Round 2/3. (LOTR's in Trow)

 Will they still be there??? the question that ran through my mind this morning whilst deciding where to walk (patch watch) little legs. No choice really had to try Trow again on the off chance the Ouzels  where still around. After two circuits of the main bowl areas and walking the mound it didn't look good..next to nowt showing(bar a Redwing of note). Met with Mr D.G. and Dennis here on the way back and their luck wasn't in either. We had given up really and headed off in different directions. Driving out of the Trow approach road I seen Mr Williams and his good lady on the cliff top edge here.. "Seen owt Adam" I shouted.. "Two Ouzels just showed".. and a male was still visible when I parked up in haste.
Davy and Dennis where called back and thankfully both birds showed for them....eventually.

 Quick visit later with the better half resulted in seeing both the birds straight away...(thankfully for our Lass). And final quick look on the way home..pleased P.D. also managed to see them.

No doubt about a pair of birds today (as thought yesterday)but no sign of a second male today. The birds have been mainly frequenting the west end of the quarry here, often going to ground around the ivy type plants and also feeding on berries here. Often a fly over onto gun point but they always have returned to this part of the quarry after being disturbed.
Record shots again....Just observing them on a local patch for a couple of days is reward enough for me.

Canny bag

 Dog walk this morning started off well, this male White Wagtail was working the rail line in South Marine park. He didn't hang around long and flew off out of the park. The pair of Canada's are now becoming almost resident in this park now. Very little in the way of water fowl here now as to be expected.

 The pair of Linnets behind the fair continue to become tamer... Single female Wheatear beside the pier rocks.

 I had wanted to walk up the pier today especially when I spotted a dozen or Eiders rested up on the bend and a few Terns where hanging around but the gate was shut... Consolation prize being 2 Artic terns doing a fly over.(another first for the year). So thought I would try North Marine park on the way back and headed back along the pier, that's when the day really started to shine!. Alert off Mr Mc..."Ouzel Trow"..I then checked the surface feeding gulls etc. just off Little Haven on the way and this Iceland gull was present. (had it down as 2/3 winter/summer but probs 1st summer.) The north park visit was abandoned because of a pressing engagement.

 This Lesser Whitethroat showed canny in Trow and the Ouzels (yes Ouzels!) didn't whilst I was here. I thought I had seen 2 males and a female but just put it down as a pair.Later I was told another lad had seen 2 males and a sub- adult so 3 have been confirmed.

 Best poor record shot I got and more or less sums up what the birds where doing on our visit. Another Wheatear paid a visit and a Chiffy also.(female Blackcap seen by others).

 Eventually got to the Washington wwt after another brilliant Trow experience so our lass could see the Avocet chicks. Added bonus of another first of the year here- single Common tern on the island (8 seen earlier I was informed). Plus a single Little ringed Plover of note.

 A few other babies on show including these..
The big-gun lens where out today in the wader hide and more where on the way when we left!...my mobile tiddler was no match..

After the last visit to the wwt I had to make do with the captive Otters on this one...still nice though.

Quick stop off at the flats on the way home and a Green Sandpiper was showing canny on the opposite side of the road ending the day nicely.

Bunt hunt

Its there...honest!

 After yesterdays fruitless try for the Corn Bunting at Wellands farm area I had almost give up on the bird.Today I was supposed to be doing a few jobs to earn extra pass outs...that was until Mr Mc. rang with the news he had seen the bird on the farm buildings roof!. ...."Time to walk the dog again I thought" and did!.
After about 30 minutes at the farm area I was about to give up, but the bird eventually showed in the hedgerow just to the north of here and began calling. Its been a long time since Ive seen one of these Buntings in ST.
Today's visit here also got me my 2 first House Martins of the year which dropped over the rape fields along with loads of Swallows and Sand Martins.

 Nope its not the ST bird...but what one looks like a bit closer.(taken at Bempton a couple of years back).

 My first male Orange tip butterfly of the year yesterday at Wellands farm and also first Grasshopper warbler of the year reeling away.

Flats still has the drake Garganey along with 7 Black-Tailed Godwits today of note (and a pair of Gadwall).

Its starting to Tern.

 Back down the old patch this morning, Sandhaven and the pier. Before we had even reached the dunes I could hear the welcome sound of Sandwich terns. About 10 birds where fishing around the pier area but didn't come close enough in for any good shots. No doubt a few will over the next few months and I can fill me boots(again).
Small increase with Warblers in south Marine Park- 2 male Blackcaps, 1 Chiffy and a Willow warbler calling.( different for here).

 Some folk will have noticed that the council have erected a few large signage boards up behind the fair. The few that have been placed here already give a insight to some of the history of this area along with other interesting facts. And a few visitors have been snapped on the beach here and made it onto these boards. We had the pleasure of meeting this mother and daughter team last August when they travelled up to see the Roseates terns on Sandhaven.

Checked the Flats this afternoon- Drake Garganey still present along with Green Sandpiper(only seen one again) and a pair of Shovelers of note... Lesser Whitethroat still showing canny along Blue house lane, but its still camera shy.

 Had to venture onto the Shearwater est. later today and it was great to see one of these crossing the road here!

Only 2 male birds left here now...I reckon its about time these splendid chaps got a few ladies for company.

Short walk along the Cox Green section of the Wear today- All the usual suspects. This was after I had learnt about a cracking male Redstart caught this morning at Whitburn.(teach me to leave the phone in the car!).
Called at Herrington cp on the way back and was nice to see a pair of Great crested grebes here.
Then stopped at the flats- canny few Tufties here today along with pair of Canadas, 4 Dabchicks, 3 Shelducks of note. Also the drake Garganey and a single Green sandpiper showing.(2 had been seen earlier and a Whimbrel.)

Ya see the rain dance worked...just a bit late thats all!

 This was the scene at Boldon Flats this afternoon(blue skies!). The mooooost water the site has seen all winter!, typical! If the sluice gate had still been in place the road here would have been flooded and closed.
 Unfortunately a few Lapwing eggs will have been destroyed with this flood here, but other birds will benefit from it...and a few local birders.
Its ironic really that just 2 weeks back the new ponds at Whitburn had to be artificially filled, this Aprils showers I think would have done the job

 This afternoons visit was my second of the day and in much better weather conditions.The Drake Garganey was right over the other side when we first arrived along with a Black-tailed Godwit.So we went along Blue house lane to catch up with a Lesser Whitethroat and Jan got her best views to date of the illusive species. Other side of a bush always...but good nether the less. Excellent encounter this as the bird was giving off both calls...contact?? and usual song.
Hr Hogg was still present when we wandered back along the flats road and he told us the Garganey was on this side of the flood. Excellent views had of my first ST Garganey. (its in the above shot taken from the car pull in area).

 Mr Garganey with Teal....

 Mr Garganey with Mr Mallard....

 Mr Garganey goes solo...

This was the scene on my visit this morning, it soon started pissing down and the toys had to be put away. But I had been just happy seeing this bird then and also my first Sand Martins of the year after Keith Mc,s. text this morning.

Few hours today

 Started out today at the Academy pools, a very easy to forget visit..nowt really showed.
Then headed to Whitburn- 5 Bar tailed Godwits and 20 Sanderling in the small bay area. Then my first Swallow of the year flew over.! Quickly followed by another 2 along the cliffs here.

 Trow this afternoon- 6 Wheatears(5 males) in the two bays here and 5 Sandwich terns off Sandhaven beach.

 This is the only female Wheatear Ive seen so far this year.

 18 Turnstones and 6 Purple sandpipers in the 2nd bay. Probably the pier birds as it seemed a little rough on the south side of the pier today.

Turnstone wars where going off here!