Whimbrel

Slow migration with the continuing lacklustre temperature, but I was pleased with a Whimbrel on the top of Burdon Moor tonight.

Whimbrel

Last night a quick run up the coast after work started well with an Iceland Gull low over the car at the outskirts of Ashington. The Black Tern was still at East Chevington initially sitting on a rock in the north pool before feeding with Common Tern. Also here were 2 Whooper Swan and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler.

Phonescoped Black Tern

A quick stop at Cresswell gave great views of a Barn Owl.

Barn Owl

Mid-week the Green-winged Teal eventually showed at Hauxley, along with 2 Spoonbill at Druridge.

Phonescoped Green-winged Teal

In Gateshead the Iceland Gull has been off and on Lamesley and there has been a scattering of Common Sandpiper here and at Shibdon.

Common Sandpiper

Scaup

A drake Scaup found at Shibdon this morning did the decent thing and hung around until I had finished work. This is the first in Gateshead since another drake commuted between Shibdon and Watergate in the Spring of 2012. Also here was a Black-tailed Godwit.

Scaup

Yesterday I managed to catch up with the Iceland Gull at Lamesley, where a couple of Black-tailed Godwit have spent the week. Also here was my first singing Sedge Warbler of the year.

Iceland Gull

Black-tailed Godwit

Dipper

A slow start to April with the odd decent bird. An Osprey over Marley Hill and a brief Harrier species at Burdon Moor on the 5th were the best local and a Crane in the dark at Druridge the best of the rest.