On the Crest of a Wave!

South Shields for a successful close encounter with a lapland bunting. I had strolled down to the Mound at The Leas to see if the bird was still about and found it on a footpath very close - thanks to the lone birder who was keeping an eye on it. I went back to the car for a camera but it had flown and we failed to reconnect. I called at Hartlepool on the way back - but nothing there except wild waves!

Hartlepool breakwater

A quiet day at Spurn on the 8th October. I found a distant short-eared owl on the shore-line just south of Canal Scrape.

Short-eared Owl

Good numbers of reed buntings were present. Reed Bunting Reed Bunting

I spotted a migrant hawker dragonfly. Migrant Hawker

Nearby at an old WWII pillbox I found a very active goldcrest. I tried my skills and patience on the tiny thing!

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Having a rest in Church Field this whiskered lesser redpoll turned up and assumed a nice pose for me. Lesser Redpoll

Sheila and I had a trip up to Hartlepool on 10th October. Newburn Bridge for lunch: I'd often thought of photographing one of the many trains that rumble slowly past.

Freight train Hartlepool

Meanwhile, only yards away, it was high tide. A musselcatcher was busy on the rocky beach...

Oystercatcher

...and Medusa was close by having taken up winter quarters once again.

Mediterranean Gull

Having spotted the camera we were treated to a short flying display.

Mediterranean Gull

Sunday October 11th took me back to Spurn hoping for a Richard's pipit and anything else that might put in an appearance given the favorable conditions.

Kilnsea Wetlands car park to check the pager as I arrived. I spotted a barn owl.

Barn Owl

I had no idea the deer were in the frame too! Barn Owl Barn Owl A couple of Brent geese passed overhead.

Brent geese

It was still very early and pretty quiet. I fancied a coffee in Canal Scrape hide. Mallards doing a moonie!

Mallards

Disgusted by this behaviour the swans took off in a huff.

Mute Swan

A male kingfisher moved in to the goalposts. Look up...

Kingfisher

Look left...

[Please don't write in to tell me that, actually, he's looking right!!]

Kingfisher

Look right...

Kingfisher

Look straight ahead!

Kingfisher

By the Crown & Anchor, on a receding tide, some waders were fairly close.

Dunlin

I did find the pipit but it wasn't exactly eating out of my hand. Here are my best efforts...

Richard's Pipit Richard's Pipit

Here's looking at you, babe!

Richard's Pipit

A firecrest was found nearby and by some fluke I managed to get onto it with my camera. Here goes: click,click,click!

Firecrest Firecrest Firecrest Firecrest Firecrest Firecrest Firecrest Firecrest

Later, back at the pub the fall of goldcrest had become amazing. I counted 12 in an 8 foot sycamore. They were bumbling about on the grass like autumn leaves. Here they come! Goldcrest Goldcrest

You know what a cartoon bird looks like? Well, some of these goldcrests remind me of those cartoon drawings! I wonder if you agree?

Goldcrest Goldcrest Goldcrest Goldcrest

Brief intermission for a chiffchaff that joined them.

Chiffchaff

More goldies. They can do vertical take-off!

Goldcrest Goldcrest

In flight entertainment.

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Nice classic pose. Unusually upright for a goldcrest. Goldcrest Later, on a rusty fence.

Goldcrest Goldcrest

Bad hair day!

Goldcrest Final view of the firecrest.

Firecrest

Tuesday 13th I went back to Spurn. Very annoyed with myself when I found I had a flat camera battery. I did see the american golden plover and the red-flanked bluetail as well as meeting a good few birders I know.

272 UK 2015