Phalaropes

A big hole in my list was filled today. While on the phone to work a Grey Phalarope flitted over my head at Stag Rocks. It flew up and down before settling in the surf to the south of the rocks. As the incoming tide pushed the bird closer it was joined by another, less well marked, bird. Get in!

Before this I had had the three common divers, 20+ Long-tailed Duck and 6 Red-breasted Merganser.
A flock of finches contained Twite, Linnet, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. A Kingfisher on the rocks was a shock.

Short visits to Budle Bay and Fenham Flats were disappointing, but gave a few year ticks.

I called in at Hauxley for a quick look at the Slavonian Grebe in the fading light.