Successful Night

A look at Lamesley after work in the hope that the afternoon showers might have dropped a wader. Success with a Wood Sandpiper quickly seen and a Common Sandpiper feeding nearby.

Wood Sandpiper

After some food it was up to Slaley. Several Woodcock were roding in the half light and a Buzzard moved along the moor edge. 3 Cuckoo were still calling up until it was dark. 2-3 Nightjar started churring and 2 gave brief, but very close views as they flew overhead. It quietened down as it started spitting with rain, but I will be back on a better night.

Woodcock

More Dragons

A look around Druridge Bay was unproductive with 2 Grey Plover, 2 Dunlin and a pair of Yellow Wagtail.

Dunlin

Grey Plover

Wall

Back to Gateshead and another look for butterflies and dragons. Large Red Damselfly was new at Burdon Moor and Common Blue Damselfly was new for the year at Kibblesworth Brick Works.

Common Blue Damselfly

Common Blue Damselfly

Four-spotted Chaser

Dingy Skipper

Butterflies and Dragons

Again no sign of the Osprey at Derwent Reservoir, but there were several Cuckoo and Tree Pipit above Blanchland.

Cuckoo

Tree Pipit

Very quiet for birds around Gateshead, but plenty of insects out in the sun. At Kibblesworth Brick Works there were Four-spotted Chaser, Azure and Large Red Damselfly, Dingy Skipper and Wall.

Four-spotted Chaser

Azure Damselfly

Large Red Damselfly

Dingy Skipper

At Shibdon there were Comma and Speckled Wood.

Comma

Comma

Speckled Wood

Corn Bunting

An early start around Gateshead produced a Whinchat and 3 Wheatear at Burdon Moor.

Next down to Castle Lake at Bishop Middleham and the target Corn Bunting was seen immediately singing by the hide. Also here were 4 Yellow Wagtail, including a blue-headed, feeding in the crop fields.

Corn Bunting

Yellow Wagtail

Back home for breakfast then up to Derwent Reservoir where there was again no sign of the Osprey. Just outside Muggleswick the Green Hairstreak were again showing. Also here was a Common Lizard, Large Red Damselfly and a few what I think were very young Red Grouse.

Green Hairstreak

Red Grouse

Down to the gorge where there were several singing Pied Flycatcher and three young Tawny Owl.

Pied Flycatcher

Tawny Owl

Whinchat

Stuck at work till late I was pleased that Mike's Whinchat decided to hang around at Burdon Moor. Took some finding, but showed well eventually.

Whinchat

Green Hairstreak

With a back injury I thought today would be a write-off, but pumped full of drugs I headed up to Derwent Reservoir in search of the Osprey. No luck today, but 4 Garganey flying south towards the nature reserve end of the reservoir were unexpected. Also here were 6 Great Crested Grebe and a calling Cuckoo.

Pow Hill had loads of Siskin ,with Small and Green-veined White and Orange Tip.

On the moor outside Muggleswick 20+ Green Hairstreak were out in the sun, showing very well. A butterfly tick for me.

Green Hairstreak

 

A quick look in the gorge gave a Pied Flycatcher and a Speckled Wood.

S

Speckled Wood

Pied Flycatcher

 

Yet another Whimbrel

Until last summer Kibblesworth Grange Flash was an excellent roadside venue used as a stop over for errant wildfowl, waders and more. Last spring this corner of a field was littered with Yellow and White Wagtail and has recent records of Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper.

Unfortunately last summer the local 'Custodian of the Countryside' filled the pool with rubble to allow the occasional blade of grass to grow. Tosser.

Tonight, after the deluge, a Whimbrel dropped in briefly to feed before moving on again. The first decent bird since the fill-in.

Whimbrel