NORTH EAST

Highlights In association with It was a monstrous month, including perhaps eight Siberian Accentors, mainly in Northumberland, but as far south as Easington (Spurn), East Yorks, where the UK’S second-ever of this species proved the most showy and popular. Eastern Black Redstart, Isabelline Wheatears and Brown Shrike, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Black-browed Albatross and White’s Thrush and Solitary Sandpiper were also-rans!

CLEVELAND HIGHLIGHTS: A Siberian Accentor was at Huntcliff (15th). A Desert Wheatear was at Old Cemetery, Hartlepool (14th) while a Pied Wheatear was at Redcar (29th-30th). A Red Flanked Bluetail was at Hartlepool (9th), a Siberian Stonechat at Huntcliff (13th-15th) and an Eastern Black Redstart at Skinningrove (from 27th) – an amazing month! HARTLEPOOL: Other scarce migrants included Pallas’s Warbler (11th-13th), Red-breasted Flycatcher (6th-10th) and numerous Yellow-browed Warblers. Nearby at Old Cemetery a Dusky Warbler was present (15th) and a Shore Lark and two Lapland Buntings (14th). HUNTCLIFF/BROTTON AREA: In addition to the Siberian Accentor (15th) a Radde’s Warbler, two Dusky Warblers and a Pallas’s Warbler were also seen. A ringtail Hen Harrier also flew over. NORTH TEES MARSHES: The Ruddy Shelduck was still present at Saltholme RSPB early on. A Black-necked Grebe was present throughout and a Long-tailed Duck (from 12th). Bitterns were occasionall and a late Garganey was still present at the end of the month. A Cetti’s Warbler was on Dormans Pool (9th). OTHER SITES: A Corn Bunting was at Redcar Fox Covert (from 25th). Scaling Dam held both White-fronted Goose and tundra Bean Goose (18th-19th). A Red-breasted Flycatcher was at Locke Park, Redcar (24th). Small numbers of Waxwings were at a variety of sites (from 25th). Several herds of Whooper Swans passed through in the last few days. A Raven was a good find in Sleddale (4th). Up to 70 Twite were at Seaton Snook late in the month. Chris Sharpe 01429 865163