Black Winged at Bothal

A trip up to Bothal Pond in Northumberland last Sunday for what was possibly last years returning Black Winged Pratincole, present for its third day, I called in at Whittle Dene Reservoirs on the way up as there had been a Black Tern on the Saturday but I only saw Common that morning, I later found out it had been present but was feeding high up so I had probably overlooked it thinking it would be over the water with the other Terns. At Bothal Pond the Pratincole was showing well along the Western edge even coming reasonably close on a couple of occasions (far better views than last year) but seemed reluctant to fly only giving one short flight view while I was there, I gave up on getting the flight shot early afternoon and headed South calling in at Teesside on the way home, highlights were a Spoonbill on Back Saltholme, Little Ringed Plovers from the Phil Stead Hide, Water Rail and Little Egret showing well from the Wildlife Watchpoint and two drake Garganey on the Fire Station Pools.

Common Tern at Whittle Dene Res

better on the ground views this year

distant Spoonbill on Back Saltholme

LRP at Phil Stead Hide

a couple of bully boys dropped in

Stock Doves looked nice in the sun

Garganey on Fire Station Pools