Firecrest Gem and a Confiding Great Spotted Woodpecker - Broomfield Track 09/01/21

A short walk along Broomfield track turned up a few nice surprises this afternoon. It started well with both Bullfinch and Coal Tit calling and giving tantalisingly brief views. A little further on I caught sight of a Firecrest making its way through the various patches of ivy in the hedgerow. It was a real little gem but extremely active, moving rapidly through and from ivy patch to ivy patch. I tried for some photos and was lucky enough to be able to grab a couple of memory shots of a beautiful little bird.

Firecrest

Firecrest

I paused for a rest and a few moments later a very smart male Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in and proceeded to treat me to some great views as it checked around the trunk.   

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

I headed for home and on the way passed 5 Redwing and a couple of Fieldfare in the horse paddock bringing a short but enjoyable visit to a close.

Redwing

First Butterflies of Spring - Broomfield Track 25/3/20

With the government lockdown in place due to Coronavirus, when I am able, I am going to have my daily exercise walk along Broomfield track which is just across the road from me. I am lucky it is so near and though there tends to be a fair amount of disturbance as it tends to be very popular with dog walkers and joggers, and even more so now, there is still enough space to be able to have no difficulty in maintaining social distancing.

It was good to be out on a beautifully sunny spring morning and the air was full of bird song with Chaffinch, Robin and Dunnock all giving it their best. A Wren exploded into song nearby as I made my way down the track and Blackbirds and Song Thrush were busy feeding in the paddock. A Chiffchaff sang frequently as it made its way through the trees and a Great Tit appeared to answer in song each time it did so.

I saw a good mix of the usual suspects as I made my way to the upper track. A Jay called as it flew above the hedgerow while in the fields Carrion Crows, Rooks and Jackdaws were feeding in various places. As I neared a sheltered spot I saw my first Peacock butterfly of the year looking absolutely stunning against the blossom.

Peacock Butterfly

As I came down onto the lower track I could hear a Bullfinch (99) calling and a pair of Coal Tits (100) were calling away as they moved steadily through the trees. Each sheltered spot I came too seemed to have at least a couple of Bee-flies busily feeding away, again my first for the year. I always enjoy watching them. They were visiting both the Aconite and Wood Anemone flowers. I also caught up with my first Ladybird of the year.

Bee-fly

Movement amongst the next patch of blossom caught my eye and I came across another new butterfly for the year when I saw a Small Tortoiseshell closely following a Peacock Butterfly. Each time the Peacock butterfly flew it followed it and then settled right next to it and on several occasions seemed to be stroking it with its proboscis. I couldn't tell if it was warning the Peacock butterfly off or attracted to it.

Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock Butterflies

Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock Butterflies

I could hear a Common Buzzard calling with another replying a little further away. Next second one appeared directly above lazily thermalling as moved past and looking stunning with the light shining though its wings.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard

I finished the visit with another first butterfly for the year when I came across a Comma butterfly sunning itself as I headed for home, what a beauty. It had been an enjoyable walk by the end I had seen several Peacock, 1 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Comma Butterflies making the most of the sunshine.

Comma butterfly

Birds seen this visit included: 12 Blackbirds, 4 Robin, 4 Dunnock, House Sparrows, Starlings, 2 Collared Doves, Woodpigeons, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Wren, 1 Jay, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 6 Chaffinch, 15 Linnet, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Goldfinch, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, 2 Coal Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Common Buzzard, Stock Dove,

Red Grouse, Sabine's Gull and Red Kite - Minsteracres, Northumberland 10-17/8/19

I went with people from my church for the church's annual retreat week to Minsteracres Retreat Centre in Northumberland. It is a beautiful place with lovely grounds and the retreat includes free time so I was able to do a little bird watching each day. It was lovely in the early morning to hear geese flying over. They were mainly Canada Geese with smaller numbers of Greylag Geese. They started to go over just after dawn and on average I would see about 200 Canada and 60 Greylag Geese each morning. Nuthatches could be heard calling and Tawney Owls were vocal. Lots of Coal Tits were busy in the woods, as were Treecreepers, and it was nice to hear plentiful Willow Warbler song. Several Tree Pipits could be seen as well.

Canada Geese

I was kindly given a lift to Blanchland on Monday afternoon to see if I could see a Dipper from the bridge there as it is usually a good place to see them and it was close to where we were staying. Unfortunately the river was very high as there had been a lot of rain and all the perching stones had been covered over so we did not have any luck but did see a couple of Grey Wagtail. However on the way back we drove up into the heather covered hills and saw plenty of Wheatear and then, best of all, Red Grouse. We were very lucky and ended up seeing quite a few and getting some very nice views indeed and they certainly made my day.

Red Grouse

Red Grouse

Red Grouse

Grey Wagtail

On the Tuesday I had an early morning walk down the road that overlooks the reservoir. It was a grey and overcast morning but luckily soon became brighter with blue sky and sunshine. I hoped to catch up with Tree Sparrow as there is a farm a little way down the road where Tree Sparrows are fairly plentiful. While looking for them it was a bonus to have a couple of Spotted Flycatchers busily fly catching from the telegraph wires. I got some nice views of a some Tree Sparrows and a male obligingly paused long enough for a photo. They are lovely little birds.

View from the road

Spotted Flycatcher

Tree Sparrow

In the afternoon I took a walk down to the small lake on the grounds. It was very windy and raining fairly steadily but luckily stopped after a while. A couple of young Buzzards were calling away and as I turned from watching them I caught sight of a Roe Deer at the same moment that it saw me. I felt so lucky as it did not bound off as soon as it saw me but, though wary, it watched me for a minute or so from behind the grass before moving back into cover. It was a beautiful animal. Nearer the water I found some Emerald Damselflies and 3 Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillars - two were green of different shades and one was dark brown. They really are very striking caterpillars.

Roe Deer

Emerald Damselfly

Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar

Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar

Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar

On Wednesday I saw another couple of Roe Deer but further away this time. A Red Kite showed briefly before disappearing behind the trees. I came across a family of Wren with 4 very young birds who appeared to be newly fledged.

Roe Deer

newly fledged Wren

We had a free day on the Thursday so I took a slow wander down to the reservoir. The day started nicely with 4 Spotted Flycatchers in the grounds and a female Bullfinch feeding a youngster.

Spotted Flycatcher

female Bullfinch and youngster

female Bullfinch and youngster

It was nice to see several Wall Butterflies on the walk down. Once I reached the reservoir I could see 120 Canada Geese and 40 Greylag Geese.

Wall Butterfly

Canada Geese

Without a doubt, though, the highlight of the day was walking beside the reservoir and idly looking towards the water only to see the breath taking sight of an adult Sabine's Gull flying below and alongside me. Now that I did not expect. I literally could not believe it. It gained height and the light through its wings looked fantastic. What a stunningly beautiful bird. I tried for some photos and luckily some came out not too badly. It had been very windy yesterday and I wonder if that had brought it in. The reservoir is a fair way from the sea though.

Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

Sabine's Gull

I finished a very enjoyable day with some good views of a Red Kite. A perfect end to a great day out.

Red Kite

With very little time available for bird watching on Friday I enjoyed some lovely views of a Chaffinch.

Chaffinch

It was a good week away. The retreat was enjoyable and interesting, the people in the group were great company, and I had a great time away. I was very pleased that I had also had time to do some birdwatching. It is a beautiful part of the country and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing what I could see. It would be a lovely area to do some birdwatching in.

A Frosty Grove Ferry - 15/02/19

I had a rare complete day off today, without any other commitments, so I thought I would spend a day walking through from Grove Ferry to Stodmarsh.

I arrived early on a frosty but beautiful morning. I could hear Bullfinches calling and 2 males and 2 females paused briefly before carrying on. I tried for a photo of a male but it was too obscured by branches. Luckily a female popped up briefly into the open. It was a little distant but I was pleased to try it.

Frosty Grove Ferry

Bullfinch

All the usual little jobs were around. A Dunnock posed very nicely in the sunshine in between having a preen.

Dunnock

I did have a look from the viewing platform but was looking directly into the light. I could see 150 Lapwing but couldn't really make out much more so I carried on towards the David Feast hide. I liked the frost on the reeds. I got a lovely view of a Kingfisher hovering but was not quick enough to get a photo. I also heard a Water Rail call. As I approached the hide I could hear a Cetti's warbler calling but could not manage to see it.

Frost on reed

There was a lot of activity from the hide with 2 Mute Swan, 130 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 7 Coot and a Black-tailed Godwit all giving some lovely views in the sunshine.

I enjoyed watching the Gadwall. They are pretty duck in an understated kind of way and the male's black bill and vent are striking. I was pleased to get an opportunity for a flight shot as well. The white speculum in flight is quite striking.

Gadwall

Gadwall pair and reflections

Gadwall male

Gadwall in flight

A single Little Grebe showed briefly, as did a sub adult Shoveler.

Little Grebe

Shoveler and Gadwall

I was pleased to see a pair of Tufted Duck (93) but could not really manage much of a photo. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the coot. It is incredible the way that they run on the water. And today there was a lot of that going on as there was a particularly either aggressive or amorous one that kept chasing the others, laying low in the water as it came in to attack. In between they settled to feed.

Coot

Coot running on water

Coot eating water weed

A single Black-tailed Godwit (94) showed well on the island. Every now and then it would preen and then wing stretch.

Black-tailed Godwit

Black Tailed Godwit feeding

Black-tailed Godwit wing stretch - underwing

Black-tailed Godwit wing stretch - upperwing

A couple of Greylag Geese flew in, one of which gave a good view of the upperwing markings as they did so. The one that settled on the island gave some nice views and started to preen.

Greylag Geese in flight

Greylag Goose

A flock of 30 Lapwing came in and swooped and tumbled in the air. They were so fast that I could not manage to get on them quick enough but I really enjoyed watching them. The flash of dark and light as they twist and turn is impressive, to say the least.

I had thoroughly enjoyed my time in the hide but it was time to move on so I headed along to the Harrison hide. I heard a Marsh Harrier call, it was soaring high above me and called frequently. A Common Buzzard was mobbed by a Black-headed Gull as it flew through. There was nothing from the hide apart from some Mallard at the back so I had a walk along the path.

I caught sight of what I am sure was a Bearded Tit disappearing into the reeds but couldn't pick it up again. The colour of them is so distinctive. There was a flooded field that looked good but I could not see anything much on it but could hear multiple Skylarks calling from it. A Reed Bunting gave a lovely view. 18 Meadow Pipit were alternating between the trees and the field and though it was distant I tried for a shot of the least obscured one, as it was singing away.

Reed Bunting

Meadow Pipit singing

I made my way through towards the Marsh hide and heard another couple of Cetti's warblers calling. It was quite quiet from the hide. There was a Grey Heron at the back and a Snipe flew across near it. 4 Lapwing were dotted around and a single Water Pipit (95) was on the far island. I tried for some photos but it really was too far to be able to get anything much, apart from a memory shot. I was pleased to see it though. I enjoyed watching a Marsh Harrier and it provided another opportunity for a memory shot.

Water Pipit

Marsh Harrier

I carried on towards Stodmarsh. I met another birdwatcher who said to keep an eye out for a Little Owl as it was near the barn, so I did and I got a lovely, if distant, view. Lots of singing was coming from the wood. I could hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming and a Green Woodpecker yaffling. A couple of Chiffchaff were calling. Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit were all very active.

Maria arrived in the car park as I reached it and we headed on to the Reedbed hide. There were a few Teal dotted around and some Shoveler gave good, if distant, views of their upperwing pattern.

Shoveler in flight

I was very lucky as a Marsh Harrier flew past close to the hide on several occasions and I tried for some flight shots. I do struggle to be able to capture anything in flight successfully but I enjoy trying and these birds were closer than I normally see them. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier - close encounter

Marsh Harrier - eye to eye

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier - another close encounter

Some Mute Swan flew in and I enjoyed trying for some shots of them landing.

Mute Swans landing

Mute Swans landing

Mute Swan landing

Mute Swan splash down

Once they had landed the 2 adults displayed to each other with the ?immature, that was with them, joining in and doing the same display movements. The 3rd bird appeared a fair bit smaller and I could not work out why, presumably it is a youngster and perhaps isn't quite full build yet. The reflections in the water today were beautiful.

Mute Swans courtship display - three's a crowd

Mute Swans courtship display

Mute Swan and reflection

A Greylag Goose arrived and had a short swim round before giving some stunning views as it flew towards and then passed over the top of the hide.

Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose - incoming

Greylag Goose - fly over

A pair of Crested Grebe swam into the bay and started to display but then stopped and swam back out. They are striking birds.

Great Crested Grebes

Great Crested Grebes courtship display

A Snipe was tucked in at the back but after a while moved nearer. As time went on more moved out from cover and in the end I saw 4 but none of them came very close.

Snipe

Snipe - wash and brush up

Snipe

Snipe wing stretch

What a lovely way to spend an afternoon. I had thoroughly enjoyed my visit and finished off with a very close Robin. It was in poor light but they are such lovely birds that I tried for a shot anyway.

Robin

Birds seen this visit include: 4 Robin, 5 Dunnock, 2 Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, 4 Bullfinch 2 male and 2 female, 8  Reed Bunting, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Mallard, 150 Lapwing, 2 Water Rail, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Marsh Harrier, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 30 Gadwall, 180 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Coot, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Tufted Duck, 22 Shoveler, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, 3 Skylark, 56 Fieldfare, Goldfinch, 18 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 15 Linnet, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Bearded Tit, 4 Moorhen, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, 5 Snipe