Kingfishers at Far Pastures, Derwent Valley

Following our very first sighting of a Kingfisher during the previous weekend's visit to Rodley Nature Reserve, Leeds, this weekend we trumped it with a pair of Kingfishers at Far Pasture Ponds Hide, Derwent Valley, Gateshead. We only managed to photograph the birds separately & at a distance, but it’s better than nowt.



From the hide we also saw Reed Buntings, a pair of Mute Swan, a Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Swallows, Coots. Hundreds of tiny frogs hopped across the pathways & a Red Kite made an appearance over the valley.

A Grey Heron in the shallows with a Swallow making a splash in the background.

A Grey Heron and a Little Grebe on the water.

More information about Derwent Walk Country Park and Derwenthaugh Park

Far Pastures, Rowlands Gill

Following our visit to Thornley we continued onwards to Far Pastures, a lovely spot a little further down the road from the Visitor Centre. A Little Grebe busied itself in front of the hide. A Grey Heron kept itself out of sight at the far side until it flew over us to settle nearby. Spotted a couple of Red Kites over the valley.