Shibdon Med

A big influx of Black-headed Gull at Shibdon this afternoon with 500+ on the pond. After a couple of scans I managed to pick out the hoped for Mediterranean Gull. Scarce locally for the last couple of year, this was a belated Gateshead year tick. It only hung around for a few minutes before giving the hide a fly-by and off.

Mediterranean Gull

Balearic

A couple of surprisingly good seawatches from Whitburn despite the unfavourable conditions. Today was the better of the two days with the first Balearic Shearwater of the autumn going north. Full results here.

At Kibbleswoth this morning there were plenty of butterflies enjoying the sun. The star was a Purple Hairstreak that gave typically rubbish views at it fluttered briefly around the oak top. A couple of Wall and Painted Lady gave much better views.

Wall

Painted Lady

A look up to the hills failed to turn up a Golden-ringed Dragonfly, but there were loads of Common Hawker. At Winnows Hill there were 3 Redstart and 3 Spotted Flycatcher.

Spotted Sand

A couple of quiet seawatches from Whitburn with westerly winds. The highlight was a Spotted Redshank; a rare bird past the obs. Good news from Hauxley this morning though, with the Spotted Sandpiper still present and the reserve open to view. On show immediately the bird spent the next hour feeding on a spit below the hide, occasionally disappearing behind reeds as it worked along the shore. Pleased to get this after missing the Foxton bird a couple of years ago due to working in Nottingham. A bit far for the DSLR, but managed some phonescoped video.

All quiet in Gateshead. Two Green Sandpiper at Lamesley yesterday, but no sign today. The 3 Black-tailed Godwit at Shibdon were spooked yesterday by a Peregrine and didn't return.

Seawatching

North-westerly winds on Tuesday and Wednesday brought some decent seawatching from Whitburn, with Wednesday being the better day. Results here, but the highlights were a couple of super-close Sooty Shearwater, flashing their silvery underwings, plus the year's best haul of Arctic Skua. A smart female Common Blue was sunning itself outside the obs.

Common Blue

Back in Gateshead 3 Black-tailed Godwit dropped in at Shibdon today. At Lamesley there has been 2 Green Sandpiper for a few days, rising to 3 today. Two of them dropped into the pond in front of the hide for a few seconds.

Green Sandpiper

Bits and Bobs

Some fairly slow seawatching over the last three days, with some highlights. Yesterday the first two Sooty Shearwater of the year went north, while today around 30 White-beaked Dolphin gave a superb, though distant display. Full results here.

A trip up to Cresswell on Thursday gave 2 Little Stint, while a bird at Castle Lake yesterday was eventually a long-winged Little Stint.

At Lamesley there has been 2 Green Sandpiper and a juvenile Dunlin for the last couple of days. Shibdon has been quiet with just a juvenile Kittiwake dropping in briefly today.

Sea Harriers

An excellent seawatch from Whitburn this afternoon. Not great for sea birds, but an amazing 3 Marsh Harrier went south past the Obs. The final bird hung around and was in view for a good 50 minutes. Other birds were Arctic Skua, Little Gull and just a single Manx Shearwater. As I was packing to go a juvenile Cuckoo shot south past the window to briefly stop on the fence to the south.

Marsh Harrier

Arctic Skua

Cuckoo

This morning I finally caught up with the Green Sandpiper at Lamesley.

Purple Swampmonster

An excellent trip to Minsmere today for the Purple Swamphen. We arrived just at the right time to get brief, but tickable views. The pressure was off, but it took another 2 hours before the swampmonster gave a proper show as it strolled out along the edge of the reeds.

Purple Swamphen

While waiting in the rain we were entertained by 'pinging' Bearded Tit and a family party of Cetti's Warbler. No sign of the Cattle Egret, but a selection of waders with Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Avocet, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit. My first Stone Curlew since the '80s showed well, but distantly. Also here was my first Muntjac Deer. In the grim weather the only dragon we saw was a Brown Hawker.

Stone Curlew

A long way to go for a day, but a great crack and thanks to Andrew for driving.

Yesterday a lacklustre seawatch was followed by a check of the round-about at Chester-le Street where at least 6 White-letter Hairstreak were feeding on thistle heads.

White-letter Hairstreak