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Turnstone
Stonechat

Starling - on the beach

Eyes bigger that its belly!!

Sanderling

Moorhen

Moorhen

After a week of work and appalling weather managed to get out today only to find that there are no new or 'exotic' birds in the area , so reverted to taking some pictures of some of our commoner shore and wetland birds. Hope something new turns up shortly with the Easterly winds that are due at the weekend.

Father and Son day

Twite
Stock Dove

Teal

Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Black-tailed Godwit

Took my son out for a birding and photographic day -letting him loose with one of my cameras. Started off at Crookfoot to see the Smew (no pic's), then down to Seaton Snook to get some pic's of the Twite (no sign of the Snow Bunting today!). We then headed off to RSPB Saltholme for some dinner and a quick look about. Caught up with the lads from Durham Bird Club for a chat before heading back to base. Looks like I've got competition with the photography.

Smew

Smew

We went on a guided walk around Hurworth burn and Crookfoot reservoirs with the a few members of the Teesmouth Bird Club this morning, pretty quiet in the area but a nice bonus was two female Smew on Crookfoot, just need the male to turn up!!

Short Eared Owls back in force.

Water Rail

Short Eared Owl

Plenty of Divers around today at North Gare, 3 Short Eared Owls flying around together at Greatham Creek near the Long Drag and also 2 Dark Bellied Brent Geese in the pools around the creek. The Water Rail was showing very well again at the Bottom Tank at Saltholme.

Black Start

Black Redstart
Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Twite

Twite

Twite

Went over to Hartlepool Headland first thing to see the Black Redstart which was showing well at the Heugh pier, the only other bird of note was a Med. Gull which was roosting on the rocks nearby. Had a run down to Greenabella marsh to catch up with the flock of over 80 Twite, they were very mobile and difficult to get close to, did manage some record shots.

Rail Day

Water Rail
Water Rail

Water Rail

Greenfinch

Checked out Bowesfield Marsh for the Cetti's Warbler first thing this morning but no sign, not much else about except for a Pink-footed Goose with the Greylags and a fleeting glimpse of a Water rail.

Moved over to Saltholme RSPB for a brief look about, main bird of interest was another Water Rail which was showing well at the 'Bottom Tank'. Other than a few common birds, nothing else of note about.

Jack in the Box

Jack Snipe

Had a quick drive over to Saltholme RSPB this afternoon after the weather had cleared, called in at the 'Bottom Tank' to see if I could get closer views of the Jack Snipe. Initially no sign of the Snipe but after about 20mins it appeared from the marsh grass, giving quite close views. Had to depart soon after getting some pictures, well worth the trip.