Oystercatchers brightening up a cold and grey Margrove this afternoon. Goosander x 3 still on main pond & dunnock in fine song - always a delight to hear. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Lesser black-backed gull back on Margrove in readiness for the annual duckling feast. Usually a pair of them but just the one seen so far. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Not the sharpest of photos but nice to catch one of the Margrove buzzards mid-hover. Always a treat watching these fabulous birds display their mastery of the sky. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Chiffchaff & bee fly at Cowpen this afternoon. Lapwing at ZWR, & goosander at Margrove. Superb light bringing all the colours out beautifully. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Distant record photos of the very unexpected white-winged black tern at Saltholme this afternoon. Never thought one of these beauties would be my first tern of the year. Superb bird. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

At least four red kites on the moors today. Always a treat to see these magnificent birds. Hope they do well and keep safe. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Oystercatcher in retreat on the Baysdale road this afternoon, plus a thirsty red grouse & very obliging meadow pipit - quite a few present. No ring ouzel seen as yet. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Duties took me out of the area today so nice to spend some time on the way home with ravens & fulmars on the Yorkshire coast. Ravens in fine cronking voice. Photos taken from a distance on full zoom so as not to to disturb the birds. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews #BirdWatching

Wheatear pair near Sleddale, nice pipit on the Baysdale road (tree pipit or just a warm meadow pipit?) - male ring ouzel also present, unfortunately not photographed. Little ringed plover pair at Scaling Dam. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching

Wish all birds were as confiding as this beautiful female stonechat at a very quiet Hummersea this afternoon. Swallow & sand martin numbers building up at Margrove on the way home. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching

A much-needed hour out today brought some wonderful birds. Dipper & pied wagtail at Little Ayton, plus meadow pipit & a very showy male ring ouzel below the Baysdale road. Heat haze making ouzel photography difficult but a joy to watch him a while. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews

Male ring ouzel pottering about and feeding well below the Baysdale road this afternoon. Always a treat to see these spring/summer upland visitors. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching

A very obliging oystercatcher on the moors today - it didn't fly away calling and alerting every bird for half a mile like they usually do. Lovely to fully appreciate its plumage and that superb red eye highlighted by vivid orange orbital ring. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews

Reed bunting & marsh tit at Margrove. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Watching a pair of grey partridge at Seaton Common today when the hooded crow made a brief but very welcome appearance. Life ✅ Smart looking bird, distinctive amongst its regular cousins. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Patch gold with this stunning ruddy shelduck at Margrove this afternoon - an unexpected & welcome surprise. Photo doesn't do it justice - burnt orange & cream plumage astonishing to the eye. Nice to get relatively close views. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching

Distant birds today but still a joy to watch. At least 3 ring ouzel under Park Nab near Kildale - thanks to Rick & partner for heads-up & good scope views. Wheatear pair near Sleddale & common sandpiper at Scaling Dam. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

A very obliging female stonechat at Hummersea today. A pair flitting about on the bramble tops. Always nice to see. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025

Yellowhammer in fine song & nicely marked common buzzard at Hummersea today. Merlin & huge buzzard that had me thinking (hoping) white-tailed eagle for a while at Commondale. Kestrel, sparrowhawk & buzzard also at same spot. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB

Oft heard but rarely seen, one of the Margrove wrens made a welcome appearance this afternoon, albeit in cold dull conditions. Female goosander feeding & showing well on main pond. teesbirds NorthYorksBirdNews RSPB #birdwatching #BirdsSeenIn2025