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/3mzq5raakgc2lThe Short-toed Lark at Whitburn today was the first I’ve seen since my annual trips to Scilly 25years + ago when they were pretty much guaranteed every year #NEbirding07 Nov 2026 14:56 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mzq5raakgc2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mzbj4xnd322eIn the late afternoon light this distant Common Scoter was on the ‘golden’ Tyne at Dunston. Nice find by @nucifraga.bsky.social #NEbirding01 Nov 2026 19:09 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mzbj4xnd322ehttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3myd5ub7un22fNo sooner back to the patch after watching the Desert Wheatear than I received an alert from Keith Bowey who had just found a Long-tailed Duck on the Derwent at Swalwell. Presumably brought inland by the E winds, it was feeding voraciously but didn’t stay long #NEbirding20 Oct 2026 17:28 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3myd5ub7un22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mycmadacs22vThe Desert Wheatear at Jackie’s Beach, Whitburn showed very well this morning. Great find by @pratorum2112.bsky.social #NEbirding20 Oct 2026 12:12 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mycmadacs22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mxtjkqlw2s2iIt’s day 12 for the Great White Egret at Shibdon Pond. Quite something when my first in Gateshead was a ‘one evening’ bird just last year #NEbirding14 Oct 2026 12:15 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxtjkqlw2s2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mx2fg6mzsc2uA rare trip off patch this morning to meet up with Ian Mills and look at the Shorelarks at South Shields. Well worth it as exceptional views were had! #NEbirding04 Oct 2026 12:24 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mx2fg6mzsc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mwuzu6jbek22Great White Egret remains a rare bird in Gateshead though it is increasing and over the last couple of years there have been a handful of sightings. This one at Shibdon Pond this morning was the 2nd for 2026 #NEbirding02 Oct 2026 09:14 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwuzu6jbek22https://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mwnw2aljr22cThe Rock Pipit at Dunston, Gateshead showed again this afternoon on the exposed seaweed off Kingfisher Court - some 12 or more miles inland #NEbirding29 Sep 2026 13:17 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwnw2aljr22chttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mwdmgrmixc2lA good morning along the Tyne at Dunston, Gateshead today. Firstly second helpings of the Caspian Gull from 7 August then a mobile Rock Pipit which finally gave itself up below Cormorant Drive. Very scarce here so ‘patch silver’ if not gold #NEbirding25 Sep 2026 10:58 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwdmgrmixc2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/pauldavidson936.bsky.social/post/3mwb46hnjcs2iThe tidal mud at Cormorant Drive, Dunston is by far the best place in Gateshead to see passage Ringed Plover and after a flurry of birds in the spring it was good to see a juvenile this morning #NEbirding24 Sep 2026 11:02 +0000at://did:plc:s7qkfg6ccl5cknawul2o7666/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwb46hnjcs2ihttps://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/3meglskd4p227