Small Pearls

The first port of call this morning was Cresswell, which was disappointing with just 2 Little Gull and 6 Avocet.

At Druridge a Barn Owl put on a superb show patrolling the dunes while 4 Spoonbill were seen from the Budge screen.

Barn Owl

Spoonbill

A male Marsh Harrier was hunting over East Chevington north pool, but otherwise very quiet here.

A Common Lizard was in the dunes at Hauxley, but I was unable to convincingly year tick Roseate Tern through the heat haze to Coquet Island.

Common Lizard

I popped into the Hauxley reserve for a look at the Red-breasted Goose. If only it had turned up in the winter!



Red-breasted Goose- Wild? Absolutely livid.

Next was south via home to go butterfly hunting. A good start leaving Whickham with the first Painted Lady of the year powering along in the sun. The destination was the Bee Hive area to the southwest of the A68. A few minutes of looking got me a tick in the form of a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary feeding on a thistle. Initially very distant views, eventually about 30 were seen giving close views. A cracking male Broad-bodied Chaser was patrolling the area and the year's first Large Skipper was seen with a couple of Red Admiral and a Small Copper. A male Redstart was seen briefly.


Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

Broad-bodied Chaser

Red Admiral

Monster Warbler

Hit lucky today. I was just leaving the shop in Ellington when I got the news of a Great Reed Warbler at Cresswell, just a few minutes away. The bird was picked up after a few minutes singing in reeds at the north east corner of the pond. It flew south to the reeds bordering the road and gave tantalising views as it bounced around the reeds. A male Bearded Tit was also pinging around. Word came that the monster warbler was showing well from the hide so we moved round, happy to get out of the rain. For the next hour the bird gave cracking scope views, perched out in the open at the reed edge. It got better as the bird flew over to thrash around in the reeds in front of the hide. Also here were 20+ Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, 5 Little Gull and 2 Bearded Tit.

Great Reed Warbler being massive.

Great Reed Warbler

Bearded Tit

Little Egret

A quick look at Druridge Pool gave 2 Spoonbill and a Little Egret.

Spoonbill

Back to work

Having managed to dodge work for most of May I had to return today, so only managed a quick look around Gateshead tonight. A Long-eared Owl hunting over the road on Ravensworth Fell, a Little Owl at a usual site and a Kingfisher on the Team at Lamesley. Not a bad night.

Buff

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper flew off from Cowpen Marsh just 10 mins before I got there. A quick search of Greatham Creek drew a blank so I headed to where it was originally found. By the time I had walked out across the marsh the bird had returned and was feeding with Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Cracking scope views. Also here a drake Garganey dropped in and a Whimbrel flew over calling.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Feeding with Ringed Plover and Dunlin

Garganey

No luck Quail hunting again this evening, but a Dipper on the Team at Lamesley.

Swallow at Burdon Moor

Hebridean Sheep at Burdon Moor

Leo

Quail hunting this morning again drew a blank, but I did see a Long-eared Owl on Ravensworth Fell and a pair of Grey Partridge at Burdon Moor.

Long-eared Owl

Grey Partridge

As it warmed up a few butterflies came out with Red Admiral, Small Copper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined and Small White, plus good numbers of Wall. The 2 female Broad-bodied Chasers were showing a bit better than yesterday.

Small Copper

Broad-bodied Chaser



Broad-bodied Chaser

Large Red Damselfly

The highlight at Shibdon was a pair of Shoveler.

Shoveler

A Pale Tussock moth was on my garden path this afternoon.

Pale Tussock

Stints

 

An early look around Gateshead hunting for Quail. No sign today and not much else so I headed down to Teeside. At the Calor Gas pool there was a Little Gull and the 2 Little Stint eventually showed well at the back of the pool.

The afternoon was spent hunting dragons and butterflies around Gateshead. Small Heath, Broad-bodied Chaser and Blue-tailed Damselfly were new for the year.

Small Heath at Kibblesworth

Dingy Skipper

Common Blue Damselfly ovipositing

Four-spotted Chaser newly emerged at Kibblesworth

Large Red and Blue-tailed Damselflies at Burdon Moor

Broad-bodied Chaser at Burdon Moor

Whitethroat at Burdon Moor



 

Honey

Headed down to South Gare first thing in hope of getting some better Bee-eater photos. It was not to be as it appeared the birds had gone over night. A Black Redstart was flitting about the sea wall.

Black Redstart

Not sure where to go next I decided to keep going south and headed for Wykeham Forest. After the long drive I arrived in the forest without a clue where to go. After driving around for a while I pulled over to ask a couple for directions. As soon as I wound down the window a Turtle Dove started turr-turring. Unable to get any directions a bit of aimless driving did the trick and I found the raptor watch point car park. A fantastic view point looking over the tree tops and valley beyond. Initially cold and grey it soon brightened up and the first Buzzard started soaring. A Honey Buzzard appeared high to east, steering with its tail like a kite. The bird put on a tremendous display, wing clapping for the next 5 mins. Next up was a pair of Goshawk soaring together with a Buzzard. Another prolonged display by the Honey Buzzard and I headed back north.

Honey Buzzard

News that the Bee-eaters had returned meant another stop at South Gare. I picked up a Bee-eater flying over as I drove, but unfortunately it landed a fair distance away. Photos worse than yesterday.

Bee-eater

Next to Hartlepool Headland. The Icterine Warbler was picked up after a few minutes and gave brief, but excellent views. Also here was a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler.

Icterine Warbler

Not a bad day!