Bolam Bramblings

Took a walk around Bolam Lake, mainly to tire the nipper out but took the bins just in case. People put grain out for the birds on a wall close to the main visitor centre. We had the usual assortment of woodland stuff includingTreecreper but the big draw was a large flock of Brambling - approx. 70 birds though there was probably more. Hard to get a shot as they were really flighty and kept getting disturbed by walkers. This is the only large group in N/land I've heard of this year.

Good numbers of male and female Goldeneye on the lake too. The shot attached is of a Nuthatch hiding a cache of grain in a stonewall.

Wild buzzard chase

Took a last minute decision to drive up to the Wooler area to see if a Rough Legged Buzzard was still hanging around. It had been around for over a week in a wood behind the Jet Garage just South of Wooler. No birders around and no buzzard either. Guy in the garage said it had moved on so another dip.

On the way back detoured to Hulne Park in Alnwick as 2 Hawfinch had been spotted here recently but no luck again. Just some great views of Siskin near the gatehouse. just one of those days I guess. There's always next time......

Happy New Year

Traditional first day of the year birding session started bright and early up at Long Nanny (Newton by the Sea). Weather was absolutely atrocious with rain, cold and fog. I was the first person up there and after a bit of searching soon located the Short Toed Lark which looked like a different bird to the one I saw in good conditions a few weeks earlier. This has been a real long-stayer and at the time a UK first for me, having seen the species previously in Majorca. I took a grotty record shot but I still need some kit to link the 'scope with the digi camera.

There had been Twite around the last time but I couldn't locate any but found the flock of Snow buntings that had been hanging around. Some very well marked birds - excellent views too.

Some other birders started to arrive so I got them onto the Lark and set off for the car in the pouring rain.

Next stop Cresswell Pond to catch up with a few species that I'd seen a week or two ago - Swew (f), Scaup (f), Ruff, Goldfinch x 2, Golden Plover x 70, R B merganser (f + m). No sign of the Kingfisher I'd found last time. Too cold and wet to continue anywhere else so off home until the next time.