Gropper.

Above -
Top two - Grasshopper Warbler reeling , Newton Pool.
Dunlin in summer plumage, Boulmer.
Swallow investigating an old shed, Boulmer.

The north easterly breeze contines today making the coast quite dull and cool.

This morning met up with ST to catch up on donkey's years worth of chat. We grew up as neighbours in Pegswood and lost touch some years back. Good to see him doing well.

ST was absolutely dazzled by the avian delights on offer at Boulmer today (?). The patch was absolutely still with very little to raise a binocular to. Good enough to make an appearance in the notebook were 1 Wheatear, 1 Moorhen, 2 Whimbrel on Seaton Point beach and 4 Red breasted Merganser flew north.

From here we gave Newton Pool a check then on to the Long Nanny bay to see if any Little Terns had arrived. They hadn't. At the pond 3+ Sedge Warblers and a couple of Grasshopper Warblers were singing well. The Gropper, above, showed quite well out in the open for a while.

Onwards to Monks house where the Garganey from last night was hiding with the Nanny Little Terns and all the stuff from Boulmer ( thats right, we dipped). A few Shovelers were active chasing around in a mating frenzy. 1 Wheatear was in the dunes and a Yellow Wagtail called once but remained unseen.

This afternoon Jane, Bunty and I had a drive west along the River Aln past Whittingham. I was on a small road that was totally new to me at Eslington. 4+ male Redstarts sang and showed over about a mile stretch of old roadside trees. Tremendous birds, I'll definately try on a brighter day for a photo.