9th May to 18th May 2024
I thought it was blue!
May 9th: Blacktoft
It was a day for big birds - herons, spoonbill and egrets, in particular the great white. A sedge warbler got a look-in too.
I think this is a little egret and a great white egret.
May 10th: North Cave
Just one bird I hoped to see. The white winged black terns were present but finding a spot for a good view was a challenge. Both birds visible in last [poor] photo.
May 14th: Saltholme to Hartlepool
I had been told it was with 7 barnacle geese. So look for seven barnacle geese then! I went to Paddy's hide. A few birders looking round aimlessly. I tried to cover the whole area and a woman asked if I wanted her to move. I apologised and said that I was just trying to get a better look at the red-breasted goose. Suddenly everyone wanted to know where it was. I explained, took some photos and left everyone to admire the bird.
May 17th: Denaby Ings and Saltholme!
Osprey at Denaby Ings with its back resolutely turned to me.
I then drove to Saltholme as a couple of decent birds had been reported. I set off from the Visitor Centre to walk to Haverton viewpoint. I didn't think for a moment I might see [or even hear!] the Savi's warbler but the red-backed shrike was a possible. As I walked I heard a 'Good morning, Chris' from behind me. I then walked with Peter Garbutt and his birding friend. Although distant we soon saw the shrike. Much cropped, it's in the centre of each photo!
I set off to walk via Paddy's and the short cut to the electric gate and on to Saltholme Pools hide. The Temminck's stint was waiting for me.
Common tern back at the centre and then I rounded off the day on the Headland with some kittiwakes and eider drakes.
Ooops! I nearly forgot the sedge warbler by the electric gate on the way to Saltholme Pools hide.
May 18th: Whitburn
Down the garden when Sheila arrived with my pager in her hand. Whitburn, Lizard Lane. Indigo bunting. Mega. Lifer. Five minutes later I was on my way.
When I arrived I found somewhere to park [lots of double yellow lines in the area] and decided to have a bit of a walk round to assess the situation. I took no bins or camera. I saw no activity at number 15. So I asked someone outside number 10 and they told me to go up the drive and knock. When i got to the front door [which was on the side!] there must have been 20 0r 30 pairs of shoes on the driveway outside the door. The door opened and I took my shoes off and went in. Peter Bell told me it was showing. It certainly was!!
Someone took this photo from inside the house. I'm the bald chap!
Now I'm sure you've seen the photos of the wonderful indigo bunting. I saw it on the feeder outside the window. I went back for my camera but the bird had gone flyabout. I later managed this 'Well, I was there' photo of the bird atop a tree in Marsden Grove. Not brilliant but I was satisfied to have a picture.
