Buff-breasted Sandpiper

Tried to do the responsible thing this morning and complete the tax form.
Five minutes in and there was the first tweet of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Whitburn. I carried on, needs to be done. Then another tweet, and another.
Thats it I'm off.
Parked up and walking down to the field only to be told it flew off ten minutes earlier.
However on reaching the field the bird dropped back in, and I had my first sighting of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Get in.

Promise I'll be more responsible tomorrow, honest.

Guilty as charged

After Stewart's comments what better way to start to redress the balance of low blog posting rate by restarting with a Red-footed Falcon sighting.
Having missed yesterdays flurry I sprang into action this morning and arrived at Cresswell to see half a dozen cars parked up and the bird on a straw bale. A first for me.

The falcon stayed about thirty minutes alternating between bales and posts, then after a few seconds on the power line took off northwards and out of sight.
A quick visit to the Ponteland Hide at Hauxley produced only a Common Sandpiper and five Redshanks, one of which just avoided being snatched by a Stoat.

Photo Comp

Now that I know that this is Sam  Hood's winning photo, displayed at Logan Botanic Gardens I thought I'd show it here. Sorry about spotlight reflections.

Mull of Galloway

Just back from a few days camping in Portpatrick. Wanted to renew some old friendships with people and places, and was fortunate to get five days of sunshine.
Had a nice mixture of a wide range of wildlife sightings including Arctic Skua, Manx Shearwater, Cuckoo, Spotted Flycatcher, Raven, Otter, Red Squirrel, Dolphin, Painted Lady and Grayling.
The Spotted Flycatchers were a delight to watch and I spent an hour in Logan House gardens watching at least ten as they dropped from branches to pick insects from the lawns below. At one time I could see five at the same time.
The Manx Shearwaters were nice to see from Corsewall Point with a SW breeze pushing them closer.
It was just off the point that an otter went by and Dolphins were seen on a couple of days.
I camped at Castle Bay site with Dunskey Castle on the cliff tops which was the haunt of Ravens.
I was surprised at the number of Grayling Butterflies on the cliff top heathers along with  well worn Painted Lady.
Wildlife was easier to spot than WiFi spots. On one search, I was advised Bangor was one of the nearest.
On a visit to Logan Botanic gardens I viewed a  wildlife photography  display where one of the winners was Sam Hood, and I wondered if that was "our Sam" from over here?

Cresswell Pond

Wood Sandpiper and Dunlin at north end of Cresswell Pond today

Canny Day

This mornings trip to Fontburn brought some good views of Pied and Spotted Flycatchers as well as Treecreeper and Redpoll.

Then after a pit stop back home I was out again to see the Boldon Flats, Temmincks Stint.
Back through the tunnel and up to East Chevington to watch a Spoonbill, then on way home there was Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, three Barn Owls, one Short eared Owl at Druridge Pools.

Newton

A trip to Newton scrapes this afternoon was well worth it. Despite the manic wind, it was pleasing to see Lesser Yellowlegs, Pectorial Sandpiper, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper.

Then North to Long Nanny where Arctic, Little and Sandwich Terns were on show