Well, I finally got home from hospital late Tuesday evening. I'm currently still on home oxygen and will be for some time so unlikely to be spotted in the field for quite a while but its a start

A couple of shots of the Albert Park Otters from a few days ago

4x Egyptian Geese just flown off flash opp Cowpen Tip entrance. Looks like they dropped onto the tip pools.

Black-throated Diver Jacksons Landing this morning

Glaucous Gull in Acklam this afternoon, just a few minutes walk from my home

Snow Bunting on Hartlepool Headland yesterday

The cracking male Black Redstart at Skinningrove this morning

Had really nice views of this Short-eared Owl this afternoon

The Spoonbill showed well from the Greatham Car Park screen early pm. I was more surprised when it appeared at the Haverton gull roost late pm. A fox flushed all the gulls and it flew towards the Allotment Pool

There seems to have been a notable influx of Argentatus Scandinavian HG in the last few days. The 3rdw seemed particularly large and dark. The last photo shows an adult with a thayeri type pattern to P9 ie the tongue merges with the mirror. All photos Hartlepool Fish Quay

1st winter Caspian Gull again Haverton Hill Rd gull roost. Same bird as seen occasionally in Nov & Dec

1stw Caspian Gull again Havertpn Hill Rd but not currently on view

1stw LBBG on the Fish Quay roof

The Hooded Crow was still in Acklam Cemetery this afternoon

1st winter Caspian Gull Haverton Hill Rd gull roost this morning. Same bird that's been seen on & off since 29th November

1stw Caspian Gull Haverton Hill Rd gull roost

The Hooded Crow in Acklam, Middlesbrough. Usually found in the Brookfield Estate or Acklam Cemetery

A slightly odd looking 2nd winter Herring Gull at Hartlepool Fish Quay today

Followed up a vague report of a long staying Hooded Crow in Middlesbrough this afternoon. Didn't take long to find it in Acklam Cemetery.

Hooded Crow Acklam Cemy Middlesbrough this pm but then flew north

What I believe to be a 1stw Viking Gull at Hartlepool this morning (Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid)

1stw Glaucous Gull Hartlepool this morning. The locals weren't very welcoming....

Grey Wagtail in my garden this afternoon

Another 1stw Caspian Gull found today. This was on the roof of the Biffa Waste Disposal site, Tofts Farm. The Haverton bird was still present early pm on the roof of the Portrack Incinerator, opposite side of the road from the gull roost there. Photo is of the Biffa bird

Yet another 1stw Caspian Gull. This one is on the roof of the Biffa Waste Plant, Tofts Farm, Hpool

1stw Caspian Gull again Haverton Hill Rd this morning

1stW Caspian Gull, Polish ringed P:A2N again in gull roost Middleton Rd Hpool

1st winter Caspian Gull Haverton Hill Road Gull Roost. Same bird that's been around for the past week

1stw Caspian Gull again Haverton Hill Rd gull roost

1stw Polish ringed Caspian Gull again Middleton/Ferry Road Hartlepool gull roost. Ad Med Gull Neeburn

3x ad Med Gulls Newburn

Polish ringed 1stw Caspian Gull at Hartlepool Fish Quay today

1st winter Caspian Gull, Haverton Hill Road gull roost this morning

At least one 1stw Caspian Gull Haverton Hill Gull roost this morning

An adult Mediterranean Gull Newburn, Hartlepool a couple of days ago.

Finally managed great views of the Tees Barrage Otters a few days ago

After speculation that the South Gare Bluethroat could possibly be one of the eastern races I decided to try to get a faecal sample & ask if Martin Collinson was interested in testing. The culprit was caught red handed.

I didn't expect to see a Bluethroat when I left the house for a days birding this morning. 1stw Female South Gare this afternoon

Firecrest on Hartlepool Headland today

Hpool today, personal totals. 3x Little Auk south 1x Bonxie sth, 2x LT Duck nth, 10 Brent Geese nth Firecrest in the Croft Gardens, 5 Woodcock

1stw Caspian Gull off Newburn today. Distant and taken in appalling weather. An unringed bird.

1stw Caspian Gull & 2x ad Med Gulls in feeding flock off Newburn Car Park this morning

Had a medical test at Redcar today so decided to bird South Gare. I of course had to take another look at the OBP while I was there. It certainly didn't let me down. Seems to be getting more confiding.

Went back for a second try with the Olive-backed Pipit at South Gare today

Olive-backed Pipit at South Gare today

Pallas's still South Gare late pm, also ad male Black Redstart briefly & single Snow Bunting flew north calling

Pallas's Warbler South Gare this afternoon

Yellow-browed Warbler on Hartlepool Headland this morning

Single Little Auk nth past Hpool 09.15am.

Not the rarest of birds but Twite is a scarce bird on Hartlepool Headland.