Black-throated Diver – tonydavisonphotography.com

A Brute of an Arctic Gull – 2nd January 2012

2012, Birds, Birds of 2012, Year No Responses »

Jan 022012

A Brute of an Arctic Gull - 2nd January 2012

Well 2012 has really kicked off with a bang! A day birding in the NE at Hartlepool and the surrounding area certainly got us some good birds. At Hartlepool Fish Quay an obliging brute of a 1st winter Glaucous Gull put on a great show. Also in the harbour – Black & Red-throated Diver; Guillemot; Red Breasted Merganser and several adult Kittiwake. Off the Hartlepool Headland a female Velvet Scoter; a Red-necked Grebe; a small party of roosting Purple Sandpiper; Eider and Common Scoter. At Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park a stunning drake Ring-necked Duck and at Seaton Carew a […]

Scotland – The Highlands & Speyside – Thurs 14th April – Sun 17th April 2011

2011, Birds, Birds of 2011, Year No Responses »

Apr 172011

Scotland - The Highlands & Speyside - Thurs 14th April - Sun 17th April 2011

A superb few days in one of my favourite places in the UK. During our 4 days we saw all the specialities. Our planning worked wonders again and we even managed 2 crossbill species. On 14th arriving at Loch Garten around 2pm, we very quickly encountered our first Crested Tits on our usual walk around the Loch. The pair of Ospreys were showing at the RSPB Centre and the female had laid her first egg early in the morning, so all was well. We then went to our nicknamed spot “Crossbill Corner” and sure enough we had 5 Scottish Crossbill […]

Chasing the Butcher – Cannock Chase – Sunday, 6 February 2011

2011, Birds, Birds of 2011, Year No Responses »

Feb 062011

Chasing the Butcher - Cannock Chase - Sunday, 6 February 2011

The morning started at Willington Gravel Pits to catch-up on the Black-throated Diver that was discovered by RMRJ on 1st February. This was the first in the county since 2005. Little else here other than 3 Goldeneye, “Redhead” Goosander & a singing Willow Tit. We then decided to head-off for Cannock Chase and hopefully a Great Grey Shrike. It wasn’t long before we were watching the bird in a little valley out on the chase sheltering from the strong wind blowing across the heathland at the time. Also here a Raven. With Tawny Owl in the week, the year list […]