14th July 2021 ff
How can I follow Albert?
I can't. But no matter, all birding is good - even the days when nothing much shows.
So here goes: July 14th Blacktoft and Alkborough
Blacktoft was pretty quiet, I saw a greenshank at Marshland but it was too far to get a proper shot. Grey heron. Greenshank was the only year tick that day.
I walked straight down the track from the original car park at Alkborough. I noticed the hide has a name on it: 'Prospect'. Ironic as the reeds are now so tall you can't see anything out of the hide! I photographed this thistle as I returned to Tiggy2.
July 16th: Marske, South Gare, Hartlepool Headland/lifeboat Station, Ward Jackson Park and Saltholme.
A busy morning as I was home for 2.30pm.
Common scoters scoped from Marske layby by Bedales School. Nice to see the sandwich terns on the football pitches with the gulls and lapwings. Possible red-throated divers but I didn't count them as I was unsure in the bright hazy light and they were well out. Sanderlings and little terns on the beach at South Gare [7.15 before the dog walkers]; kittiwakes photographed at the Lifeboat Station.
Nothing at Ward Jackson Park. Have the parakeets moved on and, if so, where to? Saltholme quiet but I only called at Phil Stead hide before responding to a sighting at Hurwoth Burn Reservoir.
The reservoir is about 7 miles west of Hartlepool and because several gaps have been closed on the A19 my satnav couldn't cope and it took me some time to get there... Be warned.
Hurworth Burn Reservoir - view from the footpath
Two birders only carrying bins assured me one scaup was still present so I set off with camera and bins. This is the best I could manage...
...but it was a good year tick.
Tuesday 20th July - drove to Nosterfield and spent an hour watching the osprey nest site but saw nothing especial.
Thursday 22nd July: having seen the report of a pectoral sandpiper the previous evening I was ready for an early start if the bird was reported still present. Harlington Flash is the easiest pool to reach on foot at Adwick upon Dearne and a group of three birders were watching the pecsand. Not super close but near enough for decent views.
Supporting cast of redshank and a LRP...
...and a duckling.
Butterflies - gatekeeper and comma. Comma likes horse manure!
