A foray up to Seahouses & onwards today. Had a faint hope of a white-winged Gull (or even one with some black spots!) bit no luck. At Seahouses harbour a female Merlin was a surprise low over the rocks. On to Monk’s House with little to report & then Stag Rocks at Bamburgh. A close Red-necked Grebe was well appreciated as only my second of year. Also still here were three Velvet Scoter close in to rocks with one Slavonian Grebe. Further out were at least 400 Common Scoter in two flocks with 20 Long-tailed Duck. Budle Bay was very quiet as was Fenham le Moor though 900 Shelduck & 1200 Pale-bellied Brent were as always an impressive sight. Finished up at Beal Pt which was also quiet. TRD
