January ends

Northumbrian Birding
Sunday 27th called into Big Waters to try and get out of the wind very little on the pool although the Otter had been seen ,always plenty of Tree Sparrows at the feeders,with Great Spotted also dropping in but again no Yellowhammers or any sign of a Brambling, Hazelrigg next for a walk around but this is a popular spot for dog walkers so you really should go early,Reed Buntings ,2 Kestrels, Great, Blue & Coal Tit , Highland Cattle graze the fenced areas not sure if it is the same herd moved around or are they more common a SEO flying around them would have been a great sight but alas no, passing West Hartford the caravans are back so did not pull in best viewed from the roadside further west.
Through the week had a walk both through Holywell Dene with Tree Creeper,Grey Wagtail small parties of tits and lots of Blackbirds on the woodland floor, Stoat along the old rail track turned into the field towards the Obelisk which is now fenced off by the field so no access, one field held a large mixed flock of Skylark, Meadow Pipits and mostly Linnets, but to far to have a good check through, onto the hide to shelter from the strong wind checking the gulls as they flew in with an Adult Med down at the far end ,40-50 Curlews dropped in at the far end with a couple passing the hide going west, and about 30 Pinkfeet came in with 6 or so Greylag but only stayed very briefly, no food in the feeders so nothing small around other than Reed & Dunnock feeding on the ground.
Also a walk around Plessey area nice to see a Red as it darted across the road, also a Marsh Tit new for the year no Dipper on the river due to the high level, but plenty of roving tit flocks alas no goodies in with them in the form of Firecrest or YBW but Nuthatch, Treecreeper and a few Coal Tits, with also three GSW



Red Squirrell near Plessey Woods
Only 1/2 a Marsh Tit and it was gone
Always nice to see a Wagtail
Adult Med at Holywell
Plenty Curlew around
Pinkfeet dropped in for a brief visit to Holywell
The plain Dunnock ,I think not , great little birds still after that elusive great shot !!!