School Boy Error

Went down to Holywell this evening, grabbed camera and rushed out as I had to pick my sister up from Explorer's. I just passed through the cut and reached the track and a bird of prey caught my attention hunting over the field, immediately I knew it was a Marsh Harrier, a female. The camera was already set on the tripod, but as I went to get some footage the dreaded almost embarrassing  'No Card' appeared, I'd left it in the reader at home. The bird seemed to be quartering the entire field so I ran back to the car to drive home for a card, I stopped off at Joe's to let him know, and generously he lent me one of his cards.


Unfortunately on my return the Harrier had moved on, a quick jog down to the public hide, and I picked it up hunting in the reeds to the left of the members hide, another quick jog back up, just my luck to hear it had just been mobbed back down towards the public end.


I wondered down to the East Pool, the air was filled with Swifts, hundreds of them, watching and scanning for a while, Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin were picked up, although in much smaller numbers. The East Pool was quite busy with 2 pair of Tufted Duck, 2 pair of Shelduck, Mallard, Lapwing, Coot, Little Grebe, and a single Reeve. 


Continuing heading down towards the Obelisk I picked up the distant white of a Barn Owl hunting, through my circular walk I had almost constant views. On passing the 'no trespassing' field a Fox, could just be seen on the brow of the hill, joined by a Carrion Crow in pottered about just out of view for a good few minutes, the wind wasn't in my favour so I never got more than its ears or head in view.


A nice night to a wet day.

Kittee-wa-aakwe

The Tyne Kittiwakes from Cain Scrimgeour on Vimeo.
As a final project for the second year of my degree, I had to produce a short documentary of a chosen subject. The recent media burst regarding the The Tyne's Kittiwakes lead me to find out more.


Filmed on a Canon 7D DLSR with a Canon 100-400mm and a 18-135mm


Best viewed in HD by clicking the HD symbol on the toolbar.

I wish this was on my drive...

Long-Eared Owl from Cain Scrimgeour on Vimeo.

Best viewed in HD by clicking on the HD symbol on the toolbar.


Also a new blog in my list, Wild Things, a fellow student from Cumbria, definitely worth a look !

This evening...

Headed down to Holywell at about 19:15 tonight, greeted by Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiff Chaff on the track down to the hide. The pond held 23 Tufted Duck, 2 male 1 female Gadwall, 4 Little Grebe, male Mute Swan, 10 Coot, 3 Mallard, 2 Cormorant, 33 Herring Gull, 3 Great Black Backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Canada Geese with 7 young and 2 Moorhen. The Blue Tits have once again nested in the right hand bench in the public hide, and now have chicks, it would be greatly appreciated if anyone visiting the public hide stayed to the far left bench.

The walked along to the East Pool produced 3 Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler, the pool itself is still pretty substantial, sustaining 5 Canada Geese, although no sign of their chicks (present a few days ago), 3 Lapwings on the nest and a bird with its chick, a pair of Moorhen, a pair of Little Grebe, pair of Coot, and 5 Mallard.

I wandered on over the backtrack, and down to the Obelisk area, large number of Whitethroat have now set up territories in the hedgerows and Yellowhammers voiced their presence. The dene was alive with song, I had forgotten how much I love this time of year. The Barn Owl put an appearance in as I reached the Horse field on the way back to the car, being mobbed by Carrion Crows quite high up.

Revision break

Returned from Ardnamurchan on Saturday, a very enjoyable and relaxing two weeks, wildlife was unbelievable, and I even got a tan! Unfortunately the next two weeks aren't going to be as relaxing or enjoyable, a load of uni deadlines, and an Animal Behaviour exam next Tuesday. Although I have managed to get out for a wander a couple of times. The Blue Tits in the camera box are sitting 8 eggs, my sister tells me they have been incubating since last Wednesday and the local Sparrowhawk is also incubating. Down Holywell this evening I was pleased to here reeling Grasshopper Warbler, singing Sedge and Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat,  as well as young Canada Geese, Lapwings on the nest, the Kestrels back in their usual haunt and more importantly the Dipper on eggs! Hopefully they will be successful in raising a family this year.

Also bumped into this character