Dodgy Merganser and Fantastic Wader

Been very busy lately with work from college sadly so no real chance to bird much or update my blog. Yesterday was a good day although I wished I had went out today instead to look for Goshawks, next Saturday or Sunday hopefully.


The day started of with 3 fantastic Ruff at Castle Lake (DBC) reserve, but sadly these where the only birds of note at this fantastic nature reserve. I reckon it might turn up a really rare yank wader this year hopefully.

From here I went onto Teesside and first stop was Saltholme RSPB nature reserve, we visited the Salthome Pools hide where the Hooded Merganser showed superbly whilst I was there, this was a year tick for me. On the way back to the visitor centre a flock of Linnet where a nice surprise and another year tick for me.

Then we headed of to Dorman’s Pool and the Reclamation Pond, on the Rec Pond I picked up a Black-necked Grebe however it was a distant view in the bins but still fairly distinctive.

Last notable stop of the day was at Greenabella Marsh where I had good views of 10 Avocets.

Year List updates
130 – Hooded Merganser
131 – Linnet
132 – Avocet

So all in all a good day, hopefully I will be able to tick of Goshawk next week.

(Hooded Merganser - Teesside - Andrew Kinghorn)