Saltholme & Hartlepool Headland

I headed up to Saltholme to attend a ringing demonstration. Although the local ringing group was well organised and informative, the birds must have been forewarned as very few were trapped in the nets. Just a few blue tits and goldfinch. I did learn, however, how to sex goldfinches! I also walked out to Haverton scrub to look for the long-eared owl but it had not been located. I headed back a trifle frustrated but enjoying the fresh air. As a firm believer that no day out birding is completely disappointing, I decided to head to Hartlepool hoping something would turn up.

Off Jackson's Landing a group of red-breasted mergansers let me get close. Red-breasted Merganser Red-breasted Merganser

I wasn't disappointed! 

A raft of eider was fairly close in across from the lifeboat station. Eider As I made my way along what they call the Town Wall the eider came in closer.

Eider Curlew were on the pebbled shoreline. Curlew Curlew Curlew Curlew Curlew Lots of oystercatcher on the ground often don't make a good shot so this individual looked rather good up on a ''rock'' away from the others. Oystercatcher It began to drizzle as I headed back towards the grassy beach area if you know where I mean. I sat down on the grass and hoped some purple sandpipers might come close.

A pied wagtail came to inspect me.

Pied Wagtail The sandpipers were very restless but I got some nice views and discarded many later! Purple Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper Purple Sandpiper As the light changed to a watery sun I snapped a drake eider on a concrete groin. Eider Eider