Red-backed Shrike at St Marys.

A male Red-backed Shrike made a brief appearance at St Marys, Whitley Bay today.

Blackcap giving it what for......

Recording made this morning from my garden of a Blackcap. It's been singing very intensely since arriving back from it's wintering quarters.

Blackcap

Short-eared Owl at St Mary's Island

Up to three Short-eared owls were seen quartering the fields between St Mary's Island and the caravan park today. Winter cometh.

What a grey day....

St Mary's Lighthouse

A stonechat was the highlight of an early morning stroll through the fog at St Mary's Island. No short-eared owls this early and no other birders (maybe they new something I didn't?).

Reed Bunting

Golden Plover (honest!)

Curlew

Stonechat

Out of the Fog came the Scandinavians....

Hundreds of migrating Redwings dropped onto the North East coast today. Quite a spectacular sight as I checked the coast from Seaton Sluice to Tynemouth. And a stunning Brambling too.

Flocks of Redwings dropping from the sky

Redwing

Goldfinches joined by a Brambling

Bet there are a few interesting migrants grounded along the coast tonight. Let's see what can be found tomorrow!

Shore Lark at Blyth

An enjoyable hour was spent chasing a Shore Lark around Blyth Harbour today........

Red-veined Darter in Tynemouth

Just sorted through some photos I took in August at Tynemouth and BOOM - Red-veined Darter, a scarce migrant to the North East.

Red-veined Darter - Sympetrum fonscolombii

Red-footed Falcon Northumberland

The red-footed falcon found yesterday, was relocated about 9am this morning. Which was nice, especially as I missed it yesterday. It mostly spent it's time perched at distance, dropping into the field to take insects, before taking to the air and landing nearby on the overhead wire. Then it headed North and out of sight........

Less is more

Working through the warblers that 'fell' into the garden yesterday, I failed to find any rarities, but did manage to find a cracking Lesser Whitethroat. I say found, but it was more the case it presented itself!

Anyone who has tried of getting a decent view of a Lesser Whitethroat will undoubtedly have struggled as it's very elusive at the best of times. Not so this bird....

It's Raining Birds..

Our garden was drenched in chiffchaffs this morning, loads of them. Just hoping one of them turns into a greenish or barred warbler. No luck so far.