Western Bonneli's Warbler ......the migration continues.

A Western Bonneli's warbler was identified at the weekend at Hartlepool Headland and was reported as being present today. Took a trip over and after about an hour located the bird along with several dozen other birders. The migration is still in full swing with lots more common migrants showing in the area.

 

 Western Bonneli's Warbler

 Brambling

 Greater Spotted Woodpecker

 Lesser Redpoll

 Redwing

 The twitchers

Wren (not to miss out the local birds)

The Migration continues.

With the deteriorating weather we have had several migrating birds dropping in to refuel before continuing their journey. Today we managed to see Great Grey Shrike, Goldcrest, Mealy Redpoll, Blackcap, Brambling, Greater spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird and Redwing  at Hartlepool Headland. Here's hoping that more goodies arrive in the next few days while we continue with this run of weather.

 

Mealy Redpoll

 

 Greater Spotted Woodpecker

 Scandinavian Blackbirds (male and female)

 Redwing

Stonechat

 



Firecrest at South Gare

Another regular but uncommon visitor to our area is the Firecrest, this bird is one of two birds that have been at South Gare for a couple of days, today was our first chance to catch up with it. For Sylvia it was a lifer as this species had eluded her so far. Initially I thought it would be difficult to get some decent shots as the bird stayed deep in cover, then to my surprise it broke cover and showed well for about 5 minutes, giving close views..............great!!

 

 Firecrest

 

Barred Warbler

Another uncommon bird at Hartlepool today when a Barred Warbler dropped in. A great bird to see and it gave some excellent close views. We even got a visit from birding celebrity Lee Evans to boost the numbers watching the Warbler (no celebrity photo!!)

 

 

 Barred Warbler

 

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Another uncommon visitor to our area with this Red-breasted Flycatcher at Hartlepool Headland today, also several more Yellow-browed Warblers (but none kept still long enough to photograph!!)

 

 Red-breasted Flycatcher

 

Yellow-browed Warbler at South Gare

At last something of interest arrives in our area with the arrival of several YBW's. With the murky conditions and a light easterly wind it was inevitable that something would turn up ......and they did. Although I only connected with one of several birds I did manage my 1st Redwing of the year and a Common Whitethroat.

 

Yellow-browed Warbler

On the move

Still struggling to catch up with the migrating bird life, an easterly brought some birds onto the coastal fringes of our area but so did torrential rainfall and this caused travel disruption for a while. Lets hope more birds visit the area as they make their way south.

 

Red-backed Shrike (North Gare)

 Spotted Flycatcher (South Gare)

 Dunlin (Newburn)

 Ringed Plover (Newburn)

 Sanderling (Newburn)

 Sandwich Tern (South Gare)

Stoat (South Gare) 

 Ruff (North Gare)

 Juvenile Water Rail (Saltholme)