Quiet at Clara

 Its got to be three or more likely four years since we last visited Clara-Vale and it was plain to see how time had taken its toll,you can only visit one hide at present due to a fallen tree making it unsafe to enter the second hide .We left a lovely sunny morning as we skirted the cricket field and headed to the hide,however inside was a different story as it was absolutely freezing as we opened the shutters things looked rather quiet with two solitary Mallards climbing up the bank from the pond to our left.

It took quite a bit of effort to take my hand from my warming cup if oxo to press the shutter button on the scourge of the British Red population 

 

Moorhen and Magpie were next

that just left this Pheasant and Stock dove to bring up the rear.

A really poor show for a fifty mile round trip and three hours freezing in a bird hide walking back to the car feeling the warm sun on our backs we reflected on what was missing from previous visits, Kingfisher ,Bullfinch, chaffinch,Willow-Tit and Jay and even the ever present Sparrow hawk is it because they have other things on there mind at present Who knows !!.

Thanks for looking

STAY SAFE

Joe.

  

Morning at Gosforth.

 I think I would be right in saying that its been a very quiet winter on the park compared to previous years so we were a bit unsure what to expect as we entered the reserve. We got off to good start with two Roe-Bucks in the field off to our left,

This was shortly followed by unmistakable song that would gladden anyone's heart coming from the branches above.

We listened for a while before moving on to the hide which really was quiet apart from a couple of pairs of Canada gees honking on,where were the Cormorants that that used to roost opposite the hide or indeed the Little Egrets that also roosted here no sign of a Kingfisher one hasn't been seen for weeks,their was however half a doz Teal hard up against the reeds with this one looking rather splendid as it made its way to join the rest. 

You can always rely on one or two of these little guys tho.

As we pondered why things should be so quiet is it because we have missed the action being unable to get on the reserve at dawn like we used to pre Covid. Watching the morning unfold was the best part of coming to Gosforth Park  sadly this has come to an end with the new opening times which in our minds brings into question our future membership !!

However on a lighter note as we were leaving we caught site of these ladies making there way to the field to graze.

Thanks for looking

SAY SAFE

Joe

 

 

Down the Dene.

 As the members hide is having work done at present ,a trip down the dene seemed more appropriate,  I don't do that often as it means a trek up a rather long incline which does not go down at all well with my COPD however all was worth it as I came across one of the Dippers posing on its usual stone .

 

Walking further along I came across a couple who asked me if I had come across the Owl this morning as it wasn't in its usual tree hole I answered no and said I didn't know which tree they meant turning around they pointed to a tree partly covered in Ivy with an old branch hole in it.

We parted company and I walked further on scanning the the so called owl tree to no avail I was just about to give up when something caught my eye a couple of trees further down sure enough there in the fork was this roosting Tawny Owl

It was all worth the pain in the end and a bonus Bullfinch to boot.

Thanks for looking

Stay safe (its on the rise again )

Joe.

 

Down the pond.

 A trip down the pond in between the shooting and proposed revamp of the bird hide and viewing screen due to start on Monday the 14th march made for a nice couple of hours.First up was a pair of Great Crested Grebe's which spent most of there time asleep before moving further away into the reeds

Nice to see them back again

This lad was showing off to his partner

This male Shoveler seemed oblivious to my presence and just carried on feeding.

The stars of the show for me has to be these little Long tail Tits which never disappoint

I have a real soft spot for these guys and are one of my top birds.

Thanks for looking

Stay safe

Joe.

NOTE members hide may be out of action for a while !.

Out and About

 With the shooters out by the pond and in the surrounding fields it was the right time to travel  a little further afield  a couple of hrs at Killy lake was well spent watching the feeding taking place and the  Goldeneye displaying to his mate .

 

I tried for a morning at Gosforth Park with only one hide habitable due to the cold and wind direction which saw me returning via the feeding station.

Usual suspects really but this male Bullfinch was rather nice.

Then on Thursday we spent the morning at Far Pastures

With nothing going on from the bird hide and pond we turned our attention to the car park area which was far more productive,the above female Bullfinch looked really in the pink.

Thanks for looking

Stay safe

Joe

  

2022 on the pond

 New year on the pond got off to a decent start for Holywell with sightings of Pintail ,a male Merganser and greater Scaup however today (sun) I only managed to connect with the Scaup three in total which I have listed as Female/juv Scaup as I am unable to tell if lesser or greater I would be pleased to receive any comments regarding above.

 

all three together and all have been cropped.

Thanks for looking

Happy New year to you all

Joe

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