Black Redstart

A family trip to Runswick Bay was very worthwhile as I found a Black Redstart feeding amongst the sea protection boulders alongside the ramp down on to the beach. Failed to get much of a photo unfortunately. Also at Runswick Bay 4 Chiffchaff and a Sparrowhawk; 6 Pied Wagtails, a possible White that eluded me and a Rock Pipit.

At home the Siskins are continuing to scoff the Niger seed along with the Goldfinches and increasingly the Chaffinches. The Chaffinches are especially keen when the other food runs out - we seem to be going through a lot of Niger at the moment. Also 2 Marsh Tits, Long-tailed Tits, both commoner woodpeckers and about 600 or so Black-headed and Common Gulls feeding in the dale.

Late afternoon I headed back to the coast and checked around Abbey Plain and the Coastgurds first. 80 Common Scoter but no Velvet and 5 Eider. Good numbers of Pied Wagtails here also. On to Saltwick Nab where a Manx Shearwater went north and a Purple Sandpiper and a Knot were amongst the Oystercatchers and Redshanks on the beach.