Shortie Stakeout

This afternoon was spent waiting for Short-Eared Owls at Prestwick Carr, an area which has reportedly had the birds coming out earlier each day and owling word had clearly spread as many other birders also flocked along the lane.
After about 90 minutes of scanning and waiting, we had the first Shortie, followed swiftly by another, and another and another!! Four birds in total were seen to be quartering the fields for prey in the last remaining light and as I left in near darkness their ominous silhouettes could still be made out in the distance.

David
Nature North East / The Northern Owl Project

Prestwick Carr; 25th February

Prestwick Carr was on the agenda for birding today, situated a ten minute drive west of Cramlington and a stones throw from Newcastle Airport, its an area of rough grassland, country lanes and scattered plantations of scrub. 

I parked up at the eastern entrance of the bumpy road, and walked westward along the lane. The hedges were full of songbird activity, particularly around the feeding stations which have been put up. 

In one of the fields to the south I spotted a bird perched on the very highest branch of a hawthorn bush, looking very shrike like. I believe it was a Great Grey Shrike, but because it was so far away and I didn't have my telescope I wouldn't want to assume it incase it wasn't.

Around the platform a mixed flock of Reed Bunting & Yellowhammer flew through the hedge lines and picked at the seed below the feeders whilst North of Mayfair Cottage a pair of Buzzards were calling and soaring overhead.

Male Chaffinch

A complete species list of the birds I seen on my jaunt around Prestwick Carr can be found below.

• Kestrel
• Buzzard
• Reed Bunting
• Yellowhammer
• Great Tit
• Blue Tit
• Coal Tit
• Willow Tit
• Robin 
• Dunnock
• Chaffinch
• Goldcrest
• Blackbird
• Great Spotted Woodpecker
• Wren
• Teal
• Lapwing
• + 2 Roe Deer

Little Bit Of Bread....No Cheese !