Barn Owl
Still asleep!!

Wheatear

Great Crested Grebe

Avocet

It's funny how things can change in the course of a day. Weather has gone from gales and rain to clear and cold with beautiful clear blue skies. We set out today to try and locate the Crossbill but only managed a few Siskin and a Chiffchaff in Tilery wood. A quick visit to Hartlepool Headland drew a blank so we moved down to Teesmouth again. Here we got some close views of the Avocet at the Saline pool and managed our first Wheatear at the Reclaimation pond. Headed off home after about 9hrs birdwatching and managed to catch the Barn Owl as it was coming out of its tree.

Common Crossbill (male)

Siskin (male)

Siskin (female)

Stonechat (male)

Stonechat (female)




Between shifts today so managed to get out for a couple of hours, the weather again not too good, very strong blustery wind. Went to Tiley Wood near Wynyard to see Crossbill and Siskin and on to Seal Sand area where there was very little about, managed to see Stonechat on the Zinc works road before heading back to home.

A very windy, gusty day today and both at work as well. Barn owl seen on my way to work this morning very early on and we did manage a short drive out just before dark and managed to see a little owl just outside of Yarm on the Aislaby road.

Back at work today so not much to report, although I was a bit upset to see the farmer local to my works ploughing his field. A pair of Lapwings had been resident for several weeks and were in the process of nesting, hopefully they will return..............not the farmers fault though.



Sylvia was doing a reccy for School, at Monk Park Farm near Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Said she would thoroughly recommend it for families with young children.

Sanderling

Skylark

Robin


Today the weather is being a bit fickle, very strong N.W. winds and some pretty hefty showers with clear spells.

Sylvia started the day by photographing our local Robin before she left for work, a nice image.

I went off on my travels with high hopes for a productive day, unfortunately my hopes were soon dashed due the inclement weather, which seemed to have had the effect of putting the birds to ground, all the my initial attempts drew a blank. After midday things picked up a bit with Skylark showing well at the Jewish Cemetery, Hartlepool and Sanderling on the Headland beach. Otherwise a pretty quiet day.

Little Egret
Weather not so kind today, overcast and a gusty wind. Not sure where to go initially, but eventually opted for Saltholme RSPB to get out of the wind in the hides. Pretty quiet, but managed to see Little Egret, G.C. Grebe, Little Grebe and (the highlight) a Grey Plover.

Chiffchaff

Grey Wagtail

Dipper

Knot




Seals

Took a walk around Swainby this morning while Sylvia was horse riding. Managed to see several Greater Spotted Woodpecker, a Chiffchaff and heard a Green Woodpecker. Sylvia saw a large flock of Redwing on her way to the stables. We met up after riding for a snack at the picnic spot on the Scugdale road. Here we managed to see a pair of Grey Wagtails and pair of Dipper.

Early afternoon we went to Seal Sands and saw the Avocet, Short-eared owl and Sylvia also spotted a lone Knot. Luckily she managed to get some photos before the lense fell apart !!!!! The Seals were showing well on the mudflats today,

Short-eared Owl at Greenabella, Greatham Creek

A lovely Spring day today, spent the day checking out the local birdwatching sites. Jewish Cemetery in Hartlepool held a few Skylark and Meadow Pipit, otherwise quiet. A visit to RSPB Saltholme reserve for a Bacon buttie and a cup of coffee, but little else of note seen. This was followed by a look at Greenabella this held 2 Avocet and a Little Egret, the best views were from a Short-eared Owl which came quite close and gave some good photo opportunities.

Avocet

19th March 2009

New to all this blogging stuff - suppose you've got to start some time!

Birdwatching, Wildlife and photography - are our thing (Husband and wife team)
Based in the Tees Valley, North-East of England and regularly birdwatch our area.
Would recommend a visit to http://www.teesmouthbc.com/ for information on bird watching in our area
Our dream is to move to Mull one day -but don't suppose it will ever happen (will have to be content with visiting as often as possible)

Today have been watching Avocets in the Seal Sands area