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…and staying local
After another day on Holy Island on Sunday (carrying out some contract survey work), I collected Jakob and Nancy from Royal Quays early on Monday for a day of birdwatching around the NEWT ‘local patch’; southeast Northumberland and Druridge Bay. We started with Mediterranean Gulls at Newbiggin. Gulls may not be everyone’s bird of choice,…
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Raptors, raptors everywhere
Standing on the Heugh on Holy Island with Jill and Steve, we’re all scanning towards Guile Point. Cormorants, Shags, Red-breasted Mergansers and Eider are all bobbing about on the water, Pale-bellied and Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Bar-tailed Godwits, Grey Plover, Curlew and Oystercatchers are flying by, Common and Grey Seals are splashing in the surf as the tide…
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Winter Wonderland 28/11/11-01/12/11
Last week was our Winter Wonderland birdwatching holiday, although as I arrived at Saughy Rigg I wondered if Windy Wonderland would be a better name for it 😉 The original itinerary involved the Solway coast on Tuesday and the North Pennines on Wednesday, but a quick discussion with our guests on arrival meant that our coastal day…
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Bittern by the birdwatching bug
Clients often comment that what really appeals to them about birdwatching is that every day is different and there’s always something new to learn. I couldn’t agree more; I have lots of days out with clients, and a lot of time in the field on ‘non-client’ days, and still feel enthusiastic every morning when I wake…
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Hiding from the wind
With a forecast for heavy rain today, we had one more client than expected yesterday for our Druridge Bay/southeast Northumberland tour. I c0llected Annie from High Weldon, Brian from Bedlington and then David from Warkworth before our first stop at one of our favourite birdwatching spots beside the River Coquet. The first thing that was…
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Birdwatching with Bird Watching
Following our adventure in the North Sea on Saturday, I had to gather my thoughts, and clean my binoculars and ‘scope, ready for a full week of guided birdwatching. I drove north on Sunday to meet up with Sheena Harvey, editor of Bird Watching Magazine, and her husband Alan. With nearly three days to show them the delights that…