Long Nanny and Low Newton, 18.11.12

After not getting out birding for a couple of weeks now, I was glad when my Dad said we could go to the Long Nanny today. The Long-billed Dowitcher wasn't immediately on view but it soon flew in with a Redshank and showed well for about 15 minutes before it was nearly taken by a Merlin before it flew off south. On the beach there was no sign of any Snow Buntings but there was 25 Twite. On the sea weed at Low Newton there were a few Rock Pipits and Turnstones. 11 Whooper Swans were the only notable birds on the pools.

Long-billed Dowitcher

Merlin

 

Twite

 

Sanderling

Whooper Swans

Stonechats

East Chevington, 10 & 11.11.12

Two brief trips to watche the Starlings at East Chevington was succesfull with about 5000 being seen both nights. The only notable birds was one possibly two Bearded Tits calling from the south-west corner of the north pool on saturday evening.

The Waxwing total in my garden increased to 45 on Saturday before they flew east.

Waxwing photos

The Waxwings in my garden have increased to 34 with another 24 which flew south today. I took a few more photos out my bedroom window today. Here are the best ones.

 

Waxwings, 8.11.12

On returning from school today I noticed 9 Waxwings in the trees opposite my house. A short while later they flew off and landed in a Rowan tree a few metres away from my beroom window. The photo isn't very good because it was taken in the near darkness at ISO 6400 and through glass.

Bee-eater, 4.11.12

A twitch to Seaburn today was very succesfull with the Bee-eater being seen. The bird showed very well for periods of about 5 minutes in a small tree in a garden. A stunning bird!

A Crossbill also flew over. At nearby Marsden Quarry there was not very many birds though a Peregrine stooped overhead and 2 Redpolls flew over.

Short-eared Owl, 1.11.12

        Thanks to my uncle for letting me use his photo of one of the Short-eared Owls at East Chevington yesterday.

Craster, 2.11.12

A non-birding trip to Craster today didn't produce many birds because of poor weather. The only migrant was a Crossbill which flew south east over the car park. All other birds seen were on the beach with 2 Purple Sandpipers and 10+ Rock Pipits being seen.

Turnstone

Purple Sandpiper

East Chevington, 1.11.12

A trip to East Chevington today didn't produce the hoped for Snow Buntings or Bearded Tits but that was made up for by other birds. On the beach the only birds of note were 2 Swallows (the latest I've ever seen) 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Little Gull (which I missed).

This poor Gulliemot met its end on the beach

The north pool was far more productive with a Slavonian Grebe being the highlight. 2 Short-eared Owls,
2 Long-tailed Ducks, a Scaup and a Water Rail were also seen. On the south pool 4000+ Starlings were seen going to roost.