If you weren't a birder you probably wouldn't consider either locations featured in this episode as a place to see some good birds. But you'd be wrong...

1: Grimsby Institute

An unlikely place perhaps for a rarity but, apparently, black-throated thrushes can turn up almost anywhere. Without further ado, here's the one I saw [on my second visit] in the grounds of Grimsby Institute, 2nd February.

2: Hartlepool

February 7th saw me sitting comfortably in Barry's car heading north to Hartlepool to boost his birdlist for the year. In possession of a wants list, his day was planned and I was more than happy to just be along for the ride. In the end Barry got 11 year ticks and I was pleasantly surprised to get two. So here goes: we began at Ward Jackson Park searching for ring-necked parakeets.

Hartlepool Headland was quiet. A few eider lingered in the entrance to the fish dock...

...and a herring gull came past noisily. I swung the smaller zoom lens I was using that day and fired away hopefully.  Quite pleased with these shots of a bird often passed by...

Next we headed for the lifeboat station and walked out on the rock armour pier to view the fish dock and the Headland. Photo of me thanks to Barry.

Cormorants were hanging out on the bridge by the lifeboat station, enjoying the sunshine.

Newburn Bridge for any waders that might be present as high tide approached. It was, in fact, relatively quiet. Oystercatchers, a few sanderling and a lone purple sandpiper obliged.

My first rock pipits of the year were seen at a couple of sites round the headland.

North Gare road: wigeon and curlew

Dorman's Pool: black swan and black coot!

Plus stonechats. A grey heron flew over us as we returned to the car park.

On to Saltholme proper: a brief lunch break in Phil Stead hide where things were very quiet. Good if you like teal. Then a few shovelers flew in.

We headed for the Wildlife Watchpoint. I hoped for water rail but missed it when one appeared and disappeared almost instantly. I finished my day photographically with a display by two marsh harriers. At the time I didn't realise just how good this show was: I was busy trying to maintain focus lock and follow the bird[s]. Quite good when I look back!

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Where is Redcar Tarn?

Answer: in Keighley!

I drove there on Monday afternoon [27/1/20] to look for an Iceland gull. I'd never been before so I didn't really know what to expect. It's basically a very large pond with a parking area high up above the town not too far from Bradford. When I arrived a small group of birders were scanning the whole area. Perhaps it's gone, I thought. But no it hadn't moved all afternoon from the flooded pool in the adjacent field. The birders were just checking to see what else they might find.

So, here's the bird.

January 29th: North Cave and Blacktoft

The bittern was just about visible from Turret Hide as can be seen below.

However, much better views could be enjoyed from East Hide...

Also seen...

...and an approaching buzzard.

I moved on to Blacktoft hoping to see the barn owl later. Again I had ridiculously close views of yet another buzzard...

Also seen: lapwings, shoveler, gadwall, a Royal Navy helicopter, little grebe and - eventually- a barn owl reluctant to ever leave its box at Marshland lagoon.

Saving the best till last, later a marsh harrier came ultra close over Marshland hide.

January 31st: Anglers' Country Park

Specifically to see a black-necked grebe along with supporting cast of Canada geese, tufted ducks, goosander. Here they all are! Some nice size comparisons!

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East coast birding!

17th January 2020

I began at Hartlepool Headland hoping to finally see the long-tailed duck after a few misses when the bird had disappeared due to disturbance by incoming boats. Today my luck was in. Never really close but good enough I thought. Also featured: eiders.

From there I went to North Gare car park just to see if there were any skylarks hiding in the long grass.  I'd seen them there a previous winter. To my surprise I found a pair immediately.

On to the old River Tees at Middlesbrough Morrisons supermarket looking for green sandpiper. No sign just this redshank.

19th January at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

It was one of those days when there were thousands of guillemots on the cliffs...

...and small numbers of gannets out at sea.

I always think that Filey Brigg [or properly Carr Naze] looks man-made when seen from Bempton.

I hoped that the short-eared owls would appear in the afternoon. A kestrel showed first...

...then the shorties - 2 of them.

Roe deer came bounding into view, but weren't noticed by passing birders!

More owls. They were spotted!

24th January: Scarborough

I began at Filey looking for an elusive firecrest. It remained elusive. Bempton was quiet this time - no guillemots on the cliffs or on the sea. I tried for peregrine on Marine Drive as a volunteer I know at Bempton said: 'Just park at lamppost 60 and look around you on the clifftop.'

It really was that easy! Fulmars first, but en route I called briefly at Holbeck Cliff car park. I do like gulls and I hoped to see a med gull or two...

There were harbour porpoises just offshore.

Just below the rock armour on Marine Drive I spotted a splodgy looking duck. A long-tailed duck juvenile I presume - with not much tail!

I'll finish this post with the peregrine late afternoon on the clifftop photographed using my car to steady the camera as it pointed up at a steep angle.

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