Winters on its way.

Not a very good day weather wise, raining most of the day so we decided to head for the hills and were glad we did as winter had arrived there.

 

 

Counted about 25 Ptarmigan when we first looked out from the Ptarmigan Restaurant at the top of Cairngorm.  The blizzard then hit and we couldn't see a thing,  then when it cleared we managed to locate a few a bit closer than they had been although still distant.  Nice to see all the same. 

A flock of Snow Bunting flew past but didn't stop.

 

 

Cresties, Whoopers and some very friendly Coal Tits

Yesterday we went looking for Crested Tit around Loch Garten, didn't take long to find them when we where feeding the very friendly Coal tits. Came across  a family group of Whoopers near Neathy Bridge...............it really is a lovely place.

 

 Creasted Tit

 

 Coal Tit - very friendly

 

 Red-legged Partridge (an unexpected find)

 Whooper family

 

 

Pine Marten and Badgers in the Cairngorms.

Had a brilliant night watching Pine Marten and Badgers at Loch n'eilean, Aviemore. Didn't expect to get as close as we did. 3 Badgers and a single Pine Marten showed within feet of us. Pity it was dark with artificial light, the camera struggled but at 6400 ASA just managed to capture some ok pictures.

 

 Pine Marten

 

 Badgers

 

Hoopoe.............another lifer.

Made the short journey to Bishop Auckland to try and link up with a reported Hoopoe today. The weather was pretty overcast with some light rain .....not good conditions! Managed to locate the Hoopoe within about 15mins of arrival, a stunning juvenile bird.

 

 Hoopoe

 

 

 

 

 

Pallid Swift (or Common)

Caught up with the Pallid Swift at Hartlepool on Saturday unfortunately the weather conditions were poor and we didn't have time to linger due to me being at work. The pictures were not good but just a record shot. There is still some debate about whether it is a Pallid or Common Swift but my identification skills aren't good enough to make a decision based on viewing in the field and the pretty rubbish pictures I have.................leave the final decision to the experts!!!

 

 Pallid Swift

 

Western Bonneli's Warbler ......the migration continues.

A Western Bonneli's warbler was identified at the weekend at Hartlepool Headland and was reported as being present today. Took a trip over and after about an hour located the bird along with several dozen other birders. The migration is still in full swing with lots more common migrants showing in the area.

 

 Western Bonneli's Warbler

 Brambling

 Greater Spotted Woodpecker

 Lesser Redpoll

 Redwing

 The twitchers

Wren (not to miss out the local birds)

The Migration continues.

With the deteriorating weather we have had several migrating birds dropping in to refuel before continuing their journey. Today we managed to see Great Grey Shrike, Goldcrest, Mealy Redpoll, Blackcap, Brambling, Greater spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird and Redwing  at Hartlepool Headland. Here's hoping that more goodies arrive in the next few days while we continue with this run of weather.

 

Mealy Redpoll

 

 Greater Spotted Woodpecker

 Scandinavian Blackbirds (male and female)

 Redwing

Stonechat