6th Feb 2014 ff
Who knows what will happen next?
Friday 6th February
Greenshank
Another trip north to the Jewish cemetery at Hartlepool Headland in search of a shore lark. No sign although some locals had seen it that morning. I headed for Greatham Creek and picked up spotshank and greenshank. The spotted was skittish and refused to stay still. The greenshank was more accommodating.
Greenshank
I returned to the cemetery area later and saw the shore lark. Then I drove to Nosterfield and picked up little owl and brent goose.
Sunday 8th February
Barry and I headed back to Middlesbrough. First we walked along the Old River Tees behind Morrisons in Middlesbrough and eventually saw the green sandpiper. This was my third attempt! Always lots of redshank there but this time we struck lucky. Next stop the mound by the Jewish cemetery in Hartlepool to see if we could get the shore lark for Barry. We paused en route at the marina: some mergansers were present.
Red-breasted Merganser
This was a really good choice as I got some nice photos of the lark. Notice the floating rock!!
Shore Lark
Shore Lark
We walked down Greenabella to see the waders. A seal was happily basking on the mud. Looks quite contented.
Seal
A kestrel entertained us later.
Kestrel
Kestrel
Kestrel
South Gare next: linnets and allegedly twite but we couldn't differentiate the few twite from the linnets [if they were still with the flock we saw]. Barry fed the gulls - mainly black-headed but a couple of common gulls came in too.
Common Gull
Roxby near Staithes next. Reports of a ring ouzel either behind the phone box or behind the pile of turnips! Sounded unlikely but the reports were numerous and over a number of days. In fact now, almost a week later, he's under a brown hut! Here he is.
Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Ring Ouzel
Final call at Skinningrove where we saw a pair of stonechats. Fading light [Skinningrove is very shaded late afternoon] but fulmars on the cliffs too. I managed to get a photo of the female stonechat.
Stonechat
Tuesday February 10th
A bit further afield, I decided to go to Grindleton near Clitheroe to see a long-staying great grey shrike at Pinewood Farm SD747474. After walking around the area I spotted him perched high up in a silver birch, some way off and not where I could get closer.
Great Grey Shrike
Great Grey Shrike
He flew off, swooping low and disappearing. I returned to the car watching goldcrests high in the conifers. Eventually I relocated the bird on a wire much closer. I edged closer still [still not very close however!].
Great Grey Shrike
Great Grey Shrike
The plan was to drive across country to Nosterfield for some geese... En route I saw some red grouse...
Red Grouse
..and then a large raptor coming closer. I stopped the car and grabbed the camera. this was at Lumley Moor about 5m from Ripon.
Red Kite
Red Kite
I could hear him.
Red Kite
Sadly the plan fell apart. After a lovely drive Nosterfield was shrouded in thick fog. I went to Hartlepool and enjoyed distant scope views of great northern diver and black guillemot inside the fish quay.
Update: Friday 13th February
Rufforth airfield near home - iceland gull spotted thanks to local larophile!