Great White

Popped into Shibdon this evening to check if the Pectoral Sandpiper was going to hang on for Paul's return from holiday. The bird is looking settled so should still be there tomorrow morning. Also here were 2 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper and 6 Shoveler. 2 Migrant Hawker zipped around in front of the hide.

All the waders lifted from the pond, so I stuck my head through the hide window expecting to see a Sparrowhawk. Directly over my head was a huge yellow beak attached to a huge white heron, quickly disappearing behind me. Great White Egret!!! I dived out of the hide, dragging my camera from the bag, but no sign of the bird. Swearing profusely I launched back into the hide to see the bird drifting away to the north. I managed to rattle off a few record shots. My second first-for-Gateshead in the space of a week! Get in!!!

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Started the day at Whitburn Obs where there was a decent duck movement.

0640-0750

Wigeon    19n
Teal    392n    42s
Common Scoter    81n
Common Tern 7n  23s
Curlew    1n
Manx Shearwater    2n
Red-throated Diver    2s
Dunlin    6s
Arctic Skua    1n  1s
Shag    9n
Turnstone    3n
Shelduck    1n
Meadow Pipit    3s
Porpoise    1s


The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent looking unsuccessfully for migrants. 2 Willow Warbler at the Leas and 4 Chiffchaff at Marsden Hall were all that I had.