With the Governments…

…lockdown restrictions being eased a little I thought I would take a drive up to the Durham Dales. Now at any other time in the Dales the star of the show would have been Wood Warbler however yesterday there was another star. With the help of Clinton, Rachel and Derek I managed to get a lifer, Dotterel. However, this star bird had a canny supporting cast.

The star of the show but unfortunately, the Dotterel saw me before I saw them so every image has the birds with their backs to me.

Now for the supporting cast starting with Wood Warbler.

Followed by Redstart

Then Pied Flycatcher

This is the only shot I managed of the female Pied Flycatcher

Golden Plover

Great-spotted Woodpecker

This is what it thought of having its picture taken

Meadow Pipit

My first Green Hairstreak of the season

 

Saltholme

I had a canny day at Saltholme yesterday and once again took too many pictures; here are just a few of them.

Kestrel.

Take off.

LEO.

Two LEO (honest) to the left of the one on show you can just make out the other one buried in all the twigs.

Probably the same Kestrel.

Snipe.

Golden Plover.

There was quite a few Golden Plover at Saltholme hide.

Flyby Little Egret.

Female Reed Bunting.

Fox enjoying the sun.

It got its eye on something and was off.

Little Grebe.

Female Shoveler.

Male Shoveler.

 

Distant Birds

Friday in Northumberland and every bird, apart from the Twite at East Chevington which came within feet of me, were always far too far away to get any decent images that’s why most of the images here are all biggish crops.

Twite

Snow Bunting also at East Chevington

Dunlin

Ringed Plover

Dunlin at Cresswell

Dunlin in flight

Golden Plover

Curlew

Male Goldeneye at Druridge

Female Goldeneye

Hawfinch at Morpeth

Taken at East Chevington I think I know what these birds are but just in case I'm wrong any help with identification would be appreciated