My Profile
My Profile ???!!!! ….That’s just bullshit isn’t it !!!
A load of old cobblers about what a great birder I am, and how many rares I’ve found……. Nope I really hate all that bollox….
Instead I’d like to devote this section to those who have gone before me. This is my tribute to the “Newton legends”….
Rick
Rick is a tall lanky creature with a shiny head, often seen creeping about at dusk…, he used to be a regular sight at Newton before vanishing in 1997. Thought to be extinct he was rediscovered a few years later propping up a bar in the Philippines and displaying that diagnostic “Rick cheesy grin”.
Famous for never submitting any records, Rick is a happy character who always floated around Newton with a big smile on his face. He birded the area between 1990 and 1997 and has a string of great finds to his name… some of his more memorable being, Greenish Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Spotted Crake and White-winged Black Tern.
Ricks claim to fame is getting plastered while playing football and accidentally volleying the ball into the face of a passing old age pensioner. Unfortunately Rick was unable to go to her aid because he was doubled up in fits of laughter and couldn’t breathe…
Ricks most memorable birding “find” was a Veery on Shetland in 2005.
Rick after he had calmed down from the excitement of finding a Veery.
Rick’s most memorable quote…. giving directions to help other birders to see a Chestnut Thrush on hillside full of dense flowering rhododendron bushes….
…………….“ITS IN THE FUCKIN FLOWERS !!!”
Robin
Robin is a clean-shaven squeaky-clean character who grew up living a few miles inland from Newton. A steady and dependable birder, Robin flogged Newton in the 1990’s and early 2000’s and regularly pulled good birds out of the bag. Some of Robins many finds at Newton are Red-rumped Swallow, Great Grey Shrike, Richards Pipit and Pallas’s Warbler.
Eventually the pull of the bright lights took Robin away from Newton. His birdy credentials were recognised and he is now working for the RSPB. Robin is now based at one of the RSPBs most visited nature reserves, and spends his time talking to old ladies about Blue Tits and fat balls……which is nice…. “oooh young man…..”
Robins claim to fame is a lucky escape from falling off the roof of the Long Nanny tern wardens hut….. ahem…… which he was dancing on at the time...... in a rather disgraceful drunken state.
Robins bearded twin brother molesting a Puffin chick…
Ian
Ian was the gentle giant of Newton. A big bearded man with a strong geordie accent, who’s distinguishing ID features are a big beard, woolly hat, wellies and a BTO t-shirt.
Ian is passionate about birds and wildlife and has spent much of his life learning about nature and giving up lots of his own time to do voluntary work for others. Ian has a great sense of humour and always has time to help people, a genuine all round nice bloke…
Ian has been birding at Newton forever ! For example one of his best finds was a Purple Heron in 1980 – a true Newton legend !!
Some of Ian’s finds have included Lesser Crested Tern, Purple Heron, Spotted Crake and Icterine Warbler.
In my mind Ian was also the first Newton ringer (although he was part of a larger ringing group). Ian was a very active ringer at Low Newton for a period and has caught Icterine Warbler and Common Rosefinch amongst other things.
Unfortunately Ian has now retired from work and is less evident birding at Newton these days, he has also given up ringing, but the group still continue to ring one day a week during the autumn months.
Ian’s most memorable quote…(Whilst standing on the doorstep with trademark, big beard, wellies and woolly hat)…….“you seen this Bearded Tit then ?”
Kevin
Kevin is a National Trust warden at Newton who is often to be seen walking the coast and enjoying the area. A dedicated worker, Kevin is ultimately responsible for managing the tern site at the Long Nanny. He often puts in hours over and above the call of duty to ensure the Little Terns get the best chances of fledging young every year.
Kevin is a keen and methodical amateur naturalist who enjoys all aspects of the areas wildlife. He readily admits he’s not as keen a birder as some others, but he’s certainly puts in the hours on the coast and has found many great birds at Newton over the years.
Amongst his favourite finds are Bluethroat, Barred Warbler, Iceland Gull and Yellow-browed Warbler.
Kevin’s claim to fame is making the best blackberry vodka ever !