January update

Monday 13th January

We drove to Bolton for a family visit but on the way home we stopped at the top of Blubberhouses Moor in the lay-by and, as predicted, we soon spotted a red grouse. The light was fading so no photos were taken. The following day I went up to Langdon Beck looking for black grouse and saw lots more red grouse which is when this shot was taken. More red grouse below! Red Grouse

Tuesday 14th January

I saw the largest number of black grouse I had ever spotted in the frosted field  across from the inn at Langdon Beck - probably 30+ in total - well scattered not collecting as a group. Still too far for a really good close-up shot however.

Black Grouse

On higher ground on the road to St. John's Chapel the red grouse stood out clearly in the snow. 

Red Grouse Red Grouse

Also seen that day: glossy ibis at Boldon Flats NR, rock doves [very beautiful white rumped blue birds] and lots of dunlin at Whitburn Cliffs.

Wednesday 15th January

I headed for Sandsend to see the iceland gull which appeared almost instantly as I got out of Tiggy. I grabbed the camera.

Later at South Gare a pair of stonechats entertained me: the male was very keen to be photographed: the female was much less confident. A peregrine fly-by at Saltholme Pools hide and many grey plover at Seaton Snook completed the day.

Iceland Gull

Iceland Gull Iceland Gull Iceland Gull Iceland Gull Iceland Gull Stonechat Stonechat Stonechat Stonechat Stonechat Stonechat

Friday 17th January

hundreds of common scoter at Reighton Gap but couldn't locate any velvets. Equally at Hornsea Mere in spite of spending a long time scanning no trace of the oft-reported scaup. Superb in flight views of the great white egret however.

Saturday 18th January

Off early to Southfield Reservoir south of Selby to hunt the slavonian grebe. I parked at Beaver's Bridge and walked west to the reservoir. The bird was on the western side of the central reservation that splits the reservoir at current water levels. Walk over the footbridge and continue [it gets very muddy] for about 200m. Fine selection of wildfowl plus little and great crested grebes.