On the 17th of June this year I will be taking part in a sponsored zip line off the Tyne Bridge, for the Percy Hedley Foundation. The foundation was established in 1953 as a charitable school for children with cerebral palsy, its purpose to promote the rights, needs and aspirations people through specialist and quality services. It now meets the needs of disabled people with cerebral palsy, communication impairments, sensory impairments, and complex learning, social care and therapeutic needs. (http://www.percyhedley.org.uk/).
The money raised from this event will be used to raise £1.2 million for a hydrotherapy pool with a multi sensory environment for disabled children and adults all over the North East. This is a really good cause, and will improve the facilities for many people throughout the North East. I would be very grateful if you could sponsor me.
Here is the link to my online sponsor form http://www.justgiving.com/cainscrimgeour1
Thank You, Cain
Monday, 20 April 2009
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Holywell Pond
Visibility was poor today but still went down to the hide for an hour at 10:30, the House Sparrow flock were in the usual hedgerow along the back of the houses, some seeking nesting sites. When I opened the shutters I could hardly see to the other side although I could make out, Pair of Mute Swan, 8 Canada Geese, 20+ Sand Martains, 4 + Swallow, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Drake Shoveler, 2 Cormorant, 6 Pochard, 16 Tufted, 4 Coot, 3 Moorhen, 1 Drake Teal, 9 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, Great Black Backed Gull and Herring Gull.
2 Willow Warblers and 1 Chiff Chaff were singing in North Wood, Skylark over West fields and Lapwing were displaying in fields backing houses. Feeding station was fairly quiet with the regulars, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Woodpigeon, Pheasant, Long Tailed Tit, and Goldfinch.
2 Willow Warblers and 1 Chiff Chaff were singing in North Wood, Skylark over West fields and Lapwing were displaying in fields backing houses. Feeding station was fairly quiet with the regulars, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Woodpigeon, Pheasant, Long Tailed Tit, and Goldfinch.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Red House Farm
Had a wander round Red House Farm at 16:00 today no Chiff Chaffs or Willow Warblers heard singing yet but there still plenty of time, last year was the first year I recorded them singing in the area. Plenty of the usual suspects singing, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, Goldfinch and Woodpigeon. A pair of Bullfinch were seen in the hawthorns near the top field, hopefully they may nest this year.
Down towards the pond the flock of Long Tailed Tits were moving through, and a Song Thrush in the leaf litter. There was a couple of Mallards on the pond with the resident Moorhen and a few Jackdaw overhead. I put a box up in February and was happy to see that a pair of Blue Tits were putting it in use.
Back at home the Starlings are using the top box and a pair of Blue Tits are pecking the front of the camera box and slowly adding material, unfortunately no House Sparrows have been seen entering the colony box.
Down towards the pond the flock of Long Tailed Tits were moving through, and a Song Thrush in the leaf litter. There was a couple of Mallards on the pond with the resident Moorhen and a few Jackdaw overhead. I put a box up in February and was happy to see that a pair of Blue Tits were putting it in use.
Back at home the Starlings are using the top box and a pair of Blue Tits are pecking the front of the camera box and slowly adding material, unfortunately no House Sparrows have been seen entering the colony box.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Washington Wetlands
Me, my dad and my lil sis went along to Washington Wetlands today to try and see the Avocets. After a walk around feeding the birds we went down to Wader lake, we could see 3 Avocets but not the fourth, I got some pretty pathetic pictures but they'll have to do.
The Heronry there was in full swing with chicks visible in the nest, there was also a large number of Shelduck, also on the water were Greylag, Canada, Teal, Mallard (one female with 8 ducklings), Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler, and 4 Grey Wagtails. We walked round to the feeding station which was busy, most impressively with the number of Bullfinch.
A good day.Sunday, 12 April 2009
Holywell Today
Firstly this morning went down to the hide at 10:00, on the way down I clocked a House Martain flying low over the field backing the houses, also a Great Spotted Woodpecker overhead.
On the water there was a group of 11+ Greylag Geese in amongst them was a hybrid possibly Canada X Greylag, it was the size of a Greylag but colouration of Canada with an orange beak with a black tip and orange legs with Canada markings on its face, strange looking bird. At 10:20 a Drake Garganey showed itself in the reeds to the right of the hide, this was my first for the year. Also on the water were 7 Canada, Pair of Teal, Pair Mute Swan, 19 Tufted, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 8 Lapwing, 6 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Shelduck, and 1 Male Shoveler. I was joined by Tom Tams a bit later on, a Willow Warbler was heard in NE corner. Around the pond was 5 Reed Buntings, 1 Swallow, Feral Pigeon, 1 Common Buzzard soaring above wood opposite hide, the feeding station was fairly quiet with Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Skylark and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.
Tom's pager beeped with 37 Waxwings at Shiremoor metro so though I'd stop in on way home, they were feeding as I got there in the bushes just at entry, my Grandad just lives round the corner so I thought I'd pick him up for a look. We watched them for a while, before the flock moved off over the road.
Next was kayaking on the Wansbeck a few Chiff Chaff about but not much else.
I went back along the Holywell at 16:30 a female Sparrowhawk was on the soar over obelisk, and a Snipe was just to the right of the hide. Something put the Teal up out of the reeds which were quickly scanned and the Drake Garganey was spotted, it landed on the water and swam in the reeds exposing the female Garganey, they proceded to emerge from the reeds giving brilliant views. I took a walk down past the obelisk and back up the dene, the area around the obelisk produced a female Kestrel and the usual suspects were down the dene counting 9 singing Chiff Chaffs and 2 singing Willow Warblers, the resident nesting Kestrels were calling and copulating at there usual site. Good day in all, Washingtons Avocets tomorrow.
On the water there was a group of 11+ Greylag Geese in amongst them was a hybrid possibly Canada X Greylag, it was the size of a Greylag but colouration of Canada with an orange beak with a black tip and orange legs with Canada markings on its face, strange looking bird. At 10:20 a Drake Garganey showed itself in the reeds to the right of the hide, this was my first for the year. Also on the water were 7 Canada, Pair of Teal, Pair Mute Swan, 19 Tufted, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Grey Heron, 8 Lapwing, 6 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 1 Shelduck, and 1 Male Shoveler. I was joined by Tom Tams a bit later on, a Willow Warbler was heard in NE corner. Around the pond was 5 Reed Buntings, 1 Swallow, Feral Pigeon, 1 Common Buzzard soaring above wood opposite hide, the feeding station was fairly quiet with Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Skylark and 1 Small Tortoiseshell.
Tom's pager beeped with 37 Waxwings at Shiremoor metro so though I'd stop in on way home, they were feeding as I got there in the bushes just at entry, my Grandad just lives round the corner so I thought I'd pick him up for a look. We watched them for a while, before the flock moved off over the road.
Next was kayaking on the Wansbeck a few Chiff Chaff about but not much else.
I went back along the Holywell at 16:30 a female Sparrowhawk was on the soar over obelisk, and a Snipe was just to the right of the hide. Something put the Teal up out of the reeds which were quickly scanned and the Drake Garganey was spotted, it landed on the water and swam in the reeds exposing the female Garganey, they proceded to emerge from the reeds giving brilliant views. I took a walk down past the obelisk and back up the dene, the area around the obelisk produced a female Kestrel and the usual suspects were down the dene counting 9 singing Chiff Chaffs and 2 singing Willow Warblers, the resident nesting Kestrels were calling and copulating at there usual site. Good day in all, Washingtons Avocets tomorrow.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Holywell Iceland Gull
Been ill since Tuesday due to my mothers shoddy cooking, couldn't stand being in the house anymore so off I went to Holywell. I went via Earsdon pit to see if the Little Owl was about, unfortunately it wasn't, although a Chiff Chaff was singing from the willows. Saw a couple of Yellowhammers between here and the Pond but not much else.
Quite a few people out walking although no one was in the key hide, opened shutters, checked book, a Iceland Gull and Common Buzzard had been seen at 11:00, this was 14:50, put bins up and there was the Iceland just flying round the pond, a nice Juv and my first for the area. It was gone within minutes. On the water there was 3 Canada Geese, Pair of Great Crested Grebes, 14 mallard, 28 Tufted, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Female Goldeneye, 9 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 6 Pochard, 7 Coot, and 5 Moorhen. A pair of Greylag were in the field. The feeding station was busy with Water Rail, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Pheasant and a cracking Male Reed Bunting.
Also about were Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, 1 Snipe, 1 Bumble Bee, and 2 Peacock Butterflies.
Sorry no pics this time.
Quite a few people out walking although no one was in the key hide, opened shutters, checked book, a Iceland Gull and Common Buzzard had been seen at 11:00, this was 14:50, put bins up and there was the Iceland just flying round the pond, a nice Juv and my first for the area. It was gone within minutes. On the water there was 3 Canada Geese, Pair of Great Crested Grebes, 14 mallard, 28 Tufted, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Female Goldeneye, 9 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 6 Pochard, 7 Coot, and 5 Moorhen. A pair of Greylag were in the field. The feeding station was busy with Water Rail, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blackbird, Robin, Dunnock, Wren, Pheasant and a cracking Male Reed Bunting.
Also about were Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, 1 Snipe, 1 Bumble Bee, and 2 Peacock Butterflies.
Sorry no pics this time.
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