Eastern Promise

First off to Tynemouth to look for the Lesser Whitethroat ssp. this morning. We didn't have to wait long before it showed up and continued to show well at times intermittently over the next hour. From what I've read I believe it to be of the race halimodendri. I also managed some photos that show a completely white t6 and a white tip to t5, one of the clinching features of halimondendri or Central Asian Lesser Whitethroat.

DNA has proved this bird to be of the race blythi or Siberian Lesser Whitethroat not halimondendri.

Next to St. Mary's Island to see if the Siberian Chiffchaff was still around. I wasn't expecting it to be, as it hadn't been reported for a few days. It was though and it showed very well for a few minutes, before completely disappearing. It was the first time I'd seen this subspecies. There were also two colour-ringed Turnstones on the beach.

Last of all we went to Gosforth Park, where we saw at least 2 Bitterns as well as a Water Rail.

Siberian Lesser Whitethroat

Siberian Chiffchaff

Colour-ringed Turnstones

Bitterns