I was out on Thursday with Cain ,(Holywell Birder). We went to Prestwick Carr first in case the eagle had gone back to where it was seen the night before.
After a couple of minutes walking down the bumpy road we refound the eagle flying over the plantation being mobbed by Buzzards.
It flew right over our heads giving some amazing views, it then flew over the goat fields and off towards Dinnington. We lost sight of it soon after as it was mobbed by Corvids.
We tried to refind it but failed.
After this we headed off to Eshott for the Common Crane. After finding the field it was in opposite the entrance to Shaw Farm (no thanks to my shocking map reading skills), it didn't take us long to find the Crane which was in the far corner of the ploughed field. It stayed for a few minutes before being mobbed by Lapwings and flying off into the next field. As it was in the air we could hear it calling.
After a quick stop at Amble where I saw the Mallard x Eider hybrid in the harbour, we went in search of a Black Redstart.
After not finding one at Druridge we tried Whitley Bay cemetry but didn't go in as there was a funeral going on.
Instead we had a good look around Arcot. The three GC Grebes were still on the pond as was a Little Grebe - Patch Tick.
This morning I was out with SH and MH in search of yesterdays Great White Egret- Lifer. We headed to East Chevington South Pool first where it had been reported and just in time managed to see it fly off over the reed bed and land at Druridge Pools.
We checked from the Budge screen and soon relocated the Egret wading through the water at the far right side of the pool.
We watched it for a while as it fished and flew around, I could even see the silvery white plumes on its back.
74 - Little Grebe
Showing posts with label East Chevington. Show all posts
Showing posts with label East Chevington. Show all posts
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Sunday, 27 December 2009
2B
With not much being reported from Northumberland recently I went to East Chevington this morning with SH to see if we could find anything.
On the way up we stopped at QE2 lake which was half frozen. A channel had been created between the ice and it was full of wildfowl.
Good numbers of Coot, Goldeneye, Mute Swan and a few Gadwall were in the channel. A group of Wigeon were feeding on the grass next to the car park.
In the fields opposite QE2 next to Alcan there were 28 Whooper Swans amongst a flock of Mutes.
We stopped at the fields just past Widdrington as there were a lot of geese spread over two fields.
There were near 300 geese mostly, Greylags but two stood out as they were near the front of the flock by themselves.
One was the Greylag/Canada Goose hybrid which I have seen at Chevington and Hauxley and the other was a Bean Goose.
I was just about to get a better look at it through Steve's scope when the flock took off towards Chevington.
At Chevington the North pool was frozen and only a few birds were on the islands.
Instead of staying at the pools on the off chance something would drop in we went to check the fields around the dunes and the smaller pools near the bottom of the south pool.
As we were going around the corner towards the end of the south pool I saw something flying low down which looked like a Buzzard or a small heron.
On second look I could see it was a Bittern, as I was watching it it disappeared behind the fence line over the south pool.
There wasn't much in the fields near the dunes apart from a flock of Goldfinch and Skylark. Although we did see a total of 7 Stonechat around the reserve.
Our last stop was at North Blyth where 10 Goldeneye were on the river and 13 Grey Heron were roosting in the docks.
A single female Common Scoter was amongst a group of Eider offshore.
On the way up we stopped at QE2 lake which was half frozen. A channel had been created between the ice and it was full of wildfowl.
Good numbers of Coot, Goldeneye, Mute Swan and a few Gadwall were in the channel. A group of Wigeon were feeding on the grass next to the car park.
In the fields opposite QE2 next to Alcan there were 28 Whooper Swans amongst a flock of Mutes.
We stopped at the fields just past Widdrington as there were a lot of geese spread over two fields.
There were near 300 geese mostly, Greylags but two stood out as they were near the front of the flock by themselves.
One was the Greylag/Canada Goose hybrid which I have seen at Chevington and Hauxley and the other was a Bean Goose.
I was just about to get a better look at it through Steve's scope when the flock took off towards Chevington.
At Chevington the North pool was frozen and only a few birds were on the islands.
Instead of staying at the pools on the off chance something would drop in we went to check the fields around the dunes and the smaller pools near the bottom of the south pool.
As we were going around the corner towards the end of the south pool I saw something flying low down which looked like a Buzzard or a small heron.
On second look I could see it was a Bittern, as I was watching it it disappeared behind the fence line over the south pool.
There wasn't much in the fields near the dunes apart from a flock of Goldfinch and Skylark. Although we did see a total of 7 Stonechat around the reserve.
Our last stop was at North Blyth where 10 Goldeneye were on the river and 13 Grey Heron were roosting in the docks.
A single female Common Scoter was amongst a group of Eider offshore.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
111!
I was out early on Sunday morning with SH and DMcK for the webs count at Castle Island. After a quiet count we went to Cresswell Pond.
A Spotted Redshank was wading through the water just past the sandbar.
2 Greenshank were near the causeway and 8 Tree Sparrow were in the hedge leading to the hide.
At East Chevington there were 302 Canada Geese on the main pool with a Canada Goose/Greylag goose Hybrid amongst them.
A single Great Crested Grebe kept appearing amongst the geese, which were joined by 43 Pink Footed Geese.
A Redpoll flew overhead calling and whilst watching the pool two Stoat bounded through the field towards us. One of the Stoats stopped and popped its head out of the long grass and looked at us before diving into the hedgerow.
With nothing else being reported around the county we headed back to the patch and concentrated around there for a couple of hours.
At West Hartford a single Redshank and 5 Dunlin were on the ever-increasing mud on the main pool.
Three Buzzards were circling the river Blyth and a Jay flew over the pool.
At Arcot Pond 103 Teal were at the back of the pond with a single male Wigeon – Patch tick, amongst them.
5 Dunlin flew across the pond and headed off southwest. Presumably they were the same 5 which were at WH, weren’t they?
111- Wigeon
A Spotted Redshank was wading through the water just past the sandbar.
2 Greenshank were near the causeway and 8 Tree Sparrow were in the hedge leading to the hide.
At East Chevington there were 302 Canada Geese on the main pool with a Canada Goose/Greylag goose Hybrid amongst them.
A single Great Crested Grebe kept appearing amongst the geese, which were joined by 43 Pink Footed Geese.
A Redpoll flew overhead calling and whilst watching the pool two Stoat bounded through the field towards us. One of the Stoats stopped and popped its head out of the long grass and looked at us before diving into the hedgerow.
With nothing else being reported around the county we headed back to the patch and concentrated around there for a couple of hours.
At West Hartford a single Redshank and 5 Dunlin were on the ever-increasing mud on the main pool.
Three Buzzards were circling the river Blyth and a Jay flew over the pool.
At Arcot Pond 103 Teal were at the back of the pond with a single male Wigeon – Patch tick, amongst them.
5 Dunlin flew across the pond and headed off southwest. Presumably they were the same 5 which were at WH, weren’t they?
111- Wigeon
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Beacon Hill and the Bay
I was out this morning with Steve H to try again for Spotted Flycatcher at Beacon Hill.
Initially the woodland was quiet but after about half an hour a family party of Blue and Great Tits appeared.
Whilst watching the Blue Tits that were hanging upside down from the branches, a Marsh Tit landed next to them.
We had great views as it dived onto the ground from the branches and moved around the front of the tree. It was joined by another and the pair flew off deeper into the woods.
A family party of Blackcap and Treecreeper and Nuthatch were also around, but no Spotted Fly.
We then moved on towards East Chevington. Apart from the large number of Greylags and a few Terns, a Goldeneye and Wigeon were on the North Pool.
We checked the short grass field to the left of the reserve on the way out. 6 Whimbrel were amongst a group of Curlew.
On the sea at Druridge Bay there were 85 Common Scoter close to the shore. A few Guillemots were also off shore.
Last stop was a quick check of Cresswell Pond. A Water Rail was calling from the middle of the reeds right of the hide the whole time we were there.
Nothing much on the water, a Greenshank was on the far bank and a Grey Partridge was calling from the field next to the farm.
Initially the woodland was quiet but after about half an hour a family party of Blue and Great Tits appeared.
Whilst watching the Blue Tits that were hanging upside down from the branches, a Marsh Tit landed next to them.
We had great views as it dived onto the ground from the branches and moved around the front of the tree. It was joined by another and the pair flew off deeper into the woods.
A family party of Blackcap and Treecreeper and Nuthatch were also around, but no Spotted Fly.
We then moved on towards East Chevington. Apart from the large number of Greylags and a few Terns, a Goldeneye and Wigeon were on the North Pool.
We checked the short grass field to the left of the reserve on the way out. 6 Whimbrel were amongst a group of Curlew.
On the sea at Druridge Bay there were 85 Common Scoter close to the shore. A few Guillemots were also off shore.
Last stop was a quick check of Cresswell Pond. A Water Rail was calling from the middle of the reeds right of the hide the whole time we were there.
Nothing much on the water, a Greenshank was on the far bank and a Grey Partridge was calling from the field next to the farm.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
East and West
I had a quick trip out this afternoon to East Chevington.
After last weeks rain the South pool was full and waderless.
There was no sign of yesterdays Red Necked Grebe and despite the lack of mud there were still a good number of Terns on the North pool, most of which were now on the central island.
I went to West Hartford this evening, where 44 Bh Gulls were with a few Herring and LBB.
As I was leaving a Common Tern, (probably the same bird which has been around the Horton Burn), flew over, fished over the pool for a few minutes before flying off towards the industrial estate.
After last weeks rain the South pool was full and waderless.
There was no sign of yesterdays Red Necked Grebe and despite the lack of mud there were still a good number of Terns on the North pool, most of which were now on the central island.
I went to West Hartford this evening, where 44 Bh Gulls were with a few Herring and LBB.
As I was leaving a Common Tern, (probably the same bird which has been around the Horton Burn), flew over, fished over the pool for a few minutes before flying off towards the industrial estate.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Sandpipers but no Plover
I was out with Steve H and D McK this morning to do the Webs count at Castle Island. We were hoping to see a Plover on the Island but instead there were 4 Common Sandpipers and a Wood Sandpiper.
A female Goosander was on the left of the island, a Wigeon flew over and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling on the far bank.
Instead of heading straight to Chevington we checked a few inland sights, Bothal, Longhirst and Linton.
Not much to report from those sights apart from a Tree Sparrow at Bothal and a Green Sandpiper at Linton.
After Just managing to get parked at East Chevington we scanned the North Pool which held 8 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank and 4 Black Tailed Godwit.
From the South Pool only a Dunlin and Ringed Plover were hiding amongst the group of Sandwich and Common Terns.
6 Little Gull were with a group of Black Headed Gulls and Lapwing.
The final stop of the day was a quiet Cresswell Pond. 2 Juvenile Stonechat were in the field next to the car park. Two Sedge Warblers showed well in front of the hide and an Arctic Tern flew across the pond to the left bank where it joined a group of Sandwich Terns.
A female Goosander was on the left of the island, a Wigeon flew over and a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling on the far bank.
Instead of heading straight to Chevington we checked a few inland sights, Bothal, Longhirst and Linton.
Not much to report from those sights apart from a Tree Sparrow at Bothal and a Green Sandpiper at Linton.
After Just managing to get parked at East Chevington we scanned the North Pool which held 8 Dunlin, 3 Greenshank and 4 Black Tailed Godwit.
From the South Pool only a Dunlin and Ringed Plover were hiding amongst the group of Sandwich and Common Terns.
6 Little Gull were with a group of Black Headed Gulls and Lapwing.
The final stop of the day was a quiet Cresswell Pond. 2 Juvenile Stonechat were in the field next to the car park. Two Sedge Warblers showed well in front of the hide and an Arctic Tern flew across the pond to the left bank where it joined a group of Sandwich Terns.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
In Focus
I went to In Focus at Hauxley N.R today to get a new pair of binoculars, ones that could actually pick out detail unlike my old pair.
I tried out a few different pairs outside, which were in my price range. I was looking for the usual things, good long and short distance, not to heavy and comfortable to hold.
Almost straight away I found the right pair, Opticron 8 x 42.
They were slightly lighter than the others I tested as well as having a wider field of vision, (if that’s the right term?)
I tested my new bins around the reserve but there wasn’t much around apart from the usual flocks of geese in the fields and on the water, saying that I didn’t look the whole way around the reserve.
We stopped at East Chevington, where 30+ Common Tern and 15+ Sandwich Tern were sitting on the rocks and mud. A couple of Redshank were in the low water along with 7 Little Gulls.
I tried out a few different pairs outside, which were in my price range. I was looking for the usual things, good long and short distance, not to heavy and comfortable to hold.
Almost straight away I found the right pair, Opticron 8 x 42.
They were slightly lighter than the others I tested as well as having a wider field of vision, (if that’s the right term?)
I tested my new bins around the reserve but there wasn’t much around apart from the usual flocks of geese in the fields and on the water, saying that I didn’t look the whole way around the reserve.
We stopped at East Chevington, where 30+ Common Tern and 15+ Sandwich Tern were sitting on the rocks and mud. A couple of Redshank were in the low water along with 7 Little Gulls.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Past Week
Even though I have had more time on my hands this week I haven’t done as much birding as I would have liked, other things have got in the way.
On Wednesday I walked to Plessey Woods via West Hartford. I have been to West Hartford three times this week and there has been very little.
6 oystercatchers yesterday were the only waders that have been there during my visits.
There wasn’t much out of the ordinary at Plessey either.
No sign of Dipper or Grey Wagtail on the river.
The feeding station was quiet and I didn’t see a single Red Squirrel. I did get good views of three different Jays, which seem to be doing well at Plessey.
I went to East Chevington this afternoon and incredibly I managed to open one of the metal boxes without scaring off the group of Terns and Gulls, which were on the water in front.
There was a mixed 30+ group of Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns. The earlier Little Tern had flown off and there were no Roseates amongst the group.
10 BH Gull, Herring Gull, GBB Gull and 8 Little Gulls were along side the terns.
I had never seen a group of Little Gulls before and at first I overlooked them thinking they were Terns then I realised that their name makes sense.
Steve H told me tonight that he had a message that there had been a White Stork at Arcot Pond briefly this afternoon in the treetops.
On Wednesday I walked to Plessey Woods via West Hartford. I have been to West Hartford three times this week and there has been very little.
6 oystercatchers yesterday were the only waders that have been there during my visits.
There wasn’t much out of the ordinary at Plessey either.
No sign of Dipper or Grey Wagtail on the river.
The feeding station was quiet and I didn’t see a single Red Squirrel. I did get good views of three different Jays, which seem to be doing well at Plessey.
I went to East Chevington this afternoon and incredibly I managed to open one of the metal boxes without scaring off the group of Terns and Gulls, which were on the water in front.
There was a mixed 30+ group of Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns. The earlier Little Tern had flown off and there were no Roseates amongst the group.
10 BH Gull, Herring Gull, GBB Gull and 8 Little Gulls were along side the terns.
I had never seen a group of Little Gulls before and at first I overlooked them thinking they were Terns then I realised that their name makes sense.
Steve H told me tonight that he had a message that there had been a White Stork at Arcot Pond briefly this afternoon in the treetops.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Friday Night
I went up to East Chevington with Steve H last night to see if the Quail was still around.
We stayed for about half an hour but no sign of the Quail. On the north pool the water level looks a lot lower than usual but the only wader was a Redshank.
Two male Marsh Harriers were also around, one flew south after being mobbed by four Lapwing.
At Druridge Pools a Black Tailed Godwit and a Snipe were the only wader we could see from the new hide. Four Hares were running around the field as well.
Nothing much at Cresswell Pond apart from a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper on the far shore. A Shellduck with only one chick didn't look as well protected as the birds at Blyth.
We decided not to look for the Bluethroat at Newbiggin after being told that it was proving hard to find and even harder to get a good look at.
We stayed for about half an hour but no sign of the Quail. On the north pool the water level looks a lot lower than usual but the only wader was a Redshank.
Two male Marsh Harriers were also around, one flew south after being mobbed by four Lapwing.
At Druridge Pools a Black Tailed Godwit and a Snipe were the only wader we could see from the new hide. Four Hares were running around the field as well.
Nothing much at Cresswell Pond apart from a Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper on the far shore. A Shellduck with only one chick didn't look as well protected as the birds at Blyth.
We decided not to look for the Bluethroat at Newbiggin after being told that it was proving hard to find and even harder to get a good look at.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Day in the Bay
I was out yesterday with Holywell Birder and his mate, so we went to the Druridge Bay area.
It was cold and grey but the visibility was ok, we checked Linton on the way up, but not much there.
We then checked Lynemouth Flash but again nothing there, we were going to go straight to the north car park at Cresswell Pond but as we drove past, noticed that the hide was full.
Even though the water level is to high at the moment and there was nothing obvious to be seen on the pond we still stopped, only to find that the hide was full of photographers, photographing nothing. There were no Wagtails in the fields north of the causeway.
At Druridge Pools we stopped at the Budge Screen first where the pair of Garganey were showing well but the Little Egret was nowhere to be seen.
I scanned all of the mud for LRP or Black Tailed Godwit but nothing apart from a few Snipe and Redshank.
From the other new hide, which looks a lot like the public hide at Holywell, it didn’t get much better.
A strange sighting was 14 Gadwall together in the sheep fields right of the reserve.
At East Chevington there were around 10 Gadwall in a fields right of the reserve as well, with some Greylags.
Hauxley was the furthest north we went, in the visitors centre there had been a Brambling reported as well as the Bar Headed Goose.
Most of the Geese were in the fields outside the reserve but could be seen from the fence.
Mostly Greylags with a few Canadas thrown in also 10 lingering Whooper Swans.
As we got to the first hide we heard the Geese fly over and land on the water, something they did the rest of the time we were there.
2 Sandwich Terns were amongst the Gulls on the middle island, but the Bar Headed Goose hadn’t joined the others on the water.
We checked all the hides on the right side of the reserve and then the fields again on the way out.
Eventually I saw a very pale goose amongst the Greylags in the fields. We all watched it for a while before it flew off towards the water.
After dropping off HB’s mate we went to Holywell Pond, 6 Drake Shovelers together was the highlight.
On the way home we quickly checked Arcot Pond but nothing much was about.
I see that a Black Redstart was reported today at Hauxley at the sewage pipe, I can’t say we checked it; I can’t even remember a sewage pipe.
It was cold and grey but the visibility was ok, we checked Linton on the way up, but not much there.
We then checked Lynemouth Flash but again nothing there, we were going to go straight to the north car park at Cresswell Pond but as we drove past, noticed that the hide was full.
Even though the water level is to high at the moment and there was nothing obvious to be seen on the pond we still stopped, only to find that the hide was full of photographers, photographing nothing. There were no Wagtails in the fields north of the causeway.
At Druridge Pools we stopped at the Budge Screen first where the pair of Garganey were showing well but the Little Egret was nowhere to be seen.
I scanned all of the mud for LRP or Black Tailed Godwit but nothing apart from a few Snipe and Redshank.
From the other new hide, which looks a lot like the public hide at Holywell, it didn’t get much better.
A strange sighting was 14 Gadwall together in the sheep fields right of the reserve.
At East Chevington there were around 10 Gadwall in a fields right of the reserve as well, with some Greylags.
Hauxley was the furthest north we went, in the visitors centre there had been a Brambling reported as well as the Bar Headed Goose.
Most of the Geese were in the fields outside the reserve but could be seen from the fence.
Mostly Greylags with a few Canadas thrown in also 10 lingering Whooper Swans.
As we got to the first hide we heard the Geese fly over and land on the water, something they did the rest of the time we were there.
2 Sandwich Terns were amongst the Gulls on the middle island, but the Bar Headed Goose hadn’t joined the others on the water.
We checked all the hides on the right side of the reserve and then the fields again on the way out.
Eventually I saw a very pale goose amongst the Greylags in the fields. We all watched it for a while before it flew off towards the water.
After dropping off HB’s mate we went to Holywell Pond, 6 Drake Shovelers together was the highlight.
On the way home we quickly checked Arcot Pond but nothing much was about.
I see that a Black Redstart was reported today at Hauxley at the sewage pipe, I can’t say we checked it; I can’t even remember a sewage pipe.
Monday, 29 December 2008
Duff Birding
I was planning to go to Derwentside today on the Red Kite walk but after seeing that it was 11 miles long thought...Nah.
Instead I went to East Chevington and for the first time walked all the way around. Usually I just go to the hide nearest to the road. Chevington has been quite quiet this year and I have not seen anything good there.. well ever.
I started from the hide next to the wooden bridge. After finally getting into the noisey metal hide I was pleased to see that two channels have been made through the reeds which makes viewing a lot better.
A stoat ran in front of the hide and into the reeds which flushed a moorhen, mute swan, Tufted Duck and a Water Rail. The Water Rail stood still in the left channel for a minute before flying off over the reeds and out of sight. I heard it calling for a while.
That was the highlight of the day. On the water there was Goldeneye,Wigeon, Mute Swan ect. 12 Greylag flew over and a kestrel, Goldfinch and Stonechat were around the dunes.
20 Whooper swans were still in the field near Widdrington but no sign of any White Fronted near Linton, or Waxwings.
On the way home I stopped in Morpeth, no Waxwings there either but I did see Damien Duff in Morrisons.
Instead I went to East Chevington and for the first time walked all the way around. Usually I just go to the hide nearest to the road. Chevington has been quite quiet this year and I have not seen anything good there.. well ever.
I started from the hide next to the wooden bridge. After finally getting into the noisey metal hide I was pleased to see that two channels have been made through the reeds which makes viewing a lot better.
A stoat ran in front of the hide and into the reeds which flushed a moorhen, mute swan, Tufted Duck and a Water Rail. The Water Rail stood still in the left channel for a minute before flying off over the reeds and out of sight. I heard it calling for a while.
That was the highlight of the day. On the water there was Goldeneye,Wigeon, Mute Swan ect. 12 Greylag flew over and a kestrel, Goldfinch and Stonechat were around the dunes.
20 Whooper swans were still in the field near Widdrington but no sign of any White Fronted near Linton, or Waxwings.
On the way home I stopped in Morpeth, no Waxwings there either but I did see Damien Duff in Morrisons.
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