Northumberland 14th-16th November 2014

Having been in Northumberland so recently and it being an area we love, we had a real sense of anticipation when we set off on our journey northwards. Meeting up with good mates John and Karen is always fun, the meal tasks are shared and the food is without exception really tasty. A mutual love of fine wines does not go amiss in this season when the days are short either...the biggest advantage? Four pairs of eyes to spot the plentiful wildlife in this quiet and beautiful area!

 

Our first day of spotting was Friday after we all arrived safely the previous afternoon and evening, weather forecasts had been studied and analysed. The day would, without question, be wet, very wet at times.

 

This is where previous experience in an area can be vital, there is not much fun to be had in wandering around getting steadily wetter all day.

 

Hauxley Nature Reserve is a splendid place, plenty of hides and no great distance between them either, ideal for a day when dry spells looked very unlikely.

 

We had not been settled in our first hide long when exclamations of "Otter!" almost simultaneously from Karen and Josie drew all our eyes as we watched this young otter through the rain.

 

 

Spotting wildlife was difficult as the rain got heavier...we did find a snipe a little distantly..

 

A little grebe came close to the hide...

 

 And a curlew flew in...

 

 

A duck provided some identification difficulties but a good friend confirmed this as a common scoter.

 





 

 

Changing hides when the intensity of the rain lessened allowed us to not get too wet as we visited all the hides on the reserve. Bird feeders often attract brown rats which feed on the spillage or even gnaw their way into the feeders with their great agility and strong teeth. These seemed to be eating the rain soaked seeds which had fallen into the puddles...

 

 

Maybe not everyones or even anyones favourite but they are part of the world of nature and in a wild setting not without a certain charm.

 

Almost without warning the rain cleared and we walked the short distance to the beach...

 

The sun was beginning to set out to the west...

 

I watched a kestrel hunting in the dim light, I saw it drop on prey and fly away. Hurrying ahead a treasured sighting awaited as we all gathered together again.

 

In the soft evening light the kestrel was enjoying its supper...

 

 

A splendid day...

 

Saturday's planned visit was to Holy Island and we started out on the shoreline...oystercatchers are fairly reliable sightings...

 

Lovely little turnstones fluttered and wandered in amongst the rocks and seaweed.

 

and a lovely male eider came in close...

 

 



Black tailed godwits were in evidence...

 

...and an odd golden plover...

 

A curlew took off...

 

Later we took a walk around the lonnens (lanes) occasionally rare birds turn up here but we managed only a reed bunting...

 

The four pairs of eyes came in handy again as while some of us were watching a distant buzzard through binoculars Karen spotted roe deer feeding at the end of a field...

 

Another good day and a grand evening to follow it too, I think!

 

Sunday was departure day but the forecast was good and we drove the short distance to Druridge Bay to enjoy another wander before the journey home.

 

The sight over the surf was spectacular and gorgeous...

 

Delightful sanderlings flew, landed and did their comical marching on the shoreline...

 

 

 

They feed on small insects and creatures which can be found as the tide ebbs.

 

Leaving the shore we walked on a track back to the cars, a wren did a lovely levitation trick...

 

And glowered as if demanding a round of applause!

 

A group of small birds landed which Karen, John and I were examining to find...

 

A reed bunting...and to follow a chaffinch...

 

Josie had been scanning some distant trees and a telescope view confirmed her suggestion of a barn owl, brilliant work and another confirmation of the benefit of multiple pairs of eyes. The photograph is not great but it was taken at an estimated 400 metres+...

 

We all watched it preen for quite a long time before the time for some lunch called...

 

One last shot and just a shame this stonechat was slightly into the sun...

 

The world of wildlife continues to delight us, the challenges it provides are welcome if sometimes difficult.

 

Time spent with good friends is always treasured and each and every one of us contributed and enjoyed a brilliant few days for the third year in a row. Thanks to all, I take the photographs but so much more goes into the trip.

 

Many thanks to all who read, if you do feel like adding a comment don't forget that they come to me first for moderating...

Late October and early November - Local and Reserves

The kind and sunny weather continues and almost every day offers an opportunity to get out and appreciate the bright skies and the wonderful autumnal trees.

 

Although summer is usually enjoyable it can be frustrating for watching wildlife and particularly attempting to photograph creatures which are hidden in heavy foliage, joyous though the sound of singing birds can be!

 

Now as the leaves fall things are more visible, a short local walk brought me a few good sightings.

 

This lovely female blackbird was feasting on the plentiful berries

 

 

A feisty little wren chattered away

 

While I enjoyed a coffee from my flask a great tit arrived on a nearby fence

 

and a sweet robin sang in the now almost bare bushes

 

This season brings in some lovely visitors from northern climes, redwings arrive in sociable flocks and feed on fruit and berries, when stocks of these are depleted they will look for insects and worms in the fields.

 

I spotted a small group feasting on the canalside berries and moved slowly and carefully within range for a reasonably close photograph...

 

Visits to RSPB Leighton Moss are never disappointing, making the trip the day after Autumnwatch had been broadcasting from there was a considered risk. Larger numbers of visitors was a distinct probability but we reckoned an early start would see us with at least some quiet time.

 

Although there were larger numbers than usual we still had a very enjoyable day, fortunate timing enabled us to be within yards of a hide when the only shower of the day, and a heavy one too, arrived without warning!

 

Fly agaric fungi

 

Sightings were a little slow early on but never one to waste leisure time I practised my flight shots on the plentiful and active mallards...

 

Things soon improved and we spotted a gadwall...

 

...and we were treated to a marsh harrier fly past

 

The robins at Leighton Moss almost beg to have their photographs taken!

 

Visitors often scatter feed seed on convenient tree boughs by the paths to encourage birds into view, this particular place attracts a good variety of birds.

 

Nuthatch

Coal tit

Marsh tit

and another nuthatch displaying its multi seed capacity bill

 

A lovely treecreeper was spotted nearby

 

The lively breeze ruffled the feathers of this robin

 

Large numbers of teal are also arriving from the north, very small ducks with lovely feathering.

 

The resident red deer began to appear from the reedbeds...

 

 

 

 

And to end a lovely day another marsh harrier appearance...

 

Another favourite place is Rodley Nature Reserve near Leeds, although small in area in attracts plenty of species and is a lovely peaceful area to visit.

 

Our first sighting in the garden hide was a male reed bunting..

 

 

A female bullfinch visited the feed table

 

While the female reed bunting tidied up in the grass underneath

 

We followed a small flock of birds and with some patient work we were able to get near enough for a close shot of a linnet...

 

Under one of the many feed stations the grass was rustling, we stood for a while and we rewarded with a close look at a cute little vole.

 

The dry summer has been kind to voles and mice and populations are high, this is good news for them and for the birds like owls which heavily rely on them as a food source.

 

On our way home we called by a site well known for red kite, they were evident but all the ones we spotted were directly into the low sun of late afternoon. Disappointment disappeared as a large and beautifully marked buzzard flew directly and close overhead!

 

 

A great privilege to see a lovely bird so close up.

 

Many thanks to all who read, don't forget if you do add a comment they come to me first for moderation.