Cleveland Goodies

Out with Mark and our mate Dave from Rochdale yesterday (Sunday) and with a few goodies on offer we decided on Teesside and area, started at Ward Jackson Park in Hartlepool for Mark and Dave to year tick the Parakeets, carried on to the Headland and with the reappearance of the Shore Lark near the cemeteries we thought we’d try for that, a couple of birders leaving the area told us they hadn’t seen it but then we noted a small flock of Linnets drop in, don’t know if it came in with them but all of sudden there it was and ended up showing well, on to the Fish Quay next and the juv Iceland Gull was soon located flying around, we were allowed into the compound and ended up getting some amazing close views of it on the quayside. We headed back calling at Newburn Bridge for the Med Gull and waders then Greatham Creek were we got our first Avocets of the year plus some colourful Grey Seals then it was round to Redcar, the Velvet Scoter flock was still on the sea near the cinema but we failed to see the Snow Buntings by the Stray Cafe, a bit further along the road near Marske it wasn’t looking good for the Lapland Buntings in the stubble field by Fox Covert either with no sign since early morning however a good tramp around the favoured concrete block soon flushed one, calling as it flew although we only managed several flight views. Skinningrove was next for another session with long staying Eastern Black Redstart, the Stonechats were also showing well again, then it was over to Lockwood Beck Reservoir for a Water Pipit found there Saturday and still present early afternoon but unfortunately there was no sign of it when we got there, some Grey Wagtails were showing well though and a handful of Bramblings were still around. We finished the day with a steady drive back home over the Moors adding Red Grouse to our year lists, all in all it was a pretty good day and we managed to get most of the target species plus the best of the weather, seeing no rain until we headed back south over the moors.

this one seemed quite petite, wondered if it was a young one

being inquisitive

Shore Lark at last

easy to see where it gets its alternative name "Horned Lark" from

Iceland Gull in the Fish Quay

some good close views

coming in for a landing

also a few Eiders milling around

Med Gull on the rocks at Newburn Bridge

first Avocets of the year on the Tidal Pools

with some colourful Seals nearby

Velvet Scoters still off the cinema at Redcar

Stonechat posing well at Skinningrove

as well as the Eastern Black Redstart

nice to get him in the sun

Lockwood Beck, no sign of the Water Pipit but the Grey wagtails were showing well

first Red Grouse of the year by Danby Beacon