A return to work after the lockdown would obviously curtail birding, but just four days in I had to stop a few hours early to pop up to Lynemouth. Having seen three other Citrine Wagtail (and impressed by them all) I was keen to see this male in the exact same spot as the stunning female from May 2017. It didn't disappoint, giving excellent and sometimes very close views. A Water Pipit added to the spectacle. As well as the bird it was great to see other birders after three months of lockdown. Looking west into the afternoon sun made photography hit and miss, but I'm happy with what I got.
Citrine Wagtail
Today an adult Iceland Gull dropped into Lamesley for a quick wash and the drake Pintail continues to linger.
The year started with the relative freedom of Tier 4. A couple of seawatches and a trip up into Northumberland got the year off to a flying start. Some decent birds with Hawfinch, Egyptian Goose, Smew, Ruff and Black Redstart the pick.
Hawfinch at Abbey Mill, Morpeth
Black Redstart at Newbiggin
Unfortunately, full lockdown kicked in and I was restricted to Gateshead. The restrictions have, however, meant that a few decent local birds have been unearthed.
Mandarin at Swalwell
Glaucous Gull at Stella
Pintail at Shibdon
Siskin at Watergate
Barnacle Goose at Derwenthaugh Staiths
Greenshank at Derwenthaugh Staiths
Iceland Gull at Stella
Little Owl
A few other bits and bobs unphotographed include skeins of Pink-footed Geese, Barn Owl, singing Chiffchaff, Pochard, Goldeneye and plenty of Woodcock.
Excellent views today of the Black-throated and Great Northern Divers that have spent the last few days at Jackson's Landing, Hartlepool. A bit dark and dingy, but close enough for photos.
I assumed that if it was okay to go to the seaside to go fishing, then it was okay to go birding...
A stop off on the way at Abbey Mill near Morpeth. A bit grey and early, but after a few minutes wait a flock of 12 Hawfinch flew in to feed in the hornbeams. Difficult to see among the leaves, but a couple sat up on top for distant photos. Also here were two vocal Marsh Tit.
Hawfinch
At Church Point, Newbiggin I immediately picked up the Shorelark, feeding at the base of the cliffs with Rock and Meadow Pipits.
For the first time since 2016, more was happening at home than was happening on Scilly. The Masked Shrike, Two-barred Greenish and Taiga Flycatcher would all have been ticks, but predictably moved on before I got home. The Brown Shrike did the decent thing and even stuck around long enough for me to put in a week's work before heading up to Holy Island.
On show immediately when I got there at first light, hunting prey from a barbed-wire fence. Initially pretty close in the early half-light, but moved further down the fence line presumably taking insects around a herd of Roe Deer.
Brown Shrike
Shrike and Roe Deer
Roe Deer
With limited time before the tide cut me off, I headed south, first stop Budle Bay where a Green-winged Teal was feeding distantly with Teal. Not a very well marked bird, presumably just coming out of eclipse. Also here were several hundred Barnacle Geese, good numbers of Shoveler and a flock of 9 Little Egret.
Green-winged Teal
A quick look at Boulmer confirmed that the Desert Wheatear had moved on.
A bit of a wait at the picturesque power station at Lynmouth gave scope views of the Hoopoe.
Lovely
Last stop was at Longhirst Flash for more distant scope views. This time for 6 Tundra Bean Geese.
The early of the 15th was spent on the Garrison where I quickly had 3 Yellow-browed Warbler on Lower Broome and a Ring Ouzel above the Steval.
Ring Ouzel
From there it was over to St Agnes where the Buff-bellied Pipit had relocated. Once the crowds had departed the pipit gave point-blank views.
Buff-bellied Pipit
Back on St Mary's the Red-backed Shrike gave closer views behind the Longstone cafe and a ring-tail Hen Harrier did the rounds of the island.
Red-backed Shrike
A naughty twitch to Lower Moor added Mandarin to my Scilly list.
The 16th was a quiet day but did give an Olive-backed Pipit.
Olive-backed Pipit
The 17th gave a roosting Short-eared Owl at Harry's Walls and poor views of a Scilly tick White-fronted Goose.
Short-eared Owl
White-fronted Goose
The 18th was my last full day on Scilly and was spent on St Agnes where a Siberian Stonechat was on Gugh and the Buff-bellied Pipit continued to show at Horse Point.
