April 17 2011

We played it cool; work commitments meant today was our first chance, so Alan and I had a drive up to Bamburgh to see what it was all about. And with in no time it was in the bag. Black Scoter, a county tick, no less…
 
…after watching this for some time, we had to do a slow retreat, as the waves were starting to reach us as we stood on the beach.
A picture of Black Scoter from Japan, for comparison…

We headed from here to Budle Bay, where the Greenshank was found very easily but very little else was seen here.
After a quick drive over to the Cheviots, we headed up the Harthope; a single Raven, two Green Woodpecker, three Whinchat, at least twelve Common Buzzard and the same number Northern Wheatear and at least six Ring Ouzel.
Heading back, a brief stop at a gravel pit gave us this nice Mediterranean Gull in with the Black-headed Gull’s.