17th Dec Desert Wheatear

Well finally another year tick and probably my last if i don't manage to get to Norfolk over Christmas.
house/dog/farm sitting for a friend this weekend so this gave me a small window to go and have a look at the long staying Desert Wheatear at Newbiggin in Northumberland. So after my chores i left for Newbiggin arriving 10ish. I started the walk along the beach after parking at church point. My first search nothing, now this bird hadn't been reported lately so i was hoping it was still about. A walk back proved fruitless too. So i gave it a second attempt, and bingo found it fairly easy to spot so not sure why i missed it first time around. It did show well but it didn't stay in one place long enough which made digiscoping difficult but i managed a few shots. I then took the advice of Cain, his blog here...and sat quietly and let the bird finally come to me.

Now id seen and photographed the bird i just had a few minutes to photograph a few more birds on the way back to the car. Golden Plover, Sanderlings and Bar-tailed Godwits showed well on the shore.

Golden Plover

Sanderling

Bar-tailed Godwit

As i was driving out the car park 2 Adult Med gulls were sat on lamp posts and a 1st Winter Med Gull flew over the Village. Time for home!

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A quick update from Wednesday 14th Dec a Short Seawatch from Workington produced a Great Northern Diver...