Steve
@locustella.bsky.social
Birder, runner, occasional moth-er and otherwildlife-er.
https://beautifulhordenandblackhall.blogspot.com
https://beautifulhordenandblackhall.blogspot.com
After a canny seawatch at Whitburn (check out the sunrise pic) it was nice to do some birding back on patch at Horden/Blackhall. There's an atmospheric (=rubbish) pic of Whooper Swans flying past rain clouds and a Little Grebe on the beach pool at the mouth of Blue House Gill.
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
November 16, 2025 at 8:09 PM
After a canny seawatch at Whitburn (check out the sunrise pic) it was nice to do some birding back on patch at Horden/Blackhall. There's an atmospheric (=rubbish) pic of Whooper Swans flying past rain clouds and a Little Grebe on the beach pool at the mouth of Blue House Gill.
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
#seawatching
Two white-winged gulls past Whitburn OBS this morning: juv Glaucous Gull and adult Med Gull
#seawatching
Two white-winged gulls past Whitburn OBS this morning: juv Glaucous Gull and adult Med Gull
November 2, 2025 at 2:36 PM
#NEbirding
#seawatching
Two white-winged gulls past Whitburn OBS this morning: juv Glaucous Gull and adult Med Gull
#seawatching
Two white-winged gulls past Whitburn OBS this morning: juv Glaucous Gull and adult Med Gull
What do you reckon on these from Hendon last week?
November 1, 2025 at 6:11 PM
What do you reckon on these from Hendon last week?
This day-flying moth landed in the scrub, walked up and down with it's wings closed until it found a suitable spot, then flattened down to hug the branch and almost disappear. So cool. Epirrita sp. I think.
#teamMoth
#teamMoth
October 18, 2025 at 9:18 PM
This day-flying moth landed in the scrub, walked up and down with it's wings closed until it found a suitable spot, then flattened down to hug the branch and almost disappear. So cool. Epirrita sp. I think.
#teamMoth
#teamMoth
A fun day on the Durham coast - Crossbills and Marsh Tits at Blue house Dene; YB Warbler (found by @dunnock67.bsky.social) and Hen Harrier at Horden; Short-Eared Owl and Great-northern Diver at Whitburn.
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
October 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
A fun day on the Durham coast - Crossbills and Marsh Tits at Blue house Dene; YB Warbler (found by @dunnock67.bsky.social) and Hen Harrier at Horden; Short-Eared Owl and Great-northern Diver at Whitburn.
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
Plenty of PF Geese and this chap going south along the coast at Blackhall this a.m.
Also 3 GWE at Castle.Lake but I couldn't see the Am Wigeon.
Also 3 GWE at Castle.Lake but I couldn't see the Am Wigeon.
October 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Plenty of PF Geese and this chap going south along the coast at Blackhall this a.m.
Also 3 GWE at Castle.Lake but I couldn't see the Am Wigeon.
Also 3 GWE at Castle.Lake but I couldn't see the Am Wigeon.
Also present were little and large - juv little gull and great white egret; 2 Pintail; 1 Ruff; 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Dunlin.
October 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Also present were little and large - juv little gull and great white egret; 2 Pintail; 1 Ruff; 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Dunlin.
Was very excited to find this, what looks like it's an eclipse male American Wigeon at Castle Lake today. I've never found one before and I'd be interested if anyone thinks it isn't one!
October 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Was very excited to find this, what looks like it's an eclipse male American Wigeon at Castle Lake today. I've never found one before and I'd be interested if anyone thinks it isn't one!
After 30 km of walking round bushes this weekend, I finally found a migrant or two! A lovely wheatear and Whinchat together in the same spot - not quite what I was hoping for.
It *was* a beautiful day on the coast.
#NEbirding
It *was* a beautiful day on the coast.
#NEbirding
September 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM
After 30 km of walking round bushes this weekend, I finally found a migrant or two! A lovely wheatear and Whinchat together in the same spot - not quite what I was hoping for.
It *was* a beautiful day on the coast.
#NEbirding
It *was* a beautiful day on the coast.
#NEbirding
As well as a Rush Veneer at Horden!
September 27, 2025 at 4:26 PM
As well as a Rush Veneer at Horden!
I had a day flying one at Blackhall today.
September 27, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I had a day flying one at Blackhall today.
200+ Pink-footed Geese south over Horden in between the showers this morning.
#NEbirding
@dunnock67.bsky.social
#NEbirding
@dunnock67.bsky.social
September 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
200+ Pink-footed Geese south over Horden in between the showers this morning.
#NEbirding
@dunnock67.bsky.social
#NEbirding
@dunnock67.bsky.social
Plenty of Red-throated Divers past Whitburn this morning. Also a pic of Bottle-nosed Dolphins with a youngster.
#NEbirding
#seawatching
#NEbirding
#seawatching
September 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Plenty of Red-throated Divers past Whitburn this morning. Also a pic of Bottle-nosed Dolphins with a youngster.
#NEbirding
#seawatching
#NEbirding
#seawatching
Marsh Harrier south over the sea was the highlight of a quiet seawatch at Whitburn this morning. The bushes at Castle Eden Denemouth / Black hall allotments held 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, Willow Tit and numerous Chiffs.
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
September 13, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Marsh Harrier south over the sea was the highlight of a quiet seawatch at Whitburn this morning. The bushes at Castle Eden Denemouth / Black hall allotments held 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, Willow Tit and numerous Chiffs.
#NEbirding
#NEbirding
#Seabirds
#NEbirding
Some seawatch birds from the last week or so at Whitburn. Clockwise from top left: Gannet, Oystercatcher, Kittiwake, Scaup, Cormorant, Gannet, mixed Tern flock (including Roseate), Purple Sandpiper, Bonxie, Pomarine Skua, Teal.
#NEbirding
Some seawatch birds from the last week or so at Whitburn. Clockwise from top left: Gannet, Oystercatcher, Kittiwake, Scaup, Cormorant, Gannet, mixed Tern flock (including Roseate), Purple Sandpiper, Bonxie, Pomarine Skua, Teal.
August 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
#Seabirds
#NEbirding
Some seawatch birds from the last week or so at Whitburn. Clockwise from top left: Gannet, Oystercatcher, Kittiwake, Scaup, Cormorant, Gannet, mixed Tern flock (including Roseate), Purple Sandpiper, Bonxie, Pomarine Skua, Teal.
#NEbirding
Some seawatch birds from the last week or so at Whitburn. Clockwise from top left: Gannet, Oystercatcher, Kittiwake, Scaup, Cormorant, Gannet, mixed Tern flock (including Roseate), Purple Sandpiper, Bonxie, Pomarine Skua, Teal.
August 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
August 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
August 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
August 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
@mothiduk.bsky.social
I think this is a Cameraria ohridella. Almost too small to photograph. Have I got it right?
#teamMoth
I think this is a Cameraria ohridella. Almost too small to photograph. Have I got it right?
#teamMoth
July 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
@mothiduk.bsky.social
I think this is a Cameraria ohridella. Almost too small to photograph. Have I got it right?
#teamMoth
I think this is a Cameraria ohridella. Almost too small to photograph. Have I got it right?
#teamMoth
And here's a nicer photo ...
July 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
And here's a nicer photo ...
July 21, 2025 at 3:16 PM
