9 September 2023 - South Gare, Saltholme, Greatham Creek, North Cave

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Brown Booby, Arctic Skua, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpipers, Red-necked Phalarope, Yellow Wagtail, Bittern

Had a trip up to the North-east with Andrew in scorching temperatures. First stop was South Gare for the Brown Booby. When we arrived it was on a relatively distant buoy, but not long afterwards came closer and perched on the nearest buoy to the shore. It was still some distance off but we got great views through the scope. It was quite mobile and went on a few flights when it would generally be chased by gulls. It did look a bit like a skua in flight, but the gulls obviously knew it was something different. Also here I had a distant Arctic Skua, but gave it up when the Booby suddenly landed nearer. There were plenty of Guillemots and Razorbills and we also had a Red-throated Diver fly past, and a mottled-looking Eider. We heard Greenshank and Whimbrel but didn't see them.

Moving on to Saltholme Pools, we stopped by the roadside and watched the Buff-breasted Sandpiper for some time. It was a little tricky, often disappearing behind tufts of grass or rocks, but gradually gave decent scope views though it never really came within camera distance. Also here we had at least one Curlew Sandpiper and found a Little Stint. A pair of Marsh Harriers hunted over the back of the pool on the opposite side of the road. We called into the RSPB centre where there wasn't much to see other than a few ducks and a Stock Dove, but they do have a good selection of second-hand bird books for sale (note to self!).

We then went to Greatham Creek where there'd been a Pectoral Sandpiper, although we didn't manage to locate it. There were plenty of waders about - Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, more Curlew Sandpipers (two or three), Sanderling and Knot, and a young Razorbill that swam under the road bridge just below us. A Spoonbill sat out on the marsh along with good numbers of (presumably Grey) Seals (although Harbour Seals are also here).

After searching for sometime and beginning to get sunburnt, we decided to head south to North Cave Wetlands, where there'd been a Red-necked Phalarope. When we arrived, we headed straight for the Turret Hide where most of the interesting waders had been seen from, and immediately the Phalarope was visible, swimming and feeding in the pool in front of the hide. A lot of the time it was almost the closest bird, and gave fantastic views with the sunshine behind us. We also had a great selection of other waders here, including a single Wood Sandpiper, maybe half a dozen Green Sandpipers, and three Curlew Sandpipers. A nice addition was a Yellow Wagtail that I managed to locate to the left of the hide.

After watching the phalarope and friends for some time we headed back to the car park. Here a Bittern had shown in the morning but wasn't on view when we arrived. We decided to have a look anyway, and after 20 minutes or so, Andrew picked it out, walking in the edge of the reeds on the far side of the pool. Luckily I managed to get onto it and watched it for just a few seconds as it walked left and then moved deeper into the reedbed and out of view.

Brown Booby