A Sunbathing Day?

Yes, but not for us unfortunatley.  Great weather for lizards however as we found out when we went for a walk this evening on the moors by Cod Beck Reservoir.  We came across at least four sunbathing together amonst the dead bracken which included a beautiful green one.  We also saw the usual Crossbills, Siskin, Linnets and a couple of Chiffchaff and the ever present Red Grouse.  Will keep walking there in search of the Cuckoos when they return.

In the Heat of the Day

Went over to Smardale today in the glorious sunshine. On the walk along to the viaduct we located two Red Squirrel in the trees  which were brilliant to see. The single pair of nesting Raven were at their normal spot, but very little else of note in the valley.

On the way back home we came across a Black Grouse taking in the sun and the Crossbill were showing at the Stang but the light was in the wrong direction for decent photos.

A pair of Little Owl were located further down the road.

Black Grouse

Raven

Red Squirrel

Little Owl

Golden Plover

Crossbill

Blue Tit

(not forgetting our common birds)

The riviera touch.

Right on cue the Chiffchaff was singing from it's tree on the edge of the school at horsriding in Swainby today, so good to hear it back.  The sun broke through on the tops at Kildale this pm to allow us to walk in t-shirts it was so warm, what a beautiful day.  We got our first Wheatear there along with lots of Meadow Pipits and some stunning Red Grouse.  There was also a small flock of Fieldfare along side the car when we got back to the bottom.  At the cattlegrid at Sleddale there was a further large flock of Fieldfare, Curlew, Stonechat and Snipe.  Even got flies in our coffee it was so warm and my freckles are out on my face!  Had three Little Owl within five minutes on the way home around Great Ayton and the ice-cream from Suggitts was as delicious as ever.

A Butterfly Day

Went to Duncombe Park in Helmsley today for a walk along the river.  It was lovely and sunny and quite warm out of the breeze.  So warm in fact that we saw out first two butterflies of the year in the form of a Comma and Tortoiseshell.  There were a pair of Grey Wagtail and Pied Wagtail along the river but no sign of any Kingfisher or Dipper. 

Comma

Small Tortoiseshell

Grey Wagtail

Kittiwake at Hartlepool Fish Quay

R T Diver at Hartlepool

Still Waiting

Iceland Gull

Spent the last couple of day waiting for the the Spring migrants to appear but nothing yet, still some birds around to relieve the boredom.

Siskin and Redpoll in good numbers around Codbeck Resevoir.

The Great Grey Shrike is still showing well at Coatham Stob.

 Iceland Gull hanging around South Gare Breakwater and Green -winged Teal is showing a bit more at Dormans Pool.

Green-winged Teal

Redpoll

Siskin

Great Grey Shrike

A Cracking day in Cumbria

Hawfinch

Went over to Cumbria today and managed to connect with the Sizegh Castle Hawfinches which gave some brilliant views. Then on to Leighton Moss where we managed to see the long staying Glossy Ibis, along with Avocet, Spotted Redshank, Merlin, Buzzards and many more species. Came home via the Stang forest and spotted Black Grouse and Crossbill in their usual haunts. All in all a very pleseant day with some lovely spring sunshine.

On Saturday came across a Slow Worm while walking in the Swainby area.

On Friday managed to get some pictures of the Black Redstat at Newburn, Hartlepool.

Hawfinch

Common Buzzard

Avocet

Spotted Redshank

A distant Glossy Ibis

Slow Worm

Slow Worm

Black Redstart

Glaucous Gull at last.

Decided to go out yesterday and try to play catchup with some of the birds we had missed of late.  We managed to see at last the Black Redstart at Newburn although didn't manage any decent photos as the light was terrible.  We also saw the Green Winged Teal at Saltholme, although at distance.  At the headland we were just about to give up on the Glaucous Gull once again when we noticed it sitting on the roof of the building at the Fish Quay, giving excellent views for about 5 mins. in some better weather too.  We then decided to go for the Ring Necked Parakeet in Ward Jackson Park and managed to find two of them.  Hoping the weather is better than it is today next Sunday as we are hoping to go to Sizergh to try to see the Hawfinch.

We now have a pair of Long Tailed Tit feeding daily in our front garden in Hartburn.  Never had them come so regularly.

The Dipper seen again at Hutton Rudby, very reliable to see here.

We even managed Crossbill further over the moors, this time out of Osmotherly heading towards Hawnby.  Never seen them here before.