Red-veined Darter in Tynemouth

Just sorted through some photos I took in August at Tynemouth and BOOM - Red-veined Darter, a scarce migrant to the North East.

Red-veined Darter - Sympetrum fonscolombii

Red-footed Falcon Northumberland

The red-footed falcon found yesterday, was relocated about 9am this morning. Which was nice, especially as I missed it yesterday. It mostly spent it's time perched at distance, dropping into the field to take insects, before taking to the air and landing nearby on the overhead wire. Then it headed North and out of sight........

Less is more

Working through the warblers that 'fell' into the garden yesterday, I failed to find any rarities, but did manage to find a cracking Lesser Whitethroat. I say found, but it was more the case it presented itself!

Anyone who has tried of getting a decent view of a Lesser Whitethroat will undoubtedly have struggled as it's very elusive at the best of times. Not so this bird....

It's Raining Birds..

Our garden was drenched in chiffchaffs this morning, loads of them. Just hoping one of them turns into a greenish or barred warbler. No luck so far.

On the rocks...

I went to Tynemouth looking for some migrant action today. There were a few chiffchaffs, and a single blackcap but nothing 'exciting', so I headed to the rocks at the base of Tynemouth Pier. There I sat watching pied wagtails and rock pipits feeding along the strand-line. Then a linnet came down to drink from water dripping down the cliff face. Wonderful!

Pretty Amazing

It's astonishing what a few billion years can fashion out of nature, and what a sunny day can tempt into the garden.....

Painted Lady

Small Tortoiseshell

Large White

Peacock

Wall  - The butterfly, not what it's on :)