Black Scoter

Had a lazy lie-in this morning, not really sure where to head. Just as I was about to leave the house news of a Black Scoter at Redcar meant south it was. The bird was in a flock of Common Scoter just beyond the surf in a surprisingly choppy sea. It took a couple of frantic minutes to get on to the bird with the whole flock disappearing in troughs or diving en masse. The bulging, yellow beak meant it stood out from the flock.

Spot the Black Scoter

* marks the spot

A quick look at the Saltholme area on the way back north didn't produce anything of note.

Kibblesworth Brickworks produced two new butterflies for the year with Meadow Brown and Ringlet. There were good numbers of Common Blue, Large Skipper and Small Heath with 30+ Four-spotted Chaser and a few Common Darter.

Ringlet

Large Skipper

Four-spotted Chaser

Common Blue

Poppies at Burdon Moor