Stilt

This morning I received an excited call from Alan Thompson explaining that he had (with his brother John) just seen a Black-winged Stilt flying South from Hadston. My car was parked there and I was at the South end of Chevington. I hurried back to the car scanning all the time and checking the  Country Park and the concrete channel that leads to Hadston. A Little Egret and two Grey Heron were the only birds. I also managed to get caught in a bramble patch and fall over, Ouch!

I met Alan at Chev and there was no sign of it so I headed to Druridge. It was there with Spotty Red Ruff and Dunlin. It wasn't long before Gary in best Vuelta style joined me from Chev. What a great bird. Thanks to Alan for the tip off!

Oops almost blown over.

Earlier in the morning there had been a strong passage of Meadow Pipits (c500 in two hours). Three Grey Wagtails and one Yellow Wagtail were with them.

... for starters

Swallow

Woodpigeon

Robin's Pincushion

Grey Heron

Spotted Flycatcher

Long-tailed Tit

Grey Wagtail

Peaceful Mornings

Haven't seen an Otter on the patch for a while now, but they're still here.

Whinchat

Newbiggin Golf Course

Wheatear

NGC

Whinchat

East Chevington

Also had three great views of a Redstart tail.

Autumn Gentian

Despite the overgrazing by cattle this plant has survived and I found some elsewhere on the patch. This year I haven't seen Marsh Helleborine at either of the two normal sites.

Dolphins

Typical Views

This may be 'Floppy' often seen from Newbiggin

I'm assuming Bottlenose Dolphins.

Feel free to correct me!

Get In (or maybe Get Out)

Delighted with this as I use single shot mode and delighted to capture this. (I haven't posted the multitude of fails.)

That's more like it.

Ooh err, nearly.

MAGIC, MAGIC

So pleased with this snap. 

I collected my Mum from the Shields ferry and hour later and was delighted they were still around for her to see. Coffee in Tynemouth and some shopping (for fish) at the quayside rounded off a fabulous morning.

Getting Around

Hadston

Newbiggin

Couldn't match AP's 5 but nice to see. Also some lucky observers had Redstart on my patch.

Very Low

Chevington

St Mary's

I'm sure someone will have said this already but is this a 'Planksy'?

High Tide

Turnstone

North Shields Pier

Spotted!

Always a pleasant surprise to come across a Spotted Flycatcher on the patch.

Blackcap

Roe Deer

Brooklime?

(will look it up and correct later.)

Another Whinchat (Cresswell this time).

Getting Twitchy?

8 Ruddy Shelduck

Saw these at Druridge earlier in the week. Today they were on N Pool, East Chevington.

Ruff

Whinchat

Headed for an early start at Newbiggin. Lagoon banks alive with family groups of common birds. Whinchat my target bird for the day and bingo, crossing the golf course an early success.

(Wish it worked every time.)

Wood Sand and Ruff at Druridge, caffeine stop and on to Chev. Here a juv. Marsh Harrier put on a good display. Apparently the young male (1cy) managed to fledge two young from two nests. One of the juveniles is clearly a female because it is huge.

Migrant Hawker

Surprised to find this Hawker in blustery conditions at Chev. Sadly couldn't get the side on photos but hope someone can help clinch the ID?

Thanks to JA and Chris for ID!