The Arctic Tern

The Arctic Terns journey to its breeding grounds on the Northumberland Coast is an amazing story with the birds starting their journey in Africa and eventually arriving late April to early May. Within its life time (up to 25 years) the Arctic Terns can cover three quarters of a million miles, which in my eyes is an incredible achievement. Viewing a Tern colony is an impressive sight and one not to be missed. The colony protected by the National Trust at Long Nanny, Beadnall Bay, just has to be visited to see these birds up close.

The Shag

To see the Shag up close and personal is breathtaking. Even though I live on the coast and see a lot of this bird through the winter months, to actually see the Shag in all its summer glory and on the nest, well its just one of those special wildlife moments.

Coming soon to a computer near you - The Arctic Tern

The Puffin

A trip to the Farne Islands off the coast of Northumberland to experience what I think is one of the most great nature spectacles around. A huge mass of seabirds coming together to breed after spending most of the year out at sea. This is my first post of many showing you the birds of the Farne Islands and how better to start with the most magnificent of all our seabirds, the Puffin - enjoy!
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Seabird City

Razorbill and Puffin

Puffin

Gannet

Razorbill

Guillemots

Bridled Guillemots

Fulmar

Kittwake

The cliffs at Bempton are totally buzzing with seabirds which includes the usual suspects - Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet, Kittiwake and Fulmar. To see these birds up close and personal is just amazing, I really do recommend you take time to visit this reserve to witness this breath taking site. For more information just click on the link below:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/bemptoncliffs/index.asp

The Gannet

I just had to create a post of its own for the Gannet, this is one of my favourite seabirds and to see them in all there glory at Bempton is an incredible sight. If you haven't been to Bempton Cliffs before, just a word of advise, to get the best views of the Gannets, come out of the visitor centre go down the chalk path to the cliff top and then turn right, take a 10 minute walk to the last view point and then look down - be prepared for an awesome sight.

Little Owl

Finally caught up with the Little Owl at Scalby Lodge Pond. After all the great weather and light we have had over the past few days, the only day I get to go out is the one day that was cold and dull. What a little gem though, will try a gain when the sun comes out.

Harewood House

Red Kite

Grey Heron

Mallard

Coot

Canada Goose

Great Crested Grebe

White Stork

Humboldt Penguin

Grey Crowned Crane

Ross's Goose

A day trip with the family to Harewood House and Bird Garden gave me good opportunities to try and get some images of the Red Kites. The light was dull and grey until mid afternoon when it started to brighten up which helped with getting a fast shutter speed to capture the Red Kite in flight. Lots to see and photograph at Harewood, so above images are just a handful of the varied bird life, wild and captured around the grounds of the house.

Dotterel

Talking to a local birder up on Danby Beacon and he told me how the Dotterel come back to the same area of Danby Beacon each year on migration, now that is amazing. I had to visit the site to witness this elegant colourful wader as it made its brief stop on the Beacon. As I spotted my first Dotterel I was amazed once again as I counted not just one but eleven birds in total, feeding frantically amongst the burnt patches of heather. Don't you just love the month of May, I wonder what is going to drop in next?

Rutland Ospreys

The Ospreys at Rutland Water have returned with a pair now established in Manton Bay.If you have not visited the Ospreys at Rutland before, take my word for it "just do it", fantastic birds, fantastic reserve and fantastic staff and volunteers. For more information on the Rutland Water Osprey Project take a look at http://www.ospreys.org.uk/.

Scalby Lodge Pond

Grey Plover

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

A Grey Headed Wagtail dropped in to Scalby Lodge Pond, it kept its distance but I managed to get a few record shots of the little gem. Also present around the pond were Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Northern Wheatear, Sand Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit and Linnet. Shots taken late evening in dull wet conditions, hopefully the weather will get better, giving me the chance to pop back again to try and get some decent shots.

Rutland Water

Red Kite

Chiffchaff

Shelduck

Gadwall

Eygptian Goose

Moorhen

Pied Wagtail

A very pleasant day out at Rutland Water at the Lyndon Nature Reserve located in Manton Bay. Came to see the Ospreys and was not disappointed (see my Osprey post), and the bird life around the reserve was at a high with lots of migrants present including Redstart, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin. Raptors were on a high with Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and of course the Osprey.