Otters.........not one, but two !!

Wow, what an afternoon we have had with not just one otter, but two. We watched them for a couple of hours, constantly fishing and playing. Never coming close, but we were more than happy with our views. One of those magical moments and an end to a perfect weekend.

A good day.......

Decided to stay local today and didn't regret it for a second. Started the day off with this kestrel, watching it hunting, a cracking little bird that gave us a good show for the morning. Then off to Blacktoft for the late afternoon. 2 stoats were action packed infront of the hide, never still for a second. It wasn't long before the marsh harriers started to come in, 10+ birds. 20 whooper swans flew south up the River Trent then Simon picked up a ringtail harrier coming in. We watched it fly for about an hour, interacting with the marsh harriers. One of our favourite birds. What a fabulous day !

Western Bonelli's Warbler

Hartlepool Headland today and what a day it was ! After spending a few hours watching the Pallid Swift, we headed back to the car for a coffee. What a nice surprise to see that the Bonelli's Warbler had been relocated in the sycamores in the square next to the car park. Now, this was probably the most difficult bird to find with a howling wind blowing every leaf and 50 birders all giving different directions. It didn't help with 2 blackcaps and a chiffchaff being in the same tree! Another new UK first for us, so we had 2 today taking Karen's UK list to 352. A fantastic day.
Now, we just need to see that Isabaline Shrike that was at Donna Nook today........

Pallid Swift, Hartlepool Headland

When we pulled into the car park, birders were milling about, the swift not having been seen for 2 hours. After the 120 mile drive, we just thought yet another wasted journey. But, not wanting to blank again after the shrike yesterday, we put boots, coats, hats and gloves on and ventured out round the streets, constantly looking up. Within 10 minutes, it flew straight through the houses infront of us. We ran to the opening, with many now running behind us and there it was, a pallid swift. Photography was almost impossible with the bird flying at jet speed and a gale force wind blowing. We stayed for a few hours watching this fly and feed up and down the headland. A very fit looking, quality bird !

Red Kite extravaganza......

On the way home, we called at a Red Kite roost and had the most amazing hour watching 35 red kites coming into roost. It was one of those special moments and a perfect end to a good days birding.

Siberian Stonechat, Scalby Mills, Scarborough

What a smart little bird ! This took Karen's UK list up to 350.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Flamborough

Saturday dawned and the Daurian Shrike left ! While standing at Flamborough for 3 hours, hoping that it would appear, we had this northern pecker to entertain us. We gave up and went to Scalby Mill for the Siberian Stonechat, hoping to rescue the day.

Lincolnshire's Common Cranes

 

 

This local pair of common cranes successfully reared one chick this year. Very distant and yet we sensed they were aware of us and were very alert.  We watched them for about 20 minutes before the light started to fade and they flew off to roost.

Tonight's full moon

Tonight's full moon - it's a stunner !

Local whooper swans

Saw our first local whooper swans of the autumn tonight