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

White Winged Weekend

Saturday morning started off taking photos of Pigeons and Herring Gulls at Hartlepool Marina, and ended taking photos of one of the best birds I have ever seen. Just after lunch time the news broke of an IVORY GULL at Seahouses so three of us set of strait away and got their just before two. The bird played ball instantly and gave unbelievable views. It then flew straight over our heads and just as we thought it couldn't get any better it was joined by another one! 2 IVORY GULLS IN THE AIR AT ONCE!!!! Along with a large wave of expletives, absolutely unbelievable!

(Ivory Gull - Harry Murphy)

(Ivory Gull - Harry Murphy)

(Ivory Gull - Harry Murphy)

(Ivory Gull - Harry Murphy)

(Ivory Gull - Harry Murphy)

We then located the pair on the beach near Beadnell before they flew of north at 15:45 to roost with the black heads.

The next day I was back at Hartlepool to see the 1st winter Iceland Gull which gave good views in the fish Quay and the Newburn Med Gull finished the weekend of nicely.

(Iceland Gull - Harry Murphy)

(Iceland Gull - Harry Murphy)

(Iceland Gull - Harry Murphy)

Lesser Grey Shrike, Northumberland

On Sunday 24th I went up to Northumberland with bandanna man for the Lesser Grey Shrike at long nanny. It had been annoying me for over a week now so it was nice to get fantastic views of it feeding in the horse paddock next to the car park. This was also my 35th British tick of the year.

First 4 photos were taken with Canon 7D with a standard zoom lens and the last 4 were phone-scoped with iPhone 4S

(Lesser Grey Shrike - Harry Murphy)

(Lesser Grey Shrike - Harry Murphy)

(Lesser Grey Shrike - Harry Murphy)

(Lesser Grey Shrike - Harry Murphy)

(Lesser Grey Shrike - Harry Murphy)

 (Lesser Grey Shrike - Harry Murphy)

 (Lesser Grey Shrike - Harry Murphy)

(Lesser Grey Shrike - Harry Murphy)