The past few weeks in pictures

Not so much of a blog today, more of a photo journal of the past week or so. For some reason blogger uploads the pics in a lower resolution unfortunately. 

....One flew over the Arcot Lane

I hadn't planned on doing any birding today, until I received a text...'Cuckoo at Arcot' !!

This I had to see!

Within 20 mins of getting there I had it in my scope!

A life tick for me, and a surprisingly large falcon shaped bird! Rather impressive!

I managed to get a few pics but he was a fidgety thing! 

....Arcot just continues too impress! 

Birder?...yes. Twitcher? ...perhaps.

Tonight I was reminded via text (courtesy of Liverbirder) that the Woodchat Shrike was still showing between Cresswell and Druridge Pools.

Seeing as I was already at Arcot Pond(Lesser Whitethroat seen there), I thought I should go and see this rarity. A lifer tick, shame the bird was quite distant. I also seen a Yellow Wagtail, another tick! That's three ticks today!

....But tonight's trip to see it and last weeks Whitley Bay Wryneck vigil make me wonder ......am I a twitcher?

I'm definitely a birder, but a twitcher? Maybe I am !

Once again .....Cramlington delivers!

Its been a little while since I've put a blog up, but in all honesty I've been either busy or tired. Usually both!

Got plenty year and even life ticks since my last blog.

Today the weather seemed pretty mild, slight breeze in the air and quite warm so I thought 'where could I go and spend a few hours birding'. Prestwick Carr got my vote. A Virgin site for me as a birder and from what I've heard a hit or miss site. 

Today was most definitely a miss, perhaps it was because I'd convinced myself I would see owls! Not so!

But all was not lost, I did get Buzzard, Kestrel, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Lapwing & 2 Roe Deer.

I decided as I was passing, I would drop into an undisclosed cramlington site.

As soon as I got out the car I seen it!! Jackpot!!!! Incredible views of a hunting Short Eared Owl.

It hung about for about 50 minutes. 

Safe to say I left with a huge grin on my face, not my first shortie of the year but by god my best views by a country mile!