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

                                        

Firecrest Failure!

Myself and Dave went to Conwy RSPB on Tuesday 27th. December hoping to see the 3 Firecrests that have been showing most days for the past 2 weeks. Sadly it wasnt to be although every other birder we spoke to seemed to have seen it! Oh well there's always the next time. We didnt focus on much else at the reserve but did see some Snipe and Curlew. On the way home we had a look at Llanddulas beach. As well as plenty of gulls we saw thousands of Common Scoter and several Goosanders and a Red throated Diver

Spurn Head and North Lincolnshire

Had a great day firstly at Spurn. It was relatively quiet due to southerly winds but redeemed itself with a fabulous female Black Redstart.

We also had good views of grey plover, redshank, bar tailed godwit, sanderling, curlew and knot. Other highlights were a great skua and lots of dark bellied brent geese.

We then went onto Far Ings just over the Humber Bridge to see the Ferruginous Duck and were told at the visitor's centre that it hadnt shown today. However, the Gods were with us and we had good views in a pool next to the visitors centre before it skulked off into the reeds!

We then went off to Worlaby Carrs where a rough legged buzzard has been seen the last few days as well as hen harriers and up to 8 short eared owls. We stared at the skies for 2 hours but it was a no show regarding the rough legged buzzard. We did see plenty of common buzzard, hunderds of fieldfare and large numbers of geese flying over, probably pink footed geese. As the light faded we at last enjoyed a great show of at least 4 short eared owls hunting.