Alex and Liz Cruikshanks
alexcruik1.bsky.social
Alex and Liz Cruikshanks
@alexcruik1.bsky.social
Mainly local patch birding / vismig Hartlepool and Teesmouth, but interest in all aspects of nature.
Yesterday at Holme Fleet 2 Marsh Harriers and a Merlin. Today 2 Buzzards and 2 Marsh Harriers, one with conspicuous white line on breast extending past the carpal and on to the mantle. Also Cetti’s, Water Rail and Stonechat.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Took a trip to Norfolk to finally join the Merveille du Jour club. Hopefully local one soon.
November 2, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Just finishing a half- term family/birding trip to Norfolk and amongst the highlights was today’s incredible sight of something like 8000 Starlings in a constant stream west over the sea at Titchwell in just one hour (12.30-13.30).
October 31, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Snook today Skylark and Redpoll most numerous in 2 hr count.
116 Skylark
32 Redpoll (several flocks feeding on birch seeds in the bushes)
23 Tree Sparrow
14 Mipit
11 Linnet
11 Goldfinch
7 Chaffinch
70 Finches sp (Not sp id’d)
Plus 3-400 Goldies and c30 Twite in Samphire.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Yesterday little vismig at Snook but bushes held GSW, Woodcock, 3 Blackbirds, 3 Chiffs and a Redpoll.
Today 08.30-09.30
173 Starling
41 Goldfinch
19 Redpoll (17.2)
16 Linnet
13 Chaffinch
64 Finches (Distant flocks not sp id’d)
9 Skylark
1 Blackbird
Total 336 passerines in hr.
October 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Pics of migrants in the ZWR bushes Sat.
Totals:- 12 Blackbirds (inc. some pristine ad. male birds), 7 Redwing, a Fieldfare, 4 Redpoll and 2 Chiffchaff.
Snook 08.30-09.30 no vismig (passing birds) despite nearby Boulby enjoying good nos and variety-the vagaries of vismig!
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 19, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Close views of Whooper Swan and distant view of Merlin at Holme Fleet/Cowpen Marsh mid- morning.
Supporting cast of Marsh Harrier, vocal Cetti’s, and 50 nervous Wigeon coming and going on the rising tide.
October 15, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Unable to get out today until late afternoon. Quick check of the ZWR bushes produced 16 Redwing and 2 Blackbirds, with 62 Barnacles west (16:00) and 74 south (16:30).
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Snook 3 sightings of Whoopers 17,5, 1 up to 9.30.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Holme Fleet this am.
2 Marsh Harrier—dark cream crowned juv and a presumed female with really extensive pale shoulders, 2 Kestrel, GWE and a super-covey of 19 Grey Partridge.
The later spent most of their time hunkered down against the strong winds.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 4, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Vismig Seaton Snook 2 hrs am.
Reduced nos but good variety again.
26 Mipit
70 Goldfinch
8 Chaffinch
21 Linnet
41 Finch sp
3 Skylark
24 Redpoll
21 Siskin
3 Pied Wag
9 Swallow & 7 HMartin (Single flocks)
Plus incoming mixed duck flocks 106 Wigeon,53 Teal,3 Pintail.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
After a quiet week, some improved vismig at Seaton Snook 08:00-11.45
127 Mipit
111 Goldfinch
56 Linnet
17 Greenfinch
6 Chaffinch
1 Redpoll
47 Finches sp
43 Skylark
6 Pied Wag
1 Grey Wag
2 Red Btg
2 Swallow
2 HMartin
Plus c100 RPlover, c150 Dunlin on the HT.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Yesterday’s look around ZWR bushes produced only 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Wheatear (Power Station field), and a confiding Reed Bunting.
Small numbers of Skylarks were moving south calling at height but otherwise no obvious vismig.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Some of the longer-legged waders still able to feed at Holme Fleet with 2 Greenshank and 5 Black Tailed Godwit this am.
Also here, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Swallow (S), Water Rail (calling), and Cetti’s Warbler-1st heard here for a while.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Bit of an anti-climax today with only 2 Chiffchaff and a Spotted Flycatcher (bridle path) at ZWR.
2 Redpoll and 3 Greenfinch joined the Goldfinches briefly in the Nside bushes with a Sparrowhawk making several passes.
September 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Seaton Snook 16;00-16:30
HT in wind, driving rain and mist at least 7 Black Terns, (just about discernible in the attached picture), 1 Little Tern and 6 Curlew Sands. c 100 Pinkfeet defied conditions moving through south.Thanks to @graemejoynt.bsky.social for the heads up.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Another good day for vismig.
Seaton Snook 07:00-11.00
396 Mipit
1810 HMartin
358 Swallow
38 SMartin
5 Swift
61 Linnet (Local?)
12 Redpoll
11 Siskin
4 Greenfinch
2 Chaffinch
1 Grey Wag
4 Pied Wag
Plus c500 Pinkfeet (6flocks)
Geese mainly distant over the sea/ SGare.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Seaton Snook shared in the east coast vismig bonanza today. Passerine totals 07:00-11.00
725 Mipit
1410 HMartin (Max flock 160)
186 Swallow
29 SMartin
33 Redpoll (13.20)
22 Finches sp
6 Pied Wag
1 Grey Wag
2 Skylark
2 Reed Btg
1 Chaffinch
(Some good non-passerine also.)
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Swift, 2 Yellow Wags, and 14 Dunlin at Holme Fleet mid-day.
Water Rail showed well at Saltholme cafe.
September 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Despite good looking conditions little vismig at Seaton Snook 07:00-08:00.
ZWR bushes S. full of warblers with 5-6 Chiffs, Will Wblr, Spot Fly, plus 2 Robins, Dunnock and, notable here, 2 Coal Tits.
At NGare just 3 Goldies, 2 Knot, and 3 Wheatear on the beach.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 16, 2025 at 7:05 PM
SeatonSnook Vismig 07:00-09:00
793 Mipit
135 HMartin
14 Swallow
5 Grey Wag
4 Pied Wag
Siskin and Redpoll heard calling but only 4 of the latter seen. 3 Divers sp. in high from the east before circling and drifting v high to the south.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Some record shots of the 2 WTE’s which put an abrupt stop to the vismig at Seaton Snook this am.
Taken at some distance and into strong sunlight but may be of some assistance in establishing wing patterns and I’d.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 12, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Vismig Snook 07:00-09.00
Hirundines outnumbering pipits today.
57 Mipit
263 House Martin
20 Sand Martin
4 Swift
Siskin—heard but not seen.
On the beach 245 Dunlin, 93 RPlover and 5 Grey Plover.
46 Teal and a large-looking Diver sp. incoming.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Yesterday am was good for ducks at the Snook with 82 Teal and 25 Wigeon incoming. Several large flocks of Teal in Tees Bay itself.
Today it was the turn of pipits. In 2 hrs 07:45-09.45:-
1485 Mipit (Max flock 61)
67 Swallow
19 Sand Martin
6 Tree Sparrow
2 Siskin
18 Teal
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Fortunate to be sheltering from the rain at Holme Fleet this am when a calling Pec Sand flew in with Dunlin and Ruff. Briefly near the car park area before flying off.
Seen throughout the day at the far end of the Fleet.
@teesbirds.bsky.social
September 3, 2025 at 6:42 PM