October in the North of England!

No trip to Cornwall for a catbird for me! That was a bird too far. I could say this autumn has been on the quiet side but I'm certainly not complaining with great birds like the bee-eater and photo-opportunities like the shore larks. Last weekend [20/10/18] took me north on Saturday into Northumberland again to not that far from where I saw the bee-eater at Haltwhistle. This time north of Hexham for two gull-billed terns that had settled on a gravel pit at Haughton Strother. Great name but dangerous road to park by and walk along. Still I made it ok.

When I arrived the birds had flown off as, I was told, they often do but they usually come back! Fingers crossed then! While we [about 8 birders present] scanned the fields a group of 5 whoopers dropped in. Good to see the 2 youngsters. I wondered if they had cygnet rings...

The terns dropped in unseen and were suddenly there on the island with all the gulls and cormorants. A long way off so photos record shots at best. Still glad to record my 335th British bird that I have photographed. Here they are. [The third bird is a black-headed gull]

Heavy, wetting drizzle made me decide to get back to Tiggy for a coffee. I headed south-east to Hartlepool to see if anything was happening on the Headland. Apparently not but before heading home I paused at Newburn Bridge. Lots of gulls on the water - it was high tide. I scanned them...

Medusa's back again for the winter by the look of things.

Sunday [21/10]: in the afternoon Sheila and I headed to Sprotbrough in the sunshine to see if the popular bittern was performing. No luck there: we were told to come in the morning. Might try that later in the week. What do you make of this bird near the top of a 30 foot oak tree? Centre of the image. I saw it fly in. It's a hen pheasant with a head for heights.

A buzzard and a kestrel entertained us. Same post - different bird!

October 28th: Shakespeare warbler!

Don't be ridiculous - of course there's no such thing. But whenever anyone mentions ''barred warbler'' I can't help thinking of Mr. Shakespeare. One was showing at Bempton Cliffs ''in the car park.'' Now my experience of barred warblers is that they are elusive, shy creatures appearing for a few seconds and disappearing again for a few hours. This one was different and even qualifies for the accolade of an Intimate Encounter. Must have been nearly ten of them this year - intimate encounters I mean, not Bard warblers.

Often hiding deep in the undergrowth I hoped the bird would come out to see us...

The bird showed wonderfully and in varying degrees of shade and sunshine. 

Eventually it flew from the roadside where coaches park to the dell. Here it was more distant and was hassled by a chaffinch who clearly disapproved...

A redwing was also seen.

Hartlepool delivers!

1: 29th October

I began inside the fish dock where a great northern diver had been reported. It came close enough for some great views.

Hartlepool Headland: the Town Wall looking towards the fish dock.

I found a couple of little auks just outside the fish dock but they obligingly swam into the area where I was standing! First view from some way off.

That's better! Submerging! Surfacing! Nice views of a bird we don't often get to see so well.

Next stop, Seaton Common for the short-eared owls. A kestrel was waiting for something to happen. So was I!

Finally I heard a red-breasted flycatcher had been seen in the Zinc Works Road bushes. A very tricky bird to isolate from the undergrowth, I gave it my

best shot...

2: 31st October

A trip with Barry up to Hartlepool for a day's general birding. No great rarities but some quality birding in good weather. We began down the Zinc Works road hoping for the red-breasted flycatcher for Barry's year list. We parked and saw some curlews in the field. A large green mechanical machine of unknown purpose trundled off down the track disturbing the curlews. I think this photo shows a male and female as males [according to the books I study] have longer bills and are more likely to be mistaken for whimbrel. Quite a clear difference in the photo below. No sign of the flycatcher but a few people looking. We decided to return later and try again. Photos now from the Headland - a bit of everything...

Juvenile dunlin, Mediterranean gull, ringed plover, redshank...

...also seen: rock pipit, distant purple sandpiper and a turnstone.

Nearer the fish dock we saw an eider duck and a young great crested grebe.

Seaton Common to see if the owls were out and about nice and early. We parked part way along the North Gare access road. The owls were seen but not terribly close to us. The resident kestrel was hovering over a mound to our right... Shorties...

Back then to the red-breasted flycatcher site where we both had reasonable views of the target bird but I failed to improve on the photos from my visit earlier in the week.

Saltholme for a comfort break and a bit of shopping. We called at the Watchpoint and at Phil Stead hide. Shoveler in the sunshine... ...and a black-tailed godwit too. To end the day [and this rather long post] we returned to Seaton Common for a bit more owl input. Can't resist!! At one point one owl dropped into the grass where I was able to pick it out. Can you?

Let's zoom in a little. Time to say farewell to the owls and to you all. I hope to be back soon!

257 UK 2018