Seconds and thirds...

An unexpected opportunity to see the Baikal Teal again - initially at East Chevington - matching the Hornsea viewing for distant views, then slightly better a day later on the Budge fields at Druridge...

Thug Life

Impressive immature Glaucous Gull at North Shields on 13th March ...

(Click images for better viewing).

Shorts

Late afternoon observations of a static Short-eared Owl... a tad too distant really, perhaps as a result of the noisy "togger" crew.

Morning and evening ventures

Sunday morning, 03 February 2019 was spent in the north of the county - half a rivers width south of Scotland.

A very snowy journey north, then immediately after Wooler - no snow!

Target was the wintering Common Crane - and my arrival was timed well, with the bird feeding in the narrow roadside field.

The previous evening was spent more local, and after 5 owls (three short-eared and two barn) it was time to defrost. The first barn came as a bit of a surprise, as it flew right up to me as it hunted in the demising afternoon light...  (ISO 1600, not quite in focus)

Wick

Nice to finally catch up with the Warkworth Bewick's swan pair this afternoon, attempt 3... and a decent herd of Whooper too.

A good species in Northumberland, hopefully they'll hang on till the new year.

Spotting Gulls

A timely exit from work on Monday coincided with news that there was a Spotted Sandpiper nearby at Jarrow - fortuitous that the trusty Bins' are living in the car, I headed straight there.

As the working week progressed news broke of something much more meaty - in the form of two Gull-billed Terns, inland at Haughton Strother GP. Further, they'd been there since the start of the month!

Lots of discussion on Twitter and the like suggested that parking was to be interesting and that views would be distant - and indeed, Friday afternoons trip there confirmed that to be the case. However, a full fat UK and County tick for me, so more than content. Some incredible iPhone hand held to 'scope images follow...

All pictures video-stills!

Terns photographed on the island!

Oh Bee-have

Autumn

As the build up for Autumn commences, Arcot scores its first Avocet - an immature to boot (a first record of both autumn and immature for Cramlington).

Still a rare in Cramlington, with all other records from West Hartford in Spring.

Pink Stink

Off, On

IOC keeps Mealy on the Redpoll list, so this bird was nice and timely - at Low Lights, in low light.

Return

Sunny conditions this morning, but much more difficult viewing - until one appeared above us on the path side. Light was tricky, but I'll take it.

11 year itch

January 2006 was the last time I saw a Hawfinch - this morning I was able to see 10! In Northumberland too... Hopefully more to come as the UK sees an invasion in progress. iPhone thru scope pics and video...

A quick look at Big Waters en-route home provided the pair of Red-crested Pochard. 

 

Second helpings...

Armed with the trusty DSLR and a cheeky use of the 2.0 extender, combined with a dash of patience...

A taste of the Med.

An unexpected catch back on the few fortunate to be at East Chevington last weekend, with a mid afternoon re-visit of Bee-eater to Druridge!

Initially not present, the bird flew back in from the north calling to announce its presence as heavy rain subsided. A second county tick for me in a week, following Cetti's Warbler at East Chevington.

Only had my Bins, but not long after folk arrived with scopes, and then finally, Ian Fisher, who kindly lent me a memory card to take some of my own pics through his camera...

DSLR

The Crowd, The Sun, The Tree, The Bee-eater!

iPhone and Bins

iPhone and handheld telescope

DSLR