August Update

August Update 12th - 31st

More work in Scotland followed by a house move have left me without Internet access for the majority of the second half of the month. However between moving and work I managed to get a days birding in on the 18th with my Dad. We arrived at Druridge Bay in Northumberland at about 07.30 following news of Sykes's Warbler which had been present the previous day. After a short wait the bird showed well and despite being obviously pale above and below (paler than Booted) with a bill more reminiscent of Olivaceous than Booted (enhanced possibly due to the overall pale plumage), identification was confirmed completely when the bird began to call. We watched the bird feeding in a lone Hawthorn for about 2 hours before deciding to have a look on the sea. Small numbers of Gannet and single Great Skua moved through at distance, whilst a Red-throated Diver close into the shore was all we could manage.

Our next destination was Shibdon to see the juv Spotted Crake which had been present for the past few days. Before that we couldn't resist a little stop to see the biggest bird in the UK - the Angel of the North! I had never been to see the Angel before and couldn't believe how big it was! See below. On crossing the river we found a Black Tern fishing upstream which was an added bonus and after eventually finding Shibdon Pond the Spotted Crake showed well (see below).

Posts will be much more frequent now I have Internet access, so watch this space!

Spotted Crake - Shibdon Pond

The Angel of the North