15.11.14 - Siberian Stonechat and Pallas's Warbler

After typically seeing bugger all at Hartlepool in the morning I got a lift up to Cleadon for the Siberian Stonechat that had been absent for a day. It had gone missing for 3 hours but news came through just as we arrived that it was still present. It didn't take long to find and it gave reasonable views in a large clump of brambles, only my 2nd Siberian Stonechat and a welcome Durham tick!

A bit further up the coast to Whitley Bay Cemetery brought the real highlight of the day. It had proven elusive before we got there and it had gone missing for over an hour but after a bit of searching it was found in some trees that run along the back of the houses adjacent to the cemetery, a cracking Pallas's Warbler! Although it was getting dark quite rapidly it showed very well almost constantly for about 20 minutes. Like the Stonechat this was only my second ever of this species and I have been hoping for one all month. A good way to finish what is probably the end of the Autumn...

Sightings

Hartlepool Headland
Redwing 1
Chiffchaff 3
Sparrowhawk 1
Purple Sandpiper 12

Cleadon
Siberian Stonechat 1
Common Stonechat 1

Whitley Bay Cemetery 
Pallas's Warbler

Mediterranean Gull - 10.11.2014

Some pictures of a local med gull that winters in Hartlepool....

Earlier on in the year when it looked good...

Sightings

Old Cemetery Road, Hart warren and Golf course

Chiffchaff - 1

Long-tailed tit - 20+

Snow Bunting - 4

Stonechat - 4

Whooper Swan - 6 North

Newburn Bridge

Mediterranean Gull - 2

Mixed flock of Wigeon and Teal - 200+

Flatts Lane WP

Nuthatch - 1

Lesser Redpoll - 2

Grey Phalarope at Hartlepool

This year has been exceptionally good for grey phals in Cleveland with no less than 5 in the last week. The first was found on October 31st at South Gare and since then there has been 2 at Hartlepool and another 2 at South Gare. A northerly blow during the week caused a decent passage of Little Auks down the east cost with the highest numbers typically coming from Whitburn, Flamborough and the Farnes. The latter sight racking up an impressive count of 2921 birds past on the 5th November!

Gray Phalarope - Hartlepool

Little Auks - Hartlepool