Flipper

Started with a soaking, as the first of the day's rain came as I was walking to the obs at Whitburn. My first proper sea watch of the year with a decent passage of Gannet, Auks and Sandwich Tern. Bird highlights were 3 Manx Shearwater and 2 Red-throated Diver, but the stars of the show were 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphin that moved north close in at 06.25.

Bottle-nosed Dolphin

A look at Lamesley gave nothing, but a pair of Gadwall.

A trip up north was unsuccessful. Hoppen Kiln Flash at Bamburgh was difficult to view in heavy rain and strong winds. No sign of the Temminck's Stint, but there were 3 Wood Sandpiper.

Newton was quiet with just a Lesser Whitethroat by the tin hut and a Common Sandpiper on the scrape. 2 Little Gull and 3 Avocet were at Cresswell.