We haven't been across the water since October 2025 so it was nice to get a chance to add a few English birds to the list. Interesting to see the reactions of a local when I get excited about Canada goose:
"I got Canada goose, we don't get them at home"
"I wish we we didn't get them here either"
First stop was Leighton Moss RSPB on the way north to Tyneside from Liverpool. Always a pleasure and I clocked up 27 species and added 4 to the list - carrion crow, Canada goose, great white egret and marsh harrier. The latter was seen on four occasions and gave excellent views of both male and female. The main lake had over 60 gadwall but unfortunately the feeders were empty so I didn't get much in the way of small birds. We were ambushed frequently by robins which are clearly being hand fed despite the notices!! I also had Merlin on occasionally and it was telling me nuthatch, firecrest and marsh tit were about but I couldn't find any of them!!
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| Any food? |
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| Robin sitting on a "Do not feed the birds" sign. |
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| Another scavenging robin |
We took the scenic route north via Langdon Beck for the black grouse lek but the field they are usually seen in was empty. The weather was deteriorating - snow showers and the temperature dropping below freezing so I decided to go on a lower road rather than over the moors. Within five minutes 6 black grouse flew across the road in a snowstorm!!
I had been added to the local Northumberland WhatsApp group so I was able to go to Killingworth Lake and see a Slavonian grebe which has been there all winter. A bonus for me was three goosanders, 2 female and one male and more Canada geese.
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| Canada geese |
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| Killingworth Lake |
87: Carrion crow
88: Marsh harrier
89: Canada goose
90: Great white egret
91: Slavonian grebe
92: Goosander
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