[MalR]

You did better than I managed, Ian. I didn't even catch a glimpse in the hour or so I was there.

Malcolm

[2slo]

Curlews seen in a field near Stanhope today:

[IanF]

Originally Posted by MalR

You did better than I managed, Ian. I didn't even catch a glimpse in the hour or so I was there.

Malcolm

Lol! I thought it was you who found it!

I went back this afternoon. It wasn't singing as much and I only had one very brief glimpse.

[Ray.Scott]

Called back this morning to try for the corn bunting, and wasn't dissapointed, as we saw a total of 5. Although mainly distant, a couple came close enough for reasonable photos.
Pretty much the same, bird wise with yellow hammer and wagtail, sedge & willow warbler, dunnock, tree sparrows, wren, robin, golfinch, linnets, swift, swallow and house martin.
While at Hurworth, we were informed about the Nightengale at Cowpen, so we headed there with the hope of views and hearing It, as the missus hasn't heard one. Well!, all I can say is, we heard It, and heard It only.

[Ray.Scott]

A couple of Swift shots from Hurworth today.
Is the second Image, a pair of swifts mating ?.

[IanF]

Well done on eventually getting the Corn Buntings Ray.

I think the second photo could well be. A bit hard to make out. I thought at first it was just one Swift preening it's breast in flight. I've caught them similarly as well as preening wings and body.

[Ray.Scott]

Originally Posted by IanF

Well done on eventually getting the Corn Buntings Ray.

I think the second photo could well be. A bit hard to make out. I thought at first it was just one Swift preening it's breast in flight. I've caught them similarly as well as preening wings and body.

I Ian, not the best of photos, It's the tail feathers that looked as if another bird was on top, but not knowing how they mate, i.e do they fold the wings in, as I couldn't see any sign of another set of wings!.

[MalR]

Originally Posted by IanF

Lol! I thought it was you who found it!

I went back this afternoon. It wasn't singing as much and I only had one very brief glimpse.

Funny thing was I only stopped in that spot to photograph some rabbits that were sitting out in the open because I'd failed miserably to get a single decent bird photo on my walk around the park. While I was busy with them, I suddenly heard a nightingale singing just a few feet away.

Malcolm

[IanF]

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - am - Nightingale still singing by the hide. Also Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler x1, Reed Warbler x1, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff all singing.

A very short video clip - I'd just got on it when it decided to move - http://youtu.be/suvyvHB4sbw


.

[degsy_safc]

Couple of hours to kill this afternoon so decided to continue the hunt for in-flight Swallows, House & Sand Martins. The Swallows and House Martins decided not to venture too close - but the Sand Martins did, plus a bonus Common Sandpiper fly-by to boot All at RM's

[Ray.Scott]

Started at Cowpen Bewley,
Brief and obscured views of the nightingale, but a couple of record shots, other birds included white throat, blackcap, willow & sedge warbler, kestrel and the usual regulars. After a couple of hours or so, we headed off to Dormans, much the same here with sedge warblers everywhere, also linnets, wren, willow warblers etc, but no sign of the grasshopper warbler.

On to Seaton Carew for an intake of fish & chips.

Returned to North Gare access road and Zinkworks road, only birds of note were wheatear and yellow wagtail.
From here It was back to Saltholme before heading home, on route we noticed that the whimbrel were still at Cowpen Marsh but fairly distant.
Only went to the screen at the fire station pond where we eventually saw a single drake garganey, apparently 2 were present earlier, also present were gadwall, 2 little ringed plover, shell duck and a winchat, which kept sitting on the fence posts.

[Ray.Scott]

Few more from today.

[ted hilland]

Originally Posted by IanF

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - am - Nightingale still singing by the hide. Also Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler x1, Reed Warbler x1, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff all singing.

A very short video clip - I'd just got on it when it decided to move - http://youtu.be/suvyvHB4sbw


.

Brilliant Ian , top guy you are . Do you think its poss. that it may stay all summer or is it likely to be moving on soon

[IanF]

Originally Posted by ted hilland

Brilliant Ian , top guy you are . Do you think its poss. that it may stay all summer or is it likely to be moving on soon

Last years one stayed around 3 weeks, possibly then same bird. No telling when it might move on. It would be nice though if it did stay.

It was still singing this morning despite the rain.

[pearce1]

Could anyone give directions for the bluethroat at hartlepool. Reports say in the memorial gardens, but a quick web search failed to produce any info.

[simmojunior]

The Bluethroat was showing extremely well this evening at Hartlepool headland this evening as it often perched on the wall or the steps of Number 15 house. The house owner was very friendly and said that he was happy for birdwatchers to look in his garden. He even invited us in to his garden at one point. It goes without saying but please respect the privacy of the local residents.

I have uploaded my rubbish pictures but I'm know there are some stunning ones taken by others to come.

[IanF]

Originally Posted by pearce1

Could anyone give directions for the bluethroat at hartlepool. Reports say in the memorial gardens, but a quick web search failed to produce any info.

It's the gardens between the Heugh Pier and Heugh Battery right on the sea front with the war memorial.

The Bluethroat was still showing very well this evening despite the rain.

A long time bogey bird for me. They usually turn up when we're away on holiday!

[pearce1]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll be there tomorrow with fingers crossed.

[simmojunior]

Originally Posted by IanF

It's the gardens between the Heugh Pier and Heugh Battery right on the sea front with the war memorial.

The Bluethroat was still showing very well this evening despite the rain.

A long time bogey bird for me. They usually turn up when we're away on holiday!

Amazing photos Ian! They do the bird a lot more justice than mine.

[IanF]

Also seen today -

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - am - Nightingale still singing, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler on the lake and another Sedge Warbler plus Grasshopper Warbler by the car park. Lesser Whitethroat by the visitor centre.

RSPB Saltholme - Garganey x2 on fire station field, Little Gull on the main pool.

Seaton Common - Yellow Wagtail x7, Wheatear x18.

[Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by pearce1

Thanks for the info guys. I'll be there tomorrow with fingers crossed.

If you want any more details about Hartlepool Headland locations, there is an excellent and detailed map on the Teesmouth Bird Club website. www.teesmouthbc.com

[Ray.Scott]

Couldn't resist going down early, for the blue throat. Arrived about 5.45am and after a short while, located the bird at more or less the same location. It was very mobile, flying amongst the nearby gardens and around the monument area.
Another first for me and worth the journey, dispite the crap weather.
Other birds nearby, lesser & common whitethroat, willow warbler, chiffchaff and grasshopper warbler, also spotted flycatcher reported by others.

[IanF]

Also around the Headland this morning were a Spotted Flycatcher, a male Whinchat and several Chiffchaff.

On Parton Rocks - Little Tern x1, Common Tern x2, Shag x3, Eider x23, Purple Sandpiper c.12, Sanderling c.6.

The Bluethroat flew off along Rowell Street and was seen in St.Mary's Churchyard by others but eventually relocated back to the Memorial Gardens.

Seaton Common -Yellow Wagtail x2, Wheatear x4.

Cowpen Marsh - Whimbrel x4.

RSPB Saltholme - Garganey x2 still present. Also Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler by the screen plus a fox.

[CForster]

Bluethroat this afternoon, moving from 15 - 17 gardens.

[Michael A]

On my local patch today:-
Green Woodpecker, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Woodcock,
Roe Deer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/
http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/
http://rmpg.weebly.com/