Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 20d

Another day, another Caspian Gull. Amble Links Beach this morning. 3cy/4cy ?? Don't see one for ages and then... #NEbirding Yesterday's 1cy was also still present making it my first ever 2 Casp day.

18

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 21d

After a couple of "is it or isn't it" birds this week. Finally, I got a Caspian Gull that I was happy with. Amble Links Beach this afternoon. A double gull day with the YLG this morning. Apart from PKCS, this is my first patch Casp this year (and it has not been through lack of trying)! #NEbirding

1 50

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 21d

A couple of pics of the adult Yellow Legged Gull at Warkworth Weir this morning. My good year on patch continues - another new one for the year list. #NEbirding Even on a dull wet day the legs were glowing!

50

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 22d

Wagtail Research! - Amble Links Beach today. This one looks like a White Wagtail to me. #markaeaton.bsky.social This was the most obvious of 20 wagtails with 2 others maybe Whites but probably not. (That was a good way to spend an afternoon!)

1 2

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 23d

Thank you, but I think you over-estimate my abilities. These are the two September birds that you mention in your initial post (2023 and 2024). It is almost like I am looking out for a completely different bird! A bit more reading for me, I think!

1

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 23d

Ok, yes, rump colour is a good clue. I will have to change my search criteria as I may be passing birds over that look like this one.

1 1

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 23d

Ummh - separation in autumn is very tricky. IMO - the grey on flanks and chest is problematic, I would expect head to be cleaner with grey extending onto the forehead and there seems to be dark centres to some lower mantle feathers. Borderline but I think this is Pied.

1 1

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Sep 2

In Northumberland, we get on average 30-40 per year on the coast county-wide, but numbers fluctuate. However, inland birds are much more uncommon and so not surprised that one in Cambridgeshire got people interested.

1

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Sep 1

Always exciting finding a small wader. Juv Little Stint at Hauxley Beach this afternoon. My first of the year and one I missed on the patch last year. Another good one to get. #NEbirding

1 53

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Aug 29

Black Tern at Birling Carrs. (Cheers Neil for the WhatsApp). A bit of local knowledge and my hunch that it would move a little further down the coast on the rising tide proved correct. A difficult one to get on the 5km patch - only my second in 7 years! #NEbirding

1 23

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Aug 19

Today, 38 empty Fosters cans placed neatly back in the boxes and then dumped under a tree at Amble Links - At least they were easy to remove but it does make me angry! (Although if I had finished 38 cans, I probably wouldn't be able to locate a bin either!)

1 1

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Aug 18

This set the pulse racing today. I know it is an escapee, the transmitter wire is clearly visible, but it still knocks you off balance when you first see it! Saker or Gyr or hybrid ??? Boulmer this morning. #NEbirding

2 1 12

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Aug 5

Help needed please? Seaton Point, Boulmer today. ???? #NEbirding. And please don't say its an Eider! The other one!

1

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jul 27

Gull season has started. A good gathering on Buston Links Beach this morning. I think this is an Lesser Black Back of Scandinavian origin (probably intermedius). Seems dark enough on the back to me and a shade darker than the LBBG next door. #NEbirding

9

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jul 24

Not many birds about today but two colour-flagged Redshank. CTN at Low Hauxley - (from the Wash Wader Group) and the returning bird to Coquet Estuary, back for a 4th year (originally ringed on the Humber). #NEbirding Two in one day!

1 7

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jul 22

Green and Wood Sandpipers at Buston Links Marsh today. (ID : If it flies off never to be seen again = Green, if it poses for photos = Wood). Good to get Green Sandpiper on the 5km year list even if it remained out of sight for the camera. #NEbirding

7

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jul 21

Friday. Three days ago.

1

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jul 21

The colour ring is still present but it has slipped down onto the foot. This has made one leg non-functional. As a result it doesn't show often as the bird is usually sitting down. If it follows the regular pattern, Casper will be here until mid Sept. Winter in Calais and back to Poland to breed.

1 1

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jul 15

And this is what her ducklings now look like! At least 4 surviving out of the 8 but others may have been hidden. Good luck with ID when they arrive on your local duckpond!

6

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jul 15

Buston Links Teal - 3 months on and this is what she now looks like. Seems to have got a bit greyer ??? The bill still looks big but looking more BWT ??. I thought I had this case closed as a hybrid (BWT x Shoveler) but today's views have put my head back a fuzz. #NEbirding #birdhybrids

1 1 21

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jul 7

Caspian Gull - Amble's famous visitor seems to have returned early to the harbour. I presume this is "PKCS" but it has returned with only one leg! (The colour ring leg is missing!) 'Casper' was first seen in the harbour in July 2013 as a 3rd year, and has been seen every year since. #NEbirding

2 13

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jun 24

Today, the Buston Links Teal brought her babies out for a family photo. Ducklings already developing a big beak and white loral spot. Be interesting to see how they develop further. #NEbirding #birdhybrids Presumably (BWT x Shoveler) x Shoveler hybrids.

1 11

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jun 22

Buston Links - The female Blue winged Teal x Shoveler hybrid reappeared today with five-eight, week old, presumably (BWT x Shoveler) x Shoveler hybrid ducklings. Coming to a duckpond near you!!!! She is keeping the chicks well hidden but a couple did make it onto the photos. #NEbirding #Birdhybrids

2 23

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · Jun 11

Another striking Stonechat #markaeaton.bsky.social This one has been at Buston Links, paired up and successfully breeding. Bright and with a clear white rump. More continental than average but I suspect within variation for hibernans.

1 6

Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · May 23

Funny you should say that, Mark! Bingo - Coquet Estuary, Northumberland today.

2 2 21