Why are they called Goldeneye again?

Whooper Swan TUU. Ringed at Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, Sept 24. Re-sighted on Outer Hebrides Sept 25 and back at Herrington this morning.

I've been updating our collaborative #CootStudy database. I started the study 17 years ago & thanks to a network of bird ringers across Britain & Ireland we've now colour-marked 4,400 Coot & received over 13,000 re-sightings. Pretty cool for a bird you hardly see in flight! #Ornithology #BirdRinging

Kittiwake chicks getting bigger at Gateshead Saltmeadows Tower.

Comma, out in early evening sunshine, Sutherland Park, Benton Lodge.

Gateshead Kittiwake with 3 chicks at the Saltmeadows tower this afternoon. Third chick just peeping over the edge of the nest cup.

147 apparently occupied nests at the Gateshead Saltmeadows #Kittiwake tower today

Does size matter to a #Kittiwake? This one seems to be eyeing its neighbour’s pile jealously. At Gateshead Saltmeadows today.

Kittiwakes, defining boundaries at Gateshead Saltmeadows today. #SuperSeabirdSunday

Max 156 Kittiwakes at Gateshead Saltmeadows tower today. Low tide, lots of birds bringing in mud and weed to build up nests. ACC ringed as adult in 2019 rearranging and patting down mud with feet before settling back down.

Poplar hawk-moths at Lockhaugh this morning.

Having returned to Gateshead Saltmeadows to re-establish nest sites over the last few weeks. Evidence today of new nest material being brought in and the start of mating. “AB6” and “ACZ” both ringed at the tower as adults in 2019.

Second calendar year Whooper at Big Waters today. Ringed as a cygnet at Brekkatjorn, Iceland.

Pleased to find this “in the wild” tonight. From Wylam Brewery and @northwildlife.bsky.social

Reading #Kittiwake numbers at the Gateshead Saltmeadows Tower today. ABB ringed as adult 2018, AAV ringed as adult 2016 and ANS ringed more recently in 2023

Kittiwake ‘ACH’ returns to Gateshead ‘Kittiwakery’ www.shoneywind.com/kittiwakery-...

Maximum of 174 #Kittiwakes at Gateshead Saltmeadows tower and Kittiwakery today. 27 colour rings read, oldest returning bird was ringed at the tower as a chick in 2016. Love that sound!

76 Kittiwakes back on the Gateshead Saltmeadows tower this lunchtime. Read 17 colour rings. All 17 birds back on the same face, shelf and area of shelf as they were in 2024. #Kittiwakes #SuperSeabirdSunday

Gateshead Saltmeadows a Kittiwake free zone today. Two Cormorant fishing successfully in the Tyne, 10 Lesser Black Backed Gulls among the Herrings on the North side of the river. The distant chimes of an optimistic Ice cream van drift over from Byker playing Food Glorious Food.

Calling all aspirational nature writers! Like birdlore? Fancy learning some tricks of the trade from an award winning writer? Then follow @goldengrenadesco.bsky.social for an announcement very soon!

Sun shining at Gateshead Saltmeadows, Kittiwakes starting to return to the nesting towers with one on the upstream face yesterday and two on the downstream face today.

Just biding his time.

Scarlet Elfcup at Rowlands Gill this morning. Lovely views of Red Kite and Buzzard nearby as well.

Ringing waterfowl at Killingworth Lake this morning, mainly Coot but was fortunate to catch a drake Pochard. Given that eye, I’m disappointed their scientific name doesn’t mention Sauron.

Sometimes it’s the little things. Don’t recall seeing a Teal at the Model Boat Club end of Killingworth Lake in 30 odd years of ringing waterfowl there….. but there was one there today. Cropped mobile phone shot.

IC3 a Coot that likes to explore North East ponds. Ringed Killingworth Lake 10/19. Subsequently recorded at Gosforth Park 03/20 Back on K/worth 08/20. Arcot 03/21 Big Waters 01/21 Arcot again 04/21. Shibdon 05/23 and 10/23 and today at Joe’s Pond Rainton Meadows. Photo @mickthebirder71.bsky.social

A bit milder at Killingworth this pm. Good numbers of Goldeneye, a few Pochard and an unexpected drake Shoveler. Good to see @paulbuskin.bsky.social as well :-)

Pretty chilly at Killingworth Lake this morning Even the Canada Geese were frosted up!

Happy New Year! 1. Pied Wagtail, 2. Carrion Crow, 3. Wood Pigeon…..

Mute Swan welcoming committee at Killingworth this morning.

Seemingly obligatory Garden Centre Robin. Cramlington

Herrington Mute Swan flock this morning.

#Seabirds Assumed male #kittiwake “ACH” was ringed as an adult at Saltmeadows by NRG in 2019. ACH was seen by @andyrickeard.bsky.social on the Nface Saltmeadows 24 Mar-8 May 24. #Kittiwakery ANS trail cam saw ACH almost daily, earlyJune-25 July. Ring at 11 sec. See youtu.be/co0t6PW8VkE

He writes and stars in Detectorists, he’s into birds, and now this lovely illustrated book, his letter to Nick Drake. Marvellous Mackenzie Crook.

YouTube channel of Kittiwake behaviour on the purpose built nesting platform: “Kittiwakery” on the Tyne in Gateshead.