Damp and Cold.

Means doodling, and dipping.

Hezza.

Osborne Scissorhands.

No Fog on the Tyne

Dont do much photography these days, only got a small compact camera, a few from October showing the Coaly Tyne. Once we provide coal for the country, now we have shipments of coal arriving from Russia.

These days, its all about riverside homes, and the Quayside home to pubs and artistic venues. The Nice  in 1969 released the Five Bridges suite, now there are seven, with the Millenium Bridge a welcome addition.

Hello Winter.

Brief visit to St Marys on the first day of what i consider Winter. It was warm to start with but soon turned chilly, chatting to SP at the point when i saw a Woodcock come in of the sea, SP obliged with an adult Med gull, onward and chatting to a couple of birders when a dogwalker came up and described a bird he had seen which i thought  would be a Black Redstart which it proved to be. YB warbler in the crooked lonnen, and to finish off a near perfect day, Toon beat Liverpool 1-0 Pardew for a Knighthood.

Bye Autumn.

Well Autumn has gone, and even though classic conditions were lacking still October gave one last hurrah.

St Marys on Thursday expecting to just have a light birdtrack count, and it was viz mig heaven.

A constant stream of thrushes in off the sea, with Fieldfares and and Blackbirds to the fore, Redwings and Songthrush also in good numbers.

2 Black Redstarts, and 2 owls one def a SE owl, good numbers of Goldeneye, Red-throated divers, C Scoters, also LT duck, RB mergansers, Med and Little gull, Brent geese, Teal, Wigeon, as well as resident species of seabirds.

Blackcap and Stonechat showed well, cracking day with good company. 63 species noted, and i missed a few.

Dipping

Ive been missing out on a few birds of late, Ravens at Tynemouth, Snow Bunting at St Marys, Olive Backed pipit at Sunderland, serves me right for twitching, but its been a quiet Autumn with all these west winds. So apart from a few birding jaunts its mainly been a cultural tour of our wonderful museums and galleries.

Friday found me at the Hancock, ( you can stuff your Great North Museum) for a talk by Richard Crossley, author of the Crossley Guides. Entertaining, enthusiastic, encompassing speaker, great to hear such a dynamic birder for a change.

A trip to Big Waters solved the problem of where all the birds from Killy Lake have gone, they are all here, so whats gone wrong at Killy, ?. Still a few Migrant Hawkers on the wing, and 3 Otters put on a brief show, with a foxin the feeding station early on. Did miss the brief fly-by by the Kingfisher, so another dip for moi.

Disappointed 2

Had a loose day as no migration weather, so off to the Baltic for a gawk at the modern art. What a waste of time, only two floors with owt on, one a film using honey bees was only operating occasionally and the ground floor consisted of about 8 objects seeming made of plaster of paris covered cloth over shapes. Is this really what passes for modern art ?

The building itself looks neglected, loads of lamps out, cables hanging loose on the staircase areas closed off, as i worked on this building i could not help feel its in need of a bit of TLC, the staff scattered about looked bored, and the shops seemed stocked with tat.

The views from the top were worth the trip, but im afraid its gone downhill as a gallery, over the bridge to return home, as ever the quayside was busy, but the bus service was very poor, seemed to be few buses on the go. Is it the cuts or does someone need a boot up their backside, gannin backwards. At least the Toon managed a first win, and even better the Makems were slaughtered 8 - 0.

Although it would be a lifer there was no way i could stand next to the Stadium of Plight to see the Olive Backed Pipit, my conscience would not let me  :):):)

Disappointed

Last couple of days at patch have looked good but failed to deliver in what appeared to be perfect conditions for migration. Thursday had a howling easterly gale with rain, but birdwise there was little about, single Redwing in the cemetery and little else.

Down early Friday morning and more Redwing and Blackbird showed there had been an influx, so down to the wetland with the mist slowly lifting, and plenty of feeding birds along the track. Dunnocks, Blackbirds, Robins,  Redwings, and many Reed Buntings. As the sun came through many birds cleared off, still i searched as many areas as i could and slowly added species to the days total, Chiffs, Crests, Chaffs, Mippits and Skylarks all apperead with regularity and a flyover Siskin was the first of the year for me down here.

Best find was a brief view of a Lesser Whitethroat, quite a pale bird but as to race i cant be sure, it was located later in the day, hopefully someone may grab a pic.

A couple of skeins of Pinkfeet added to the Autumnal atmosphere, as did a Common Whitethroat. Single Red Admiral butterfly seen.