Richard's Pipits at Whitburn

The only birds we could find at St. Mary's this morning were 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, so we decided to go to Whitburn. On arrival all 3 Richard's Pipits were on view and eventually one came quite close. Also there were 3 more Yellow-browed Warblers and a Whinchat. We failed to find the acro that was on site but I don't really mind as it apparently definitely wasn't a Blyth's Reed Warbler.

One of the Richard's Pipits digiscoped in the heat haze

Whinchat, top with a Richard's Pipit

Cresswell and Chevington

A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was the highlight of a morning in Druridge Bay. It showed very well on the mud in front of the hide at Cresswell. At Chevington there were 6 Pintail, 5 Black-tailed Godwits and at least 300 Pink-footed Geese.

Pectoral Sandpiper

American Golden Plover

I got to see the adult American Golden Plover at St. Mary's Island this evening. It showed very well from the island.

Nightingale Sp. at Holy Island

Today we went to Holy Island to try and find some migrants but the Island was quite quiet. However while we were searching for a reported Wryneck a movement in the bottom of a hawthorn caught my eye. After a short wait it turned out to be a Nightingale, but whether it was a Thrush Nighingale or a Common Nightingale was hard to tell because it never came out for than about ten seconds, and was nearly always partially obscured by branches. I also managed to get a few record shots.

NOTE: The nightingale which I found at Holy Island has been confirmed as a Thrush Nightingale thanks to some great photos online, which can be found here:

http://www.surfbirds.com/gallery/share_photo.php?imgname=20130912144224732.jpg
 http://www.surfbirds.com/gallery/share_photo.php?imgname=20130912144906908.jpg
http://www.surfbirds.com/gallery/share_photo.php?imgname=20130912145924664.jpg

http://www.birdguides.com/picture?f=409614

http://www.birdguides.com/picture?f=409608

White-rumped Sandpiper at Chevington

Yesterday I tried went to see the White-rumped Sandpiper at Chevington. It showed quite well, though the light wasn't great for photography.