A double dip day saved in the closing minutes...

I collected JWR at 7am and we headed off to Teesside to see if we could find the Pallid Harrier and Semi palmated Sandpiper that were still present yesterday. I had a chance to go for the harrier with Alan and Andy on Friday but work commitments put the block on it.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, we never did see the harrier. Making matters worse for John ( he hasn't seen Semi P either) we didnt see the sandpiper but it was relocated minutes after we left! Oh well you cant win them all.

Of interest during the morning were 1 Merlin over the car at Greatham Creek, 1 Peregrine at Saltholme, 3 Little Egrets, 8 Black tailed Godwits, 100+ Golden Plover  3 Pintail and, my highlight, 130+ Shovelers feeding together in one group.

A wander around the RSPB reserve at Saltholme was a first for us. Its very nice too with all the facilities at hand, nice paths, comfy spacious hides and a cafe. A bit too soft and sterile for us though, back to normal next week - cold, knackered, and damp...

Speaking of which, back home this afternoon a stroll around the coast path brought a pleasant surprise, a Snow Bunting. A drab fw female but very nice all the same as it skipped along the ash path ahead of us until it was stampeded by a family striding forward on their afternoon walk. I didnt see it again after that...