Waders trying to keep dry from the rising tide. St Mary's Island
I started today off early at St Mary's Island, near Whitley Bay. Yellow-browed Warbler and Little Stint were the targets as I try to boost my trip list. It was very windy as I pulled into the car park. As I walked to the causeway, to the island, it was obvious that the tide was coming fast. There were a fair few waders such as Sanderling, Ringed Plovers (mainly juvs.), Oystercatcher and Dunlin with a sprinkling of Redshank, Curlew and several hundred Golden Plover. The Little Stint had been flushed by a dog and was now at the rear of the island and out of reach. Nice pics of some of the waders.
Adult and Juv Sanderlings
Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Sanderling
A few of the Golden Plover at St Mary's Island
Pintail flying South
Sea watching was poor with only a single Sooty Shearwater and some Gannets present. A search of the Gully and nearby bushes produced the Yellow-browed Warbler and a few Chiffchaffs. Rock Pipits were on the washed up sea weed nearby.
Next stop was Church Point at Newbiggin. It was even windier here. The Gannets were fishing just of the rocks and a few Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills whizzed past. The bay also gave up a single, late-ish, Sandwich Tern. One of the highlights however, was a male Merlin chasing waders non-stop. Newbiggin is a hotspot for Mediterranean Gulls and today was no different with 31 birds of varying ages on the beach. Purple Sandpiper and Knot were also seen.
Drake Eiders, Church Point
Gannet, Sub-adult
A selection of sleepy Mediterranean Gulls
Colour ringed Med. Gull
Turnstone, Dunlin & Sanderling.
Cresswell was the next stop and a juvenile Pomarine Skua became the next new bird for the trip along with 2 Red-throated Divers. New birds at Cresswell Pond included Goldcrest, Avocet and Greenshank. At Druridge Bay NWT the Budge Screen showed off a fine Spotted Redshank and 4 Ruff. Another Yellow-browed Warbler was heard but not seen there.
Comments
Post a Comment