I went out with PF this morning for a half university work half birding trip. After seeing what I needed to in a few villages in north Tyneside we ended up at St.Mary’s.
400+ Golden Plover flew high above the wetland and 90+ Barnacle Geese flew over in separate skeins.
Also a nice female Wheatear preformed well next to the car in the Briar Dene car park before flying onto the golf course.
28 Teal flew from the sea to the wetland where they joined the Wigeon and Gadwall.
Next stop was Prior’s Park. No sign of the Yellow Browed Warbler despite seeing a few different tit flocks including a tribe of 13 Long Tailed Tit.
On our way back to the car from the allotments we heard the Orange Winged Parrot calling from the trees above the haven car park.
We then stopped at Northumberland Park where the drake Mandarin swam from behind the reeds and began preening amongst the Mallards, one of which took a swipe at it.
A very confiding bird, which unfortunately never came into the light for Peter to get some clearer photos.
Whilst we watched the Mandarin a Parrot/Parakeet sp. was calling from the trees behind us but never showed itself.
Whilst looking for the mystery bird I got a text from SH about a Turtle Dove at Big Waters! We were there within 10 minutes to see this county mega but there was no sign when we arrived.
Ourselves and the other birders present spread around the first car park where it had been seen as some seed was put down.
Soon Collard Dove after Collard Dove appeared and it wasn’t long until the Turtle Dove (an excellent county tick), joined them feeing on the ground opposite the car park next to the radio mast.
Every time a plane flew over the flock got spooked and landed in the trees before feeding in the field further down the road.
Not at all what I was expecting to see today but well worth the trip out.
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