A Grand Day Out!

I went up to Hartlepool with one especial target in mind coupled with a general day's birding. I had a good day...

Phil Stead hide at Saltholme was very busy and the yellowlegs [already seen a few times] was miles away. A ruff came close.

Legs hidden!

Two roe deer woke everyone up.

Lifeboat Station was a bird free zone.

But snapdragon still flowering nicely in late October.

I walked out to Seaton Snook hoping to run into some twite. This happened quite soon after starting my dune walk.

Quit a few birds bear coloured rings.

Driftwood

Purple sandpipers, turnstones, sanderling and redshank on the Headland shoreline.

Back at the car I saw a kestrel up but a long way off.

It landed on a fence post so I set off along the path parallel to the golf course. I could get nearer without disturbing the bird, I hoped.

Cropped views.

I was watching when it took off. This gave the camera a chance to show off...

I tried to keep track until it disappeared.

Cowpen Bewley for a sit down on a log. Brambling seen briefly along with great-spotted woodpecker. Jay was my highlight.

215 UK 2022