It's all white, I'm still alive!

I've had a few concerned folk ask me why I haven't been blogging for a while. Well, it's like this. I've been busy. For those that know me it may be hard to even to begin to comprehend, but it is, alas, true. Anyway, I'm back.

This morning was a beautiful snowy morning, just what was needed for an early morning walk around the patch at East Holywell.

East Holywell

Good numbers of Fieldfare in the paddock, though shy as usual, taking flight as soon as I opened the front door. A walk along to Fenwick Pit and a covey of Grey Partridge were calling, while a flock of Rook fed around the 'new' subsidence pond at the eastern side of the pit.

Grey Partridge

Rooks

And what have I been busy doing I hear you ask. Well more on that later............

Snow Buntings & Larks

Went to Blyth first thing to find John (Howdon Blogger) photographing Snow Buntings. Seven birds in all including a cracking male. Then it was onto St Mary's where the Skylarks were feeding on the seed that was put down on Friday, a Black Redstart was feeding at the base of the cliffs at Hartley and a procession of Song Thrushes moved south. Enough words, here's some pics:

Male Snow Bunting

Female Snow Bunting

Sky Lark

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit

Ten Grey Partridge in the fields at St Mary's

Icicles adorn the cliffs at Hartley

Bloomin Marvellous

This evening I walked along the waggonway from Monkseaton, passed the Beehive pub (it wasn't easy) on to Holywell Dene, and then back along the waggonway. Highlights were Wheatear, Whitethroat, taking nectar from blossoming buckthorn, and Grey Partridge. Three more for the OFFH list.

Waggonway looking green

Whitehroat

Whitethroat taking nectar

Wheatear in the horse field between Whitley golf course and the Beehive pub

Distant Grey Partridge