Late Swallows

Once again an unpromising weekend was transformed by the discovery of a couple of good birds late yesterday afternoon, a Cliff Swallow at Minsmere and an Eyebrowed Thrush in Northumberland, with the news that the Swallow was seen going to roost Me, Mark and Darren along with Bob and Dave from Rochdale decided to take that option. An early start saw us down at Minsmere for first light and it wasn’t long before the shout went up and we got brief views as the bird passed overhead with a small group of “Barn” Swallows but they were then lost to view and it was then an anxious 30-40 mins wait before the group was relocated over some grassland just east of the visitor centre although they then showed very well perching on Hawthorn Bushes and making short feeding forays as the day gradually warmed up, a superb lifer for us all. The birds eventually became more mobile and disappeared again so we had wander down to the East Hide, several Cetti’s Warblers were singing away and five Bewick’s Swans were on the scrape then early afternoon we headed to nearby Dunwich Heath where three or four Dartford Warblers were seen, with the day a resounding success we set off home to get back for a reasonable time. No news on the Thrush today so we made the right choice.

Cliff Swallow bottom middle surrounded by its European cousins

just record shots, we never got close to it

Teal from the East Hide

plus Bewick's Swan

Local update October

It was generally a quiet month with a fairly steady transition from summer to winter, the few remaining Hirundines had departed early on and there was a definite increase in Blackbird and Song Thrush numbers, the first Redwings arrived mid-month with Fieldfares a week later also a couple of Siskins in trees by the Flood Basin on the 17^th, not a common sight in the area. Up to three Cormorants were back along the river and after not seeing any for a couple of weeks five Buzzards were up in the air together over the Cornfield NR on the 17^th with a single there the next day and three on the 19^th including a bird perched in riverside bushes which naturally saw me before I saw it. A few Finches and Buntings etc had started to gather at the Cornfield NR by the months end.

Rawcliffe Ings

Clifton Ings

the river

the Ings Dyke has been dredged this month

Hedgehog looking for a winter home in the Country Park

Kestrel on the look out

Cormorants are back

Buzzard over the Cornfield NR

interesting Fungi, Aniseed Funnel I think

Autumn colours

Leaf litter

late afternoon sky

A good day up North

Out with Mark and Paz today and we were joined by our good pal from Rochdale, Dave Ousey, we headed North calling at Redcar first where a Pied Wheatear had been found late yesterday, it was still present and showed well by the old cinema along Majuba Road this morning, after spending some time with this superb little bird which spent a lot of the time fly catching we moved down the coast to nearby Skinningrove where a smart Eastern Black Redstart was also showing very well, present since mid-week this little stunner shared the rocks with Wrens, Dunnocks, Robins and a brief Twite. It was then back Northwards to South Shields for our third star bird, a female Isabelline Shrike of the nominate race or Daurian as some people like to call it which was also remarkably showing well on the Lea’s there, also a late Whinchat in the area and a Little Owl was roosting on a nearby cliff face. From what looked like an unpromising weekend earlier in the week it turned out to be a super day enjoyed by all with three good birds all showing very well, some say if it was always like this you'd soon get fed up of it, I don't think so.  

Pied Wheatear at Redcar

showing its extensive white rump

Eastern Black Redstart at Skinningrove

a very bright individual

also Wrens

and Dunnocks etc

Paz walking on water

Isabelline (Daurian) Shrike at the Lea's South Shields

also a late Whinchat

spot the Little Owl