Tuesday 14th started bright and sunny, and we hurried ourselves out. First point of call was Salthouse and another search for Yellow Browed Warblers proved fruitless. The sea was a tad choppy still and a couple of Red Throated Divers moved east.
News of a Red Flanked Bluetail came through at Stiffkey, whilst at Salthouse, and we decided to head along the coast to go for it. It proved to be elusive but showed on a few occasions, enabling Sarah to gain a new species, and what a beauty of a species to get.
Whilst searching the woods a owl was seen to come in and then fly straight out, no doubt due to the amount of people looking for the Red Flanked Bluetail. It was either a Tawny or a Long Eared Owl, and as I looked to where it had headed, there was Sarah already transfixed on its position and calling Long eared ! Everyone then joined her and we all lined up to view this orange eyed lovely as it settled in the hedge.
After some time and no further sign of the Red Flanked' we headed back to the car, not before a stop for an obliging Redstart to have its photo taken.
We pulled up at Wells Woods for, dare I say it Yellow Browed Warblers and maybe the Olive backed Pipit and Radde's warbler there. We headed straight to where the Radde's Warbler was seen. And once again we timed it perfectly, picking the Radde's moving through the woodland on arrival. Sarah headed off to the beach, can't keep her away from the seafront...
I got good views of the Radde's and was pleased to gain a couple of record shots, before having to run back to the car before the ticket run out!!
What a day and some great birds seen.
