Dippers in the Dene.

 Having been tied up for a couple of months helping my two sons with various projects of theirs it was time for a bit of me-time,so what better than a walk down the dene and along the burn on a Dipper hunt.I tried the usual perching stones to no avail but I still carried on in hope joined by this little Robin which joined me on the way.

Having reached the bridge and a small bird feeding station with its usual occupants my eye was drawn to something larger scampering along the tree trunk as it stopped that was my chance of a shot. 

Its only the second time I have seen a grey in the Dene I decided to go back retracing my steps only a little closer to burn side,two male bullfinches caught my eye next feeding close to the waters edge,

Then a little further on I came across the bird I had set out to see not one but two feeding a short distance apart here's a few pics in bad light (its never my fault !!)

Great to see the both of them and hope they have a successful brood next year I might get to see the youngsters who knows?.

                                                                                   Thanks for looking

                                                                                         stay safe

                                                                       Have a Merry Christmas

                                                                                    All the best for 2022 

                                                                                               Joe 

Hawkers and Whoopers.

 Having just swallowed lunch and the rain appearing to have eased off I decided on a walk down the pond,opening the shutters in the members hide all appeared to be quiet other than good numbers of Southern Hawkers about seven at the same time,hear's just one of them.

Moving on to the public hide there was 2 Dunlin 1 Redshank in the bay and 8 Whoopers splashing about over by the island.

The Whoopers were later joined by a further 3  which came in from the west,

shortly followed by 5 Golden eye which stayed over on the north bank which made for a nice couple of hours.

Thanks for looking

Stay safe (the numbers are rising)

Joe.

St Mary's again.

 Its becoming a regular trip down to the lighthouse recently although looking out of the window as I write this I think I will not be going anywhere today as its chucking it down,here's a few pics from my last visit.

Good numbers of these Ring Plovers around today.

I was just getting into the swing of things when two fighting dogs scuppered any further attempts so I retired onto the island where this guy kept posing for me so I just had to include it

 Missed out on the Wheatears that had dropped in that day and I am still awaiting to catch the tide just right in the hope of getting near to those Golden Plovers.

That all folks

thanks for looking and stay safe.

.

St Mary's

 My mate and I spent a nice couple of hours on Wednesday morning at St Mary's ,choosing to have a walk around the wetland first only produced Robin,Wren and a Chiffchaff flitting around in the bushes . we moved  on to the start of the causeway there was a good number of waders on the tide line   here's a few pics.

This Ringed Plover didn't hang around for long I only managed a single frame shot.

On the island there was the odd Seal or two on the rocks along with this Seal pup which had a yellow tag on its tail fin which is only just visible on the left.

Just as we were leaving we spotted this Wheatear, it was some distance away and didn't stay long before flying off to continue its migration. 

nice weather nice day what more could you want.

Thanks for looking 

Stay Safe

Joe.

A bit late !!

 I came across this shoveler duck the other day on the pond and it still had a duckling with it perhaps a lone survivor? (never seen a shoveler duckling before).

                                                                     Mother shoveler.

sure wouldn't win any beauty contest

A rather moulty grey wagtail spending a bit of time in my back garden but it had better watch out as this guys about.

Always on watch.

Thanks for looking

stay safe

Joe.

Druridge pools

 Its been a long time since my mate and I got together for a mornings birding so this was a long awaited get together.  Druridge was to be our destination,arriving at about 6-30 things looked quiet with the main pool holding a doz swans and about the same number of Canada geese and little else.Turning our attention to the budge field it had the usual ducks including six young shell ducks at distance a large flock of Greylags split into various groups and of course the pony's which had congregated in front of the hide. Things didn't look good on the birding front !! ,movement from our right saw three Roe deer fawns appear and start browsing very close to the hide here's a few pics.

 

We may have been spotted ?

having a shake down

I cannot recall ever been as close as this to  deer and its just over a month since I saw them still trying to feed from mother. 

even a portrait to boot.

lets not forget the pony;s

Turned out to be a decent morning in the end.

Thanks for looking

Joe.

 

July hols part 3 conclusion.

Frampton Marsh.

 Its been two years or more since my last visit to Frampton and it would seem something always tuns up on one of these visits ,last time it was a Black winged Pratincole which had the better of me as far as photographs go ,this time it was a Pacific Golden Plover I was assured of that by (them that knows ?)albeit a bit moulty.

On the way up to the flood bank to see the plover we passed eight spoonbills  just chilling or should that be nearly awake ??

It was best viewed through a scope as it was quite a way out on the marsh but this was the best I could get out of my gear and the bird was a first for me.

Back at the campsite the owner told me of a kestrel that had nested in an owl box at the bottom of his garden and had two young fledglings ,this is a picture of the female sitting on top of the box

Just packing up now hols all over,(now where did I leave that bloody horse ??)

Thanks for looking

stay safe

Joe

July hols part 2 (Strumpshaw fen)

 This was probably the best stop off of the hols even thou we were too late for the Swallowtails. Having being told at reception about the Kingfisher that was visiting the fen hide lagoon I chose an early morning start.

No time to check my settings as this Marsh Harrier took of from its night perch on a very misty morning

The info proved to be correct.

This little Reed warbler kept me entertained while waiting for the kingfisher

The Harriers had two youngsters which kept them busy with food passes

This Great white Egret gave a decent view as it flew past as did the Tern chick below waiting to be fed.

As I was leaving the fen hide this bold little fella took me by surprise

Thanks for looking

next stop Frampton marsh.

Stay safe

Joe.

July hols part 1

 Minsmere was our first port of call a little disappointing but we were about six weeks later than previous visits but still plenty of things to see.

                                          Stonechat keeping an eye on us as we passed

nearly always see a Bittern from the bittern hide

we came across a flock of Reed Buntings feeding.

Plenty going on at the dipping pond with these Four spot chasers.

even at night there is still things about Elephant hawk moth

Just goes to show I don't always get the settings right !.

Thanks for looking 

next stop Strupshaw fen

Stay safe

Joe