A birthday at Newburn Bridge

Thursday 10th January 2013

For want of a better title...

..another may come to me later!

Sheila and I went to Hartlepool in hope of red-necked grebe and great northern diver. We failed again but the weather wasn't good. There were lots of waders for any novice birder - you can get really good views just from the promenade wall at high tide. Yesterday there were redshanks [one ringed], purple sandpipers, oystercatchers, dunlin, knot and well-hidden ringed plovers.

Ringed Plover The mediterranean gull was present, skulking atop a lamp-post.

Mediterranean Gull Mediterranean Gull

Foray into Lincolnshire

Saturday 12th January 2013

Barry and I set off early to find a great grey shrike near Market Weighton. No show. Then on to Far Ings where we found a party of waxwings for Barry's year list.

Next, a great northern diver at Morrisons, Scunthorpe - or more precisely on Ashby Ville lake, behind the superstore. Once we found how to get to the lake itself we soon saw the bird, albeit distantly. Rather than walk a long way while days are still short we pressed on to Worlaby where a shooting party encouraged us not to linger. On then, to Alkborough Flats for a good long bird watch. A few ticks for Barry; a very early avocet for me.

Approaching the hide, a female reed bunting posed for us. [ N.B. We were approaching the hide, not the bunting.]

Reed Bunting Reed Bunting Some redshank flew in accompanied, I think, by a ruff. [2nd from the left]

Redshanks & Ruff A group of mute swans flew over.

Mute Swans As the day grew old and cold, we set off on the walk back to the car park.

Barry

'Toddling whoam'

Old Lancashire folk song - 'Going home'

On the trail of the lonesome grouse!

Tuesday 15th January 2013

In spite of or maybe because of the snow I thought a drive over Blubberhouses might produce a conspicuous red grouse if there was plenty of snow up there. It didn't - at least I couldn't spot any and the snow was not as deep as I expected, so plenty of other distracting objects were visible. Some indeed quite bird shaped! I decided on plan B and went to Barden Bridge where I spotted a few mallard and a fleeing goosander. All otherwise quiet. It struck me from memory that Bolton Abbey Cavendish section might be free admission in these winter conditions. This proved correct.

A quick walk produced dippers on the River Wharfe so I retraced my steps back to Tiggy and got the camera out, being extra careful in the slippery conditions. Only slipped once. At first the dippers were at their normal distance - i.e. not quite near enough for a super shot but ok.

This chap was having a look before diving in. Or he was camera shy.

Dipper Slowly the pair came closer. Still being cautious.

Dipper I'd never had them this close before but perhaps the weather conditions and the lack of human distractions on the Cavendish Pavilion wooden bridge and riverside walk helped.

Dipper Dipper Just north of the bridge by the Cavendish restaurant I espied a sleeping goosander. Well not really asleep. She was keeping a weather eye open...

Goosander ...just in case some miserable human started photographing her. I soon got the telling off I deserved...

Goosander Didn't I?!

Goosander Back near the car the mallards were resting on the snow. Ever heard of a snowbill? Well, I spotted one...

Mallard Mallard

I set off for home as I had said I'd be back for lunch unless something turned up. On the off chance I stopped in the lay-by at the top of Blubberhouses [just after the sharp right-hand bend] and scanned with the bins. Nothing. I put the bins down. A shape just across from me on the other side of the road attracted my attention as I gazed around. I grabbed the bins again. Grouse watching me!

First strategy: dig with your feet to snuggle down lower.

Red Grouse Enlarged view

Red Grouse

By this time I had crossed the road and was firing away. The camera didn't want to lock on the bird for some reason but kept locking on the grass much nearer to me. The fact that it was snowing may not have helped...

Red Grouse Red Grouse

Not a bad morning!

112 and counting!