Banks Pond

Had a brief wander past Banks Pond when the Oystercatcher warning call caught my attention. At the far side of the pond I could just make out one young chick and then a little later there were two.
A pair of Canada Geese were on the far bank with no sign of any young and a Little Grebe was feeding
A Meadow Pipit posed nicely



Later a group of what I believe were Canada Geese flew over heading North West

Then as I drove home past the airport another similar size group flew over heading in the same direction

Where's that Pot

Last evening presented the most distinct rainbow that I have ever witnessed.
I was on the bridle path at Prestwick Carr when the briefest of rain showers resulted in this



Pity I could not capture the whole thing and although I resisted the temptation to hunt the rainbow end, this Hare made a bee-line

I was unsure of the ident of this bird but with the help of PCF we plumped for a browner than usual Willow Warbler.

Busy Blackbird

The resident male Blackbird has been kept busy over the last few days feeding its young.
Things got a bit easier today when I decided to clear out some bluebells which were taking over part of the garden, and set out with new plants.
Once started, it was not long before the Blackbird appeared and made the most of the easy pickings.
This bird has become quite confident as it scratched around at my feet

As I chucked plants into the wheelie it was up on top inspecting the contents and even dropped down inside.

The sunlight glistened off its feathers


So the bairns are fed and the garden's tidy -good day.

Arcot

Last evening I wandered around Arcot Pond site, mainly around the perimeter.
First of all there was a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the top of the tallest dead tree trunk.
Many Willow Warbler calling from the hedgerows a Kestrel lifted off the grassland and went over the hedge. Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff were calling from deep inside the may covered Hawthorn hedging.


Reed Buntings were perched on the reed heads (have just realised I have deleted those photos - numpty)
Deer appeared in a couple of locations round the pond and a single Grey Partridge lifted off and flew ahead

New Species?

Could this be the missing link between Cranes and Herons?




Unfortunately - no - its simply a broken branch of a tree in Gosforth Park NR

A few spiders

I have just noticed this nest of spiders on the kitchen window cill.
You can just see the webbed nest under the cill, and the young have made there way onto the front face

Have not got a clue what they are but may belong to the orb spider group

Another Wagtail

For my previous post I did not manage to obtain a decent pic of a Grey Wagtail.
I did come across a pair whilst walking down a bridle path near Whittle Dean but they were going crazy as I approached so I turned around. Presumably their nest was nearby.
However this one was resting in the shade at Wallington today and seemed worthy of display.

Whittle Wagtails

Had myself a visit to Whittle Dene this evening to see what Wagtails may be present.
Plenty of Pied Wagtail, a few Grey Wagtail, and these Yellow charmers.


They were to be found around the overflow channel running beside the road which leading from the x-roads, signposted to Stamfordham.

Posers

I was lucky enough to be around as the sun lit up the place around 8pm last night.
It certainly seems to bring out the posers basking in the warmth of the evening rays

Almost a Sandwich

There were a small group of Sandwich Tern at Newbiggin, Church point.



A couple of them minding their own business slightly away from the main group when a third party turned up showing a bit of interest



The threesome certainly got into a bit of a flap, eyeing each other


Then the argument appeared to get quite silly as they danced around.


However the intruder flew off and it was down to business before another chancer appeared - too late mate!


Thats life.

First for me

Its always nice to recognise a first time sighting even though it may be 'old hat' to others.
So it was to see this Black-veined White,

Aporia crataegi

Gulp!

Talk about biting off more than you can chew.
It appeared that this Grey Heron had battered this flatfish to death but could not quite work out what the next step should be.

Had fifteen minutes at Newcastle Business Park opposite Dunston Staithes tonight.
There were three Shelduck, and two on the opposite side of the river

also about ten Ringed Plover, six Grey Heron, Oyster Catcher, Redshank

Gosforth Park NR

Gosforth Park NR has been subject to a visit by a form of lowlife which is becoming more prevalent.

This shows the remains of the Feeder Station hide.
At a time of a new form of government, I think its time for a new form of penalty for this type of behaviour.

Evening Glow

When the forecasters were predicting frost tonight I got it into my head that would mean clear skies this evening and most importantly evening sunshine which should bring a few birds onto the topmost perches for one last song.
So it came to pass and at 7.30pm I was out, and the first to be spotted was a Meadow Pipit. I had not previously realised just how long is its hind claw until I enlarged the pic.
Reed Buntings, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Linnet, were all taking up high positions in the hedgerow.
A Snipe perched on a fencepost amongst the reeded area called constantly. Canada Goose and Mallard flew over while a pair of Grey Heron wandered across a nearby field.
Wren, Blackbird and Robin scuttled through the thickets

The horizontal light seems to make the birds glow with colour.



and as I turned to go home this smasher hunted in the adjacent fields and took a rest on the fencepost

Back home for 9

Not just Birds

Its not just birds that make Prestwick Carr worth a visit. Currently you can find
Cowslip

Water Avens

Violet

Water loving plants which fully stock the drainage ditches. I am hoping that these conditions will be equally attractive to dragonfly.

and fungi

Green-veined White