More of the same.

Not to miss out on the Bluethroat went to Hartlepool Headland straight from work on Friday morning. The weather was awful and I got soaked, but to see this wonderful bird was worth it. Also in the area was a Whinchat and a few other bits. At Saltholme the Garganey were showing at distance.

Red-spotted Bluethroat

Whinchat

Garganey

My Favourite Bird.

Red Spotted Bluethroat
Well, tonight I had every intention of coming in from school and not moving out of the chair and just relaxing.  That idea didn't last long when at 6pm whilst eating my tea I got a phone call to say there was a Bluethroat at Hartlepool.  As this is one of my favourite birds and one I had only seen once before I decided to try and see it.  By the time I arrived at the headland it was pouring down so armed with camera and umbrella went to look.  I managed to get some fleeting glimpses and was about to give up when it jumped up onto the wall and then flew into some gardens opposite where  I managed some half decent shots.

Red Spotted Bluethroat

A few from our local area

Stayed local this weekend to see what we could find.  A selection of photos showing some of the birds we managed to find along the coast and across the moors towards Danby.

Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler - Hurworth Burn Reservoir

Short Eared Owl - Greenabella Marsh

Eider Duck - Hartlepool Headland

Oystercatcher - Newburn

The best I could manage of the fast flying Swifts!

Wheatear - North Gare

Golden Plover - Danby Beacon

Whinchat - Danby area

Lapwing chicks - Castleton area

Turnstone - South Gare

Purple Sandpiper - South Gare beach

Little Ringed Plover - Scaling Dam

Red-rumped Swallow pt2

Visited Bowesfield again this morning hoping that the Red-rumped Swallow was still there. I wasn't disappointed as within the hour the bird was relocated and took a break from feeding very close to us on the grass.

Red-rumped Swallow - new lifer.

The day started well for Sylvia with a Sparrowhawk in the garden. Then thanks to a few messages, Sylvia managed to catch up with a Red-rumped Swallow at tea-time. I was at work until 18:30 when I got the message and dashed to catch up with Sylvia at Bowesfield Marsh. When I arrived I was told it had just been lost from view, but within 5 mins it flew past within 6 foot of me and landed on a distant fence. Managed a couple of record shots before going home very happy.....................might check out the area tomorrow to see if it's still there.

Red-rumped Swallow

Sparrowhawk

Check out that coat!

"Not more sheep photos" said Mick but couldn't resist taking this one. They say it is the wet that can kill the lambs rather than the cold, poor things. Also some photos from the past couple of days.

Pied Flycatcher - North Yorkshire

Male Redstart

Willow Warbler

A trio on the wires, House and Sand Martin and Swallow

Swallow - Crookfoot

Corn Bunting - Hurworth Burn Reservoir

Long Tailed Tit

Linnet

Sedge Warbler - Dormans Pool

Wren

Collecting nesting materials in Swainby.

Dodging the downpours again

Yellow Wagtail

Grasshopper Warbler

Linnet

A quick trip out inbetween torrential rain saw Grasshopper warbler reeling and visible at distance at Dormans Pool. Yellow Wagtail showed briefly at North Gare and a very wet Linnet was there also.

Firecrest

Firecrest

A quick visit to South Gare this morning to see the Firecrest which although mobile gave these stunning views.