Big Waters and St. Mary's Lighthouse

Today I went to Big waters then to St. Mary's. What a day! At big waters we went in and wandered around and we flushed out a fox in the field and it ran away. I got a photo of it as it looked at us. After that we looked on the lake. There was some wigeon and some teal but they were miles away so I couldn't see how many. As we were looking a kestrel flew over the top of us. We cracked on to the bird feeders and saw chaffinches (6), blue tits (4) and a great tit. We left there and on the way back we noticed some little birds in the trees and there were 3 Siskin. There was also female reed bunting and a sparrowhawk being chased by crows. After that we left and went to the lighthouse. We started by going to the lagoon but only the teal and wigeon again... or so we thought. As we moved around the lagoon, out flew the Brent goose! We decided to follow it but it flew out to sea and out of sight. Then we went down to the beach and found some extraordinary waders such as: turnstone (10+), sanderling (20+), redshank (2), oystercatcher (1), dunlin (10+) and 1 amazing purple sandpiper. Nearby, on the rocks, we saw a big black thing which was the brent goose and it was very close. I managed to get really close and got some amazing photos. On the way out we saw 2 bar-tailed godwits and 20 sanderling and the beach. So a fantastic day!

Brent Goose looking at the camera!

Brent Goose looking for food

Purple Sandpiper Great Tit at Big Waters

Kestrel Rescue at Budle Bay

Today, after reading about the waders at Budle Bay, we went to check it out. On the way in we saw a kestrel lying in the middle of the field which we thought was dead. So we just carried on and had a look in the bay. There we saw shelduck (20+), oystercatcher (20+), Lapwing (100+), Redwing (4),redshank (10+), dunlin (5+), a dunnock and a robin. While we were watching the waders, a flock of geese flew over but we are not sure what type they are! After that we came back and noticed the Kestrel again. In got the binoculars on it and noticed that it's eye moved so I went into the field and saw that it's beak was moving. I shouted to my dad that it was alive and he came over and picked it up and wrapped it in a blanket in the back of the car. I tried to think of a place with a warden to take him and ask him what to do and I thought of Hauxley! When we got there, Kelly, as I called the Kestrel!, looked much better and was awake and looking around. We went in and asked what to do and he said take him to Ulgham Bird Reserve. We had a look around Hauxley while we were there but nothing except 5 tree sparrows. Since we were near we decided to head for Cresswell to see if the mud was back for the waders. When we got there Kelly was opening her beak and called a "kee-kee" shout. I thought she was hungry. We went to the hide and sure enough the mud was back and there was golden plover (70+), lapwings (70+), a curlew, sanderling (10+), Whooper Swans (7) and redshank (3). We also saw a beautiful water rail in the reeds as well. Then we left back for the car and I saw a worm and I thought Kelly might like it saw I picked it up. However, we drove to Ulgham and she hadn't eaten it but luckily they took her in and are going to look after her and she should live hopefully!

Kelly in the back of our car

Kelly in the middle of the field

Shelduck Flying

Cresswell Mud Flats

Harrier Delight at St. Mary's

Today we went to the lighthouse again to see if we could see the Brent goose for the first time and the sanderling again. As soon as we got there we were greeted by rock pipits (4), starling (10+), turnstone (5+) and a pied wagtail all on the beach. As we ventured further on we saw a curlew, a redshank and some oystercatcher (5+). That was all however down on the beach. So we left and we noticed a big black goose on a bank at the opposite end and it turned out to be the Brent goose we were looking for!

So we left the beach and had a look on the lagoon. There was loads of different ducks such as: Teal (40+), Mallard (40+), Wigeon (5) and one rare duck... a gadwall. We looked away from the lagoon and had a look across a field where we had seen a kestrel flying overhead and hovering so we went and look. No sign of it today. But, we looked across the field and noticed a bird of prey which at first had us baffled. It was about the size and shape of a red kite but without the forked-tail. I took a picture as it came closer and when we got home and had a look on the RSPB website we found out we had been watching a female Hen Harrier!

Gadwall

Teal

Rock PipitHen Harrier

St. Mary's Lighthouse

Tonight, I decided to go to the lighthouse to see if I could find some waders. I like waders and I was looking for a curlew which is my favourite. However I found something much better down on the sand. I saw turnstone (5+) and next to them was some sanderling (15+). It was dark and on the photo it looks like it could be 9pm but it was only 5pm! However that is all there was exciting.

Sanderling Sanderling in a group