Avocet

Two Avocet were found on the Tyne at Dunston this morning by RSPB staff viewing from the north bank. Messages from Ross A and Michael F had me abandoning a cuppa and hurtling down the hill. Difficult to view at first as they were hidden below the mud banks, they eventually showed well and spent the afternoon high tide bobbing around the flooded Timber Beach like Phalaropes. With only one previous record, way back in April 1984, this was a long over-due blocker.

Avocet

A trip up to Dipton Woods was well worth it, with boat-loads of Green Hairstreak on a perfect spring day. 

Green Hairstreak

Forget-me-not

Gateshead Garganey

While I was having a second breakfast following seawatching, Paul D was digging out a pair of Garganey from the vegetation at Lamesley. Spending most of the time hidden in small patches of water mint, they occasionally showed very well.

Garganey

 A few other bits and bobs from the last few days included Red-necked Phalarope at Grindon Lough, the first Little Ringed Plover past Whitburn Obs and a Little Stint at Druridge. The Glossy Ibis continued to show superbly at Druridge.

Glossy Ibis

The female Mandarin was looking sharp at Shibdon.

Mandarin

Dotterel

Out west to a freshly sown field, south of Hallington Reservoir. The six Dotterel were distant, but gave great scope views. A fantastic location with Redstart and Yellow Wagtail providing the soundtrack.

Dotterel

Redstart

A trip to Druridge to get photos of the Ibis without the heat-haze was fruitless as it had been flushed further from the path. An hour sat waiting for it to return gave two drake Garganey and some close Black-tailed Godwit.

Black-tailed Godwit

Sedge Warbler

Back home and a call from George got me down to Shibdon for a female Mandarin.

Mandarin

Glossy Ibis

After a quiet seawatch it was up to Druridge to get photos of the very confiding Glossy Ibis.

Glossy Ibis

At Bell's Farm the Channel Wagtail was showing well on the manure heap along with a female Yellow Wagtail.

Channel Wagtail

American Wigeon

An after work jaunt across to Grindon Lough for good, but distant views of the American Wigeon. It's much easier when there are only half a dozen Wigeon to look through. No sign of the Long-billed Dowitcher, but there were an impressive 21 Black-tailed Godwit.

American Wigeon

A male Whinchat was at Burdon Moor this morning, but all quiet at Lamesley.

Red-legged Partridge

Hooded Merganser

A decent look around Gateshead this morning, starting with a good show from a Long-eared Owl.

Long-eared Owl

An unexpected Gateshead year-tick was a lone Whooper Swan at Lamesley flash pool. Unfortunately distant and only showing its head and neck.

Whooper Swan

Very quiet at Shibdon, but the light was superb.

Grey Heron

Oystercatcher

Also here was my first Holly Blue of the year.

Holly Blue

Stuck at work I was unable to get down to Seaton Common for the Hooded Merganser until last thing. Luckily it was still showing in the ditch running across the common. Hopefully it makes the grade.

Hooded Merganser

Little Bittern

A jaunt up to Waren Mill, after work today for the Little Bittern. Arriving to news that it had not been seen for over an hour and it took a frustrating hour and a half before it finally gave itself up to give stunning views as it hunched on the bank of the stream.

Little Bittern

A stop at Druridge just as it was getting dark gave point-blank views of the Glossy Ibis.

Glossy Ibis