Hartlepool Headland

 A day out with Stuart.

We started our day with a spell of sea watching from the Headland at Hartlepool.

The tide was starting to go out, but still lots of activity close to shore. Rafts of guillemots and razorbills on the sea with a smattering of kittiwakes. A steady flow of cormorants with one of two shags. Gannets were also back and forth and a single fulmar. A light phase arctic skua made a brief appearance. One, then two red -throated divers flew south, a while later two flew north and then a single one flew south. We had no way of knowing if they were the same birds or 5 different ones.

We could hear the sound of sandwich terns as they flew past along with common terns and several arctic terns. A  single light phase arctic skua flew south. Lots of starlings on the grass in front of us and house martins hunting for insects. Swallows were also flying around catching insects for their young.

A walk to the Pilots Pier did not results in any new birds for our list.

Newburn Bridge had lots of gulls and a few juvenile sandwich terns but no waders. No birds close to the road to North Gare, so we drove down Zinc Works Road and parked the car. We then walked out towards Seaton Snook.

A little water still on the sands.

A very large beach area with lots of gulls, terns and cormorants fishing just off shore. Or at least they were until the dog walkers came along and disturbed everything. Lots of sandwich terns, a few common and arctic terns and Stu found 3 roseate terns. No sign of any skuas.

Phil Stead hide was our next stop.

2 great white egrets

 A little egret, 36 black-tailed godwits

2 snipe

Saltholme Pools was our last stop as we hoped to see a white fronted goose.

The weather forecast was for rain so we did not stay long in the hide. Stuart found some barnacle geese but no sign of a white fronted goose. A pair of snipe were feeding close to the hide.

We just got back to the car as it started to rain. A good days birding with excellent company.