Sundays effort

I had it in my head today to try for the American Golden plover again but this time on the rifle range field at high tide. I thought I would have the path way to myself when I arrived at 3ish after not seeing any reports for a few days. But nope, a half a dozen folk where already here viewing the 300 or so flighty Golden plovers( plus a budgie) here when I arrived.
Noticed a nice couple ive met numerous times, Davy and Irene and settled in with the scope to view the flock with them. After a few "possibles and maybe's" it didn't look like anyone had picked the plover up.
Then I moved away to view a few stragglers with another lad towards the southern end of the field and there it was. Pleased to see it again....better shots, maybe next time.

Two Med. gulls seen around the doors today, this one in the larger Marsden car park. But not the regular one we have had winter here for years, this one didn't even follow the B.H.gulls lead regards scraps of chips etc. from visiting folk. The second one was just off Whitburn cliffs on the sea later on this day.

Trow visit about mid -day. Little legs and the better half in tow. Didn't expect much so wasn't dissapointed.
Only one Little owl on show near the second bay, but a imm. Heron in this bay was a nice sight, we seldom see a one here. Gannets, Sandwich terns and a few Commons just off this bay along with very few Guillemots now. Four Knots in the first bay being the highlight of this visit here today.

Large movement of House martins/Swallows over Trow and the Leas today including possibly my last sightings of Swifts this year( 6ish).

Jan picked up on this Small copper butterfly near gun point, not a regular sight here.

One of 4.

Distant shot from the public path here.

ps. Ive deleted my last Bona gull post for my own reasons.

This weekends wanderings

Hightlight this weekend was a seeing a American Golden Plover at Whitburn on Sunday afternoon at this regular Golden plover hang-out at low tide, out of the breeding season. Ive seen many a better shot of the bird since it was found....but just pleased to see it!

Before a text and second-hand info. was had about the American at Whitburn me and Jan where visiting some of the Gateshead sites on this Sunday. Nowt really great on this visit, highlights beeing- to Thornley ( Roe Deer), Far Pastures( Wood mouse under the feeding stone in car park was amuseing...loves sausage rolls!) and Shibdon's Spotted Redshank and Green Sand. plus Jan picked a Water rail up near the duck feeding area.

Chester-le-street riverside on Saturday-

After a B&Q visit headed for here, did'nt know a certain Cricket match was on! but thankfully the officials here allowed for folk visiting this riverside area and park with parking provided. Canny number of Goosanders present here with 8 birds counted, one group included 4 young-uns. No Males though-. And a brood of less than a week old Mallard ducklings present and very few Tufties on this visit.