Another Day in Paradise

Oh
Think twice
'Cause it's another day for you and me in paradise
Oh
Think twice
It's just another day for you
You and me in paradise (Another day in paradise, ooh)

Phil Collins

26^th Sept.  What a difference a day makes.  Instead of rough seas, heavy rain and wind, the sky was blue and the sun shining this morning as Tom and I headed for St Marys Island.  A very rewarding few hours was spent between here and Tynemouth.  At the latter we had hoped to find the Great Grey Shrike seen early morning, but there was no sign of it and I reckon it had just passed through.  As far as I’m aware it was seen flying into the area of Priors Park, but a search brought nothing.  We checked again for the Barred Warbler, but again there was no sign.  We did find Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and Spotted Flycatchers.  There was some suggestion that a Red Breasted Flycatcher had been seen, but the guys I spoke to couldn’t confirm it and we saw no sign of one.  A couple of Siskin were seen.  What a difference it made standing with the sun reflecting from the river instead of listening to the pounding of waves under leaden skies and feeling damp.

It shocked me to find out that N T Council give us owt for free!  I'm surprised that they don't at least charge when there has been a large fall of migrant birds!

It was hard to imagine what yesterday had been like!

 

It was the early morning and later visit to the St Mary’s Island area that was the most rewarding.  We managed to miss most of the period that the mist came down whilst we ate our lunch at the fish and chip café.

We managed success in tracking down two (possibly three) Yellow Browed Warblers.  One of them showing really well.  Other warblers seen today were Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.  Goldcrests were also seen as were at least six Spotted Flycatchers and at least four Pied Flycatchers.  Several Redstarts were seen very well.

The waders were showing well, with flocks of Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Sanderling, Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank and a few Curlew.  Sea passage seemed light and sea watching was cut short by mist dropping and then the wind.  Are we getting soft or wot?  A small skein of pale bellied Brent Geese was seen flying north. A single Guillemot and a handful of Sandwich Terns were also seen along with Eiders and an unidentified swimming duck.:-)

Lots of familiar faces today, some of which I could place a name too (even if it did take a bit of time with one or two), many more that I couldn’t.  Everyone was friendly and in good spirits.  Apologies to one in particular, as I have no particular images to show, arty or otherwise.  Didn’t have the camera gear today.  Although hang on,  I did manage a few of shots with the pocket camera however just to prove that there is a sun up there. Ha ha

My tribute to Andy Williams who died aged 84 today.  A great artiste and a favourite singer of mine for many years.

Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way

Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend, moon river, and me