Hen Harrier

After dipping the Hen Harrier at Dormans Pool last week I decided to give it a bit more time today. A long wait from 08.00 to 13.05 before it finally showed, giving excellent views as it hunted over the reed beds. 3 Bearded Tits zipping over the reeds while waiting were a bonus and a county tick to boot.

Hen Harrier

On Saturday, after a quiet seawatch I had another look at the Richard's Pipit, but just brief flight views and strangely still not calling. At Blaydon the Waxwing flock that George had found had increased to 14 and were feeding in McDonald's car park.

Waxwing

Both Beans

A Great Northern Diver was the highlight of a quiet seawatch from Whitburn this morning in pretty pleasant conditions.

The Richard's Pipit was showing at the big mound, the Leas, South Shields. Typical views in flight and standing tall in the long grass. Strangely silent.

Richard's Pipit

From here it was down to Seaton Common where the 6 Taiga Bean Geese were just north of the Zinc Works Road.

Taiga Bean Goose

The 2 Tundra Bean Geese on Cowpen Marsh took a bit more effort, but I eventually got decent views as they fed with Canadas and Greylags. I missed the Hen Harrier at Dormans Pool by 2 mins and a search of the area gave no joy.

On the 6th December I had my best ever views of a Great white Egret at the Sunderland Academy. 

Great White Egret

The less said about Anglesey and Royal Terns the better...

I also had a less than successful day looking for Arctic and Mealy Redpoll, but this inquisitive Otter helped make up for it.

Otter