Caspian Gull

I went to Whitley Common today near Crow Edge and had good views of an adult Caspian Gull. Also present were 2 Yellow legged Gulls amongst the Lesser Black backed Gulls. Apologies for the pics as the light was poor and the birds were a bit too distant but certainly had good scope views.
                                                

                                                            Caspian Gull

Yellow legged Gull

Buff Breasted Sandpiper

Me and Dave went to Frodsham and eventually I picked out the Buff breasted sandpiper amongst Dunlin and Black tailed Godwit. It quickly flew off though I we didnt see it again. Also present were 2 Ruddy Shelduck and a Peregrine which sent the whole flock up in a panic.
We then went onto Elton flashes where we had good views of Green sandpiper, Common sandpiper, Common tern, juvenile Garganey and finally excellent views of a Wood sandpiper.  A nice short day's birding with one lifer and some excellent year ticks.


                                                           Wood Sandpiper

Red Necked Grebe

Got over to Pennington Flash this afternoon to see the summer plumage Red necked grebe. Got a record shot digiscoped but screwed up the settings on the DSLR doh! Nice looking bird only the second one I've ever seen the first being a winter plumage one on Anglesey

Roseate Tern

Me and Dave had a great day out in the sunshine on the east coast. We initially went to Wykeham to look for Honey Buzzards and failed. Again.
We then  went to Amble and got the boat over to Coquet Island. We had great views of sea birds including Puffin, Guillemots, Razorbill, Shag, Common tern, Arctic tern and Sandwich tern. There were Eider in the harbour and plenty of Cormorants. The star attraction was Roseate tern and we had a rather unsatisfactory view of one sat on the rocks. It was hard birding due to the movement of the boat, the distance fomr the island and my lack of experience at looking at terns. Still, we saw it so it goes on the list!.
After Northumbria we went looking for Quail in a field near at Kirklevington in Cleveland and were rewarded by at least 2 singing males. We also saw a pair of stunning Yellow wagtails.
  We finished back at Wykeham in the evening hoping for Nightjar and failed but were rewarded by some excellent roding Woodcock. All in it was a great day's birding.

                                                                Common tern

                                                                      Arctic tern

                                        

Tuscany

Just got back from a week in Tuscany. It was hot and the birds were thin on the ground but what birds were seen were all quality! Good views of Short toed Eagle on two days and Honey Buzzards at least twice over the week. Italian Sparrows seemed a lot shyer than our sparrows. Saldy although I heard Golden Oriole and Turtle Dove daily I didnt see any Orioles and just caught a glimpse or a Turtle Dove flying away. Probably the best find was a splendid Hoopoe just by our villa.