One Good Tern...

Up north first thing, hoping for migrants on the easterly winds. The walk from the tin church at Newton to the point yielded nothing, but a Raven was on the rocks- my first away from the uplands.

Raven

 

The scrape was more productive with 2 Ruff, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Stonechat. Surprisingly no Yellow Wagtails or Wheatear.

 

Ruff

 

Bar-tailed Godwit

 

Stonechat

 

At the car park the Grasshopper Warbler was reeling, sometimes only a couple of feet from me and eventually popped up for photos.

 



Grasshopper Warbler

 

 

 

Next up to Seahouses for a bacon sarnie and a Sarnie Tern from the car as I drove north. At Stag Rocks there was a good movement of Sandwich Tern, Gannet and Kittiwake.

 

Sandwich Tern

 

Heading south I called in at a couple of sites, but the only highlight was a distant Black-necked Grebe at East Chevington.

 

 

At Shibdon the pair of Shoveler that George had found were by the hide. These are the first in Gateshead for the year. The Black-tailed Godwit was still feeding in the centre of the pond.

 





Shoveler

 

Down to Teesside and the Black Tern was seen immediately feeding over Saltholme East. Never coming close and with the mist it was no good for photos. Also here was a Long-tailed Duck.

 

Black Tern

 

From the Phil Stead hide there was a fine drake Scaup and a couple of Little Egret.

 

Scaup

 

Little Egret

 

On the way home I called in at Lamesley and the Black-tailed Godwit that Mike had found was still there, but no sign of any Yellow Wagtail.