Ian Foster

With news that the Northumberland White-tailed Eagle was heading south Jamie Duffie and myself positioned ourselves by Hart Village in the vain hope we would connect with it. Incredibly of all the fields, it appeared over the very field we were overlooking! Superb views as it headed south #NEbirding

Thanks Ian, I actually think I’ve asked you about this bird before! 👍🏼

. @ianfouk.bsky.social Is this bird known to you? Presumably it’s a regular? #NEbirding

Three Scaup seen at Bowesfield Marsh this afternoon. A scarce bird in Cleveland these days. Nice to see after a blank 2025 for me! #NEBirding

Glaucous Gull and two of the three Waxwing seen at Bowesfield Marsh this afternoon. I think the Glaucous Gull could be the same bird seen in Acklam on 11th January? #NEBirding

Two Cormorants on Archers Pond, Bowesfield Marsh today, nicely showing the difference between “Sinensis” (L/H Bird) and “Carbo” races. A pair of Goldeneye also present. #NEBirding

Coincidentally (to me anyway) I’ve just played this newly acquired flexi by Velvet Crush that features the track Walking Out On Love, just happens to be written by Paul Collins that I have to admit I had never heard of until tonight!

A few record shots taken in murky conditions of the four Tundra Bean Geese I found at Cowpen Bewley today. Nice to get in on the recent influx. The first in Cleveland since early January 2023! #NEbirding

A second visit to Acklam Cemetery was in order today when Martin Blick found this superb Glaucous Gull on an adjacent sports field! Seen later a bit closer from the Avenue Of Trees off Hall Drive. A very rare bird for Middlesbrough! #NEbirding

Finally managed to get a decent view and photographs of the long staying Hooded Crow in Acklam Cemetery, Middlesbrough. No longer classed as a full species but still a great bird! #NEbirding

Black-throated Diver from Jackson’s Landing, Hartlepool yesterday and still present today. A classic site for the species in Cleveland. Cracking looking bird and great to see after failing to see one at all last year. Best I could do as it was always very distant! #NEbirding

Brilliant bird. Was setting off for the Cornwall bird the night that turned up. Can remember someone rang me and asked if I had set off for Cornwall yet, I said no and they replied don’t bother, there’s one at Grimsby!!! Saved me about 700 miles! 👍🏼🍺

Nice collection! A couple of bits I don’t have. Picked up this shirt a while back and was pretty sure I recognised the view…whilst wandering Hartlepool Headland in Oct took these pics! Hope you track down a copy of the first album.

Out of interest, where is it stated that Cat C6 species are “supposedly not counted in the British List total”? Can’t find any reference to that.

Paid the South Gare Bluethroat another visit this afternoon. Had gone missing, but soon found it feeding around the Fisherman’s Cabins. The bird shows incredibly well at times! Such a great bird! #NEbirding

Sooty Whitethroat or maybe Dusky Lesser Whitethroat has a good ring to it!

I would suggest it was to be submitted to BBRC but they presumably will only accept with DNA evidence?

Yep, wouldn’t have crossed anyone’s mind to get a sample for DNA back in 2000. Things have changed a lot in the last quarter of a Century! 😵‍💫

Presumably not? @damianmoney.bsky.social may know/recall more?

Sadly it was trapped on its first day as it was found in what was then a regular ringing site and again at least once during its stay, however no sample was taken for DNA as I can only guess it wasn’t even thought about at the time? A very distinctive bird!

Black Redstart also seen at South Gare this afternoon, in the classic location of the Boat Yard. #NEbirding

A couple more of the South Gare Bluethroat. In the second photo it’s doing its very best to look super rare… #NEbirding

Bluethroat from South Gare, Cleveland this afternoon. A very late record. Think we were all surprised by this one! Very rare birds these days, so an opportunity not to be missed! Thanks to the finder. #NEbirding

Cheers James! Glad a few connected today. Been a long time since the last one in the Borough…Just need another Black Necked now 🤞🏻

A few pics of the superb adult winter Slavonian Grebe found in M’bro Dock this morning, taken in poor conditions. Middlesbrough’s 3rd record following birds on Hemlington Lake Feb/Mar 1981 and a very popular bird on a small pond by the Law Courts in the town centre Jan 1996. #NEbirding

Olive-backed Pipit from South Gare today. Cleveland’s 5th record following hot on the heels of the 2023 Hartlepool bird. This one showed very well at times and a nice “grip back” for a few locals that missed out previously. A well marked bird, just look at those legs! Great find by NAP. #NEbirding

The Middlesbrough section of the River Tees was very productive today. Along with the pair of Velvet Scoter, we also had three Long-tailed Duck fly towards the Riverside Stadium! Whooper Swan and Great Crested Grebe also seen. If only it was always like this! #NEbirding #Urbanbirding

A pair of Velvet Scoters on the River Tees today. Initially showed very well before lucky doing one loop of the river up to the Riverside Stadium before heading back downstream again and landing in Stockton, then Redcar waters! Another new species for Middlesbrough! #NEbirding #Urbanbirding

American Wigeon from Stoneybeck Lake, Co.Durham late morning. Finally got round to paying this bird a visit. Moulting out of eclipse and starting to look quite smart! Also 8 Pochard and a Goosander flew over. #NEbirding

Cheers Paul, thanks for the info. Shame I couldn’t get there yesterday. Going to call in on the Sibe Chat. 👍🏼