White-billed Diver at Druridge Bay Country Park

It was my birthday yesterday and I dipped on this White-billed Diver which was only 15 minutes away from from me at Cresswell Pond in Northumberland. As I was ready to go to see it for a nice birthday present lifer, I got a message that it had flown north - dagnabbit!  Whilst I was out about later I asked a birder if he'd seen it on the sea, but he didn't seem to even know it was here.

So I was really pleased when I discovered that it had been relocated the next day, this time on Ladyburn Lake at Druridge Bay Country Park in Northumberland.  I hurried over there, but I needn't have bothered as it hung around for several days, giving excellent views to the many birders who turned up to see it.

 

Second Time Lucky at East Chevington

2nd time Llucky with this bird

Grey-headed Lapwing,

St. Mary's Island, Whitley Bay, Northumberland

 

American Black Tern at Long Nanny in Northumberland

 American Black Tern at Long Nanny in Northumberland

Bridled Tern at Coquet Island, Northumberland

Bridled Tern at Coquet Island, Northumberland 

Shorelarks at Newbiggin-by-the Sea

My wife Sarah is now working as a paramedic for the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and so has bought a house in Ashington, Northumberland.  I made a short trip up there from Greater Manchester and stayed a few days over the New Year. It's a great county for birders with many well-known sites for a good variety of birds. But I never though of Newbiggin as being one of them until very recently. The best that I've seen up to now are this wonderful pair of Shorelarks at Beacon Point, Newbiggin. A great start to the New Year!