Just Pics

Saharan Dust

Distant Wood Sand

Male and Female

Yellow Wagtails

Grasshopper Warblers

White Wagtail

Lesser Whitethroat

To Go or Not to Go ...

As I sat filling in my WeBS form online (at 4am) from last Sundays count. I pondered a visit to Holy Island. The afternoon rainstorm on Thursday had not materialised, just a light shower. 

Nevertheless I decided to make my first visit of the year and thought I might get a flycatcher or Whinchat. My first observation was a flock of 50 Fieldfare landing briefly in the churchyard trees before continuing East.

Then 3 Pied Flycatchers. Yes! There were birds about (these are not necessarily in the order seen). A couple of Wheatears, Sev Willow/Chiffs, Goldcrests, 3 Whinchats, Yellow Wag, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, SEO, 

... and this beauty!

Subalpine Warbler 

At first I thought I must be mistaken, but no, it was pinky/orange. I put the news out on RBA as a probable knowing that SR was on the island. Then as soon as he saw the bird and confirmed I wasn't hallucinating I put the news out again. I'm not too confident about assigning it to a race but hopefully someone may be able to from the photos

Sadly it and the nearby Redstart and Lesser Whitethroat disappeared. Even a check back later was negative in very windy conditions. Hopefully it is refound on the island tomorrow when the wind eases.

Thanks to SR for confirmation of ID.

Mixed Bag

Rhynchokinesis

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

(easy ID in Summer Plumage)

Mistle Thrush

Newbiggin Golf Course

Some Stonechat variation to muse over.

Pale female Newbiggin

Bright Male

East Chevington

Male

East Chevington

Not back at Chevington yet. This was one from the Country Park.

Sedge Warbler

A surprise find at Lynemouth

These two having a welcome drink and bathe after their long flight over the Himalayas.

Another Dull Morning?

Starling

Budge Fields

Garganey

Marsh Harriers