Not Dipping

A bit of a lie in, then up to Muggleswick to try for Wood Warbler. Not today, just a couple of singing Pied Flycatcher.

Pied Flycatcher

A quick look at the reservoir where 6 Great Crested Grebe and a couple of Common Sandpiper the highlights. Over the top to Allen Banks where 4-5 Wood Warbler and 2 Pied Flycatcher were singing by the river.

Wood Warbler

Back over the top again to Blanchland passing plenty of Red Grouse and a few Golden Plover.

Golden Plover



Not far out of Blanchland a walk along some young pines on the moor edge eventually gave cracking views of a Tree Pipit. 2-3 Cuckoo were calling constantly and one flew out over the moor, mobbed by pipits.

Tree Pipit

Cuckoo

The plan was to head home, but news of Woodchat Shrike meant a long drive north. The shrike was still on view when I got there, scope only views unfortunately as the bird was miles away perched up on a fence. Hopefully this the end of my bad twitching run.

Woodchat Shrike

It would have been rude not to, so I popped into Druridge Pools for a look at the Great White Egret which was showing from the Oddie hide. Also here, 27 Whimbrel dropped in.

Great White Egret