Bolam then back to Blyth

I headed across to Bolam lake today with my good friend Keith Reeder.

The weather was horrible with low light and lots of fog but we stuck it out and actually enjoyed our day out even though my photographs were far from any good!

Here's the best of a bad bunch, all high ISO and slow shutter speads (I think the lowest ISO I managed today was 1000.).

After this we headed across to Bates pit at Blyth to have another go at the Fieldfare. The numbers were down a little today but there are still plenty of them about to get shots at however due to poor weather and several dog walkers we just didn't manage any decent pics again. I did however get my first half decent woodcock image as this bird was flushed by Keith nearly giving him heart failure as he nearly stood on it before it moved!

around the pools I spotted two water rail which were great to see although again I couldn't get any pics of them apart from this well hidden view of one below :-

Bates Pit Pools

Had a quick look around the bates pit site on Boxing day

A few curlew flew past when I first arrived

Then I heard the the calls of the fieldfare, as I moved on I found them and there was loads (guessing in excess of 100). Unfortunately they were very nervous so I couldn't get any decent images but I plan to return tomorrow if the light improves.

As I moved onto the pools I found loads of reed buntings feeding on the grasses.

A snowy Sunday afternoon

Snow fell on Blyth nearly all day today but I braved the elements and headed out through my local crem and onto the Blyth estuary.

Plenty of waders about in the mud, a few big flocks of mixed finch mostly Goldfinch and Chaffinch along with a few Twite.

In the reed beds several buntings feeding on grass seeds including some very friendly ones.

Then as the snow came down really heavy and light all but gone I found these WAXWINGS!

I counted just over 50 but they are very mobile and were flying all over the area searching for food and roosting sites I think.

They appeared to settle in the tops of the tall trees behind Travis Perkins.

November 2010

Novembers been a funny month for me. Not much time to do anything but I did manage a few short outings so far.

A quick visit to the QEII produced these four cormorants and a lovely Bullfinch. 

The a drive along to Linton roundabout produced these whoopers

But the highlight of November and possibly even this year has got to have been seeing this beautiful Squacco.

Unfortunately a few days after I managed to see it this stunning, friendly little bird passed away presumably due to starvation and cold.

Poor little thing brought so much joy to us all at Morpeth then so much sadness when we found out its fate!

Washington WWT

Had a wander around WWT Washington on Thursday, the light was poor again but we had a brilliant day out with our kids.

The above Sparrowhawk hit something small in a bush right outside of the hawthorn hide (I think it was a longtail tit but didn't have time to see.) then quickly carried it off to eat in the woods.

After sitting in the hide for a while we headed off around the centre where I spotted a couple of different 'birds' above us, the first was a very high flying Eurofighter and the next was G-HEMS - air ambulance - Pride of Cumbria.

My last image was taken on the Wednesday at Wallington Hall but I thought i'd add it to todays posting.

None of the images are good quality but considering the weather conditions lately and my poor knowledge of my still new to me 50D i'm happy enough with what I got.

St Marys 11-10-10

 

had a short spell at St Marys again today trying to get some better light than what I had yesterday but it was just as bad.

The bluetail was once again showing well but kept its distance but I had more luck with the Goldcrests.

Hope you like them?

Nice talking to Brian today too, if I can help you with your 50D Brian please ask - i'm no expert but i'm getting reasonable results with mine now (I think)

St Marys 10-10-10

Called into St Mary's today to see what was about and managed to see the Red flanked blue tail but couldn't get any decent images of it.

The coast has had one of the biggest falls of migrants in recent years today with goldcrests everywhere (litterally everywhere!) but amongst them I found a lovely male siskin who just didn't care about me being near to it and continued feeding as if I wasn't there!

Here's a few from my trip out today - the weather was horrendous and light was almost none existant but the pics turned out nice all the same.

any id help on the next two below please? I think the first is a chiffchaff and second possible barred warbler or female black cap ?