Dragonfly Season Ends

Well a few more Dragonfly photos as the season comes to an end these taken from a couple of locations  and some of the recent visitors to Cresswell pond 

 Ruddy Darter

 Common Darter

 Common Blue Damselfly

 Emerald Damselfly

 This Emperor flew around back and forth in front of me for most of my visit but would not land , imagine my surprise to find it just along the hedgerow as I left.

 One of the three Spotted Redshanks at Cresswell Pond this rather distant  shot is at the north end

 Greenshank from the hide via the cut through the reeds

Also Snipe feeding in front of the hide, Ruff, Dunlin , Avocet (1) and also a single Curlew Sandpiper present

Blyth River waders

Yesterday the 12th September I cycled along the River Blyth and around to the area we used to call Monkey's Island just to the east of the boatyard , the tide already pushing in and most of the waders had left apart from a number of Redshank and 6 Knot with a Goosander  in the open water ,headed further upstream looking for any colour ringed birds be they gulls or waders , 30 or so Black headed's feeding from the outfall pipe not sure what this is from, Redshank by far the most common wader here , they have the annoying habit of giving there alarm call chasing everything off but then they settle not far away , so trying to approach waders with Redshank  in front is a waste of time. Thought I picked out a Little Stint  but by the time the scope was up the lot had moved over to the other side and I could not find one. Went as far as the two bridges four Goosanders here and about 20-30 Mallard  which seem to feed at this area. Kingfisher calling between the bridges but could not locate it , two pure white Doves under the road bridge looked odd, back down the river too view across to where the waders gather sometimes to roost  but most fly off to the staithes over at Cambois. Set the scope up to check over the other side it's a fair way off so a scope is essential , in the rain picked out a wader with the Dunlin  couldn't make it out for some time till it brightened up slightly and I could see it was a Wood Sandpiper, also here a Black tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank , about a dozen Swallows hawking the river which was although rising very still , a Whimbrel was heard but not seen and a Skein of about c100 Pinkfeet headed South  a very good couple of hours despite getting soaked.

 A couple of digi scoped shots the waders where rather far off

 Wood Sandpiper

 Black Tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank(left )

Blyth River

Not been out much of late a couple of recent sea watch's didn't produce the goods so it can be several hours spent with little reward, a message of two Spotted Redshanks and several Greenshank  saw me along theriver Blyth the next day could only find one of each although I did not have time to check the high tide roost , some Knot where the closest birds to me as the tide came in and it does very quickly , so tried a few digi shots also a Bar Tailed Godwit  before everything moved over to the other side where I had three Ruff  last week, I counted well over two hundred Curlew most just by the west jetty ,an Adult Herring Gull with a white colour ring was to far away for a shot and had gone by the time I got nearer. It's well worth a look along  I prefer the bike as you can easily go right along to the bridges and back with ease.

 I missed the tide at Monkey's Island having come along from the west first

 Spotted Redshank too far and moving too fast for a pic

 Jet black oily looking mud birds always seem to feed in the same areas here

 only the one feeding here but several on the spit.

More of the LEO and SEO's

Pleased this week to have another one of my photos this one  the Bonaparte's Gull at Seaham , published in Birdwatch magazine.

Here are  somemore  of my photos of the LEO and SEO's

 Those eyes are just stunning and really bring the bird to life

 some of the Short Eared Owls in the late afternoon sun they always kept there distance although in reality giving stunning views you do need a fairly large lens to capture detail.

 Three birds briefly drifted over the track not giving me time to change my settings so they are a little dark

 I like the pose of this one just looking down at me looking a little puzzled

 and just a series of the same bird as it drifted across the track and down behind the hedge

 Spotted Redshank that plied between St Mary's , Beehive Flash and Holywell Pond also another Adult Med Gull here they seem to be  regular now I wonder if they may be spreading out from Newbiggin

 It seemed to eat a large amount of fish and always looked as though it was masticating or crushing it before actually swallowing . Still not sure if it actually caught the fish or they are dead or dying near the edge as I have also seen Black-headed Gulls and a Ruff eating fish here.

 The Leo has turned away again but has some nice light on its side !

One of a run from the top picture just looking down again as it relaxes

Cowpen Bewley,Saltholme,Shibdon

I had to go down to Middlesborough so I took the opportunity to call in at Cowpen Bewley Country Park it is a site that has recorded Brown Hawker in the Summer months  but I just thought I would get a look around .

Common Blue , Meadow Brown  and Red Admioral on the wing as where some Hawkers I did not have time to check them out properly plus it was a day of very strong winds and heavy showers, its a good area inhabited mainly by dog walkers with an area designated as  off the lead run , but most seemed to just let them run anywhere as well as the ponds of which there are several and a small lake .

Drove on to Saltholme it was stotting down (that is very heavy rain for non Northeners) so i dashed across to the Phil stead hide but only Little Egret and Ruff here, next stop Greatham Creak but the wind so strong I had to sit and keep the scope very low.

So I thought I would go home via Shibdon  at least I would have some shelter and a Spotted redshank and this is where I stayed till just before dark the water levels are controlled here and it shows with many Redshank, Snipe, Spotted Redshank & Green Sandpiper , two family groups of Lesser Black -backs amongst the gulls unfortunately they where just to far for some shots. There is a nice edge to this pond and I was sure of seeing Water Rail as the day ended but no !!!!

 Southern Hawkers at one of the small pools at Cowpen Bewley , if I remember cowpen is something to do with where salt we also have a Cowpen near Blyth .

 Red Eared Terrapin ? which I think has been here for some years it seems to being OK that must be about 15 " long

 Ruddy Darter settled beside me but it was the only I saw and actually my first of the year.

 This Juvenile Carrion Crow was odd  being very tame sat on the car roof looking down at me as I sat in the car , having nothing to feed it I asked a couple in a Motorhome and they gave me a bun !!, I wonder if someone has had it in captivity then just let it go ????

 Saltholme after the rain comes the sun briefly , Little Egret from the Phil Stead hide. This hide is outside the visitor centre so you don't have to wait for it to open at 10 (yes thats right 10 ' o clock before you can get in )

 Ruff on the pool edge

 Vignetting effect always a problem with digiscoping

 Common Seal near the creak

 Shibdon the rain has stopped and a little  bit of sun to brighten the day

The ever present Lapwing a feature of just about every pond such as this.

Lesser Black -backed Juvenile ,I would have like some closer photos but they kept there distance