Had a day out with the boys across the border from York, we had planned to go to Spurn, but after a bit of thinking, headed for Teeside. There had been a lot of good birds in Teeside the day before, but, as sometimes happens, they "clear out" overnight. I met the lads in York after missing a couple of turnings, we piled into Nige`s car and off we went. We firstly reached Haverton Hole and news of the Great Reed Warbler was not good,it had gone. Next stop was Seaton Common, quite a few birders hoping to see both Blue & Grey Headed Yellow Wagtails. After around 40 minutes we saw 2 Yellow Wagtails one of which was the Blue Headed, distant but nice, also Five Spoonbills flying over were a real bonus. News of a possible Moltoni`s or Western Subalpine Warbler up on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) was then passed around and as it would be a lifer for one of the team, we decided to give it a go. We stopped just north of Hartlepool at Cribdon Dene and spent a nice 30 minutes with the breeding colony of Little Terns,in excellent and sunny conditions. We arrived at Holy Island as the tide had gone out revealing the causeway. News was good on the Subalpine Warbler that had now been named as a Western. We paused as a female Bluethroat was found, with a male not a long way from it. We hurried along and had good views of the warbler almost continuously on show. The bird chased insects around the bushes all the time we were there as it must have been very hungry after its long journey. Time was pressing on with a four and 1/2 hour journey to get back home, but surely enough time to see a Dotterel? The lads had already seen that species this year, but after two ascent`s of Pendle Hill, failing to connect on both occasions, I just had to try. I reached the area and around 12 other birders were searching for the Dotterel. It took about 20 minutes to find it as it must have been partially hidden in a dip in a sheep field, felt really happy to have seen the bird. I arrived home around 8-30pm having really enjoyed a good days birding with the lads from York, thanks lads! Dave O.
