Wind-blasted

The day started at Ward Jackson Park in Hartlepool. The Ring-necked Parakeets were initially heard and then around a dozen were seen around the old clock tower.

Ring-necked Parakeet

 

 

Greatham Creek and the Long Drag were pretty bird free in the strong, cold wind, with 1 Greenshank and 3 Black-tailed Godwit the only highlights. The tide was out and Seal Sands was covered in common waders.

 

Greenshank

 

A small group of gulls was scoped from the road at Back Saltholme and smack in the middle was a juvenile Iceland Gull. Also here were 15 Barnacle Geese close to the road.

 

Barnacle Geese

 

The next couple of hours was spent on gulls at Seaton Common and tip with no success. The only bird of note was an apparent adult large gull with pure white wing tips and blotchy grey back and wings. Seen briefly in flight the bird dropped onto the tip, out of view and never to reappear.