Big scoter day in Dumfries & Galloway today. Started with a drake Velvet Scoter off Balcary Point, then the 2 drake Surf Scoter in Rascarrel Bay, before helping to ID and confirm a drake Black Scoter, also in Rascarrel Bay (only the 2nd for D&G). Grey Phalarope in Rascarrel Bay too! #BirdingScotland

Haughton Strother Gravel Pits, in the North Tyne valley, Northumberland. Access & parking difficult. It’s been quiet the past few visits but has had some good birds in the past, namely 2 long-staying Gull-billed Terns!! #NEBirding

The returning drake Green-winged Teal was showing fairly well, albeit at a distance, at Colt Crag Reservoir (Northumberland) this afternoon #NEBirding

A very wet day in Ayrshire and Dumfries, with little to show apart from a few Whooper Swans & Red Kites. The final visit of the day, to a wet & misty Castle Loch (Lochmaben), was better with both Bittern & Great White Egret present #BirdingScotland

Just back from a week in the Lake District, mostly walking & BirdTracking across the summits, plateaus & ridges of the fells. Species diversity poor on the high fells, with Raven often the only species seen. Valleys better, with Goosander, Grey Wagtail, common raptors, owls & winter thrushes etc

Short seawatch off St Bees this afternoon (14.45-15.45 hours) in a SW5 wind. Highlight was an adult Iceland Gull N @ 14.54 hours. Also RTDiver, 8 Common Scoter, Shags, Kitts, Gannets, auks etc

Spent the day checking out a few sites along the Northumberland coast, in the hope of finding ‘the big one’. Nothing too exciting found, but Common Redstart, Merlin & 8 Whooper Swan south at Boulmer…and…Yellow-browed Warbler & 1st-winter Caspian Gull at Howick #NEbirding

Olive-backed Pipit found on The Snook, Holy Island today. A very elusive & flighty bird - only seen briefly twice, despite extensive searching, with the two sightings 1hr & 20mins apart. ‘Back of camera’ video recording of OBP calling from within canopy of Snook Plantation #NEbirding

Good look around a couple of local sites produced Green Sand & 2 Snipe at Haughton Strother GPs and Barnacle Goose, 24 Snipe, c1,200 Golden Plover, 113 LBBG & female Goldeneye at Grindon Lough #NEbirding

Quiet wander around Chopwell Woods (Gateshead) this afternoon, whilst the kids were in the adjacent pumptrack. A day-calling male Tawny Owl was the highlight + Nuthatch, Jay etc #NEBirding