A young ruffian amongst other things!

January 3rd: Sleddale Chevrons

Sheila and I went to the chevrons hoping for the juvenile rough-legged buzzard. Quite a few local birders present. I was lucky to spot a bird land in a tree just right of the bend at the top of the chevrons. Everyone else was looking up the valley. I ran up the hill from where we were parked shouting ''What's in the tree?'' Soon confirmed: rough-legged buzzard. Also seen: 2 reds - red kite pair and red grouse. We went on to Lockwood Beck and then Redcar where we picked up some more year ticks.

January 4th: Hartlepool

Hardwick Hall for the red-crested pochard was my first call. Asleep out in the middle of the lake! Then pinkfeet at Cowpen Bewley beet field. Greatham Creek gave me blackwit, greenshank and stonechat. Eider at the Headland and a really close red-throated diver juvenile at Newburn Bridge.

January 5th: Lemonroyd Sewage Works, Swillington Ings and Fairburn

Swillington Ings had half a dozen goosanders on Lemon Royd Lake. A black-headed gull was close and, although often ignored, the species can make a nice image. Fabulous views through the sewage works netting of 2 water pipits, one of which stood still whilst Sheila and I watched the rotating arms go round and round, occasionally obscuring the bird. A very pale specimen - quite a few meadow pipits present too.
We moved on to Lin Dike, Fairburn where we saw peregrine on a pylon and a great white egret popping in and out of the ditches.

January 7th: Ingleby Barwick and Hartlepool Headland

I'd never been to Ingleby Barwick before. Basically it's a new town but its attraction was a group of waxwings at The Rings, just beyond the little co-op car park. Here they are. Pretty quiet on the Headland. Common seal being typically nosy! Winter guillemot and red-throated diver present too. First dunlins of the year at Newburn Bridge - not photographed.

January 8th: Castle Howard Great Lake

Red-necked grebe came reasonably close in fading light.

January 9th: Disappointment at Scarborough and Bempton - finished the day at Blacktoft

Not a fulmar, diver or gannet to be seen anywhere. The cliffs at Bempton were deserted. Just jackdaws. One lonely guillemot in Scarborough harbour.

Distant harriers at Blacktoft plus a barn owl that flew past the hide and took me completely by surprise! Snipe seen too. Sunny greenfinch.

January 11th: Flying Scotsman arriving in York - followed by a trip to North Duffield

Whooper swans. Good to see some juveniles. Also saw black swan, green sandpiper and ruff.

117 UK 2019