First Post of the Blog

Hello all, my name is Gary Storey and am new to blogging but not to the reading of several north-east birding related blogs and a few farther afield.
I like to think that I am a competant birder, with 15 years experience.
However, I have only really started getting into all the 'ups' and 'downs' of the twitching malarky that comes with the mad dash.

I dabble in a bit of bird photography from time to time so the blog will have some nice pretty pictures for you readers to look at (Ewan).

December

Didn't really get out much this month as I have just started a new job so the birding was down at the bottom on the to-do list. So just a quick review of what I seen will be all for this month until some better weather or some motivation spurs me on to do some proper birding.

Went for a 4 hour walk around Chopwell Woods on the 20th to take advantage of the freshly fallen snow the night before. I start off my walks into Strother Woods up and into Victoria Garesfield. On the walk up at dawn I had a count of 250+ Woodpigeon which had been flushed from their roost by first a Common Buzzard which was closely followed by 3 Red Kites.

Woodpigeon roost awaking

Moving on after attempting to take some photos of a snowy tree led me up into Chopwell Woods Itself.

Snowy Tree

Walking up into Chopwell Woods and it wasn't long until I heard the regular Green Woodpecker yaffling call. I have been up on this walk a few times this month and always here this bird. Taking in the cracking scenery of the fresh snow I had 3 more Red Kites passing through so a quick attempt of a photo didnt disappoint.

One of 3 Red Kites passing through

Stayed for a few more minutes faffing on with the camera settings to try and get a more artistic shot of the sun which I feel turned out quite well.

Pine Tree in the Sun

Moving on through the snow covered floor revealed many different mammal trails the main 3 were of Roe Deer, Red Fox and Rabbit.

Carrying on climbing higher up into Chopwell Wood led me to the small hamlet of houses situated in the middle of the wood. Here there were Blackbirds, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Bullfinch and Crow in the gardens.

Blue Tit

I turned around shortly after and made my way back down towards home as breakfast was calling me aswell as the Newcastle game against Middlesborough. On the way back produced a tiny Dog which thought it was massive by threatening to bite my ankles. Also had 2 Fieldfare while crossing the road at the first set of houses at Victoria Garesfield.

Christmas Day

Seen a flock of c20 Redwing in the tree at the bottom of the street so couldn't resist the close views so got a couple photos of the beauties.

Redwings

Have a Very Merry Christmas!