Rain rain go away

With little let up in the weather this weekend we were restricted to a circuitous drive out to Eccup before the sun went down. In a dry half hour we saw Kestrel, Red Kite, Lapwing, and lots of Curlew, pictured here.

Long time no post

Time to give this blogging lark another go, so 'starters for ten' here's a Curlew, one of three we spotted in fields near Eccup earlier today. A few miles further on at Weardley, Red Kites were visible in all directions. I'd guess at 20+ during our short wander at Weardley and on the circuit back up to Arthington Road.

North East sightings

Up to the North East for the weekend to celebrate my Grandma's 100th birthday, happy birthday Grandma! Took the opportunity to get out & about, and popped across to St Mary's Island (Whitley Birder's home patch) at low tide & with a strong Easterly breeze & a heavy sea fret there was little about. To the left of the causeway we spotted Curlew, Rock Pipit, Turnstone, a group of Eider on the water & skylark audible inland. A pitstop at Castaways, Seaton Sluice for soup & pudding then a quick look around the harbour, not much about other than Starlings lining the fence. We continued up the coast to Blyth Harbour to chance a sighting of the Seal but no luck there, we did manage a few decent shots of the Eider, about 9 in total, and a few greedy Gulls too.

I didn't realise that this Starling was ringed until I reviewed my pics.

Seaton Common, Hartlepool, Cowpen Bewley - Teeside

A trip to Seaton Common on Friday, Curlews, Wigeons, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Lapwing. Walked to Blue Lagoon, waterside we spotted Red Breasted Merganser & Oystercatchers. In the estuary Grey Seals hauled out on the banks & Red Breasted Mergansers battled the breeze on the middle of the river. Inland, in front of the Power Station, Shelduck, Canada Goose & Oystercatchers huddled round a puddle and Skylark provided the soundtrack to the afternoon. On the way back through the dunes spotted my first buttlerfly of the year, Small Tortoiseshell. Returned on Saturday, saw more Curlews, Wigeon, Lapwing, Teal & a Reed Bunting in its natural habitat. Skylark still rolling out the tunes. Knackered, time for a rest!

Visit Teeside Bird Club for more info on the area

Seaton Common

Shelduck, followed by a longshot of the same Shelduck accompanied by Canada Geese and Oystercatcher.
Small Tortoiseshell

Red Breasted Mergansers in the estuary

Wigeon on the Common, perform their best Hilda Ogden mural formation.

One of many Curlew

Lapwing, they maybe a relatively common bird, but I realise that I've underestimated just how colourfully varied their plumage is, what a nice surprise.

A flock of Wigeon with the Ghost Ships in the background
Three Little Egret on the Common, followed by a close up of two of the three birds (in case there's any doubt that 3 white carrier bags were masquerading as Little Egret).Reed Bunting in its natural habitat

Later we walked along Hartlepool Headland. On the way, along the Tees Road we caught a glimpse of a Merlin. At the headland by the tide edge were Oystercatchers, Redshanks, Turnstones and Sandpipers (purple we think).

Get off moy land!

A Little Egret, snapped by Maureen, near Greatham Creek

Sunday, first visit to Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park. Lazily, from the car we spotted the usual suspects Finches, Tits, Robin, Blackbirds plus a Yellowhammer and a Reed Bunting. Later on, at Seaton Common 3 Little Egrets. Saltholme Pools, Tufted Duck, Canada Geese, Pink Footed Geese. To cap it off, on the way back to Leeds, on the Ring Road we were welcomed home by a Roe Deer.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park
Oliver Reed Bunting (grrrrrr)

Teeside weekend

During a trip to Teeside we popped into the newly opened RSPB centre at Saltholme, great views from the cafe overlooking the water, while there we spotted 2 Little Egrets on the banks. Then onto Greatham Creek to visit the seals. Luckily the tide was out & there were approx 15 Harbour/Common Seals at rest on the riverbank. Loads of waders were feeding on the mudflats most of which we couldn't ID, although we did spot Lapwings which flew overhead, Curlew, a couple of flocks of Wigeons and another Little Egret in a nearby pond.

Read more about:
INCA Tees Seal Research Programme (pdf)
RSPB Saltholme

Seals resting on the banks, Transporter Bridge in the background

Wigeons, seals and unidentified waders

A lone Shelduck busily feeding, followed by a pic of the same Shelduck in situ.
Lapwing on the banks, & airborne further upstream before they flew overhead.
Waders, possibly Curlew