With strong northerlies forecast I stuck in a last minute day's holiday. Arriving at first light to a wild sea and a strong north-westerly blowing, the birding didn't really pick up until the wind strengthened and swung round to due north. No rarities, but an excellent cast dominated by wild fowl and Sooty Shearwaters. Full results here.
 |
| Scaup |
 |
| Velvet Scoter |
 |
| Pale-bellied Brent |
 |
| Barnacle Geese |
Yesterday a quiet seawatch led to a look round Whitburn CP where 4 Yellow-browed Warbler were vocal and showing occasionally. Mark's garden Arctic Warbler failed to reappear.
In the afternoon I popped down to Blackhall Rocks to see the supposed tame Lapland Bunting. I arrived to news that they had been repeatedly flushed by joggers and cyclists, not being seen for 30mins. Luckily I picked them up just a short distance away feeding on the edge of the path. Just time for a few photos before they were flushed by a pig-ignorant walker.
 |
| Lapland Bunting |
A flyer from work on Friday 18th September got me up to Boulmer (again) for a smashing Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Always excellent, but up-close, all to myself and a Northumberland tick made the trip worth while. Feeding at the top of the beach, at high tide with 300 Dunlin, a Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper and a Ruff a bit of patience gave excellent views. A Merlin made a few attacking runs, scattering the waders, but they all dropped back down to continue feeding.
 |
| Buff-breasted Sandpiper |
 |
| Little Stint |
