On the rocks...

I went to Tynemouth looking for some migrant action today. There were a few chiffchaffs, and a single blackcap but nothing 'exciting', so I headed to the rocks at the base of Tynemouth Pier. There I sat watching pied wagtails and rock pipits feeding along the strand-line. Then a linnet came down to drink from water dripping down the cliff face. Wonderful!

A Quick Tail...

The fallen leaves collecting on my neighbour's roof are providing shelter for insects, a nice supply for the local birds.

Heading for the bathroom yesterday, I glanced out the gable end window, overlooking the roof, and saw a Pied Wagtail. Then another appeared, then another, then another....eight in total!

And yesterday a Grey Wagtail added some colour.

Warbler Blank at St Mary's

Reports of Lesser Whitethroat, Wood Warbler(!) and Grasshopper Warbler at St Mary's yesterday spurred me into a visit this morning. I found no warblers, not even a Chiffchaff. Plenty of hirundines, Linnets that would fly off if you got within 50 yards and a wetland without ducks. And no White-tailed Sea Eagle flyover :(

Pied Wagtail

Last night the moth trap pulled in an interesting Pine Beauty variation (normally a rich orange brown colour) and an early Least Black Arches:

2179 Pine Beauty Panolis flammea

2078 Least Black Arches Nola confusalis

An Ashintun Gander

A late visit this afternoon to Ashington was very productive. In the brassica field opposite the QEII Country Park there's been a large flock of Mute Swans for a few weeks.

On closer inspection, late this afternoon, there were also 2 Barnacle Geese and 4 Whooper Swans.

Barnacle Goose

Whooper Swan

There was also an impressive flock of Pied Wagtails numbering about 100. Certainly the biggest flock I've ever stumbled upon.

Wot. No Green-winged Teal?

Er no, but I had a nice walk from Whitley Bay along the Waggonway to Holywell Dene and then onto St Mary's Wetland and home along the beach for Sunday lunch at the world famous Cottage Kitchen. I got home just as the heavens opened - perfect timing.

I saw 43 species including my first Treecreeper of the year and my first on patch Bullfinches. And that Med Gull again (Brierdene car park)- whereas a few weeks ago I couldn't find it, now it seems to be stalking me.

Pied Wagtail in 'paddy field' along the Waggonway

Holywell Dene - White water rafting anyone?

Robin singing in Holywell Dene. Another sings further down the track and a Wren joins in.

PS. If I can shake a leg early tomorrow there maybe some Green-winged Teal action tomorrow :)

Whitley Tails

A wander up to St Marys (yesterday) was rewarded with a handsome male Pintail on the ice at the wetland.

Plenty of wagtails along the cliffs; Grey, 1st winter female Pied and male Pied.

Unfortunately my camera was zipped away when a couple of  'jackasses' came past on their bikes, along the promenade and straight onto sheet ice. Ouch!

Ducking Christmas

I managed to 'duck' the stress of Christmas and impending kitchen disasters with an early(ish) walk along Whitley beach. There was a lone Gadwall flying in from the south and landing in the surf at the north end of the beach. It swam along the shore, calling all the while, and then every 5 minutes or so it would take to the air for a lap of the beach only to return.



On the wetland was a beautiful pair of Wigeon along with a large number of teal.

The Water Pipit is still present at the north end of the beach.

Along the links were a sprinkling of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Redshank, Oystercatchers, Golden Plover, Pied Wagtail and a single Grey Wagtail. Also, a single Purple Sandpiper on the exposed rocks off the beach.

Seasons Greetings