Green Woopecker

I have added another local blogger to the side list Richard Dunn ,he has some fantastic photos  posted but I particularly like his recorded sound files check this out.Green Woodpecker  Try the three altogether its an odd combination but sounds good.

Wallington

A recent trip to Wallington Hall a National Trust property , the forecast was not to good so we decided to go down to the feeding station first besides it would be quieter, not even a glimpse of Red Squirell  they used to be easy to see here , Chaffinch the dominant presence , but Goldfinch, Siskin, Great, long tailed and Blue Tit, and very briefly a Marsh/willow Tit , Great Spotted giving very good views , from here it was the river walk but surprisingly very few flowers out , no Dippers or wags on the river, there is to me what seems like a very good population of Nuthatch here with numerous birds calling and being very showy.

Lunch time picnic just got sat at the outdoor table when it started to rain , so it was decided to visit the house along its seems with everyone else, the house is very impressive far more than Belsay hall , there is room after room to visit  with striking  views of the grounds, a cabinet of Taxidermy caught my eye but its a challenge to ID some of them, two glass domes contained a large amount of exotic birds including some tiny Hummers fascinating yet hideous at the sheer quantity. 

Finally a walk over to the walled garden not looking its best on a dull day but the greenhouse/hothouse always has some nice plants , back at the house a falconer had set up and was flying a Harris hawk and letting it land on the arms of children , I finally got my turn rightly so as I had hung around long enough, surprised at how heavy the bird was and impressive only inches away from your face.

It was a good day out and well worth a visit 

 Wallington Hall

GSW

Wood Mouse at the feeders

 Stock Dove
I was trying to get an arty shot of the tree from low down , but not bad for a phone !

 Some very nice flowers as always in the greenhouse but what a greenhouse  !!

 No Idea what they are apart from the Geraniums

 A huge cabinet contained two opposing lead armies this is Napolean

 Snaps with my phone of the small fish pool and river

 The famous Gargoyles (which if I remember was actually ships ballast)

Just a clip of the Harris hawk in action ,it was good to see the kids get involved even though it meant I had to wait till they al had a go !! I forget the guy's name that was running the Falconry but he was very good .

Seaton Sluice

Spent late afternoon at SSWT , the sea had settled down some what only a handfull of Auks around a few gannets moving North but well out several Fulmars but suspect of local origin, 3 Common Scoter, Sandwich Terns in good numbers and about 70+ on the rocks during the high tide,much mating and pair bonding going on but not many fish brought in as offerings , not much in total even the Gulls that passed close to the window where all 1st & 2nd year birds ,  so the hour dragged somewhat, 

Good news and not so Good !!!

Got an email the other day to inform me I had won second prize in a competition ,don't get carried away not for any of my journalistic or photographic ability probably just a name out of the hat . Anyway the prize turned out to be £250 off per person for two on either a short break or a week in Scotland , well better than nothing I thought till I looked into the prices of just under £500 for a short break to just under £1000 for a week or a single person could take the £500 off a two week stay , but I'm thinking £1500 for a two week stay in Scotland plus the cost of driving up  I had ten days in the Algarve for about £250 and that included car hire . So I guess I am lucky to have at least won something or I am I one of many that has won "second " prize , it looks like I'll have to slum it  in the Algarve again for this winter it's a hard life !!!

Twitter

I have added a widget for Twitter , not sure of it's full potential as yet but as my mobile provider lets you update for free  I thought I would give it a go , all I need now is something informative to "TWEET " about and is less than the max number of characters in length. !!!!!!!