Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Local patch birder Kev Stead found this Buff-breasted Sandpiper this morning at Castle Lake (a site first). Managed to get out and twitch it, Buff breasted and Pectoral Sandpipers in the same field of view was special. 0110
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Another species that with distance and poor light can look like a small juvenile female Ruff, to my eyes anyway, the Castle Lake Pectoral Sandpiper still present this evening. 050
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Really pleased to chance upon this Spotted Flycatcher (patch tick) at Castle Lake today. Two Hobbies also seen made for a good day. 170
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Castle Lake in strengthening westerlies, single Curlew Sandpiper, single Common Sandpiper, two Greenshank, nine Ruff, c200 Curlew and three Black-tailed Godwits. Returning Wigeon now in double figures. 030
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Ten Black-tailed Godwits dropped in Castle Lake as I was leaving plus a Great Egret. 050
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 02/09/2026A little bit static on patch at the moment. Three Curlew Sandpipers still with seven Ruff, two Ringed Plover, singles of Common Sandpiper and maybe my last of year Yellow Wagtail. 180
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Castle Lake am. Three Curlew Sandpipers, 14 Ruff, one Greenshank, one Green Sandpiper, one Dunlin, one Ringed Plover. Wheatear also present. The site is looking good except for the 700 Greylags! 050
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 29/08/2026Not do my street cred any good, if I had any, but juvenile female Ruff and juvenile Curlew Sandpipers can look very alike at distance. I’ve said it now. I’ve had both on patch recently and this morning, it always takes me a little time to sort them out. 120
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Curlew Sandpipers were up to four with Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Snipe and Curlew also present. 020
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Nice mix again at Castle Lake this evening, some of the 14 Ruff present. 030
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 27/08/2026A shocker of an image through the window but two of the five Tree Sparrows that have become regular garden visitors, I think a family party. Lovely to see. 050
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Castle Lake evening, two Dunlin, 14 Ruff (min count), one Ringed Plover, two Green Sandpiper, one Curlew Sandpiper, eight Snipe, one Great White Egret. 060
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/08/2026A nice mix of waders at Castle Lake this afternoon. 10 Ruff, two Green Sandpiper, one Wood Sandpiper, three Ringed Plover and four Greenshank all present. Eight of the Ruff in the video. 070
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 05/08/2026Looking forward to reading this, hopefully it will help my strike rate! 010
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Surprisingly it has taken me almost 12 months to add Mediterranean Gull to my Castle Lake list. A little sign of wader passage with Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Snipe and Little Ringed Plover all present today. 070
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 19/07/2026Common Redstart (patch tick) Castle Lake in bushes adjacent to the hide. Also two Redshank, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper and five LRP. 010
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 25/05/2026Garganey showing well in front of Saltholme pools hide. RSPB Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social 091
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2026Very quiet at Castle Lake this morning, Yellow Wagtails in decent numbers but just single Little Ringed Plover and four Avocets of minor note. A single Lapwing chick still surviving. 170
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 09/05/2026Adult kittiwake and Sanderling Saltholme Pools hide 15:10. @teesbirds.bsky.social 0121
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 04/05/2026Six Whimbrel at Castle Lake brought up the patch 100 for the year. Saved the day really after three hours in the rain yesterday expecting a “fall” of waders failed miserably. 030
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 21/02/2026Smew again 13:45 wildlife watchpoint RSPBSaltholme. @teesbirds.bsky.socialrspbsaltholme.teesbirds.bsky.socialBlueskyThis is a heavily interactive web application, and JavaScript is required. Simple HTML interfaces are possible, but that is not what this is. 0101
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/02/2026The two Tundra Bean Geese at RSPB Saltholme were very distant. Despite having thorough personal records back to the late 1980’s my only previous Bean Goose was a Taiga in Lancashire, suggesting my listing strategy needs some work! @teesbirds.bsky.social 0171
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/02/2026Twenty-four Whitefronts on water RSPB Saltholme pools hide 15:30 @teesbirds.bsky.social 0201
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/02/2026Twenty-four Whitefronts over Pools hide RSPB Saltholme 15:15. Bean Geese (2) and Water Pipit also from the hide on and off. @teesbirds.bsky.social 0121
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 15/02/2026Good wader morning at Castle Lake and surrounds for the time of year, 355 Curlew, 26 Oystercatcher, 22 Redshank and 12 Black-tailed Godwit. 050
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/01/2026Short-eared Owl hunting around Haverton Gate Saltholme RSPB @teesbirds.bsky.social 081
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/01/2026Grey Plover RSPB Saltholme pools hide. @teesbirds.bsky.social 071
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 31/12/2025Moved to County Durham in March this year and have concentrated my after work birding at Durham Wildlife Trust Low Barns (88 species) and Castle Lake (91 species) with weekend visits to Saltholme (122 species). The odd local twitch and monthly webs count at South Gare, it’s been enjoyable. 070
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 29/12/2025Looking through my I phone images and I took this back of camera shot of what I am almost certain is a Marsh Tit back in September on my garden feeder. One or two locals have concurred Marsh but both Marsh and Willow occur locally. Any thoughts welcome, bird wasn’t heard to call. 110
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 07/12/2025A steady morning at RSPB Saltholme, nice to see a few Tree Sparrows around the feeders, they’ve been quite difficult to see at times this year on site, for me anyway, @teesbirds.bsky.social 0191
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 22/11/2025Short-eared and Barn Owl over meadow from Lake Walk RSPB Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social 0111
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 31/10/2025Water Pipit and Bittern from Phil Stead hide, Saltholme RSPB 14:35. @teesbirds.bsky.social. Bittern on and off for the last 10 minutes. 050
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 19/10/2025A real geography lesson for me today, travelled to South Gare for my WEBS count to find the access road closed. No problem I’ll park in Redcar and walk both ways. Knackered, a Little Stint was with the roosting waders. Not one person (or dog) was nice. @teesbirds.bsky.social 2261
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 09/10/2025With a British list of roughly 385 after 35 plus years birding I’m hardly “hardcore” but today’s Mourning Dove on my regular(ish) Scilly holiday was special, summed up wonderfully on the local what’s app group by an islander. Not quite as epic as the Swift but it will do. 040
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/09/2025Lovely mix of waders in soggy conditions at Castle Lake with black tailed godwit, ringed plover, dunlin, curlew sand, common sand, ruff and spotted redshank all present. 050
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 08/09/2025A nice mix of waders still at Castle Lake NR with Spotted Redshank and five Curlew Sandpipers still. As usual the birds were pretty distant. @durhambirdclub.bsky.social 0100
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 24/07/2025Green and Wood Sandpipers, RSPB Saltholme earlier today. @teesbirds.bsky.social 0181
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 24/07/2025Green, Wood Sandpiper and Little Stint still RSBP Saltholme, 15:00. @teesbirds.bsky.social 061
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 19/07/2025Three Whimbrel over Saltholme Pools hide RSPB Saltholme, Garganey still present @teesbirds.bsky.social 071
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 21/06/2025Wood Sandpiper in front of Saltholme Pools hide, RSPB Saltholme. @teesbirds.bsky.social 061
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 20/06/2025Just completed reading this book, really enjoyed it, what a garden list! 000
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 15/06/2025Gradually learning some of the ornithological history of the county I now call home, purchased this rather magnificent publication via the @durhambirdclub.bsky.social its a few years old but should keep me busy for many months. £10 what a bargain. 040
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 18/05/2025Managed to get species 99, Tree Sparrow and 100, Pintail for my RSPB Saltholme list this morning on my 17th visit since moving to the north east in late March, weekends/ bank holidays only. Not managed a Saltholme twitch yet but I’m sure that will come! 020
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2025Really struggle at times with distance and light when birding from the Pool hide at RSPB Saltholme, the best I could do of this morning’s Curlew Sandpiper. @teesbirds.bsky.social 060
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2025Four Turnstones RSPB Saltholme from Saltholme Pools hide @teesbirds.bsky.social 061
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2025Two Egyptian Geese RSPB Saltholme from Saltholme Pools hide @teesbirds.bsky.social 161
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 17/05/2025Curlew Sandpiper with 15 Dunlin from Saltholme Pools hide, RSBP Saltholme @teesbirds.bsky.social 091
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 11/05/2025Not really doing them justice but video of the four Wood Sandpipers RSPB Saltholme. @teesbirds.bsky.social 0141
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 05/05/2025Bittern “boomed” on four occasions earlier from Haverton watchpoint, Saltholme RSPB. @teesbirds.bsky.social 0211
Andy Firth @andyfirth.bsky.social · 27/04/2025My 11th visit to RSPB Saltholme since moving to the North-East on 21st March, species list on 89 with Rook the latest, really enjoying the birding even though the locals tell me it’s a bit “static” currently. The most “record shot”Spotted Redshank in history still present. @teesbirds.bsky.social 0141