Left my house at 05.05am and picked up Jack Bujok, Dan & Mike Booker to hopefully nail the Cleveland White-throated Robin. The roads were clear and we soon got up there arriving at Hartlepool Headland at 10.57am.
The WHITE-THROATED ROBIN showed straight away, and continued to do so for a further half hour, sometimes showing as close as 12ft. Great views were had of this 3rd for Britain and well worth waiting until the crowds had died down.
To make the most of the north, we went to Wykeham Forest Raptor watchpoint in the hope of seeing Honey Buzzards. As we arrived, a male Honey came into view and was watched for a couple of minutes. The time spent here resulted in 4-5 Honey Buzzards, all showing very closely and also included a wing-clapping display from one of the birds. Also Crossbills and Siskins were seen.
Bempton Cliffs RSPB was our last call of the day. Tree Sparrows were everywhere and the seabird colony was great. Close views of all the regulars as well as a dozen or so Puffins. A great day out.
Arrived home at 11.02pm, absolutely nackered!!! Photos below.
female DAINTY DAMSELFLY - note the long pale pterostigma; no spine on the 8th abdominal segment; faint spur on side of thorax; rocket shapes on abdominal segments with a faint tip; narrow antehumeral stripes compared to female Com. Blue and the pale legs. Not easy to see in the photo, but size compared to that of Common Blue is smaller with a different flight action also noted.
Blue-tailed Damselfly form rufescens
Emerald Damselfly.
