Gateshead birder I Loves radio I Trustee @durhamwildlife I Presenter @radiotyneside. DAB & 93.6FM on Tyneside, online, via Radioplayer App & on smart speakers. https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mt52jplosk23Passage waders in Gateshead have been at a premium so far this autumn (not helped by a lack of fresh water/mud!) so this Greenshank on the Tyne at Stella this afternoon was good to see #NEbirding15 Aug 2026 16:06 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt52jplosk23https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3msj5eeejos2sThe gathering of gulls at the mouth of the Teams in Gateshead this afternoon included this 2CY Caspian Gull. Thanks to @pratorum2112.bsky.social for help with the id #NEbirding07 Aug 2026 18:04 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3msj5eeejos2shttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3ms3wx7j3g22aGateshead’s answer to Spurn Point, (Burdon Moor) produced juvenile Redstart, Whinchat and good numbers of warblers this morning. Nice finds from Rob Stonehouse #NEbirding02 Aug 2026 12:04 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms3wx7j3g22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mrsfowphi223A little bit of action ‘round the doors’ in Gateshead this morning. A Purple Hairstreak in the suburban garden in Ryton was a very unexpected first and then a Lesser Whitethroat at Path Head NR was also a surprise. They are scarce in the Borough and I hadn’t seen one since May #NEbirding29 Jul 2026 17:01 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrsfowphi223https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mrdifarjis2lJust back from a short family break in Norfolk. Very quiet and immediately post BW Kite disappearance sadly but did manage to pull out this German ringed juvenile Caspian Gull on Cromer beach. Some ‘notching’ on the coverts/tertials but in all other respects it looked the part #NEbirding23 Jul 2026 18:40 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrdifarjis2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mqhrr5ni222jRed-necked Phalarope is one of my very favourite birds so while in Northumberland this afternoon I couldn’t resist calling in to the Budge hide at Druridge Pools. Always distant but in summer plumage it’s a real beauty! #NEbirding12 Jul 2026 18:13 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqhrr5ni222jhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mplqep3wv22iSmall Red-eyed Damselflies only arrived in Gateshead a couple of years ago and they were back on the wing this morning together with a couple of the usual more colourful suspects #NEbirding01 Jul 2026 14:34 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mplqep3wv22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mnroestg4k2iFollowing on from what has, for me, been a very quiet Spring we move into the traditionally quiet Summer so might as well take time to appreciate some of our commoner birds like the humble and underrated Meadow Pipit #NEbirding08 Jun 2026 12:23 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mnroestg4k2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mll2qqckbs22Here in Gateshead we’re waiting patiently for a Temminck’s Stint but meanwhile this splendid, if somewhat distant, Ruff at Lamesley Watermeadows was a welcome visitor. Thanks again to @gatesheadandbey #NEbirding11 May 2026 10:26 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mll2qqckbs22https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mkzjcasubs2nAnother bird which usually appears in Gateshead after easterlies/rain in early May is Whinchat and this one popped up on Burdon Moor this morning while @paulandmaureen and I were chatting #NEbirding04 May 2026 10:58 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkzjcasubs2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mkwrwrnrbk2hAll you need is some heavy overnight rain in early May and ‘hey presto’ a Wood Sandpiper appears at Lamesley Watermeadows. Thanks to Rob Stonehouse for a nice find on the early shift today03 May 2026 08:55 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkwrwrnrbk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mkiiyy4hak2qLesser Whitethroats are difficult enough to see never mind photograph and this one at Lamesley has certainly given me the run around since it arrived a few days ago. However this afternoon after a 90 minute wait it finally popped up in front of me and started singing! #NEbirding27 Apr 2026 16:38 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkiiyy4hak2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mjzppp5gd22vIn Gateshead Little Owls tend to be very elusive during the winter months but they become more conspicuous in the Spring and this one was showing well today #NEbirding21 Apr 2026 19:28 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzppp5gd22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mjzjx2pxo224Just back from a holiday on Madeira. As well as the land based endemics got lovely views of Rock Sparrow and Spectacled Warbler thanks to Madeira Windbirds #NEbirding21 Apr 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjzjx2pxo224https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3miqjdpunp22wGateshead’s first Black-tailed Godwit of the year appeared by the Tyne at Dunston this morning in blasting westerlies. Thanks to David Locke for the shout #NEbirding05 Apr 2026 10:15 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3miqjdpunp22whttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mhzyky4zqc2aAt long last I’ve managed to get a couple of photos of Cetti’s Warbler that feature the whole bird 🙂 #NEbirding27 Mar 2026 11:16 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhzyky4zqc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mhdt6y6vp22aThe warm spring sunshine produced an incredibly early Wheatear in Gateshead this afternoon along the fence line at Burdon Moor, though it didn’t stay long! #NEbirding18 Mar 2026 15:41 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhdt6y6vp22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mgfyw7ehf22gA teatime treat in the fading light just before dusk my first Barn Owl on the patch this year was most welcome #NEbirding06 Mar 2026 19:04 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgfyw7ehf22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mftu6zrnks2aLate to the party but made it to Blyth this morning and very pleased to see both White-billed Divers. The bird in the harbour was the closer of the two but still kept its distance today and was never closer than100m so no point blank photos #NEbirding27 Feb 2026 13:51 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mftu6zrnks2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3meglskd4p227The Glaucous Gull found on the Tyne about 10 days ago has taken to loafing at Shibdon Pond where it spent some time again this morning @durhamwildlife.bsky.social #NEbirding09 Feb 2026 13:51 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3meglskd4p227https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mebiyekp2k2aIt was a very long way away but nonetheless delighted to see the White-tailed Eagle at Widdrington Farm this morning #NEbirding07 Feb 2026 13:18 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mebiyekp2k2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mdpqnijkg22fOur first ‘big’ patch bird for the year this Glaucous Gull showed well on the banks of the Tyne opposite the Staiths Cafe this morning. First in the Borough for a good few years #NEbirding31 Jan 2026 11:47 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdpqnijkg22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mddojgp6zk23I hadn’t seen a wintering Blackcap for a good few years but I’ve now come across two in as many weeks. This one today was backwards and forwards enjoying the sunflower seeds in the garden at Ryton #NEbirding26 Jan 2026 16:37 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mddojgp6zk23https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mcrt6utmss26First trip off patch this year to Cumbria and the Ross’s Goose showed exactly where it was supposed to be as soon as the mist cleared. Took a good while for it to come anywhere near close enough for a photo though! #NEbirding19 Jan 2026 14:12 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcrt6utmss26https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mboqdepob22hAlways good to get a Chiffchaff at the beginning of January. This was one of two birds at Far Pasture NR today. Not sure what’s going on with those feet though! #NEbirding05 Jan 2026 15:18 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mboqdepob22hhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mbcg2rjf5c2wAnother good year in Gateshead with 3 new patch birds for me including 2 self found, Glossy Ibis & GN Diver (1st on our stretch of the Tyne for 140 years) The 3rd was a long overdue GW Egret. Also 2nd Grey Plover and Caspian Gull. Thanks to everyone involved & HNY! #NEbirding31 Dec 2025 17:42 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbcg2rjf5c2whttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mb4kww5m4s2lIn Gateshead Fieldfare favour the higher ground with Ravensworth Fell being a regular spot and this year, as usual, there’s a good flock in the area #NEbirding29 Dec 2025 09:54 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mb4kww5m4s2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3m7x6puhfc22pA thermal imager is on the Christmas list. Thanks to @beardedgeordie.bsky.social and his,saw this Jack Snipe at a few metres range without disturbing it and leaving it in situ when we left #NEbirding14 Dec 2025 13:07 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7x6puhfc22phttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3m5ljmcdxik2rDelighted to cone across this Gateshead mega this morning, Great Northern Diver on the Tyne at Dunston - full patch tick! #NEbirding14 Nov 2025 10:59 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5ljmcdxik2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3m4o2hly4z225It’s probably twenty years or more since I last saw Marsh Tit In Gateshead so I was very pleased to catch up with this one today #NEbirding02 Nov 2025 17:41 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4o2hly4z225