Morn'wings

The weekend that was...

Busy, busy, busy... a county tick (327) - it's taken a third county bird to catch up, but what a belter. Thanks to CB for use of the 600/1.4...  The first day of "Winter" - I'll take more like this.

Not forgetting the Saturday shrike... a few more from yesterday evening...

Last day of summer... late afternoon Shrike

Once bittern

Tales of the unexpected continue, with nightshift and tides preventing the opportunity to head to Holy Island for the UKs' 5th Siberian Accentor (!) and Isabelline Shrike, a Brucie-bonus in the form of a Bittern at St Mary's Wetland - paraded itself remarkably well, just wish I'd had the bigger lens!

From Dusk till...

"Made do" with a Dusky Warbler at Tynemouth this morning, albeit in heavy rain - no images, so some more from yesterday... the bizarre "influx" continues, with another, yet another closer to home!

Northumberland must have one too?

A 'Centor of attention...

The problem with digital photography is that you can just snap away - until the amount of images to review / edit becomes an unfavourable task... more images here later...

Thrush rush

iPhone- scoped

Nice venture to Holy Island on a sunny Sunday - after a week of work prevented any catch up with goodies, dividends in the form of a full UK tick - Thrush Nightingale. Great views upon arrival- surprising to find it feeding on the beach edge!

Later I was at the "half moon slack" near the Snook - enjoying yellow-browed warbler and red-breasted flycatcher... happy days!

Purple patch

Messed up with Minsmere plans last month, so a bit of luck with a second chance twitch - so sandwiched between a family party and an impending night shift, Lincs was on the agenda for this morning - and success.

Few bearded tit on the walk round the reeds and then some fine wader watching between swamphen appearances from the reeds. Managed to avoid the "one show" film crew too, so good all round.

Swamphen still looked a big brute despite being on the far Reedbed edge, so iPhone images only...

Perils of birding

Back to Amble late morning on news of a potential county tick - Yellow-legged Gull. Alas no sign, but a catch up with the Caspian - third year in a row for me now. Departed with a slight delay resultant from the car park taking a dislike to my car, one bumper now to replace...

Need of a Black Tern at QEII came just as I was approaching the car park, so a quick pull in ... Would have been rude not too.

Back home and more bird news from Amble with a WR Sand... Might be back sooner than I'd ordinarily like.

Waders...

After lasts weeks Spotted Sand, waders continued to feature today in Druridge Bay, with several Little Stint, loads of Ruff, Curlew Sand, Greenshank, Wood Sand etc pottering in front of the optics. Amble didn't produce the Caspian Gull, but the consumption of chips continued to be reliable.

Dot more apt than Spot

Nice to catch up with a spotty Spotted Sandpiper at Hauxley today. Bit distant for the camera, one for digi-scopers.

Wet Weekends

Busy weekend, travelling about the county in search of whatever was available... Red-necked Phalarope, Bonaparte's Gull, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Roseate and Little Tern, Lesser Whitethroat , Great White Egret stood out, and...

Viewings

Potter out this morning provides further viewings / Great white egret, garganey, little egret, Bonaparte's Gull...