Hartlepool and Saltholme RSPB

Finally I had a full day of freedom post exams and having weighed up my options during my revision breaks over the past month I knew where I really wanted to go. That was Hartlepool to see the goodies that were up round that way.

Upon arriving in Hartlepool I first made my way round to Jackson's Landing marina to see if the glaucous gull was there, but it was not. I did get a nice year-tick in the form of Red-breasted Mergansers which were feeding the harbor.

I then made my way round to the headland where I went looking for the Shore Larks. It was quite breezy so I first walked the sheltered area of the rough ground they had been favoring, but with no luck. It was at this point that I decided coming was a mistake and that it was going to be one of those days where nothing goes your way...

How wrong I was...

I decided to walk the rough ground systematically and on the far bank, most exposed, I flushed the three Shore Larks. I saw where they went down but they still took some work to locate. I managed to get a few birders onto them in the hour or more that I was watching them. I grabbed some digiscoped shots before trying my luck with my new camera. I'll let the photos do the talking, but I was buzzing.

-Shore Larks

I was intitially going to walk the headland looking for waders heading towards the fish quay for the Slavonian Grebe. I started by seawatching off where the larks were. There were a couple of other birders too but they had spread out looking for Snow Buntings. Whilst seawatching I had yearticks of Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Shag and Red-throated Diver. I was having a field day.

I heard a twittering near me and looked up from my scope to see a Snow Bunting fly past me and land with the Larks that were still feeding behind me. I could see the other birders so whistled them over.

-Snow Bunting

Whilst we were watching the bunting the news broke of a penduline tit at Saltholme. I told the other birds who offered me a lift there. I had turned down a couple of lifts earlier in the day but this news did mean that there was something else to consider for the day so I took them up on their offer.

First call was the fish quay where there were plenty of birds as well as a seal. The Slavonian Grebe took some finding but I eventually picked it up distantly fishing among the boats. There was also the earlier reported Great-northern Diver, another Red-throated Diver, a few Guillemots and Eiders. There were also a few Turnstone along the quay. It was quite a spot for an urban fish quay. 

-Slavonian Grebe

-Great-northern Diver

-Guillemot

-Turnstone

Having gained the full house at the Quay we headed down towards Saltholme. On the way we called of at a local spot for Mediterranean Gull, which duly obliged, chilling on the beach barely two meters away. We also called off at Seaton Snook Road to see if there were any shorties hunting the fields but there was not. However, there was a very obliging Stonechat.

-Mediterranean Gull

-Stonechat

At Saltholme we headed straight to the hide where the tits were meant to be, but it over an hour there I had no joy of a penduline tit nature. However, I had a great substitute when a Water Rail swam across the channel that was being watched. Its one of the best views I have ever had of this species, but it happened so quickly I got no photos. A Peregrine flew over too, and I got a yeartick of Stock Dove.

I got a tip off about the Long-eared Owl in Haverton Scrub so I headed that way and was kindly shown it by some local birders. It was quite the bird to see, sitting almost out in the open with its ears erect. What a view, the best I have ever had of this species, and that is saying something. What a beaut. I was able to grab plenty of photos.

-Long-eared Owl

After the owl I headed to Paddys Pond for the female Smew which has been at the reserve for a long time now. It showed only briefly, spending most of its time behind the island, but its still the first time I have ever seen a redhead Smew and another cracking species to add to my growing day list.

In addition to the Smew there was also a nice female Pintail and a few Barnacle Geese mingling with the canadas.

-Smew

I finished off at the main hide where I added Shoveler, Shelduck and Curlew to the yearlist. Sadly there was no sign of the green-winged teal that sometimes shows there but I was not particularly bothered given how awesome the day was.

So despite a slow start today turned into one of the best days birding I have ever had, ever, thats how good it was. What a day.

Species List:

Hartlepool: Shag, Shore Lark, Cormorant, Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Tit, Oystercatcher, Red-throated Diver, Herring Gull, Snow Bunting, Sanderling, Great-northern Diver, Guillemot, Eider, Slavonian Grebe, Mediterranean Gull, Turnstone, Curlew, Pink-footed Goose, Wigeon, Stonechat, Skylark, Starling, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, 

Saltholme RSPB: Little Egret, Stock Dove, Greenfinch, Common Teal, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Mallard, Peregrine, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Moorhen, Water Rail, Tufted Duck, Herring Gull, Reed Bunting, Blue Tit, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Sparrowhawk, Lapwing, Common Snipe, Blackbird, Graylag Goose, Pochard, Pintail, Smew, Curlew, Shelduck, Shoveler, Fieldfare, Bullfinch, Barnacle Goose, Jackdaw, 

Spurn Weekend Day 1

So for my first full day at spurn before the NGBs arrived in the evening I had already decided to do the point providing there was not much moving. There was nothing moving as a thick fog had set in overnight. As a result I set off down the point with the intention of doing a proper count and hopefully getting plenty of stuff seen.

It was pretty quiet, with most of the birds seen being Common Whitethroats, of which I counted 36 singing birds, though there were undoubtedly more. At the point I was harassed by a crow overhead which would not stop calling while I was there, which probably did not help the number of birds. This crow played this way all weekend according to other birders that went down the point. There were plenty of Brown-Tailed Moth caterpillars which I had heard so much about but never seen, as well as a host of Garden Tiger moth caterpillars. The birding highlight was a Tree Pipit that went over my head calling. I did not recognise the call but a quick check of the Collins App left me in no doubt. I also found a Redpoll at Chalk Bank, as well as a Sedge Warbler.

-Common Whitethroat

-Sedge Warbler

By the time I had done at the point I decided to head off up to the ponds to have a proper look at my Little Terns for the year. Along Beacon Lane I re-encountered the Lesser Whitethroats that were still keeping a very low profile and proving very difficult to photograph.

-Lesser Whitethroat

I wandered round Holderness field. I kept checking the ponds to see what was there. I checked the phalarope pool, but the bird had not been seen for a week, so imagine my surprise when I saw it feeding. I radioed it out, but still could not believe I had refound it. Given the butterflies I had for a obvious bird that was only a refind, imagine how tense its going to be when I find something new and mega!! 

-Red-Necked Phalarope

After watching the phalarope for a while I head on my way. I had a look over wetlands with Mick, and we spotted Little Grebe (which was later put out as a red-necked) and a drake tuftie, both good birds for Spurn. Ponds was quiet, but there were a few Little Terns along the edge of the ponds and with the new Swaro I was finally able to get a proper good look at them, even though I had all of last summer.

Mick had told me about the Corn Buntings, that they were up at the top of the Easington lagoons. I had always planned to head up that way but this was good news to hear. The Lagoons were quiet courtesy of a some disruptive dog walkers. At the top of the lane, exactly where Mick had described I connected with only my second (third and fourth) Corn Bunting. 2 birds were in the corn in the field, but one was singing from the hawthorn next to the path giving me a proper good look and a chance for some nice shots of the yeartick.

-Corn Bunting

I could tell I was a little close to the birds singing perch so did not stay long. I decided to walk back down the beach to find anything there. I was rewarded with a Fulmar flying down the beach super close, probably as a result of the fog. There was also an adult Guillemot in the shoreline breakers. It seemed fine and had probably been disorientated by the fog.

-Common Guillemot

Since it was only early afternoon and I had already done the point and the lagoons I decided to do all of Spurn for the first time since I had been here, so I headed over to Sammies via Long Bank. There was not a great deal there, not even for the day list, but it was in the mid afternoon lull in the middle of the day, so its not a massive surprise.

I finished off the walk down Canal Bank where I added Coot to the day list, but not a lot else and I was knackered so after that went back to the Warren for a little sit down. Overall a smashing day with Corn Bunting the star species being only my second ever, best ever view and Year and Spurn tick, its got it all really.

Species List:

Spurn Point: Mistle Thrush, Swallow, Whitethroat, Dunnock, Linnet, Little Tern, Meadow Pipit, Sandwich Tern, Shelduck, Gannet, Guillemot, Reed Bunting, Starling, Great Tit, Woodpigeon, Wren, Carrion Crow, Tree Pipit, Kestrel, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Sparrowhawk, Lesser Redpoll, Sedge Warbler,

Numpties and Beacon Lane: Woodpigeon, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Swallow, House Martin, Common Gull, Skylark, Magpie, Starling, Mallard, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Whitethroat, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Lesser Whitethroat,

Holderness Field, Beacon Ponds and Kilnsea Wetlands: House Martin, Magpie, Black-Headed Gull, Mallard, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Whitethroat, Avocet, Woodpigeon, Swallow, Starling, Linnet, Red-Necked Phalarope, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Shelduck, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Little Tern, Little Egret, Redshank, Knot, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Dunlin, Sedge Warbler, Grey Heron, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Corn Bunting, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Fulmar, Guillemot, Sandwich Tern, 

Sammies Point and Canal Bank: Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Shelduck, Mallard, Starling, Swallow, Carrion Crow, Skylark, Linnet, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Stock Dove, Little Egret, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Black-Headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Sand Martin, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Common Gull, Coot, Great Tit, Coot,

Spurn NGB Weekend Day 2

As I was the only NGB camping at Westmere farm it meant I would have more of a trek to get down to numpties to start the day with others. On the way down I got the most ridiculous Spurn Tick in the form of Lapwing, as they had not been moving while I was there.

There were already a flock of about 30 Whooper Swans on the Humber for when I arrived at numpties and joined the small gathering of NGB's around the watchpoint. The passage was much reduced from yesterday, though we still had a few Rock Pipits and Grey Wagtails, as well as an Eider that went south.

Tim was up at numpties and his radio was to hand, so we could follow all of what was progressing across the reserve. A lot of the NGB guys were busy ringing for most of the morning, and one of the first things they caught was a lovely male Stonechat which was a smashing bird to see in the hand.

-Stonechat

After an other half an hour or so up at Numpties news came through that Martin had found a Yellow-Browed Warbler down at the warren. We arrived but it had already dived into the bushes. It was Re-found by Sarah about 5mins later though, having moved round the warren from the ringing lab. It was difficult to assemble a crowd, but we were near to the site where it was and so I was finally able to get my own YB Warbler record shots. It was difficult to track and it was not long until it was lost again.

-Yellow-Browed Warbler

This time though it had moved along the bank to the bushes where I had seen one on my previous trip. It was difficult to track here too but on the whole we were reasonably successful and some of the guys managed to get a few shots of it.

However, news had come through of a Firecrest up by Driftwood Caravan Site, and Scott offered to take me up since it was a lifer, and a badly needed one. We raced up but the bird had been lost and was not showing. As a result after about 10 mins Scott headed off to check out Sammies. I decided to stay to see if the Firecrest would return. After a while a couple of birders further up the path called that they had it. I arrived in time to see the bird right out in the open on a hawthorn tree across the road. It spent all the time out in the open, the only downside being that the afore mentioned time was not very long, only around 30 seconds, and as such I did not have time to get any pictures, which was disappointing given how incredible the views were. But fortunately the bird was all I had hoped, looking stunning. It moved across the road but we lost it there, and despite sticking around I did not find it again, though it was seen by a couple of other guys later in the day in the same area, suggesting it was doing some kind of circuit.

I wandered back down to the warren to catch up on the ringing and the passage. Not much had happened since I had left which is always comforting. However, soon after I returned things became more exciting again. We were all stood at numpties and a few of us commented that we thought we had heard a Jay alarm calling. However, not much happened in the immediate aftermath and so we though no more of it. About a minuet later Tim came on the radio with news that a Jay had been caught and was about to be ringed.

We headed down to watch the bird be processed and then displayed. I had a lot of fight in it, savaging Tims finger whenever it got the chance,but still more than happy to sit still for a photo providing the other hand was not too close. Its a different perspective to have on a bird that I would consider myself familiar with, the magic of Spurn!

-Jay

It was not the only bird caught while I was down there. All morning the YBW had been around the nets, and had even fallen out of one I hear. However, by late morning it had finally been caught. It was brought out to a pretty decent sized crowd, mainly consisting on NGB's. It sat very well, though I did not manage to get any really good photos.

-Yellow Browed Warbler

The time with the YBW was cut short when news of a richards pipit coming south was broadcast over the radio. As such we all raced up to numpties in the hope of catching a glimpse of it as it went over. That never happened, the bird had dropped down into the churchfield but we remained at numpties anyway in the hope that something else may come down.

We had Jack Snipe, Merlin and a Skein of 70 Pink Footed Geese come down during the early part of the afternoon. By 2.00 though it had started to rain and as such we took to sitting in the warren waiting for it to pass. While we waited another smart bird was caught, though this time it was more of a rescue from gulls as an apparently injured Guillemot had been found down the point.

The guys that found it brought it up and we were able to have a good look at it. Paul came down to see if the bird was ringable but decided there was not enough fat on it and that it was probably a gonner. Tim took it down to the sea and placed it back, where it probably stood its best chance of getting back to any form of health.

-Guillemot

We then did a walk through the saltmarsh to try and see what we could flush. The only thing we managed though was a Roe Deer, which I had called a minuet or so before. At the top of the canal bank I said I would head back since I was already half way to my tent. This was a big mistake as the others then found a grass snake and flushed a woodcock.

That was it for the day really, the weather did not really let up so the birding was limited. I tried again for the firecrest but it was not showing.

Species List:

Vis-Migging: Lapwing, Mallard, Wren, Reed Bunting, Whooper Swan, Eider, Tree Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Rock Pipit, Skylark, Stonechat, Goldcrest,

Warren: Goldcrest, Great Tit, Wren, Song Thrush, Merlin, Teal, Snipe, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Jack Snipe, Pink-Foot Goose, Guillemot,

Farne Islands NT

My brother had an open day at Newcastle University and so my mum offered to go up to Seahouses afterwards for me to tick Eider, and have some fish and chips. This was a great plan, until there was a tern in my fortunes, a black and white tern of mega proportions. Yes, once again the Bridled Tern had returned to the Farne Islands, and this got me thinking that perhaps I would be able to make it to the Farnes via public transport and then get picked up.

I did some serious research into this, and found that it would be do-able, but would require us to reach Newcastle station for the train at 10.42, or else it would be a waste of time and I would miss all connections. I would require this train to Alnmouth, then a coast bus that was one every 3 hours to Seahouses and that would get me in at around half 1, giving me the option of 2 tours. In good faith I reserved a spot on the 2 o'clock tour, knowing that if I was going to make it, then this would be the one.

And so the day came, bright but overcast. We set off at around 8.00 in the morning, the time I usually get up when birding at uni, and made good speed all the way up to Newcastle. Here I must thank my dad for driving us there for me to get the train and Jesus for keeping the roads clear of traffic so it was possible. When I arrived I have a full half an hour of spare time prior to my train, so things were looking up.

All my other connections had plenty of time, the bus was a little late but no matter. A little wildlife intermission now, as we picked up Bullfinch and Roe Deer while driving up the motorway, I also added Kestrel and the Kittywakes on the Tyne bridge from the train, and Brown Hare, Rook, Curlew and another Roe Deer from the bus. Even should it all go wrong it had already been a pretty decent day.

I made it to Seahouses in good time, having had a pleasant journey on the bus through some lovely small villages along the coast. Upon arrival in Seahouses and checking my reservation I managed my first year-tick of the day, no problem: Eider. Sadly the males were all in eclipse, and the time was out, so I was unable to get great views at this point, but watched them over the wall behind the booking offices for the tours. Alongside the Eiders were Oystercatcher, Feral Pigeon and Herring Gull, so doing well already.

-Eclipse Eider

I had loitered around that area as our boat was soon due, and so it appeared. We got on a little later than 2.00, around 10 past, but I was surprised by how few twitchers there seemed to be, leaving me to wonder if the bird had gone overnight, and I had missed a trick. I should state here that a trip to the Farne Islands is great regardless of any Bridled Tern, and that it would be a great afternoon.

The first birds we encountered while on the boat were Guillemots that were fishing in small parties near the harbour. Thats year-tick number 2, quickly followed by number 3; Puffin, much to the delight of may passengers aboard the boat. Number 4 followed not too soon after in the form of Gannet, which glided among the waves or along the horizon in small flocks.

Having never been to a seabird colony at this time of year I was unsure of what to expect, if things would quieten down due to it been late, or if it would still be bustling. It was certainly a case of the latter, with the cliffs teeming with Guillemots and Kittywakes, the former making up the majority of the numbers.

-Guillemots

-Lots of Guillemots

As we pulled up for the first time near the inner Farne Islands, the tour guide pointed out Shags, number 5, and Cormorants roosting on the rocks. While Cormorant is a species I am well familiar with from inland, the shag is not, and I do not see them often. I was keen to try and get some photos, but was reluctant to pull out the camera for getting in peoples way. I managed a few shots of Shags, often on nests or perched on the cliffs, but it was difficult to focus due to the rhythmic bobbing of the boat.

-Shag Pair

We then moved off to look at the Outer Farne Islands, and on the way across we were joined by more Gannets and a Fulmar, not a year tick but certainly an improvement on the sighting that was. This individual flew right over the boat, though I spotted it too late for any photos. 

On the Outer Farnes there were rather a lot of Grey Seals, which caused quite a commotion among the boats occupants. I did not bother trying to get photos as everyone was standing and it would have just been in the way, but I was surprised by how close the seals were coming to the boat, obviously it is to be expected from inquisitive animals such as them, but regardless. 

Anyway, having had great views of the seals the captain took us round to another island where there was more grass, and as a result there were good numbers of Common but especially Arctic Tern. But the real stars here were the Puffins, which were all lined up in a great mass along the top ridge of the rock, making for quite a spectacle. Despite the furor this created I decided to just get some photos, of a species that for all its character, I do seem to lack record photos of...

-Puffins

It was also on these Outer Farnes that we picked up our first Razorbills of the afternoon. I had noticed a lack of them among the guillemots, but the commentary explained they were not especially common here, and so it would seem. These were my 6th year-tick of the day, a nice addition but was unable to get any photos because they were sitting on the water on the wrong side of the boat. I spotted a few others perched on top of the rocks but I could not get any photos, the sea making it hard work. 

And that concluded our tour, so we headed off into the Inner Farnes, to land on Inner Farne itself for and hour. As soon as we drew close I spotted the small group of obviously less dude birders perched atop the jetty staring out into the terns along the rocks, indicating clearly that this was the location of the bridled. But as soon as I got off the boat I was broke the devastating news that it had been lost as of 2 mins before where a large number of terns had gone up. But the birders remained hopeful of its return so I set up and began to look. 

Upon landing on the island I got my 7th and for me most surprising year tick of the day when a female Red-Breasted Merganser flew past the jetty. I did not expect to see this species today, but it was a nice addition, having never seen one here before. It took me rather by surprise and I was unable to get any photos the view was so brief as it flew by, but the white wing patches made it pretty unmistakable. Along the shoreline there was also Ringed Plover, though I could only find the one, which was almost as aggressive as the terns were. At one point a young Black-Headed Gull managed to upset both the terns and the plover and so relentless were the attacks that the gull eventually just crashed into the water to sit it out. The terns in question were of course the Arctic Terns, but there were also good numbers of Sandwhich terns, though they were less bold. The boldness of the Arctics was something of a revelation, having been used to skittish birds most of my life, having these terns perch so close to me was something new. As we were waiting for the Bridled one perched on the mast near the jetty, an unnatural but convenient post for some record shots.

-Arctic Tern

It did not take long for the Bridled Tern to be found, perched on the other side of the jetty to where it had been before. I managed to locate it after looking through another gentleman's scope, finding it with my bins and then my scope. This is a bird I have long wanted to see, and it did not disappoint. As soon as I set eyes on it I took in its suave and elegant posture, as it perched among the rocks. It just oozed class, pure beauty, as solid and beautiful a British bird as you can get. I savored the view and then decided to grab some record shots before continuing my admiration. Good thing I did too, as no sooner had I rattled off about 20 record shots all the terns went up. I had put my camera away but through the bins I could follow the bird, as it came flew out over the bay, then back, then towards the jetty, and then right over us, and then over the far side of the jetty and then over the brow of the beach and was lost.

I can't describe the emotion felt as the bird flew over us, just for a split second it came with a couple of meters, so close that all its glory could be made out with the naked eye, Before having to watch it drift away beyond my sight. After it had gone over us I grabbed the camera but from that point on the bird had its back to us and I only managed a couple of shots before it went.

That was it, all day travelling, all that money for 5 mins watching one of the greatest birds I can imagine. Despite spending the rest of my time on the island looking, we were unable to relocate it, the bird had probably gone off fishing as it is prone to doing. But regardless, it had provided me with possibly one of the best 5 minuets of my life.

So I mentioned I got some photos, poor as they are as the bird was initially distant, but unmistakable in its finery. They define record shots. I would have loved a photo was it flew over us, but it will never be.

-Bridled Tern

This is a species I have always wanted to see, and it definitely made the whole trip worthwhile, though it would have been regardless. Some number crunching, that was the 8th (and final) year-tick of the day, but undoubtedly the best. Its also my 15th Lifer this year, and my first Mega for 4 years (pied billed grebe). 

Having been on a missive high from the bird, it descended into a lull now that it was lost and the search began again. I searched at first but then began to look for the other birds on the island, though in the same area. Despite the great numbers of Arctic Tern there were still a few Common Tern around, and one landed right besides the path with a sand-eel in its mouth. Inland I would never be able to get this close to this species, so this was a real treat to see it like this.

-Common Tern

Having never been to the Farnes at this time of year, I can say that I have never been attacked by its terns, a feature so readily advertised about the islands. While not wanting to upset the birds I decided to run the gauntlet to pay for my stay on the island, but also to see what it was really like. 

It did not dissappoint. Like a true birding pro, I managed to pass most of the birds perched on the edge of the path without causing them to fly, but the first bird was very upset and very persistent about its attacking. It pecked my a good 5 times before considering me vanquished, leaving me very relieved to have my hood.

It is a sickening feeling to have Arctic Terns pecking my head, when I spent most of Easter chasing them round South Yorkshire thinking I would not get them this year. Those 2 birds at Orgreave I had considered all I would get, observing a pair flying up and down a small lake before moving off. Now I had the birds well within touching distance, and if I did not want to touch them, they certainly wanted to get you. As I managed to avoid disturbing the birds on the paths edge I settled down to grab some photos, to improve on the record shots I had taken at Orgreave.

It is also worth mentioning that you got great views of the Arctic Tern chicks along the path. Not wanting to disturb the birds I did not stay at any nest to photograph the chicks so I have no photos of them, but they were certainly a delight to see. 

-Arctic Tern

Sadly my island experience was limited due to the fact that I spent most of it on the jetty awaiting the return of the Bridled Tern, but one can't be in all places at once, and I was not to know that it would not return. The hour flew by, and before I knew it the ferry had returned to take us all off home.

Our captain made a slow and steady return round the far side of Inner Farne to allow us to get a final view of the birds. This time I had a better seat on the boat so took a great deal more photos than previously, though very few came out well. I tried to add Kittywake photos to my effort for the March bird at Old Moor and managed a few reasonable shots. 

-Kittywakes

A real plus was that on the way out, just we were leaving, our driver alerted us to a Razorbill with its chick near the side of the boat. I grabbed a couple of record shots before I was crowded out, as proof of the year-list sighting. It actually came out alright, showing the adult well and even the chick too

-Razorbill

The rest of the trip passed without incident. A couple of Gannets and a few Puffins were the swansong of what had been a great afternoon, really enjoyable. But it was not over yet. I knew my parents were coming to pick me up, but I did not know when or where. I made my way over to the Eiders to take some photos while I waited. There were only females near the shore, but they had good numbers of chicks, of different ages too. Its the first time I have ever seen Eider chicks and I have to say that they are pretty sweet. Their feet seem so out of proportion to their body, and they often were sent tumbling either by gravity or by the waves.

-Eiders with Chicks

I found my parents soon enough and we went for a walk along the harbor. Here we picked up Grey Heron fishing in the bay, as well as swallow and a small brown bird that was almost certainly a rock pipit, but it did not stop so I decided to not tick it until I can find one where it can be 100% confirmed.

And that was that, most of the journey home was in rain, and when it was not raining I was asleep, reflecting on what had been a pretty incredible day, one of the best I can recall having. There were so many birds, and its the first time I have been to a proper seabird colony with my camera and as a more mature birder. And then of course there is the obvious, but need I say more about that bird. In fact, the only thing really left to do is to give you today's species list...

Species List:

Traveling: Bullfinch, Buzzard, Rook, Kestrel, Kittywake, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Swift, House Martin, Curlew, Roe Deer, Brown Hare

Seahouses/Farne Islands NT: Eider, Herring Gull, Black-Headed Gull, Feral Pigeon, Oystercatcher, House Sparrow, Starling, Gannet, Kittywake, Shag, Puffin, Common Guillemot, Cormorant, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Fulmar, Greater Black-Backed Gull, Razorbill, Sandwhich Tern, Red-Breasted Merganser, Ringed Plover, Bridled Tern, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Curlew, Grey Heron, Swallow, House Martin, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Grey Seal,