Arrived at the RSPB reserve at 16.00 hours to try to find the reported Spoonbills. This turned out to be possibly the reserve's shortest ever visit. We picked them almost at once from the path from reception on West Saltholme pool. Then we had a call from John Barber to say that the White-throated Robin was back on the Inner Bowling Green at Hartlepool Headland and despite the traffic got back there fairly rapidly - see separate post - thanks John, must say your pager is extremely reliable
28th July -mid morning. A juv. Whiskered Tern was confirmed this morning on Saltholme Pools (west); - suspected late last evening, though not i/d'd for certain due to fading light.
Although on the RSPB reserve and also seen from the Saltholme Pools (circular) hide today, it was this morning far closer and better for viewing and photography to watch from the layby on the A 178 (which forms the RSPB eastern boundary), often coming within 20 metres of the road.
In April 2009 2 adults provided the first county records for what was then a long overdue species for Teesside/ Co. Durham. As I was out of the country then , I feel very fortunate to have pulled this one back; so I enjoyed it for a good 1 1/2 hours. It was still settled there when I left at 13.20.
Supporting caste present included Dunlins, a juv. Little Stint, a Black-tailed Godwit, and about 3 Ruffs. There were several little gulls reported further onto the reserve, though I didn't look for these.
Good Luck should any GM birders come up for this.
Regards, Mike P.
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