tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42035120980516756662024-02-06T19:14:43.379-08:00Wild Big WatersWildlife in the beautiful Big Waters Country Park, Newcastle upon TynePhilip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-13853828639167663882021-08-19T00:15:00.006-07:002021-08-19T00:30:03.569-07:00Reserve Maintenance<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddvPbMPnuE0B7lfNptGpHTp88xi7YTLnKf_jHLOE3AB67rhjVKKYGRZZWBPefIuqp17xwlGo88gmyqkRbC2mTKy9Dj7if9EC_Zrh53hEV0CWxwJKzbR5u9jqP3fIK4-n3k4H-_PdTzYM/s1000/Wildlife-Aug21-4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddvPbMPnuE0B7lfNptGpHTp88xi7YTLnKf_jHLOE3AB67rhjVKKYGRZZWBPefIuqp17xwlGo88gmyqkRbC2mTKy9Dj7if9EC_Zrh53hEV0CWxwJKzbR5u9jqP3fIK4-n3k4H-_PdTzYM/s320/Wildlife-Aug21-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenshank</td></tr></tbody></table>Visitors a plenty this week at Big Waters, a greenshank and over 100 greylag geese were spotted.<p>The feeding station, boardwalk, island and scrape were all trimmed by Graham,Alan,Neil, Mick and myself to tidy up the area, remove big thorn bushes, tidy up reeds and trim the feeding station willows and conifers. A hard days graft to help maintain the reserve and make it better for everyone.<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>I have used the hide for many years, to relax, to capture images and to talk to some of the really nice people that go there. I thought it was only fair I give a little back to help the guys that have spent so much of their time maintaining and improving the space. </p><p>Not only was the hard work of the volunteers continuing but there were some lovely sights at the reserve, when I turned up to help I spotted a buzzard, fox and a huge number of noisy greylags in 5 minutes of being there.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ASLCjif4bnXtBxtbLN-tXcMNMgiONudWoYiXMm34G2vIkxoFE2Pe95JMeRNg_w326jfV9wkD76QAC2sfGAHSnqpHhJ2QiN9NHG7gwEInyskXxT3gKMRrGJMaO6pGDJRHrpzXgzqQaXU/s1000/Wildlife-Aug21-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ASLCjif4bnXtBxtbLN-tXcMNMgiONudWoYiXMm34G2vIkxoFE2Pe95JMeRNg_w326jfV9wkD76QAC2sfGAHSnqpHhJ2QiN9NHG7gwEInyskXxT3gKMRrGJMaO6pGDJRHrpzXgzqQaXU/w400-h266/Wildlife-Aug21-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox on the far scrape</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>This is not the first time I offered to help the guys maintain the space, I have trimmed all the boardwalk before but Neil and myself had a tough time with the thorns, after 4 hours our hands were shredded and we were exhausted but when we stood back it looked so much tidier and its a nice feeling knowing that although I use the hide for free all the time I have given a little back to help the people who have looked after it for so many years, keeping it teeming with life and comfortable for the users.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2yqzmY1WxNJNwHupLpwiFZXacB2MtF3LgeyyN8Rk-Xk7_zKU_okog5vArxhiBR3i8G2iyJ4nDy-RdVeH8A20QT_4r2uAIxMx0Zep2TSKcQN5N24PQX0KXUe1zDdq_U6YCtudx8wPkhU/s1000/Wildlife-Aug21-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2yqzmY1WxNJNwHupLpwiFZXacB2MtF3LgeyyN8Rk-Xk7_zKU_okog5vArxhiBR3i8G2iyJ4nDy-RdVeH8A20QT_4r2uAIxMx0Zep2TSKcQN5N24PQX0KXUe1zDdq_U6YCtudx8wPkhU/w400-h266/Wildlife-Aug21-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the greylag groups that took over the lake </td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyMvwC3TIKp6XhuTQPzYauw985Aofy-1awKk3kE0o9L_xmMU32NljSSiqVvmazXDaUl9c8NFbDIlPOX2Qj_JIqmmGhHC5hAgGGTQzlLzHnz5q1FbrXa_au2epaorOznl5bpQPeU1cOVI/s1000/Wildlife-Aug21-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyMvwC3TIKp6XhuTQPzYauw985Aofy-1awKk3kE0o9L_xmMU32NljSSiqVvmazXDaUl9c8NFbDIlPOX2Qj_JIqmmGhHC5hAgGGTQzlLzHnz5q1FbrXa_au2epaorOznl5bpQPeU1cOVI/w400-h266/Wildlife-Aug21-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buzzard over the hide</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>I'm looking forward to seeing more life in the reserve and now I have tasted just how much work goes into looking after it I will appreciate it all the more. Alan and Mick rearranged the island moving all of the blocks that form it, Graham removed a huge area of reeds that were blocking views and Neil and myself removed thorn bushes that could snag visitors and trimmed the feeding area to let more light in.<br /><br />As a final pleasant surprise, my wife and daughter turned up with water for the workers and my daughter got her first glimpse of some wildlife she loves so much. Her sheer excitement at seeing geese and swans reminded me why its so important to look after these places. <br /><br /><div><br /></div></div>Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com0Big Waters Nature Reserve, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 7BD, UK55.0547018 -1.645116826.744467963821151 -36.8013668 83.364935636178842 33.5111332tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-687384539421819832021-08-13T13:35:00.006-07:002021-08-14T01:31:48.669-07:00All quiet on the Big Waters front<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBThZscCPu1eJOHAZSOkHPxzG6Nk6mNwvNYLqDEzAq43_Y35ERDKz0EgkxUuJ7lCIfSI4h_w5CUhSeJ1fTcv3VsLb14DmKZp1bDXvb-vUeiwM5cY6BbeVlwAt0dDzPsKDpMV142J8KgSs/s1000/Wildlife-2021-24.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBThZscCPu1eJOHAZSOkHPxzG6Nk6mNwvNYLqDEzAq43_Y35ERDKz0EgkxUuJ7lCIfSI4h_w5CUhSeJ1fTcv3VsLb14DmKZp1bDXvb-vUeiwM5cY6BbeVlwAt0dDzPsKDpMV142J8KgSs/s320/Wildlife-2021-24.jpg" width="320" /></a>A quiet friday at the hide, the garden birds were out in force fighting over the seeds left out by Alan and the cheeky grey squirrels were playing and stealing the bird food, but there were breaks of beautiful light and a relaxing atmosphere.<br /><br />The weather was windy and mixed bright sunshine and clouds with a light sprinkle of rain.<span><a name='more'></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The female tree sparrow feeding its chick was lovely to watch, it seemed to have an insatiable appetite. Throughout the morning, visitors included the woodpecker adult male, pheasant, a beautiful young bullfinch and two naughty squirrels.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBrW4RyExQ1xnwE8aFZ_w1vDRPRCqlEKdvMnfSQ2dHUboZoC7XZ5uUS2DiKPCb3HXTGnwFp6mBH8zkl10aRiovklGcNQ8yEklqcWMVDMkCuZGdef3pbBSTaDdMGUAfJ6TTUB1L-5tpzQ/s1000/Wildlife-2021-22.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBrW4RyExQ1xnwE8aFZ_w1vDRPRCqlEKdvMnfSQ2dHUboZoC7XZ5uUS2DiKPCb3HXTGnwFp6mBH8zkl10aRiovklGcNQ8yEklqcWMVDMkCuZGdef3pbBSTaDdMGUAfJ6TTUB1L-5tpzQ/w400-h266/Wildlife-2021-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A naughty Grey Squirrel walks the tight rope to steal bird food.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The lakeside was a buzz with ducks and the occasional visit from a common sandpiper but apart from that life ticked over at a leisurely pace interrupted by fly pasts by the noisy Canada Geese.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlY2HIhLCHfeVBHM9bZHDR6V__UMUToFCqyCl44WE9CwoOHOAMRqYmQ-mOSTSdTHXxquMzvChGfJhaEjffqnc6vubZ4VxnXOPkT95GjjD80-BxEFpoRUfLPVCPtoLIl69_PYDSzzRG0A/s1000/Wildlife-2021-23.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlY2HIhLCHfeVBHM9bZHDR6V__UMUToFCqyCl44WE9CwoOHOAMRqYmQ-mOSTSdTHXxquMzvChGfJhaEjffqnc6vubZ4VxnXOPkT95GjjD80-BxEFpoRUfLPVCPtoLIl69_PYDSzzRG0A/w400-h266/Wildlife-2021-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young Blackbird perched in the trees</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Photographically it wasnt an epic day unlike some people had (Barry and his Little Owl capture), but none the less very relaxing and a welcome break from image editing and chasing invoices.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbYUhOABXUwhRHBNk4RDA-wY529ZpQyshlw7TlGNd4F-xXNDjHqM7mVrAoHZPFNBRBVcMmqTD_rEReBsVbaqLHXmDqLO5-VEMNLrBSeOC5B2xSdJ4QBgS6mD962qq0RNY9TV5-xznf1M/s1000/Wildlife-2021-20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbYUhOABXUwhRHBNk4RDA-wY529ZpQyshlw7TlGNd4F-xXNDjHqM7mVrAoHZPFNBRBVcMmqTD_rEReBsVbaqLHXmDqLO5-VEMNLrBSeOC5B2xSdJ4QBgS6mD962qq0RNY9TV5-xznf1M/w400-h266/Wildlife-2021-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Great Spotted Woodpecker briefly popped in</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Even the sparrowhawk was nowhere to be seen today, I'm determined to get more shots of it in action although as yet I haven't seen it get anything despite many attempts.<div><br /></div><div>I think I'm going to add in a few more locations to increase my chances of witnessing and capturing natural behaviour in addition to my time at Big Waters. You never know I may be able to capture something as lovely as Barry's Little Owl shots.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com0Big Waters Nature Reserve, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 7BD, UK55.0547018 -1.645116826.744467963821151 -36.8013668 83.364935636178842 33.5111332tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-18524261093896386872021-08-12T10:56:00.007-07:002021-08-14T01:58:02.200-07:00Back Once Again!<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6qQEofA2io99WqYJbQoh1skJAeQ8bmsqaC_kx9UuFe16NxmNqANL4Tr8hNqyYVF48jFR_-1xfNtqAvgc6ELED17-Awk2SGPXGw3HqSpxmS3nth1Kn-7clds0S22MB12LPC3A869mcK4/s1000/PHP_0110-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6qQEofA2io99WqYJbQoh1skJAeQ8bmsqaC_kx9UuFe16NxmNqANL4Tr8hNqyYVF48jFR_-1xfNtqAvgc6ELED17-Awk2SGPXGw3HqSpxmS3nth1Kn-7clds0S22MB12LPC3A869mcK4/w320-h214/PHP_0110-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock Butterfly</td></tr></tbody></table>After several difficult years I have finally returned to watching wildlife with a view to reducing the stress experienced in daily life. <div><br /></div><div>I returned to Big Waters Hide for the first time in a long time this week to find some of the same faces still working hard to maintain it and keep its beautiful inhabitants comfortable and the visitors happy.<div><br /></div><div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>This time I have a daughter and I have already introduced her to the nature reserve and many of its wild inhabitants, she is showing great interest and love for life of all kinds and I hope to encourage this in the future.</p><p>I'm hoping to use the time at Big Waters and other reserves to relax and escape my photographic studio and commercial work for a more peaceful form of photography that I am just as passionate about.</p><p>This last week I have been seeing a lot of life in the Big Waters Reserve, a green sandpiper, peacock butterflies, roe deer, sparrowhawk, garden birds and of course Alan, one of several guys that look after the space and I enjoy talking to about the life that is surrounding us.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5jLDm4uS9J9uWhlhwVOWhCb-a-MsLaOgQjzNPqWpWVEG8EwzUebObkyez1csggk61qGHQqlTJ_JnLNFzYQdffI0ZCM7E7NIvpI7nROhTNCH4yBqisuy5b_66psAs1uoOCnLcV8fpsm0/s1000/PHP_9241.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5jLDm4uS9J9uWhlhwVOWhCb-a-MsLaOgQjzNPqWpWVEG8EwzUebObkyez1csggk61qGHQqlTJ_JnLNFzYQdffI0ZCM7E7NIvpI7nROhTNCH4yBqisuy5b_66psAs1uoOCnLcV8fpsm0/w400-h248/PHP_9241.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Although I have not been to the hide in years, it feels like just 5 minutes, I cant believe how much I have missed just relaxing and watching the wildlife. The space is still as beautiful as ever and the hide has had work done by the dedicated volunteers that care for it. </p><p>I'm hoping at some point I will see another rare visitor to the site and with the world the way it is with COVID it's a lovely escape to a world of bird song.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI5_9LpNmEXdR1RJuQs5W7cfdyzkt9U3tuNsraA1UFKQe8Pytgppbo-9h9qRiySdgXRKjurRH1Dth1Onq-Htaerhg_0N_gbqEeveYfEIyk5hogmiZF02uhzjkAsElsV22cvqyu8zizsg/s1000/PHP_0091.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI5_9LpNmEXdR1RJuQs5W7cfdyzkt9U3tuNsraA1UFKQe8Pytgppbo-9h9qRiySdgXRKjurRH1Dth1Onq-Htaerhg_0N_gbqEeveYfEIyk5hogmiZF02uhzjkAsElsV22cvqyu8zizsg/w400-h266/PHP_0091.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Heron making a graceful landing in the lake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Over the coming months I hope to capture more of this wildlife and intend on taking my young daughter to watch it too. I'll continue to record my sightings here and may even pay a visit to a few other reserves so do return to the blog soon!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Uk2a9hOBKVHD6iu6NBdAq0ti-PDy_DvFX_CsSfy3HRxtApQNfX9U-0bCVrpI9iYmctfryxxiiLX4XQlCKi8irODy58D0MTltlS9wxbMXBqHWv_AHpAjpyo6qcuf4ouHbVN1rhjeFm9E/s1000/PHP_9227.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Uk2a9hOBKVHD6iu6NBdAq0ti-PDy_DvFX_CsSfy3HRxtApQNfX9U-0bCVrpI9iYmctfryxxiiLX4XQlCKi8irODy58D0MTltlS9wxbMXBqHWv_AHpAjpyo6qcuf4ouHbVN1rhjeFm9E/w400-h266/PHP_9227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Sandpiper</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div></div>Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com0Big Waters Nature Reserve, Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 7BD, UK55.0547018 -1.6451168-22.454684317032054 -142.2701168 90 138.9798832tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-65237825312471666152015-04-12T08:31:00.002-07:002015-04-12T08:34:14.912-07:00The Return<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowhammer</td></tr>
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After months not visiting the hides at Big Waters for various reasons I finally got myself back into gear and spent a few hours relaxing in the spring sunshine. It was great to return and see a few of the regulars (both wildlife and people) and for the life of me I cant work out why I hadn't been for so long.<br />
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While my visits were relatively short and sweet I did see some of my favourite birds, the chiffchaff, wren and my first yellowhammer.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I had forgotten just how beautiful the park was and how relaxing it was to spend a few hours just watching wildlife go about their business. So while this blog post is not the most exciting ever, I will hopefully be posting more regularly with some more interesting sightings in the near future.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiffchaff</td></tr>
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I am also looking forward to seeing more of the great people who visit the hide regularly as I still have an immense amount to learn about the wildlife.</div>
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For now though, I'm happy I got a few shots of the birds I enjoy watching regularly and to be back at a place that is so good for the soul.</div>
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Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com0Brunswick, Tyne and Wear NE13, UK55.05418587636985 -1.64902210235595755.05191187636985 -1.6540646023559571 55.05645987636985 -1.643979602355957tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-10335939563483721442014-11-24T02:13:00.001-08:002014-11-24T02:17:56.973-08:00Weekly Update: Short But Sweet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last few weeks has seen my business take up huge amounts of my time. Unfortunately this has meant I have not managed to visit Big Waters as much as I would like, but last week I managed to get a few hours to visit and see what had changed in the time I was away.<br />
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It was nice to finally get a few hours away from work to see Alan and Dan, also to catch up on what I had missed since my last visit 2 weeks ago.<br />
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Apparently I had missed all sorts of action (typical) a brambling had been into the feeding station and Canadian geese were in large numbers on the pond. The water level on the pond had risen significantly to touching the hide (usually theres 2-3 metres to the shore line from the edge of the hide).<br />
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During my short visit I was pleased to see Reed Buntings were becoming more common and the resident Wren made an appearance. I was also fortunate enough to witness three otters right in front of the hide, two of them were play fighting. Getting pictures wasn't easy as they moved very fast and the light was low but I managed to grab a couple of record shots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSouQq3anYWTIc4H33vn5f39cgckxwEFn-7IiWf7ghB2DmjuPnXSQ2Iy3vd0p1wOgU3VzaYiXsh9omH9nvOxNS5eAELnkR7nv-K86_Vd4QCxxfZHM_5lJWEPVoKFCquXigVT-VxazG08/s1600/Otter-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSouQq3anYWTIc4H33vn5f39cgckxwEFn-7IiWf7ghB2DmjuPnXSQ2Iy3vd0p1wOgU3VzaYiXsh9omH9nvOxNS5eAELnkR7nv-K86_Vd4QCxxfZHM_5lJWEPVoKFCquXigVT-VxazG08/s1600/Otter-1.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Otters fighting in front of the hide</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The third otter swimming in front of the hide</td></tr>
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Hopefully I'll get a bit more time at the hide soon, but I cant complain about the amount of work I have on.<br />
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More updates to follow soon.<br />
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Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-39531637028596475962014-11-01T08:04:00.001-07:002021-08-14T01:23:47.870-07:00Weekly Update: Arrivals and Battles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The unseasonably warm weather continues with temperatures reaching record levels for the end of October.<br />
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Although workload has meant I have not spent as much time at Big Waters as I would like there were a few nice sightings and a few winter visitors arriving and even a little unusual behavior from the residents.<br />
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The beginning of the week was grey, cloudy and miserable but the temperatures were unusually high for this time of year but the weather did not put off the migrants from coming into Big Waters even if some of them were quickly chased off.</div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJTpJzm0MzuwIpv4lb672qgNX9WzZ_jIjuDOmkHgfCif1rkCVklvOCUXGTkrgKKeYv4qQndQz-EzrCTabRJiBAojy755oeYIAdnJhQfUjbu7ZZW2rIBevb71EdZMchYIdSSQ4EROiY48/s1600/OJ6A3814.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJTpJzm0MzuwIpv4lb672qgNX9WzZ_jIjuDOmkHgfCif1rkCVklvOCUXGTkrgKKeYv4qQndQz-EzrCTabRJiBAojy755oeYIAdnJhQfUjbu7ZZW2rIBevb71EdZMchYIdSSQ4EROiY48/s1600/OJ6A3814.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swans commence battle (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
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At the beginning of the week 12 Whooper Swans arrived on the pond and were looking quite settled, but only for a short while. Within half an hour the resident Mute swans were approaching aggressively to see off the ponds newest visitors.<br />
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All 12 of the Whooper Swans soon took the hint and flew off to more hospitable waters.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whooper Swans (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
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I was surprised then to see two of the Swans that had been chased off return to the pond.<br />
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Despite continued pressure from three adult Mutes and their Signets, the Whoopers stood their ground nipping one of the Mutes and a signet which for a while saw the aggression subside.<br />
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This was the first time I had seen the Whooper Swans stand their ground successfully and see off the aggression of the resident Mutes.<br />
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Unfortunately on my return to the reserve later in the week I discovered the remaining two, more resilient Whooper Swans, had eventually given in to the pressure and left the reserve, this time without returning.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJWlcYTfaB7Sv-7rt84Ho5sZ40nu7eYdKxrLG5cOdaYN7BEWR_M2ytpRfEL5s3VyUsRx3YJF_34LcTi4DImV_w0-8FFagRcyPAqtp9zjbVJZzd4Q5y7A9SvESmHcUFXsuPI6KrnvxPoc/s1600/OJ6A5858.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJWlcYTfaB7Sv-7rt84Ho5sZ40nu7eYdKxrLG5cOdaYN7BEWR_M2ytpRfEL5s3VyUsRx3YJF_34LcTi4DImV_w0-8FFagRcyPAqtp9zjbVJZzd4Q5y7A9SvESmHcUFXsuPI6KrnvxPoc/s1600/OJ6A5858.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greylag Geese coming in to land on Big Waters (click to enlarge)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Early in the week I also saw 150 Greylag Geese arrive on the pond with almost deafening calls. The geese arrived in two or three big groups and from what appeared to be almost precision formation flying they land with significantly less grace, swaying from side to side and legs hanging below before finally hitting the water.<br />
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I was pleased to see the geese returning to the pond and adjacent field throughout the week and hope to see them stay throughout the winter months. I returned to the hide today to see them making themselves at home along side the resident Mute Swans on the east scrape not far from the hide itself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrfEIi5_ec-tdjQ53_sKGP59NyI9MrBxLOOcIjcDbjAIq1OO9n7JAkuEgG7FP_4dGN-Fcb5LUlbgChvFlknz0KFRGAAMN2JcUiB1TEkaXYmhFdjg3tAPCM-aW6_6-MGsNQt4ncd0Zw2U/s1600/OJ6A6146-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrfEIi5_ec-tdjQ53_sKGP59NyI9MrBxLOOcIjcDbjAIq1OO9n7JAkuEgG7FP_4dGN-Fcb5LUlbgChvFlknz0KFRGAAMN2JcUiB1TEkaXYmhFdjg3tAPCM-aW6_6-MGsNQt4ncd0Zw2U/s1600/OJ6A6146-2.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greylag Geese on the east scrape (click to enlarge)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The feeding station also saw its fair share of different visitors, a reed bunting was happily feeding on the seed in the feeder nearest to the hide and goldcrests have also been a common sight. Although only in low numbers I hope these initial sightings increase during the coming weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWoziHGkMAyaBLoiEvdNZtwb7x6jAyfx4IB-Z-IJCudi8JfNLAa6QpRALAGAvqU5Jjdf7y3ubRWcXjeMpTiVVHzDQu2aER7ABkUG9jQHLuWuMm-HKqfqF-1esi5c_B4mHvuu79gJmbI8/s1600/OJ6A5940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWoziHGkMAyaBLoiEvdNZtwb7x6jAyfx4IB-Z-IJCudi8JfNLAa6QpRALAGAvqU5Jjdf7y3ubRWcXjeMpTiVVHzDQu2aER7ABkUG9jQHLuWuMm-HKqfqF-1esi5c_B4mHvuu79gJmbI8/s1600/OJ6A5940.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Reed Bunting in the feeding station (click to enlarge)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Today I got another first for me, a Grey Heron low in the water of the lake after catching and eating what appeared to be a water vole. The capture and eating part I had seen on several occasions before, but the low perching in the water was a first for me, perhaps it was for digestion, or maybe just for a wash.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotKB4X8zgZOlMc0gAMeBOQZiaHHxxZE1Usxu0oJZCvATTGYtMnRp2TsmDcwQrARGcJl0elrfSGC807x4S85AXQ2XdCTXFOYRaKt3H32E2O2nd1VZYDSHoegp4RlF114HCaxRoUtUrBJA/s1600/OJ6A5081.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotKB4X8zgZOlMc0gAMeBOQZiaHHxxZE1Usxu0oJZCvATTGYtMnRp2TsmDcwQrARGcJl0elrfSGC807x4S85AXQ2XdCTXFOYRaKt3H32E2O2nd1VZYDSHoegp4RlF114HCaxRoUtUrBJA/s1600/OJ6A5081.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grey Heron washes its vole in the pond before swallowing whole (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj92voZ8xba9R30VLG43bgHBjnh8O16oIhldDXkjvyNfX3_E37w3N166FgVIWEPq4vkWSnyCQzmRJpP7Z0YZVZAO8Uf4voIQg9v5xX1uPqatPaZpDd7BwVjXF6gP4_AAG966GrkxXUKLM/s1600/OJ6A6178.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj92voZ8xba9R30VLG43bgHBjnh8O16oIhldDXkjvyNfX3_E37w3N166FgVIWEPq4vkWSnyCQzmRJpP7Z0YZVZAO8Uf4voIQg9v5xX1uPqatPaZpDd7BwVjXF6gP4_AAG966GrkxXUKLM/s1600/OJ6A6178.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grey Heron sits low in the water for 10 minutes (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
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I have spent almost as much time on the paths and boardwalks as in the hide itself. Fieldfair, red wing, goldcrest and treecreepers have been a common sight in the trees, fields and bushes between the car park and the hide although conditions were not suitable for good quality photographs so I was limited to just watching them.<br />
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<br /></div>Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-32126975440837071412014-10-23T13:06:00.001-07:002014-11-01T08:09:41.915-07:00Weekly update: Rainbows and Wrens<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WbVdRx5R07TN2iZ98hCXFcrgrEM3f7tueUeTSNcrGP_-flFFmk7QZSmRCw6Fr39R9RNORsu_b43_q304Lm8lPE5l3jPKZ_v-3rD8yqe8_xIqxe0DSHPy8B777BIv71z2HgtSNL-9GZ0/s1600/Wren-Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WbVdRx5R07TN2iZ98hCXFcrgrEM3f7tueUeTSNcrGP_-flFFmk7QZSmRCw6Fr39R9RNORsu_b43_q304Lm8lPE5l3jPKZ_v-3rD8yqe8_xIqxe0DSHPy8B777BIv71z2HgtSNL-9GZ0/s1600/Wren-Blog.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>This week has been interesting, both weather wise and with sightings at Big Waters. The usual suspects were in the feeding area and on the lake but a few less common visitors also made appearances.<br />
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After a weekend in Bamburgh which yielded great photographs of treecreepers and great spotted woodpeckers my hopes of more photographs at Big Waters were high.</div>
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My first visit of the week began with a beautiful double rainbow, Big Waters was literally half in sunshine and half in rain. While Alan, Ian and John concentrate on the lake I prefer to watch the feeding area for the smaller birds. I was pleasantly surprised to see a common bird that doesnt make an appearance near the hide too often, the bullfinch. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDr0fEOOgS-eQ0DIvsn_WjvtDBez8VF2C-zkeWUlCqh5uN7_30G1lPlJz74W5tJmpGMD8rb7tIVMmw-5abhR9CxGmmJYD0-hBakF_IItmUqaXzhbghhnk25C83lpL6elmvTt7IehAZoQ/s1600/Bullfinch-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDr0fEOOgS-eQ0DIvsn_WjvtDBez8VF2C-zkeWUlCqh5uN7_30G1lPlJz74W5tJmpGMD8rb7tIVMmw-5abhR9CxGmmJYD0-hBakF_IItmUqaXzhbghhnk25C83lpL6elmvTt7IehAZoQ/s1600/Bullfinch-blog.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Bullfinch (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
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Two beautiful female bullfinches appeared cautiously in the feeding area nibbling on the plants under cover. Although the females are not as colourful as their male counterparts they are lovely to see.</div>
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The two females fed on the plants on the periphery of the feeding are for around 5 minutes before disappearing off into the undergrowth again. The mixed weather didn't deter the activity, within minutes the feeding area was alive with tree sparrows, chaffinches, robins and various tits.</div>
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On the lake side of the hide Alan, John and Ian were counting the various species. The range of wildfowl on and around the water was impressive including mute swans, little grebe, tufted ducks, gadwall, mallard and one goldeneye. Greylag geese flew over the lake and headed off without stopping. As autumn turns to winter I hope to see many more ducks and geese on the lake, ideally close enough to get good photographs.<br />
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It wasn't long before another regular visitor to the scrape was seen, a young roe deer appeared out of the reeds to graze on the scrape. Last week an adult and two fawns were seen on several afternoons feeding on the scrape, but today only one made an appearance for around 20 minutes.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTt5IV7NgzElk7jBzUcKG8nVjtq71RawHgJQHcfW79SN7dVH7a6WJjt-HrOnoyMb3veWPRdyjXQDAYCgtHHy0a1Jb8JveFuwJWG1JFe6nIRVBaM1P05IiV47bFh1HIa-uzJUs9iAySGIw/s1600/Roe-Deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTt5IV7NgzElk7jBzUcKG8nVjtq71RawHgJQHcfW79SN7dVH7a6WJjt-HrOnoyMb3veWPRdyjXQDAYCgtHHy0a1Jb8JveFuwJWG1JFe6nIRVBaM1P05IiV47bFh1HIa-uzJUs9iAySGIw/s1600/Roe-Deer.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roe Deer (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
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Although I initially began visiting the hide purely to get photographs, I have to admit in poor conditions for photography I am simply enjoying the watching and learning about the diverse range of life around the reserve.</div>
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Granted the conditions were mixed at best but I had to get a shot of the grey wagtail that landed next to the hide. This lovely little bird has made several appearances near the hide before but never in good photographic conditions, this time was no different. I know eventually I will get the shot I really want but I could not resist grabbing a couple of quick record shots for future reference.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-GfoqW9LTkYgF9nbRW5w28XMZLmg6et3Z8akSZOwZIaNQK-IzGTpbHyDUr3I1CzypTFegqisNA9k6QJWmhyphenhyphen8p781reSWGsNQV_FM2NcO8WRZZ0ux3_FQ4pgYknR543H595sGaAopS3c/s1600/OJ6A5765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-GfoqW9LTkYgF9nbRW5w28XMZLmg6et3Z8akSZOwZIaNQK-IzGTpbHyDUr3I1CzypTFegqisNA9k6QJWmhyphenhyphen8p781reSWGsNQV_FM2NcO8WRZZ0ux3_FQ4pgYknR543H595sGaAopS3c/s1600/OJ6A5765.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Wagtail (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
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Shortly after the sighting of the wagtail, a black tailed godwit landed on the scrape. Despite the extremely windy conditions it took off shortly after arriving.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ07uWQySOVt88sXKmng-SLt_4Rw1iNxyD3rJHXDlYfw4EPYnx7GtLd4oWFagl3aP2bBWqppJ-a9aU-NTlZZZ3ZmhCcBTbdMOKGRXX5ZzlEq4nKU4cXK1dk04of1jHCOvBlKoly9AdoU/s1600/godwit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ07uWQySOVt88sXKmng-SLt_4Rw1iNxyD3rJHXDlYfw4EPYnx7GtLd4oWFagl3aP2bBWqppJ-a9aU-NTlZZZ3ZmhCcBTbdMOKGRXX5ZzlEq4nKU4cXK1dk04of1jHCOvBlKoly9AdoU/s1600/godwit.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Tailed Godwit (click to enlarge)</td></tr>
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Unfortunately due to work I was unable to visit the reserve on monday, but Tuesday I had promised to meet Dan, an enthusiastic photographer who is trying to develop his skills, at the hide and I went to help him develop his photography skills. I am pleased to say he managed to get some great shots of wren and even a goldcrest that visited the feeding area. I didn't take any photographs, preferring to help Dan achieve his goals to getting pictures myself.<br />
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Wednesday was a quiet one, with only an hour to spare I headed to the hide hoping for something to show but alas both the feeding area and lake were quiet. Redwings were flying around the path to the hide but never settling long enough or close enough to get a photograph.<br />
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I managed to find a couple of hours to visit today and while there was no groundbreaking sightings I was pleasantly surprised to see a goldcrest and treecreeper in the feeding station. One of very few times I have seen either visit the feeding area. A wren also made an appearance and long enough outside of the undergrowth to get a decent photo for the collection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vPX2bLcMDIyVtCpkTt-Ftyiu0NMLrSgEi4ipu1T66E0W47213A-m68-Pzh_o8vG41YLgIdOjkKZQjXBuwrQrTOUkOjNgCbaEpTm5uq8-58FAT1GjZzgoNtAxYK6R8_B3jbYoCj8ISi0/s1600/treecreeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vPX2bLcMDIyVtCpkTt-Ftyiu0NMLrSgEi4ipu1T66E0W47213A-m68-Pzh_o8vG41YLgIdOjkKZQjXBuwrQrTOUkOjNgCbaEpTm5uq8-58FAT1GjZzgoNtAxYK6R8_B3jbYoCj8ISi0/s1600/treecreeper.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treecreeper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI-dOKit-IV9c3wLV2vnGZ5GsZ_kfsHKL95fwtNunlE-eULTLBhl5_cR6EFC9gTsYS_AxONFnH-nmCMgPWsXxvjPCIFd64yglzbZcbcvgHNmuK3Hl0zEz8rctZcbP6qB-xHU572j7Ji0/s1600/goldcrest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrI-dOKit-IV9c3wLV2vnGZ5GsZ_kfsHKL95fwtNunlE-eULTLBhl5_cR6EFC9gTsYS_AxONFnH-nmCMgPWsXxvjPCIFd64yglzbZcbcvgHNmuK3Hl0zEz8rctZcbP6qB-xHU572j7Ji0/s1600/goldcrest.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldcrest</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WbVdRx5R07TN2iZ98hCXFcrgrEM3f7tueUeTSNcrGP_-flFFmk7QZSmRCw6Fr39R9RNORsu_b43_q304Lm8lPE5l3jPKZ_v-3rD8yqe8_xIqxe0DSHPy8B777BIv71z2HgtSNL-9GZ0/s1600/Wren-Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WbVdRx5R07TN2iZ98hCXFcrgrEM3f7tueUeTSNcrGP_-flFFmk7QZSmRCw6Fr39R9RNORsu_b43_q304Lm8lPE5l3jPKZ_v-3rD8yqe8_xIqxe0DSHPy8B777BIv71z2HgtSNL-9GZ0/s1600/Wren-Blog.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Wren (click to enlarge)<br />
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Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-15301420218303996822014-10-16T22:37:00.000-07:002014-10-23T11:52:40.235-07:00Rare Winter Visitor<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NNwvlCUF0a0nGbSyDggr9gWfGgcZVaXb7jxF7np-JFEUDj_Kmzom9R1Mj8DJgWBTc2y188LL52aFLrSepwYzIb1aZw1ktsqVVUlEx6YRrloB6DGks0HZizC_0-x88p7Y1vjRVXSBAIA/s1600/Grey+Phalarope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NNwvlCUF0a0nGbSyDggr9gWfGgcZVaXb7jxF7np-JFEUDj_Kmzom9R1Mj8DJgWBTc2y188LL52aFLrSepwYzIb1aZw1ktsqVVUlEx6YRrloB6DGks0HZizC_0-x88p7Y1vjRVXSBAIA/s1600/Grey+Phalarope.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Phalarope</td></tr>
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A quiet week for new migrant visitors to the Country Park was broken yesterday by the arrival of a Grey Phalarope.<br />
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The Phalarope is the first one seen at Big Waters for well over 10 years and created quite a stir when it arrived yesterday morning. The flighty little bird was seen on various parts of the lake during the day and within an hour of the first sighting twitchers were arriving to see it from all over.<br />
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The unusual arrival may have been due to bad weather off shore but it seemed quite happy to feed on Big Waters and stayed at least until early evening. Initially identification was difficult as it was favoring the far end of the lake, even the high powered scopes could not clearly identify it, but during the early afternoon it appeared next to the hide (hence photo). Poor lighting prevented a real keeper photograph but this record shot was sent to Alan who has kept detailed records of visitors to the site for many years.<br />
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Update: I was reliably informed that our rare visitor was unfortunately an evening meal for the local sparrowhawk later that day!Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4203512098051675666.post-15849070982193056122014-10-09T06:13:00.002-07:002014-11-01T08:05:03.453-07:00Welcome to wild Big Waters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9C2crA77NuBrI4a5rxcjSAm4pqBCW7mcW7yCweHCud0OtbwehaKwP7xAQmN3oP4cASyfh30j9EI7w_kDA6jSjOMY-30odu_izG53rKXFP0PrSldOOD0rVXyYC4ci_mk7K_eO6cz6ngY/s1600/15250883549_de31613e3c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9C2crA77NuBrI4a5rxcjSAm4pqBCW7mcW7yCweHCud0OtbwehaKwP7xAQmN3oP4cASyfh30j9EI7w_kDA6jSjOMY-30odu_izG53rKXFP0PrSldOOD0rVXyYC4ci_mk7K_eO6cz6ngY/s1600/15250883549_de31613e3c_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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This blog is a record of the beautiful wildlife and nature in and around the Big Waters Country Park in Newcastle upon Tyne.<br /><br />I have visited the park for many years, to take walks and to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere it offers. Only in August 2014 did I truly discover the diverse wildlife and nature it has to offer.</span></h4>
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For over 20 years I have visited Big Waters to walk, photograph and generally enjoy the scenery. In August a talented wildlife photographer friend introduced me to the hides and opened a door to the fascinating and diverse wildlife that was there to see for those who cared to look.<br />
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This is my introductory blog post, I intend to log and share my sightings at Big Waters here on a regular basis (Daily/Weekly), but for now below are a few of my favourite sightings and photographs since I started watching and photographing wildlife at the start of August.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISl2eurW7zR3SOwvlVNYtmcTui7rAZaSpL6t7PtTKB96ESwhKpXlD7JybKdaEPU_NjSa-fQtV4QCkbnZsBe7WlVozcIzYrtsQdJK-qPYhcUJFwptuRzCm1sZ8dVcFBy6xhV4sOjGqC2s/s1600/15144671285_a14be11e99_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISl2eurW7zR3SOwvlVNYtmcTui7rAZaSpL6t7PtTKB96ESwhKpXlD7JybKdaEPU_NjSa-fQtV4QCkbnZsBe7WlVozcIzYrtsQdJK-qPYhcUJFwptuRzCm1sZ8dVcFBy6xhV4sOjGqC2s/s1600/15144671285_a14be11e99_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kingfisher</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXIPKl90_OnA_nT5fgr1z8b_S8RTZAMGohEJsGtXIE6gJR6QEA20g589b5RL_RjXXMFvuZTiSk_D8QOEti71-XVXM6LeB7F4hQmIj3sgRRaAUa1s5TSyZca5p_x8_UP6GAd91CwwfkP8/s1600/15205889817_958e5ddd2e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXIPKl90_OnA_nT5fgr1z8b_S8RTZAMGohEJsGtXIE6gJR6QEA20g589b5RL_RjXXMFvuZTiSk_D8QOEti71-XVXM6LeB7F4hQmIj3sgRRaAUa1s5TSyZca5p_x8_UP6GAd91CwwfkP8/s1600/15205889817_958e5ddd2e_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldcrest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5ZGHOo3oHVa7LTeNRIsRMA8pxnLT89g2kF7qc2BU33pAKkB7ytitbPfgX0jS5u5hhZus1E6BLdmTv8sMVxwBSNAciJ6ebhF6jvjdRwSdOfhoS4gbV9nXOSGoz5ZMgJORDp7BzIywQh4/s1600/15250883549_de31613e3c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5ZGHOo3oHVa7LTeNRIsRMA8pxnLT89g2kF7qc2BU33pAKkB7ytitbPfgX0jS5u5hhZus1E6BLdmTv8sMVxwBSNAciJ6ebhF6jvjdRwSdOfhoS4gbV9nXOSGoz5ZMgJORDp7BzIywQh4/s1600/15250883549_de31613e3c_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Sparrowhawk</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBIBqph9LKpb6xmcm4xD9WSSINYIRkbL2Q7lnpVbt4WPz-7ewhgmKIwAiVrBJcmQ3ucj2zC71qGNCT8qfmub4v_phI8u8pi8Io6KadrZBfNlm2qONfYgF8merHKv3t3AOar7WPRteuug/s1600/15263388508_89e4263db1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBIBqph9LKpb6xmcm4xD9WSSINYIRkbL2Q7lnpVbt4WPz-7ewhgmKIwAiVrBJcmQ3ucj2zC71qGNCT8qfmub4v_phI8u8pi8Io6KadrZBfNlm2qONfYgF8merHKv3t3AOar7WPRteuug/s1600/15263388508_89e4263db1_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Heron washing a vole before swallowing whole</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfrfhPHkIPIInEP74WkMz2bKQtcQa2w6K6IIO8VG4SHHpPHgs3lzdMtxKYgon5qb_aeXrCMxaSZB-L96o7IwDTKqiuZyZPjrxdeyj3GnnHYHiKKLXHdVQVLY5yhUY5IQ9tvTs5JWmq9w/s1600/15283868420_665baa521a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfrfhPHkIPIInEP74WkMz2bKQtcQa2w6K6IIO8VG4SHHpPHgs3lzdMtxKYgon5qb_aeXrCMxaSZB-L96o7IwDTKqiuZyZPjrxdeyj3GnnHYHiKKLXHdVQVLY5yhUY5IQ9tvTs5JWmq9w/s1600/15283868420_665baa521a_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Adult Roe Deer and two Fawns</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY-i5GDbmMvr2JAG384RkD4pf2d0_A0xZEOE68fj0SQavleV6miJ2kez5joejiJTF9g9VYJcOrHpaBhst1Zn_GZLFCvaB3wi9MbQ4M7vZXDpp_FCfM_2QT4KVgkENMpE9qMrqhg7gTFI/s1600/15292447719_9abf098dde_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY-i5GDbmMvr2JAG384RkD4pf2d0_A0xZEOE68fj0SQavleV6miJ2kez5joejiJTF9g9VYJcOrHpaBhst1Zn_GZLFCvaB3wi9MbQ4M7vZXDpp_FCfM_2QT4KVgkENMpE9qMrqhg7gTFI/s1600/15292447719_9abf098dde_o.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoat</td></tr>
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To see more of my pictures follow me on flickr: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/phphotostudio/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/phphotostudio/</a><br />
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<br />Philip Huntonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14089658732735157107noreply@blogger.com0