Author | Lightnews

Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · 8d

Over five hours #patchbirding at Tynemouth this morning. 3 YBWs the best birds by far, though sadly all evaded the camera. Seven little gulls, two treecreepers (scarce here) and this drake wigeon on Spanish Battery Rocks (unusual to see on the ground/water here) were the best of the rest. #nebirding

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · 15d

Finally caught up with whooper swan at Tynemouth for #PWC2025 with 12 seen flying south this morning, including this flock of 7 past Spanish Battery. #nebirding

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · 16d

Ha! That's my blue skoda right behind you!

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · 26d

Yes, though there will have been many more after I left...

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · 26d

It didn't shift when a dog walked past either, which makes me think something isn't right...

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · 26d

Most waders are rare at Tynemouth Boating Lake (for obvious reasons!) and this young dunlin this morning was only the second I've ever seen there. It seemed unmoved by people walking past it, often at very close range, so sadly may not have been in the best of health. #nebirding #pwc2025

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · 29d

Our last full day on Unst was a bit of a struggle in strong winds. The morning was virtually migrant-free but there was some evidence of a small arrival this afternoon with YBW, hen harrier and snow bunting at Skaw/Valyie. Sad to be leaving tomorrow but I'm sure I'll be back next year! #ukbirding

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · 29d

Unst Day 5: Another slow day, with migrants very hard to come by, was salvaged late afternoon as we finally joined the yellow-browed warbler party when we came across this beauty at Hunter's Wood. #ukbirding

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 24

Unst Day 4: Much quieter day today in a brisk southerly wind. A few new birds were evident but migrant passerines remain thin on the ground. A barred warbler at Burrafirth was probably the highlight, though it was generally very adept at avoiding the camera! #ukbirding

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 24

Thanks Cliff!

Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 23

Unst Day 3 (2): Eastern bonelli's warbler would be a British tick for me so despite great views at Houland this afternoon, it was somewhat frustrating not to hear its diagnostic call, despite spending 4.5 hours on site. #ukbirding #rarebirdsuk

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 23

Thanks Brydon! To be fair it is an unusually showy PG, but I was well chuffed with that pic.

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 23

The weather was beautiful on Unst this morning, the Pallas's grasshopper warbler was still present at Clingera and I was pleased to get some better photos... #ukbirding #rarebirdsuk

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 22

Unst Day 2 (2): Up until we decided to visit Clingera this afternoon these two were vying for the accolade of bird of the day - summer plumaged great northern diver at Haroldswick and wood warbler at Halligarth... #ukbirding

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 22

Unst Day 2: a slow morning followed by a surreal afternoon during which we found a pallas's grasshopper warbler at Clingera!

My photos were hopeless but thankfully @johnsoniain.bsky.social's were much better, including this one.
#ukbirding #rarebirdsuk

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 21

Off patch for a week for our annual autumn trip to Unst. Our first full day today was somewhat challenging in a northerly gale and hail showers, with two common rosefinches at Leewart the best of the slim pickings on offer. #ukbirding

Common rosefinch, Leewart, Unst 21-09-25

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 14

Also today, this pochard on Tynemouth Boating Lake. Sadly, less than annual here now. #pwc2025 #nebirding

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 14

#nebirding #PWC2025

Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 14

Another great morning of vis-mig at Tynemouth with birds heading south in a light SW wind. Totals by 11.30 included:
4 marsh harriers (!)
3 buzzards
1,925 mipits
225 house martin
125 swallow
150 pink footed geese
80+ siskins
20+ redpolls
23 skylarks
7 swifts
5 grey wags
1 wheatear
1 reed bunting

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 14

Another great morning of vis-mig at Tynemouth with birds heading south in a light SW wind. Totals by 11.30 included:
4 marsh harriers (!)
3 buzzards
1,925 mipits
225 house martin
125 swallow
150 pink footed geese
80+ siskins
20+ redpolls
23 skylarks
7 swifts
5 grey wags
1 wheatear
1 reed bunting

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 13

Quiet-ish morning on the patch at Tynemouth, but a few local scarcities provided some interest, including this little egret right over my head in Prior's Park. Also garden warbler, jay, 3 rooks and a reasonable number of pipits and finches heading south.
#nebirding #pwc2025

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 7

A proper autumn birding day on the patch at Tynemouth with a SE wind blowing all day. No less than 7 #pwc2025 year-ticks included pied fly and whinchat, while sea-watching added 2 black terns (my first here since 2017), little tern, little gull, pintail and common sandpiper. #nebirding

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 5

Fingers crossed! Agree it doesn't look perfect but it's the best it's looked for some time

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 5

Odd that you had so many fewer hirundines than went through Tynemouth this morning (where there were over 2,000 by 09.00), despite being less than 30 miles up the coast. Presumably optimal weather conditions for vis mig must be slightly different at the Snook to what they are here?

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 5

Not the best photo but my first half decent passerine migrant of the autumn at Tynemouth - spotted flycatcher this morning
#nebirding #pwc2025

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Duncan Watson @tynemouthbirds.bsky.social · Sep 5

Clear skies and a light SW wind meant a busy morning of Vis Mig at Tynemouth. Totals by 9am included:
House martin 1520
Mipit 1150
Swallow 660
Siskin 25
Swift 7
Redpoll 1
Black-tailed godwit 2
True totals must have been much higher as birds were passing through on all sides.
#nebirding #pwc2025

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