Soil Hill

  It's been a steady old month of birding. The weather has been shocking, and it is largely a consequence of the horrendous weather that I have found myself giving the Hill a wide berth. Today, however, despite the gales and the passing rainstorms, I headed up and was rewarded with probably the best views I've ever had of the local Grey Partridges. They were feeding near the Taylor Lane turnoff from Perseverance Road, on my walk, and were still present on my return, so decided to drive back up, and using the car as a hide I was able to approach the birds nice and close. Presumably, the same family group that has been around since the summer, indicating another successful breeding season at this site.

-Grey Partridge

Species List:
Soil Hill: Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Grey Heron, Common Buzzard, Western Barn Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Redwing, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Meadow Pipit, Eurasian Bullfinch, 

Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 9th October - 16th October

  It was another tricky week on Soil Hill, with the weather playing a large part in how birdy a visit to the site has been. Wind and rain have dictated the timing of visits, and the availability of species on offer. All that said, there have still been a few days with nice migration, if not huge numbers of birds, and there have been a few highlights.

• Although not a real Soil Hill mega, I finally found my first Jack Snipe on the deck this week on the 9^th. I have to say that without the thermal imager I would certainly not have spotted it, but once I had eyes on it the bird was quite content to rely entirely on its camouflage while I took some photos. The only other Jack Snipe of the week was a bird flushed on the 16^th before I was able to find it with the thermal imager. 

-Jack Snipe

 As eluded to, VizMig was very much hit-and-miss this week. On occasions there was rainfall and on others, the wind was too strong but on other days there were enough birds to keep things interesting as the species composition continues to gradually change as the autumn wears on. 

• Throughout the week the numbers of Meadow Pipits fluctuated greatly, but only entered three figures on a single date, the 11^th when 215 flew south on what was probably the most exciting VizMig day of the week.  

• There were a few Pied Wagtails on the move every day, but not in significant numbers and six on the 12^th was the best count of the week.  

• The number of Thrushes remained generally low to what would be expected during this time of year. The highest count of Redwings moving was on the 16^th when 82 flew south, the only other significant movement was on the 11^th when 39 flew south and 16 headed northeast. There have been a handful of Song Thrushes around but no significant movement and no counts entering double figures. And to wrap up the thrushes, the first Fieldfare of the year flew south on the 16^th, chattering away as it went. 

• Finches were on the move in small numbers throughout the week. The variety was certainly appreciated and it kept even the quiet mornings interesting.

  The species with the highest abundance this week has been Goldfinch, on some days being the most common moving finch. The best counts were 52 on the 13^th, 45 on the 14^th and 48 on the 11^th.

  During the week Siskin numbers picked up with high counts of 17 on both the 11^th and the 13^th.

   Another species with good numbers was Lesser Redpoll with my best count being 10 south on the 13^th, but small numbers recorded nearly daily.

  Also on the 13^th there was the best count of Chaffinch heading south, with 18 passing during the morning.

  Certainly dropping in numbers this week in Linnet, with just a scattering of migrants and a best count of four on the 11^th. However, on the 14^th there were two sizeable flocks on Taylor Lane totalling 31 individuals.

  A surprise reaapearance this week is Greenfinch, with a few birds moving south towards the end of the week, my first since mid-September here. On the 11^th 10 flew south, and on the 13^th there were 11 on the move.

  And finally, Bullfinch have been blogging around all week, sometimes dropping in from on high, and sometimes leaving the bushes and heading strongly south but overall difficult to judge. The best count was five on the 10^th. 

-Lesser Redpoll

  Wildfowl passage was notable by its absence this week, with no migrating geese of any kind recorded. There were still small numbers of Teal frequenting the NK Pond, with my best count being seven, including two drakes, on the 16^th. Also on the 16^th there was a small movement of Goosander, with seven heading south and 10 heading northeast. 

  Once again Snipe were recorded almost daily with my best count being four on the 11^th, 15^th and then 16^th. Undoubtedly there are more birds using the now-restored wet fields. A flock of Lapwing has been seen blogging over TMR on the 14^th and 16^th, but just a single flew west over the Hill on the 16^th.

  Counting migrants has been difficult this week due to the high winds, but there have still been a few birds. I was beginning to think that Chiffchaff might be done for the autumn with no appearances until the 14^th when one was calling in the North Slope Tree-Line. Possibly the same bird was then feeding at the bottom of the North Slope on the 15^th.  The numbers of Goldcrests remained very steady throughout the week, with the best count being just two on a number of dates. The best Stonechat count of the week was on the 13^th with four. Birds have been present nearly every day.

  To wrap up, there have been three Grey Partridges using the fields on Perseverance Road on the 11^th, 12^th and 15^th.  A single Collared Dove flew north on the 10^th, my first since mid-September. On an evening visit on the 9^th there was a very nice Barn Owl hunting on Ned Hill Track. On the 14^th a Jay was in the Koi Farm Copse, the first for some time. On the 11^th a Green Woodpecker could be heard calling from the same location. And finally, Raven was seen on two dates; the 10^th and then again on the 12^th.

-Grey Partridge

-Teal

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Goosander, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Western Barn Owl, Little Owl, European Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Redwing, Common Blackbird, Fieldfare, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 26th September - 2nd October

 This week saw the end of September with an impressive 82 species recorded on the Hill, helped greatly by the end of the summer migrants followed by the first arrivals of winter migrants. However, the season moves on and October is now upon us. The weather has caused some difficulties this week, with more rain and strong winds on a number of days but others have seen good passage of VizMig in very pleasant conditions.

• There was one mega for me on Soil Hill this week, although I am aware other birders have seen it here before when a Merlin was hunting over the North Slope. It circled for a few minutes then headed off south. This was a patch tick for me, and is my 119^th species for Soil Hill. 

-Merlin

Visible migration was absolutely the highlight of the week, with days of nice steady passage being the best days birding. Often I have only gone to do the VizMig and spent barely any time searching the bushes, largely due to the strong winds and cold conditions. 

• Once again the largest movements have been of Meadow Pipit, with the largest counts being 341 on the 2^nd and 265 on the 27^th. But numbers have been variable and on some days there has been no movement at all, although this is almost certainly a consequence of the poor weather conditions on those dates.  

• The first Redwings of the autumn arrived this week, and they arrived with a bang with 75 all heading southwest on the 26^th. The highest count of the week however was on the 29^th when 104 passed through but in different directions. Otherwise most dates just had one or two individuals. It is lovely to hear their seeping calls again. 

• The movement of Hirundines remain intermittent during the week with just a handful of birds throughout the week until a very sudden burst on the 2^nd with 27 Barn Swallows, 7 House Martin and a single, but extremely late Sand Martin. Otherwise the weekly movement was limited to a handful of Swallows and a group of four House Martin that flew north on the 1^st. 

• Although there was not a significant movement of finches during the week, there was a scattered variety including a single Greenfinch on the 2^nd, an impressive nine Lesser Redpoll on the same date as well as 10 Siskin, plus nine on the 29^th and smaller counts on other dates. The most significant finch mover was Chaffinch, with 21 south on the 02^nd and 15 on the 28^th being the best counts of the week. 

• In tandem with the Meadow Pipit flocks could often be found a few Pied Wagtails moving south, normally in small numbers but on the 2^nd I counted no less than 36 birds flying south in three and a half hours! There were also a few Grey Wagtails during the week, with four also on the 2^nd being the largest count. 

-Redwing

Although there was no change in the composition, there was once again good movement of the expected wildfowl species during the week, plus the usual species frequenting their usual haunts.

• The start of the week saw very impressive movements of Pink-footed Geese, but towards the end of the week these tailed off with just single flocks on the 30^th and 2^nd. The best count was of 744 on the 27^th, during which 15 skeins passed being visible from Soil Hill, the largest being 146, during a three-and-a-half-hour watch. The next highest count was a much reduced 380 on the 28^th, which saw just five skeins pass. There were a few Greylag Geese during the week, with small flocks on three dates, the largest group being nine that flew south on the 27^th. 

• I had a new record count of Goosander with eight that went south as a flock of seven and a single on the 27^th. Singles were also seen on the 26^th and on the 30^th. The small group of Teal that has been around intermittently was again present on the NK Pond on the 28^th and again on the 01^st, when four were present. 

-Pink-footed Goose

-Greylag Goose

-Goosander

  Now that the autumn has fully arrived, and summer species are largely displaced by winter species, there seems little need to deep dive into passage migrants from the week. Needless to say Chiffchaff was the only warbler present during the week, with individuals recorded daily sometimes even singing. The highest count was of three on the 27^th.  The only other species I would classify here is Stonechat which continued on the Hill throughout the week with the highest count again being five, which were all together at the bottom of the North Slope on the 01^st. Goldcrest continued to be present every day, with the highest count being four on the 30th.  

  There were just a few waders on show this week, besides the Common Snipe that winter in the various ditches around the site. During the first couple of days of the week there were a few Golden Plover, with three flying north on the 26^th and a single also flying north on the 27^th. A Curlew was feeding on the bottom Cattle Fields on the 26^th and then again on the 28^th. 

  Other bits were limited during the week but it was good to see the Grey Partridges again, with all ten being seen as a flock of seven and a three on the 30^th, with the three also seen on the 28^th. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew southwest on the 26^th, a pair of Raven was seen on the 26^th and then again on the 2^nd, and finally Bullfinch made an appearance with two individuals seen on the 01^st.

-Grey Partridge

Species List:
Soil Hill: Greylag Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Eurasian Teal, Goosander, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, European Golden Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Common Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, Lesser Redpoll, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill birding; updates from the week 04th - 08th September

 This was another shorter week on Soil Hill due to the latter half of the week been spent at Spurn participating in the MigFest there. Although there was an absence of pleasant and sunny conditions, we were still able to make it out birding every day and there were good birds to see, as you would expect for the second week of September. There were no MEGA species as such, but there was a nice scattering of notable migrants to enjoy, especially since it may be the last time I see many of these species this year. 

• On the 5^th there was probably the standout migrant of the week with just the second Common Redstart of the year, which was extremely elusive in the Entrance Copse. After some brief views we then lost the bird in foggy conditions.   

• Once again Whinchats trickled through the Hill with two on the 4^th and a single lingering until the 5^th. Interestingly the two on the 4^th were on the walls near the mast, where the bird on the 5^th was in the usual location at the bottom of the North Slope. It is getting to the impossible stage trying to work out how many have passed through during the autumn, but I would think the two were both new birds, and the single was probably a lingerer from the previous week, given the location. As such, this brings the estimated total to 15 for the autumn, but I have no idea really. 

• The 5^th was a bumper day for Grasshopper Warbler with no less than three appearing at different locations around the site. This is a new record total for me on Soil Hill, although there have no doubt been occasions where the species has been in greater numbers, although undetected. These will almost certainly be the last of the year here. The only other different warbler was Blackcap, where singles were seen on all but one day, with a male and a browncap both been seen on alternate dates. 

• The last few Willow Warblers are still being seen occasionally this week, with as many as six recorded on the 5^th, and still three the following day. Otherwise just singles have been seen, and the species has been harder to find, in contrast to Chiffchaff which is being seen daily with the peak count being seven on the 6^th, with six still present the following day.

• Another species making a much less dramatic exit from Soil Hill is Common Whitethroat. While seven on the 5^th was an impressive total, generally we have only been able to find one or two on each day, and it will not be long before they leave us completely. 

• There was a nice and sudden passage of House Martin on the 8^th, when a flock of 16 birds all headed east together in rather gloomy conditions. Barn Swallow remain ever-present but in fluctuating numbers, varying from just a single on the 4^th to 15 on the 7^th. No noticeable vizmig has occurred as yet, but it will not be long before these two all leave us.  

• There was an impressive six Grey Wagtail recorded blogging on the 5^th, with another two seen on the 7^th. Hopefully there will be some reasonable vizmig of this species as the autumn progresses.  

• Two Jay flew south over Ned Hill Track on the 2^nd. Before this, a single had been jumping between trees on the North Slope Tree-Line and this was assumed to be one of these birds heading south. A nice Jay passage would be appreciated, so it is off to a good start. 

  Birding generally has been poorer compared to recent weeks, in response to poorer weather conditions. However, we made the most of it and there were still a few highlights for us to enjoy. Not least of these was a fantastic view of the covey of seven Grey Partridge in a field off Perseverance Road on the 7^th. They sat for some time in the open allowing for us to really watch them, rather than them dashing for cover or hiding in the grass. This same field has been particularly popular with Rook this week, with up to 28 seen feeding there together on the 6^th.

  A juvenile Buzzard has been hanging around the hill all week, and can even be seen perched on the walls at the bottom of the North Slope. On the only truly sunny day of the week, the 5^th, there was a light passage of three additional birds going south, but otherwise raptor activity remained pretty muted.

  On the 8^th a Curlew was heard at the bottom of the North Slope, which was the only occasion where the species was recorded this week. Two Snipe seen flying over together on the 4^th were also the only observations of this species during the week. For snipe this is a particularly poor return for a species that was nearly daily in early September last year. Hopefully the weeks rainfall will restore the bottom fields and that the species will once again return to winter in good numbers. 

-Common Redstart

-Common Buzzard

-Grasshopper Warbler

-Willow Warbler

-Grey Partridge

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Northern Raven, Coal Tit, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Common Redstart, Whinchat, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 

Soil Hill; Week 16th May - 22nd May

Soil Hill

After a quiet previous week, this week there were a few more notable birds. The highlight of the week was on the 19th when a distant Shelduck flew north over Ovenden Moor and then continued over Thornton Moor Reservoir. Frustratingly I couldn't pick up the bird once I took my binoculars off it, and as such, I only managed to fluke a couple of record shots with my camera at the wrong settings. Still, this is my first patch tick for 18 months and is my 116th species for the Hill.

An evening visit on the 16th turned productive with a very mobile Cuckoo in the North Slope area, and also a pair of Grey Partridge on the Taylor Lane manure pile. Presumably, this pair was also on the summit the following day. My first Barn Owl of the year was hunting on the morning of the 19th, so its good to know they are still around. Otherwise the species remained very similar to last week, with no notable new arrivals of other migrants. Something seems to have prompted the Common Snipe population to begin breeding activities, with at least five birds displaying and many more residing in the fields below. Drumming snipe is one of my favourite sounds, so this is a very welcome development. 

-Common Shelduck

-Grey Partridge

-Common Cuckoo

Species List:

Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Common Shelduck, Mallard, Grey Partridge, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Western Barn Owl, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Common House Martin, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,

Orgreave Lakes

A bright sunny morning on my day off, so I set off down to Orgreave for a look round. The highlights of the day were the numerous signs of spring, namely the singing Skylarks all around, probably at least 30 birds. There were other more unusual site passerines around too such as a pair of Stonechat and a pair of Siskin...

-Stonechat

-Skylark

-Siskin

Another highlight was a new addition to my Orgreave Patch List! Whilst walking along the hillside on my way over to the Waverley estate I flushed a pair of Grey Partridges from the long grass. They flew over the hilltop where I lost them but its a patch tick for me. I managed to grab one acceptable record shot before I lost them.

-Grey Partridge

I mentioned that I was heading to Waverley and that was because the male Black Redstart had been refound and was behaving himself. It took some finding but once I had it I was able to finally get some record shots, as well as getting the other birders present onto it. I was not able to get as close as I would have liked, but thats largely due to not wanting to flush it for the other birders. The female bird was also present at the far side of the estate, and I was sure I was going to get some good shots of it given how close it was but then it dropped down and vanished. I could not refind it and since I was becoming pushed for time there was not much I could do.

-Black Redstart

On my way back from Waverley through the lakes again I picked up 3 Common Buzzards soaring overhead. I first picked them up on their call before I spotted them soaring almost directly above me. They are a very majestic bird to say the least.

-Common Buzzard

What a day down on the patch. When it pays off like this, there is nowhere better to bird inland that I can think of.

Species List:

Orgreave Lakes: Blackbird, Magpie, Wren, House Sparrow, Collard Dove, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Moorhen, Common Teal, Mallard, Skylark, Goosander, Black-headed Gull, Little Grebe, Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, Pochard, Coot, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Carrion Crow, Wigeon, Fieldfare, Siskin, Mistle Thrush, Mute Swan, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Pied Wagtail, Black Redstart, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Long-tailed Tit,

Northumberland: Birling and Cresswell Pond

Well, lectures started again today, so what better excuse to run off twitching for the day? Northumberland was the chosen destination on account of its potential two lifers and generally pleasant birding.

I got off the train at 8.00 in Alnmouth and then got the bus down to Birling for the Arctic Redpoll that had been there for a while now. Just about managed to catch the bus to save myself some time, followed by a short walk down to the very vague location of the bird. along the way I picked up my first yeartick of the day, Whooper Swan. There were a small number of individuals feeding with the Mute Swans in the fields along the side of the road.

-Whooper Swan

I had a rough idea of where to look for the Redpolls and it was not long before I was able to pick up a number of birds in flight moving along in the field but I was not able to get them down for about an hour. An entire hour spent chasing Redpolls before I finally got them in an open area. I had a scan along the fence with the scope and within seconds I had the Cous' Arctic Redpoll sitting on the fence. It was obvious it was unbelievable, I barely had to wait to see the white rump, although it did not take long for it to duly oblige. 

The flock kept moving and I had my best views in the car park about half an hour later, although then it was in the trees and the views were quite obscured at times. I was quite pleased with my shots though. It was quite a bird to look at. In addition to the Arctic I tried to mind a mealy redpoll among the ranks of birds, but alas I found none.

Arctic Redpoll is my first lifer this year, and a real super looking bird. It was quite an education looking at Redpolls for so long. This bird is quite something.

-Cous' Arctic Redpoll

Whilst there I got a host of other goodies too. Perhaps the highlight of these was during my five mins seawatching when a super Black-throated Diver flew south not too far out. An unexpected yeartick to say the least, and possibly the best view I have ever had of the species.

Also a bonus yeartick were the Grey Partridges that abounded in the game crop. The crop was tall but from it I could heard strange croaking noises. I had no idea what was going on and it took around half an hour before any of the culprits decided to fly out of it and reveal themselves, but once they had I found that there were Grey Partridges everywhere around the site.

-Grey Partridge

I had intended to get the bus down to Cresswell Pond for the LB Dowitcher there but as it happens there were a couple of local birders at the Redpoll and one of them offered to take me, saving me plenty of time and allowing me to arrive right at the pond rather than a substantial walk.

The Dowitcher was not on the near scrape, but Another birder in the hide picked it up on the very distant far side of the pond. Second lifer of 2016 in the bag. This does mean I labored to get any photos and the ones I did get were not helped by the fact that the bird spent most of its time with its head underwater.

It was nice to see it in context with the other waders though, so stumpy compared to the redshank it was feeding alongside. Whilst I did not manage to get a good photo of it I did manage a very poor quality video which is a bit better, although if that will be the same on here we will have to see.

-Long-Billed Dowitcher

-Long-Billed Dowitcher

A double lifer day, both birds playing ball, what more could I ask?

There were plenty of other birds at the pond too, yearticking Bar-Tailed Godwit and Dunlin among the other waders present. There were also masses of Pink-Footed Geese in the fields around the ponds. I knew there were a couple of Eurasian White-Fronted Geese in with them and so was painstakingly analysing all the flocks in the hope of picking them out.

Somehow the flock I found them in was the one directly opposite the pond which I had already scanned 3 times before I finally got them. I counted 4 White-fronts in total, a species I have not seen for many years and a really nice addition to the yearlist.

The geese were feeding in the fields along the side of the road, and so when I left Cresswell and headed up to Druridge Pools I got to walk right past them and get a few nice record shots...

-Pink-Footed Geese

-White-fronted Geese

Along the walk to Druridge I did not pick up much; a Stonechat and a few Yellowhammer the best of them. By the time I arrived at Druridge it was early evening and there was not much that there had not been at Cresswell. I added Pintail to the day list but the real highlight was a nice Short-eared Owl that was hunting around the area. A really nice way to finish off the day.

-Short-eared Owl

By the end of the day I was knackered but to have seen both my targets, plenty of other stuff and had a pretty sweet all-round day I could not ask for anything more. Thanks again to the local birders who gave me a lift and information about birds in the area and what best strategy to take. What an incredible days birding. 

Species List:

Birling Carrs: Rook, Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Jackdaw, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Yellowhammer, Grey Partridge, Oystercatcher, Lesser Redpoll, Guillemot, Black-throated Diver, Grey Heron, Cous' Arctic Redpoll, Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren, Golden Plover, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Skylark, Pheasant, 

Cresswell Pond: Dunlin, Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Long-billed Dowitcher, Lapwing, Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Shelduck, Pink-footed Goose, Moorhen, Common Snipe, Starling, Jackdaw, Rook, Great Tit, Red-breasted Merganser, Carrion Crow, White-fronted Goose, Oystercatcher, Little Grebe, Sparrowhawk, Cormorant, Goldeneye, Magpie, Turnstone, Eider, Herring Gull, Goldfinch, Robin, Yellowhammer, Wren, Reed Bunting, Stonechat, Kestrel, Lesser Redpoll, Pied Wheatear, Sanderling,

Druridge Pools: Mallard, Shelduck, Pintail, Wigeon, Common Teal, Carrion Crow, Blackbird, Shoveler, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Short-eared Owl, Pink-footed Goose, Carrion Crow, Gadwall, Tree Sparrow, Siskin, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Red-breasted Merganser, Little Grebe, Coot, Pheasant, Long-tailed Tit, Stonechat, Red-throated Diver, Feral Pigeon,