Since there was a strong North West wind blowing it seemed logical to spend Saturday morning at Hartlepool Headland. Initially the weather was horrendous and I spent periods sheltering in the car from the hail. Eventually it dried up sufficiently to allow a decent sea watch. Several large flocks of Common Scoter were present both on the sea and passing. 4 Velvet Scoter, 3 Long Tailed Duck and a Goldeneye were about the best but frustratingly I was unable to connect with any Little Auks.
By midday I headed for Saltholme. It was generally quiet with the best being 49 Barnacle Geese in with the many Canada Geese. Ducks included lots of Wigeon and a few Shoveler and Pintail. The Kestrel trail produced an obliging Kestrel:
Goldfinch were frequently seen:
By 4pm the light was excellent from the Saltholme Pools hide allowing some nice shots of various things:
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| Grey Heron |
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| Little Egret |
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| Golden Plover |
Next morning I headed back to Hartlepool Headland and in a 1 hour seawatch connected with c30 Little Auks heading back North. This is only the 2nd time I have seen this species so I was chuffed.
There was also 1 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Red Throated Diver and still some Common Scoter. There was an adult Med Gull nearer the harbour and after a bit of searching I caught up with 2 Purple Sands:
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| Purple Sand - a year tick. |
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