Ahh! Grasshopper!

Today started out well in that my decision to start local and move north (I usually do the opposite) was vindicated.  Within seconds of entering the SE field at Arcot, BINGO, Grasshopper Warbler.  Loads of Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff and Reed Buntings, 13 Mute Swans and pairs of Canada Geese and GC Grebe plus the usual suspects. 

And there the excitement ends, dear Reader.

For the river at Blyth, whilst very busy, was 'routine', the highlight a female RBM, Castle Island was a gull fest but no more and Bothal Pond was too full (of water, not birds).

The Pools were deathly (a Tufties convention), Cresswell similar (I did tick Twite) and East Chev likewise.

Yesterday, when today's troubles seemed so far away, Allott's Owl was performaing well in the evening at WHBP, and several male Blackcaps were getting closer to my garden but not enough to merit a Garden List!

Swallowl

No, not a spoling mustike, but a carefully crafted title that combines this evening's two highlights at WHBP; Crammy Birder's pale SEO (Asio flammeus allottii), which, as it approaches head-on does initially suggest Barn Owl and over the main Flash, a dozen or so Swallows.  Top drawer!

You don't get anything for a pair......................

...................not in this game!  Oh, the wit of Sir Brucie Forsyth!  Comic genius!

Anyway, you do get a lot for a pair, especially when they are Avocets.  Quick trip to Cresswell was a success this afternoon, and I dropped in at the spit where the Sleekburn meets the river.  No Whimbrel nor Egrets nor Spotty (but I did meet the guy who posted them yesterday) just few hundred Redshank, a dozen Shelduck, one Ringed Plover, one Bar-tailed Godwit, a dozen Turnstone, three Mute Swans and a hod of Curlew.

And I found this on youtube just now - Davy Tee when he realised he could get out today and try and tick the GGS at Harwood.  I am looking for the clip of when he got home, which I am sure was a little more subdued!

Nice to see ya; to see ya...........................

...................nice!  And no, this link isn't me.

Let's 'ave a look at the old scoreboard.......................Year List now 132.

This morning's 'nice to see' moment was a male Blackcap at the west end of Horton Burn (where the two footpaths meet) before it goes under Crowhall Lane. 

I was first alerted by his song, then his repeated 'ticking' within an ivy-like bush, then voila - there he was.

Superb!