Red Backed Shrike

Red Backed Shrike

Ringlet

A good day today, our first shrike of the year at North Gare at the end of the Zinc Works Road. Also plenty of butterflies around including lots of Ringlets. Missed out on the Osprey at Hurworth Burn but I suppose you can't have everything.

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel in Lakeside carpark in Keswick.

Wanted to go to The Lakes today but the weather forcast was poor so decided not to but we were so bored we went at lunchtime! We were glad we did as once we got to the other side of Bowes Moor it was lovely and 24 degrees. Had a good walk around Keswick, played crazy golf and then the thunder came and the heavens opened. We had to picnic in the car but were so glad we did as whilst we were sat there a Red Squirrel came to some peanuts someone had put in the trees in the car park. Managed to get the camera out of the boot and get some shots before he disappeared into the woods. We had a great day out.

Quiet times

Sleddale - Whitby Line
Sleddale

Ichneumon Fly

Black-tailed Skimmer

Foxglove

Hard pressed to find many birds today although there are lots of Avocets with Young along Greatham Creek. The weather was better today so the butterflies and insects were out and about again. Lots of Meadow Brown and Tortoiseshell today but getting a picture of a Meadow Brown proved difficult as they did not stay put for very long. Did manage however to get a picture of an odd looking insect which, after looking in a book, turned out to be a Ichneumon Fly. Also it was nice to find two Black-tailed Skimmers at Dormans Pool.
Decided to go and try and get some better photos of the Redstarts at Sleddale this evening but even that proved difficult when the sun went in!

Redstarts at Sleddale

Redstart

Redstart

Redstart (Female)

Spotted Flycatcher


Decided today to go and see the Redstarts at Sleddale, on arrival at the cattle grid saw the male within a few minutes. The bird was very mobile but did come close on several occasions. Also there was a Spotted Flycatcher, this gave only a brief view before flying off and not returning. Took Sylvia up to see the Redstarts after tea, as she hadn't seen one this year, the female showed well but again briefly. The weather was a bit overcast today so the pictures suffered.

A creepy crawly sort of day

Sedge Warbler
6 Spot Burnet Moth

5 Spot Burnet Moth

If anyone can tell us what variety of caterpillars we would be grateful.

Had a good run around the area today, not many birds but plenty of butterflies,moths and caterpillars. One of the best areas for the caterpillars and butterflies being North Gare.

Looks like the Terek Sandpiper didn't like all the attention it was getting at Saltholme as it has moved on (plenty of birders still trying to relocate it though).

Terek Sandpiper a first for us.

Terek Sandpiper (record shot)
Power Station Fox

Had a quick run out to Saltholme tonight, luckily for us a couple of local birders had just located a Terek Sandpiper. Got some really good views with the scope, but a bit distant for photos (although got a couple of record shots). This was a first for us! Managed to see the Power Station Fox a little later on.

Orchids Galore

Corn Bunting

Green Lacewing

Common Blue

Had a trip to Bishop Middleham Quarry Today. Just as we arrived it clouded over but we had a lovely walk and still managed to see some butterflies. We also saw a buzzard overhead and our first ever sighting of a corn bunting. I would thoroughly recommend a visit if you are into orchids as we have never seen so many in one place.

Woodpeckers fledged.

GS Woodpecker
Woody in the woods

Peacock feather

Cinnabar Moth

Painted Lady

Large White

Not been able to get out much of late what with the poor weather and work! Did manage to see the Hooded Crow yesterday evening (Friday), a first for us in our own area although we have seen lots of them before on Mull.
Not much to see today but the weather was good. A few butterflies about but birdwise very quiet. The highlight of our day was probably the juvenilee woodpecker at the top of Carlton Bank, not far from the Lordstones Cafe.

Where has the sun gone!

Linnet
Whinchat

Kingfisher

It's been a while since we've had chance to get out and would you believe it when we can get out the weather takes a turn for the worse, cold, rain and a bit more breeze. Not to be put off totally we made a quick trip out to Hutton Rudby, managed to see brief glimpse of Kingfisher sat in a riverside bush, several Mallards and Moorhen also seen. A quick drive over to Saltholme gave us nothing new, so we went up to Greenabella to see the Whinchat which obliged us with only distant views. Drove up to North Gare and very little about here either, did manage a Linnet at close quarters. With the weather closing in again we decided to call it a day and retire early.