Tuesday 27 January 2015

Edgar Froese RIP.

Sadly Edgar died recently, founder member of Tangerine Dream a band i first encountered on the Kosmiche Musik album featuring other Krautrock names such as Ash-Ra Tempel, Popul Vuh, and Klaus Schulze another Tangs member.

I was instantly hooked on this experimental ambient and improvisational sound, and it was not long before i was adding albums to my collection.

It was a few years after before i had the chance to see them live at Newcastle City Hall, and over the years i saw them in several versions, Edgar being the only ever present. The Last time he was trading guitar licks with his son who was used on the cover of Atem when still a baby.

Tangerine Dream opened up a whole new world of music to me, something that still finds me seeking out new sounds today. From sequencer based riffs to ambient, and film soundtracks they entertained many times over the years and were true pioneers.

Thanks Edgar for all the pleasure ive had from your work.

Thursday 22 January 2015

Winter Wander

At last a calm day, so off down for a first visit to St Marys. Starting in the Brier Dene a good selection of normal species, cracking Grey wagtail, and Bullfinch, but the highlight was a Chiffchaff, unusual find and my first ever Winter Chiff.

On up to the Cemetery, and a wander around nicely interrupted by a Tree Spuggie with nesting material, so nice to see this once scarce species doing well. A female Kestrel was found perched and very approachable, seen again near the wetland.

The wetland held good numbers of Teal and Snipe,but little else, not much else added on the walk up to Hartley, a few Fulmars on the cliffs, Rooks and Curlew in the mast field.

Most birds were on the beaches and rocks, with waders in prominence, though no Barwit or Knot in evidence. 45 species seen, an enjoyable plod.

Sunday 4 January 2015

Low Key Start

Gone are the days when Jan 1st saw me diving all over the place in an effort to see all i could birdwise.

So today saw me saunter down to Killy lake for a wander and gawk at one and all. Cold but clear on arrival at the lake, which was partly frozen, but covered in 100+ Tufted Ducks and a similar amount of Coots.

Scanning around about 40 Mute swans and 20 Canada geese with smaller numbers of Mallard, Pochard, Shoveler, and singles of Scaup, Goosander and a slack handful of Moorhen.

Good numbers of BH Gulls, some ringed, and decent amount of Common and Herring gulls.

The woods, church, and village had plenty of mixed birds Blackbirds, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue, Long Tailed, and Great tits, Dunnock and Robin with Corvids and Starlings, Pigeons adding to the tally.

Several species displaying, and the familiar "Teacher Teacher" call of the Great Tit seemed to be all over. First Snowdrops of the year were in bloom, and good crack with a few like minded souls out enjoying the day.