Autumn in the air

Spent this morning in the hide at Rainton Meadows DWT, but sadly as is usual these last few days nothing much of note. After about and hour or so and after a good bit banter I moved onto Trow Quarry, my target was Whinchats which had been reported here in the morning by Dave Johnson. Thankfully after about a 5 seconds of arriving I had 1 and then another. Showed well and managed a half decent shot of it.

(Whinchat - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Had a walk about and stumbled upon these 2 Wheatears below, another bird making it feel like the goodies are just about the pour in. Also saw one of the local Little Owls which I hadn't seen for about a year! A bonus was a Shag hauled out on the rocks with 2 Cormorants, couldn't quite believe it and had to check twice as I have hunted around for one of these for a while now and was a Durham year tick. 

 (Wheatears - © Andrew Kinghorn)

 (Shag - © Andrew Kinghorn)

(Little Owl - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Moved onto Sandhaven Beach where a whole load of adult Kittiwakes were on the beach along with a scattering of the occasional Common Tern. Took a while but eventually a Roseate Tern landed on the beach for the whole of 5 seconds and managed to get it in the scope before it flew off. However later picked up what I presumed was the same bird and walked along the pier to get this distant video, sadly the only Roseate Tern in Durham I have seen this year. All the usual suspects were also around, in this weather it also included the locals. Problem with public places is the public ruining it for the birders ha-ha.

Video really needs to be viewed in HD, if unsure how to do this CLICK HERE

(Roseate Tern - © Andrew Kinghorn)

Brilliant day with 3 Durham year ticks taking the Durham year list to a respectable 213 BOU, missed Nightjar this year through holidays and laziness.

Until next time, Foghorn out!