distant fields. Similar birds were from the hide at Fenham-le-moor.

Back at Stag Rocks the tide was in and the Grey Phalarope was immediately visible feeding in the surf. I spent the next hour or so getting very close views of the bird. it could at times be quite mobile, but if you let it come to you it would approach to less than a few metres. 2 Little Gulls were also undisturbed by our presence and also showed brilliantly with Black-headed and Common Gulls on the shore line.

2nd of February – Druridge Bay

First up was Woodhorn, and the 3 White-fronted Geese were again in the field behind Church Pool. Cresswell Pond was quiet with the highlights being a female Scaup and a Bar-tailed Godwit. An Otter was also catching fish at the back of the Pond. There were 2 Slavonian Grebes at Chevington along with a pair of Long-tailed Ducks.

J Farooqi

Saturday 1st February 2014

Rising Sun Country Park
This weekend the weather was much better, as the rain had stopped and the sun was out. On Swallow Pond, there was a good selection of ducks with at least 8 Shoveler, 4-6 Tufted Duck, 5 Wigeon, 7 Mallard, 25-30 Teal and a single female Goldeneye. There were also four Pochards , with a third on Duke’s Pond. There was no sign of any Gadwall, Swans, Geese or Golden Plovers today.

Wallsend Dene/Burn
Two Redwings were feeding on some grass at Holy Cross Cemetery. Nearby there were over 10 Chaffinches with Blue and Great Tits. As I travelled down into Wallsend Burn I was welcomed by a magnificent flyby of a female Merlin. Only moments later, a male Pheasant hopped across the path, from some bushes on my left. This was most unexpected; as this is the first time I’ve recorded Pheasant at this site.

Sunday 2nd February 2014

Thornley Woods
Just a few miles to the south of the county (but well worth a visit), I travelled to Thornley Woods after dropping my wife off at work in town. I was pleased to see the visitor centre still open and there was food out for the birds again at the feeders. At the feeding station, there were plenty of Coal Tits, accompanied by Blue and Great Tits, Chaffinches and a single Dunnock, Robin and Nuthatch. A Red Kite and Sparrowhawk could be seen at times, watching from afar. The highlight was extremely close views of a Kingfisher just to the right of the hide. There was no sign of any Jays or Woodpeckers today, however I regularly record these at this site.

Paul Buskin

Good numbers of waders at St Marys today, with 61 Oystercatchers,143 Curlew,220 Redshank and 11 Snipe noted. A Stonechat seen along a fence line.  At Seaton Sluice, 500 Pink Feet grazed the fields ,with them were 110 Lapwing and 77 Curlew.

On up to Newbiggin, and 4 Med. Gulls on the beach. At Cresswell, 300 Lapwings,some of which  were showing signs of things to come,as they chased rival males away and even briefly burst into spring calls. 136 Dunlin dropped in to feed on the exposed mud,in  several small flocks, a good count. Wigeon and Teal were the only notable ducks on the pond.A Water Rail ran in front of the hide ,twice . Feeders near the hide attracted some 25 Tree Sparrows and a few tits and Yellowhammers. The Pink Feet flock were located west of Bells Farm feeding in fields, around 1,500 present.Another single Stonechat noted.  Hauxley, and 52 Tree Sparrows were noteworthy and another Water Rail seen here.

At Warkworth Lane, 32 Whooper Swans remained in their favoured fields.

A.S.Jack

Holywell Pond this Saturday was very quiet. On arrival the weather turned very wintery, with heavy rain showers, accompanied by a strong wind. There were 17 Greylag Geese in the fields at the back of the pond (with a max of 42 recorded in the hide log so far this year). This is very different to the hundreds we usually see at Holywell. This site is always worth a visit this time of year, as Bean and White fronted Geese can be seen at times amongst the Greylags and Pink foots.

A Cormorant was feeding on the pond with over 20 Gadwall, 15-18 Wigeon, a single Tufted and over 80 Mallard. It was nice to also see three Pochards. In the hide log there was a record of a Scaup up to the 16th Jan and a Dipper for Holywell Dene. There were no records of any Whooper Swans this year.

The resident Mute Swans were very sociable, coming very close to the hide. The bird feeders at the feeding station and close to the hide were all full, but there were no birds at all using them today. This was a shame as they are usually so popular.

Paul Buskin

            Up to Stag Rocks at Bamburgh today and a superb spell. Highlight though had to be the Sandwich Tern which flew past at close range going south. This was found yesterday by Richard Dunn and comprises the first January record in Northumberland. In fact the first Tern record in January barring a Common Tern in 1884 ! A fine supporting cast though with single Black-throated & Great Northern Divers plus a Red-necked Grebe & three Slavonians. Also five Velvet Scoters including three males. New for the year were two Gannets and six Razorbills. On to Budle Bay but very quiet. The Barnacle Goose flock was visible from Harper’s Heugh nearby with at least 270 present. An outstanding Yellowhammer flock of at least 100 were along the roadside hedges north west of Elwick with a single Skylark (also first for year). A brief visit to Fenham le Moor but at low tide little of note other than the Pintail flock of c50 birds. Finally a wander to Swinhoe as news of a juvenile Iceland Gull in sheep fields west of the village. Found plenty of Gulls mostly Herring but no sign. Tried checking other fields nearby but without success. TRD/JD

At Blyth this morning, no sign of the Great Northern Diver there earlier,but on the river a nice group of displaying,calling Goldeneye drakes and a good selection of waders and ducks,among them 200 Lapwing,a Grey Plover, 27 Dunlin and 9 Shelduck,and several Eiders. Kestrel seen at two sites here.

Up to Newbiggin,where 5 Med gulls of varying ages loafed on the beach,then at nearby Woodhorn a Short Eared Owl ,a scarcity this winter,hunted the ash lagoon. On to Lynemouth next, where the approachable Glossy Ibis fed near the road/ birders a few hundred metres north of the flash.With 3 in Durham  too, it’s a bit of an influx up here. A Meadow Pipit calling  from the field too.

At Cresswell, around 2,000 Pink Feet fed in fields , and a pair of Stonechats near the north car park. On the pond a large number of Wigeon and around the north end fed 69 Oystercatchers , 14 Dunlin and 5 Knot. 10 Yellowhammers and 15 Tree Sparrows near the farm.

Up to Bell’s Farm dunes and the flock of Twite were very flighty,rarely settling . Counted from a photograph later, there were 84.

A.S. Jack

Down to Lynemouth Flash and success with a very co-operative Glossy Ibis. Very close views on field to north of Lynemouth Flash in corner next to the road. Janet managed better pics than me with her Panasonic Bridge camera. The larger image is hers (equivalent to a 1000mm lens) compared to my 500mm Sigma ! Onwards to East Chevington North pool and no luck again with the Bearded Tit which was seen again yesterday. Typically it showed again from the main hide looking north after we left. On the pool was the Slavonian Grebe in distance plus the female Common Scoter & two Long-tailed Duck.  Also seen here later was the drake Green-winged Teal having moved from Druridge Pools. TRD/JD

This weekend was very wet and chilly. We decided to spend a couple of hour’s bird watching in the shelter of the comfortable Big Waters hides.

On the feeders, the resident Tree Sparrows were very vocal today. Like last year, Willow Tits could be seen easily alongside the Blue and Great Tits. There was no sign of any Coal Tits today. Almost a dozen Moorhens were trying their best to extract seeds from the feeders, at times appearing very comical. There was also a single Great Spotted Woodpecker.

The pond itself was alive with hundreds of Wigeon, over 20 Gadwall and a single female Goldeneye. We enjoyed great views of an energetic female Scaup. This was often accompanied by a female Tufted. There was no sign of any Whooper Swans, with only the resident Mute Swans present.

A Grey Heron and some Cormorants relaxed on the island in front of the first hide, often chasing off nearby Common and Black-headed Gulls. The Bittern did not put in an appearance and we didn’t hear any Water Rails.

Paul & Adriana Buskin

Holywell Pond – Scaup and Otter. Also a report of a Bittern present for several days.  Buzzard, 7 Grey Herons, Yellowhammer and Kestrel.

Big Waters- another report of a Bittern seen here.

ASJ.

Out to Newbiggin today for our first Mediterranean Gulls of the year, two second-winters & an adult on the south beach opposite the beach cafe. Little else to keep us in cold S/E wind for and little seen off Church Pt.  On to Woodhorn and struck lucky with the three Greenland White-fronted Geese as feeding with Greylags opposite the old windmill at the Alcan entrance. On to Snab Pt but little on sea in rough conditions. Cresswell Pond was also quiet but again lucky with the Twite flock with 30 seen at the Bells Dunes near the farm between Cresswell Pond & Druridge. In field with cattle and settled several times. Final stop was Druridge Pools and luck again held with a fine drake Green-winged Teal from the Budge screen. This likely to be the returning drake as opposed to the different drake on Holy Island. Unfortunately the wildfowl were fairly distant from the screen and only record shots obtained (At least you can see what it is!).  Also 2 male Pintail & a female there. TRD/JD