Eleven members attended, meeting at the Lighthouse. It was a wet drive to Hartlepool but our day was dry, overcast with sunny periods. It was a breezy day which did turn colder during the afternoon. It was a low tide when we arrived just on the turn.
From the sea watching point there were 22 Great-crested Grebes, two Red-throated divers, numerous Cormorants and a solitary Guillemot. 10 Common Scoters flew past followed by three later and two Eider Ducks. Great Black-backed, Herring and Black-headed Gulls could be seen all along the sea front.
A walk along the sea front to the North had one Rock Pipit on the breakwater and two Pied Wagtails on the walkway. Waders found on the rocks were numerous Turnstones, Oystercatchers, two Purple Sandpipers, three Common Redshanks and six Ringed Plovers. One Fulmar flew over at low level.
We then walked back towards the Fish Quay and harbour. There were up to 10 more Purple Sandpipers on the shoreline, Common Redshanks and Turnstones. Loafing on the rocks were Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls with Cormorants and two Shag.
The entrance to the harbour had small groups of Eiders on the water or resting on the small rocky shore with 20 Cormorants. Two Grey Seals were seen in the harbour area. Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls were resting on the roof tops at Fish Quay but the hoped for Glaucous Gull from last week had moved on. On return towards the car park a Chiffchaff was found in the War Memorial Gardens near the Lighthouse.
A Black Redstart was on industrial ground near the marina but the wind seemed to have put it to ground and we did not connect with it. Although a Stonechat did show. Next stop was Newburn Bridge which is a small rock and shingle beach were waders roost as the tide comes in. There were 25 Sanderlings, 30 Ringed Plover, two Purple Sandpipers, 34 Oystercatchers and more Turnstones. All close in for excellent viewing and photographs. A quick search found the regular Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed, Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls.
From here we drove through Seaton Carew to Greatham Creek which is a tidal marsh with muddy gullies, rough grass and pools. As we arrived a large number of Lapwing and Golden Plover were in the air after being disturbed by a predator. On the muddy areas there were seven Black-tailed Godwits, Shelducks and 17 Curlew. Three Marsh Harriers and a Common Buzzard were seen over towards Cowpen Marsh. A walk across the road to the Saline Lagoon gave us a Spotted Redshank which has wintered in the area with 15 Common Redshanks.
All the time in this area we had been on the lookout for a Short-eared Owl which was eventually seen hunting on our return to the car park viewing screen looking over the marsh.
Our last call as we were passing Saltholme was to view the pools from the road side. The regular wildfowl included Shelduck, Gadwall, Teal, Pochard, Mallard, two Pintails, Coot and large numbers of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Black-headed Gulls. The highlights though were a Spoonbill on Back Saltholme and a Great White Egret on the road side pool.
This brought a good day to an end. Finishing with a total of 54 species for the day we finished here at 4.45 pm.
Although it was a quiet day for smaller birds it was a successful day out. Thank you to all who attended.
Mike Smithson
