Patching

Cuckoo was our target species this morning, and on our first stop of the morning at Druridge Pools 2 Cuckoos were seen, one giving super views from the south-facing hide. 7 Black-tailed Godwits were also present here, and a Yellow Wagtail dropped in.

We decided to have a seawatch off Druridge Pools which resulted in 5 Manx Shearwaters and a Little Gull passing north.

Chevington was quiet with a couple of Spoonbills again on the North Pool along with a pair of Little Gulls. At least 20 Lesser Butterfly Orchids were also on the reserve with plenty of Northern Marsh Orchids as well.

PWC 15
Species: 152
Points: 200

Cuckoo

Meadow Pipit

Lesser Butterfly Orchid

Coral Root Orchid in Newcastle

Recent sightings...

A few days in York last week meant we weren't around when the Black-winged Pratincole turned up on my old patch of Bothal Pond. Thankfully it stuck around and gave good views, especially in flight over the pond. A Common Sandpiper was also there along with 3 Yellow Wagtails.

I finally managed to photograph a Holly Blue butterfly in York.

3 Little Gulls were at Cresswell this morning, with another 2 at Chevington, where 2 Spoonbills were present on the North Pool. 2 drake Mandarin were at Druridge Pools where there was also 17 Black-tailed Godwits and a Cuckoo calling, which despite a search we couldn't see.

PWC 15
Species: 150
Points: 197

 The Black-winged Pratincole only took to flight to feed late in the evening hence the poor photos.

Holly Blue

Frustrating...

The day started quite well, as on my third attempt I finally connected with the juvenile/first-summer Iceland Gull at QEii Country Park.

At Cresswell Pond the immature Spoonbill was present on the west shore and visible from the southern tip of my patch. A colour-ringed Little Egret was also there, which had been seen in April at Scorton in North Yorkshire.

Druridge Pools provided a drake Garganey and a Black-tailed Godwit along with my first patch Collared Doves of 2015.

We spent most of the afternoon at Fenham-le-Moor failing to find the reported Kentish Plover. While we were there we also missed a Hoopoe within five miles of my house. A summer-plumage Ruff was on the estuary at Fenham-le-Moor.

PWC 2015
Species: 144
Points: 187

Iceland Gull

Little Egret

Spoonbill asleep

Druridge Pools

I've had two trips to Druridge Pools recently, both times there was a good selection of birds...

On Sunday the drake Garganey remained on the Budge Fields and two Wood Sandpipers showed really well in front of the screen, as did 4 Little Egrets. My first ever summer plumage Little Stint dropped in with 2 Dunlin after having showed well at Cresswell Pond earlier in the day. Another drake Garganey was found by my Dad on the South Pool at Chevington.

After school on Tuesday evening 4 Temminck's Stints were found at Druridge Pools. When we arrived an impressive electrical storm was right overhead so we stayed in the car until it passed. Once we eventually made it to the south facing hide, the 4 Temminck's Stints dropped onto the closest patch of mud to the hide and allowed some brilliant views, my best ever of the species. Just as I got my camera onto them they flew off and appeared to land further back but were never seen again.

The drake Garganey had been joined by a Little Ringed Plover, 22 Black-tailed Godwits and a fly-over Little Egret.

PWC 15
Species: 141
Points: 183

139. Little Stint

140. Temminck's Stint

141. Little Ringed Plover

Poor photo of one of the Temminck's Stint. It does however show the white outer-tail and pale legs.

Little Egret

Little Stint

Swallow

Another Storm passing by offshore

Spring Migration...

The recent weekend proved to be quite a successful couple of days birding..!

Some easterlies, rain and a high pressure over the continent on Friday night was enough to tempt us to Holy Island for most of Saturday. Despite not getting the scarcity we were after, there was still a variety of common migrants on the island. The highlight had to be the Redstarts, with 13 altogether including 3 stunning males.

13 Redstart
1 Tree Pipit
1 Spotted Flycatcher
2 Ring Ouzel
3 Garden Warbler
4 Blackcap
6 Wheatear
11 Willow Warbler
5 Chiffchaff
2 Whitethroat

A Greenshank was also calling near the Rocket Fields and 44 Grey Plovers were from the causeway, with a couple more in the harbour.

On the way home we stopped at Druridge Pools, where a great selection of birds were on the Budge Fields. A heat haze hampered most photo opportunities.

2 Wood Sandpiper
1 Garganey - drake.
1 Scaup - drake showed well.
2 Ruff - stunning full summer plumage!
14 Black-tailed Godwit
1 Whimbrel
1 Yellow Wagtail
1 Pintail

PWC 15
Species: 138
Points: 177

We expected Sunday to be a rather bird-less day, and so it proved until news of a Red-throated Pipit turning up at Seaton Common on Teesside came in the afternoon. After feeling pretty jealous of the recent Derbyshire bird, I was keen to see this one.

It didn't take long to get onto the brilliant summer plumage Red-throated Pipit once we arrived. At first it was a bit distant, but eventually moved closer allowing some great scope views, but it was too windy for decent photos. A single Yellow Wagtail flew over while we were there.

With the DSLR...

Digiscoped...

Red-throated Pipit along with it's habitat and twitch.

Wood Sandpiper record shot.

Garganey record shot.

Scaup

Garden Warbler

Redstart

Black Redstart...

This Black Redstart at Druridge Bay Country Park was easily the highlight of a quite quiet look around the patch today. I also saw my first Yellow Wagtail of the year at Chevington.

A single Black-tailed Godwit remained at Druridge Pools and 3+ White Wagtail were at Bothal Pond.

PWC 15
Species:133
Points:169

132. Black Redstart
133. Yellow Wagtail 

Black Redstart

Sedge Warbler

American Wigeon...

Here's a couple of photos of the drake American Wigeon in fading light at Holywell Pond on Wednesday...

At Chevington last night, I saw my first Reed and Sedge Warblers of the year as well as a dark morph Arctic Skua offshore.

PWC 15
Species: 122
Points: 155

120. Sedge Warbler
121. Reed Warbler
122. Arctic Skua 

American Wigeon