Isabelline Wheatear a lifer!

The last week has been quiet for us and other than a brief trip to the local moors we haven't been out birding much. Then a Mega turned up at Seaton Snook yesterday......an Isabelline Wheatear a lifer for us, so had a trip there this morning and here was found a very obliging bird and a crowd of dozens of birders..........excellent. 

 

Isabelline Wheatear

 

 

 Black Grouse

 Grey Partridge

 Red Grouse

Red-legged Partridge

 

Grey Phalarope at Hartlepool

Nice to catch up with one of 4 Grey Phalarope  in the Teesmouth area today, one of our favourite birds. Shame the light wasn't too good today but brilliant to see anyway.

 

 

A Quick Visit to the Highlands

It's been a while since our last post, things have been busy at home and a trip to the Scottish highland last weekend have meant that we just haven't had time.

The trip to Scotland was really nice, a lovely break. Unfortunately it was at the expense of missing the Eastern Crowned Warbler (the second time we've missed one), but hey ho life goes on. 

So here are some photos from our recent trip ......in particular order.

 

 Pine Marten

 Crestie

Red Squirrel

Wood Mouse

 

 Newly arrived Redwing

 Coal Tit

 G S Woodpecker

Tree Creeper

 

 

The Migration continues slowly.

Tuesday went north of the Tees and managed to see Brambling, Goldcrest, and Jack Snipe. Thursday went south of the Tees and managed another Red-breasted Flycatcher, Merlin, Woodcock and the first Redwings of the Autumn, unfortunately the weather was too bad to hang about for the Firecrest at South Gare so hope it hangs around.

 

 

 

Pectoral Sandpiper and the arrival of Whoopers

Sunday visited Saltholme RSPB and caught up with closer views of the Pectoral Sandpiper.

8 Whooper Swan dropped into Saltholme West pool while we were there .... winter is on it's way!

 

 

Pectoral Sandpiper

 

Whoopers arrive!

Magpies hitching a lift.

 Yellow-browed Warbler from Mid-week at Hartlepool Headland

 

Red-breasted Flycatcher and Pectoral Sandpiper.

Managed to see the Flycatcher today at Hartlepool Headland after failing yesterday, it was extremely mobile so only managed a record shot. Down the road at Saltholme the Pectoral Sandpiper was showing at distance and again only managed a very poor record shot........may be next time.

 Red-breasted Flycatcher

Pectoral Sandpiper

Bearded Tit and Great Whites 'a plenty'.

Saline lagoon on Friday played host to the Great White Egret which gave some pretty good views. On Sunday visited Leighton Moss where the Bearded Tits were showing very well with 8 being seen on the path to the public hide, a Curlew Sandpiper was viewed from the Eric Morcombe hide,along with Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Kingfisher. From the main hides 3 Great White Egrets were seen together and 5 Little Stint.

 Bearded Tit

8 Bearded Tit on the Causeway Path

 Curlew Sandpiper

Great White Egret Reflections (Leighton Moss)

Kingfisher

 Great White Egret at the Saline Lagoon