Tuesday 26 March 2024

Booming bitterns at Blacktoft

 As usual Monday did not go as planned, so it was after 2pm when I arrived at Blacktoft.


Luckily the rain had stopped by the time I arrived at Marshland hide. Wigeon, tufted duck, mallard, gadwall and coot, most of whom were asleep. The arrival of a marsh harrier soon changed that , and as the harriers drifted over Ousefleet, a large flock of black-tailed godwits took to the air along with 2 avocets.

Lots of snipe in front of Reedling hide. The sound of booming bittern could be heard from 1st hide.

Townend lagoon had several snipe and lots of tufted ducks, 10 males and 3 females.



The marsh harriers came very close to the hide, a pity that the light was not better.




Lets hope for better weather on Saturday, when I am on duty in reception.


Saturday 23 March 2024

Low Barns Nature Reserve

 


RSPB York Local Group outing by coach to Low Barns Nature Reserve, near Bishop Auckland.

Luckily the only rain we had was while we were on the coach travelling North on the A1, otherwise a sunny, but windy day.

The first hide we visited had feeders outside so we were able to watch dunnocks, reed buntings, goldfinches, chaffinches


either on the ground picking up bits of fallen seed or on the feeders like this siskin


not a brilliant picture as the feeders were swaying back and forth due to the winds. We added mute  swans, canada geese and mallard to our day list. As we walked along the boardwalk, through a reedbed, we heard but did not see a water rail.

As we approached the Northumbrian Water hide we were able to watch a grey wagtail feeding.

From the hide itself we added grey heron, chiffchaff, tufted duck, little grebe and teal to our list. We then returned to the centre for lunch.
Our first stop after lunch was at another set of bird feeders. 


Mr and Mrs great tit waited on a branch for an opportunity to get on the bird table. A nuthatch took seed from cracks in a mature tree.


From the rangers hide we looked over a lake and added goldeneye, lesser black backed and yellow legged gulls to our list.
As we walked along the path towards the "Everglades", we heard then saw 2 marsh tits. There were also several chiifchaffs singing. From the next hide we added cormorant and goosander to our list. Walking along the path which runs besides the River Wear we met another member of our group who had spotted 2 goldcrests in a tree.

I was both surprised and pleased to get this picture as the birds were moving about a lot. We retraced our steps to the Northumbrian Water hide, and was pleased to see that the grey wagtail was still feeding in the same place. 
From the hide this time we added pheasant, little egret and 2 sand martins, my first of the year.
It was then time to go back to the coach via the visitor centre.
A very pleasant trip, with 44 birds on the day list, including 3 year ticks.













Sunday 17 March 2024

Hartlepool & RSPB Saltholme



On Saturday and today (Sunday) spent time at various places in and around Hartlepool. While our friends went to watch their football team (Southend) play Hartlepool we spent time in Ward Jackson Park.

Lots of people feeding bread to the ducks, geese and swans. A couple of very noisy ring necked parakeets. 


Newburn Bridge was our next stop, where we sat and watched gulls and waders.
Sunday morning we spent at RSPB Saltholme.



My first avocets of the year

Barnacle goose was another year tick. Pintails and goldeneye were still present, but no sign of any sand martins.
The afternoon was spent doing a sea watch off the Headland.




There were several rafts of common scoters, they were close enough for me to be able to see the yellow patch on the bill of the males. No sign of any velvet scoters.
Redshanks


purple sandpiper



eiders

A pleasant end to our weekend in Hartlepool.
55 birds on my list and 3 year ticks.
 Many thanks to Bill and Ali for their hospitality.


Saturday 16 March 2024

Early morning walk to Newburn Bridge.

 

Looking towards South Gare

6am on Saturday morning




I walked along the coast path to Newburn Bridge. It was high tide and a few waders were sheltering on the shingle.


Not brilliant pictures as I was facing the sun. A few oystercatchers, turnstones, ringed plovers and purple sandpipers. On the way back to the apartment, I came across this group of redshanks.







Friday 15 March 2024

Mariners Point

 


Spending the weekend with friends in Hartlepool.

Strong winds and rain as we arrived. When the rain stopped I went for a stroll. Was disappointed to discover that I could not walk to the lifeboat station as the road is now fenced off. So no kittiwakes.

A walk along the old pier was rewarded with good views of a male eider, a small flock of redshanks and a single female common scoter.

Hoping to add to my year list before returning home on Monday.


 

Sunday 10 March 2024

Rawcliffe Lake

 


Time for a short walk around the lake on my way to a hospital appointment on Saturday.

This cormorant came very close, as did a little egret. Where was my camera!

Mothers Day at Blacktoft

 

Not the weather you would wish for on any day, let alone Mothers day. Cloud, rain and a cold wind.

After a brief chat with Katherine and Craig in reception, I walked to Marshland hide. I chose this hide  as it was the only one you could sit in with the windows open and not have the cold wind and rain blow in.

I cannot remember when I last saw a little grebe on land, this one was asleep, sheltered by the wigeons from the worst of the weather.

This was one of several tufted ducks on the lagoon, sometimes when they surfaced their beaks were covered in mud. Several snipe were resting in sheltered spots.



When it stopped raining, marsh harriers started to display.


One sat on a bush in front of First hide. If only the light was better.


A pleasant visit, despite the weather.












 

I cannot remeber