Here in Gateshead we’re waiting patiently for a Temminck’s Stint but meanwhile this splendid, if somewhat distant, Ruff at Lamesley Watermeadows was a welcome visitor. Thanks again to @gatesheadandbey #NEbirding

Another bird which usually appears in Gateshead after easterlies/rain in early May is Whinchat and this one popped up on Burdon Moor this morning while @paulandmaureen and I were chatting #NEbirding

All you need is some heavy overnight rain in early May and ‘hey presto’ a Wood Sandpiper appears at Lamesley Watermeadows. Thanks to Rob Stonehouse for a nice find on the early shift today

Lesser Whitethroats are difficult enough to see never mind photograph and this one at Lamesley has certainly given me the run around since it arrived a few days ago. However this afternoon after a 90 minute wait it finally popped up in front of me and started singing! #NEbirding

In Gateshead Little Owls tend to be very elusive during the winter months but they become more conspicuous in the Spring and this one was showing well today #NEbirding

Just back from a holiday on Madeira. As well as the land based endemics got lovely views of Rock Sparrow and Spectacled Warbler thanks to Madeira Windbirds #NEbirding

Gateshead’s first Black-tailed Godwit of the year appeared by the Tyne at Dunston this morning in blasting westerlies. Thanks to David Locke for the shout #NEbirding

At long last I’ve managed to get a couple of photos of Cetti’s Warbler that feature the whole bird 🙂 #NEbirding

The warm spring sunshine produced an incredibly early Wheatear in Gateshead this afternoon along the fence line at Burdon Moor, though it didn’t stay long! #NEbirding

A teatime treat in the fading light just before dusk my first Barn Owl on the patch this year was most welcome #NEbirding

Late to the party but made it to Blyth this morning and very pleased to see both White-billed Divers. The bird in the harbour was the closer of the two but still kept its distance today and was never closer than100m so no point blank photos #NEbirding

The Glaucous Gull found on the Tyne about 10 days ago has taken to loafing at Shibdon Pond where it spent some time again this morning @durhamwildlife.bsky.social #NEbirding

It was a very long way away but nonetheless delighted to see the White-tailed Eagle at Widdrington Farm this morning #NEbirding

Our first ‘big’ patch bird for the year this Glaucous Gull showed well on the banks of the Tyne opposite the Staiths Cafe this morning. First in the Borough for a good few years #NEbirding

I hadn’t seen a wintering Blackcap for a good few years but I’ve now come across two in as many weeks. This one today was backwards and forwards enjoying the sunflower seeds in the garden at Ryton #NEbirding

First trip off patch this year to Cumbria and the Ross’s Goose showed exactly where it was supposed to be as soon as the mist cleared. Took a good while for it to come anywhere near close enough for a photo though! #NEbirding

Always good to get a Chiffchaff at the beginning of January. This was one of two birds at Far Pasture NR today. Not sure what’s going on with those feet though! #NEbirding

Another good year in Gateshead with 3 new patch birds for me including 2 self found, Glossy Ibis & GN Diver (1st on our stretch of the Tyne for 140 years) The 3rd was a long overdue GW Egret. Also 2nd Grey Plover and Caspian Gull. Thanks to everyone involved & HNY! #NEbirding

In Gateshead Fieldfare favour the higher ground with Ravensworth Fell being a regular spot and this year, as usual, there’s a good flock in the area #NEbirding

A thermal imager is on the Christmas list. Thanks to @beardedgeordie.bsky.social and his,saw this Jack Snipe at a few metres range without disturbing it and leaving it in situ when we left #NEbirding

Delighted to cone across this Gateshead mega this morning, Great Northern Diver on the Tyne at Dunston - full patch tick! #NEbirding

It’s probably twenty years or more since I last saw Marsh Tit In Gateshead so I was very pleased to catch up with this one today #NEbirding

Winter visitors starting to arrive - these Whooper Swans were resting on the Tyne at Dunston this afternoon #NEbirding

Another encounter with a Caspian Gull on the Tyne off Dunston this afternoon though it was somewhat distant on the north bank and so not sure whether it was the bird from the 8th or a different individual #NEbirding

Goldeneye have been in short supply in Gateshead this year so nice to see a pair at Shibdon Pond this morning #NEbirding

The second occurrence of Common Scoter in Gateshead this year after a pair for one day in the spring this drake was on the Tyne at Dunston this morning. Never closer than c150m and in poor light but you get the idea #NEbirding

A few more of the Caspian Gull at Dunston, Gateshead yesterday #NEbirding

I’ve long hoped to find a Caspian Gull on the Gateshead and then finally this morning this first winter appeared on the tidal mud at Dunston #NEbirding

Tradition dictated it was fish for lunch at Dunston on Friday #NEbirding

Isabelline Wheatear at Whitburn showing tail pattern #NEbirding

Isabelline Wheatear showing very well at Whitburn this afternoon #NEbirding

Wader passage in Gateshead has been very slow so far this autumn but livened up this afternoon when I found this fine Spotted Redshank at Shibdon Pond. Also present 4 Black-tailed Godwits, the biggest group so far #NEbirding

The Tyne at Dunston continues to deliver with this fine juvenile Knot in with the Redshanks in the Staiths Basin this morning before moving onto the mud west of Timber Beach as the tide receded #NEbirding

It’s been at least a couple of years since I’d seen Otter in Gateshead so it was a nice surprise when this one appeared in front of me this morning #NEbirding

For reasons it’s hard to understand Great Crested Grebe remains stubbornly rare in Gateshead with records barely annual so it was good to encounter this juvenile on the Tyne at Dunston this afternoon #NEbirding

And still the Whinchats continue to move through Gateshead. There were 3 on Ravensworth Fell yesterday and still 2 this morning. Maybe the best place in the county to see them on passage #NEbirding

Juvenile Razorbill on the Tyne this morning found by @davidlocke1992 at Dunston steadily made its way up river towards the Scotswood Bridge before sadly being despatched by a GBBG! #NEbirding

It’s been an excellent year for Whinchats passing through Gateshead with a dozen or so in the spring and a handful already this month including this distant bird this morning #NEbirding

Despite becoming generally much commoner there have only been 3/4 previous Gateshead records of Great White Egret, all untwitchable short stayers. Today it was finally un-blocked for me with this one roosting at Shibdon Pond. Huge thanks to @gatesheadandbey for the find! #NEbirding

This morning on Burdon Moor good numbers of juvenile Swallows resting on the walls and fences waiting to be fed by their parents. Probably heading south before too long #NEbirding

2 Black-tailed Godwits at Shibdon Pond this morning represent only the second occurrence of the species in the borough this year. Thanks to George for the info #NEbirding

Silver-washed Fritillary is extremely rare in Gateshead so was very pleased to come across this one this morning in woodland near Chopwell. A first for me in the borough #NEbirding

White-letter Hairstreak is one of the less common butterflies in Gateshead. This one was enjoying brunch this morning with a Black and Yellow Longhorn Beetle #NEbirding

Checking the tidal mud for passage waders at Stella this afternoon drew a blank but a Shoveler feeding vigorously at the water’s edge was a surprise and the first I’ve seen here #NEbirding

I rarely bird away from the patch so two trips away in a fortnight is unprecedented. However I could not resist the lure of the Song Sparrow at Flamborough. Not arriving until late pm there was a nervous wait of an hour before it thankfully showed well #NEbirding

@alanmould.bsky.social Great pic on Springwatch!

A night in Ayr, some haggis for breakfast and a Western Sandpiper. What’s not to like! #NEbirding

Also what I think may be a Spider-hunting wasp? #NEbirding

Off patch today watching insects near the Derwent Reservoir in beautiful sunshine. Green Tiger Beetles were plentiful and showy. Two-banded Longhorn Beetles on the other hand were much less cooperative and it took several hours for one to pose nicely #NEbirding

With Lamesley almost dry thought I would have a look in Chopwell Woods this morning. Too many dog walkers and bikers but did have an unexpected encounter with 3 Crossbills which flew off almost immediately, just enough time for a long range record shot #NEbirding