22nd February 2014

No sign this morning of the North Shields /Tynemouth Iceland Gull,which was yesterday, initially mistakenly reported as a Glaucous Gull. However the Glossy Ibis reappeared,this time  on a field next to the Tynemouth Sea Life Centre and the Lesser Whitethroat remained faithful to Mr Bradshaw’s well stocked garden feeders.

Later up to Warkworth,where a very obliging Slavonian Grebe dived for food on the river ,close to the main road . Here too were several Goldeneye and a drake Merganser,also 6 Knot on the  estuary mud.

Hauxley,and a pair of Stonechats seen and on the reserve at least 50 Tree Sparrows.

At East Chevington, the Red Necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes remained,as did 2 Long tailed Duck. The female Marsh Harrier hunted the South Pool reedbeds and 2 Skylarks sang . At the feeders, up to a dozen Redpoll seen again.

Druridge Pools held 3 drake and a duck Pintail as well as many Wigeon,Teal and Lapwings,with a few of the latter breaking into “song”.

Newbiggin beach held 21 Med. Gulls of varying ages.

Feb Slav n Stonechats 002Feb Slav n Stonechats 041Feb Slav n Stonechats 067Feb Slav n Stonechats 121Feb Slav n Stonechats 147

A.S.Jack