Recent birding...

I haven't posted on here for a while as we haven't been out birding that much, but we've still seen some good birds...

The first-winter Long-billed Dowitcher has been present at Cresswell Pond since I first saw it on the 10th of November. Every time it's been on the west shore, however some good scope views have been possible.

On the 14th there were 11 Whooper Swans in the fields west of Druridge Pools, including a flock of 5 which we watched fly in off the sea.

Woodhorn Motors hosted 11 Waxwings which we got to see on the 29th. Yesterday another look at Cresswell to see the Dowitcher also resulted in a Whooper Swan, a female Goosander and a female Red-breasted Merganser.

2 Otters were our first interesting sighting this morning at East Chevington. At the burn mouth 3 adult Little Gulls were present offshore, along with 5 Red-breasted Mergansers and an adult Great Northern Diver which we first picked up in the surf. It gave some brilliant views as it slowly moved slightly further away and to the south. The female Marsh Harrier remained on the south pool.Next we walked to the top of Hemscott Hill to scan the goose flock to the west. Eventually we picked out the 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese which had been seen on Tuesday. 2 Barnacle Geese were also among the 1500+ Pink-footed Geese, and a Short-eared Owl flew into the distance. Another Short-eared Owl was at Cresswell Pond.

8 of the 11 Waxwings

Record shot of the Greenland White-fronted Geese

Brown Hare at Cresswell