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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Caspian or "Caspian type" Gull at East Chev today. I think it looks good but ?? (hybrid) ??. Good tail band and neat tertial edges. Bill and head seem ok but I have lost confidence in calling these as they seem so variable. Helpful comments always welcome. #NEbirding Still learning!

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Juv Caspian Gull. Seaton Point (Boulmer) this afternoon. A very large and dark individual which got me thinking about YLG. But bill shape is more Caspian. My 4th Caspian this week. Seems to be a few around. There must be some juv YLGs in Northumberland somewhere. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Another Caspian Gull in Amble Harbour today. I wasn't so sure about this one so enlisted some help. Not as classic as some?? But those that know far more than me seem to be happy with Caspian. Tail band, underwing and tertials all look good. Constructive comments always welcome #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Little Stint on Low Hauxley Beach this morning. Early in the year for a juv but that's what it is! #NEbirding Autumn has begun!

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

My first Juv Caspian Gull of the season. Warkworth Weir today. With adult PKCS nearby on the estuary from Amble Braid, it was another 2 Casp day! #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Imagine my panic, arriving at Hauxley for a scan of the sea and I see a large dark-backed Tern. I could see Richard on Coquet Island and desperately tried to get in contact. Only to find later that Richard had it all under control and photos in the bag! Sooty Tern #NEbirding photo from 3km away!

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Garganey at Hauxley NR today. Only my second ever in the 5km patch (despite them being regular a few km away at Druridge). #NEbirding With the teal from the west hide.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Lesser Emporer. Not one I expected to see today. Very close to the Bathing House at Howick on the coast path - a little south and north - hawking along the path and then very nicely posed. Not many records in Northumberland. (not sure how scarce)? New for me! @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Leucistic Gull at Warkworth Weir today. Presume a Herring Gull but the long rear end and dainty head has a bit of LBBG about it. (Not sure what one of them would look like?) #NEbirding Good looking thing!

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Amble's most famous visitor returns for 14th year. First seen as a 3rd yr in 2013. Caspian Gull PKCS. The ring has slipped over the foot making life a little awkward. First seen by @markgolley.bsky.social in Cley in 2011. #NEbirding Other sightings in Calais, Poland and more recently Czechia.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Colour flagged Redshank on the Coquet Estuary today. A returning individual back for a sixth year! First ringed on the Humber as a juv in 2020. #NEbirding Amazingly site faithful.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Buston Links Teal - the saga goes on! The next generation appeared today! #NEbirding Hybrid Shoveler (one of last year's ???? ducklings) now with a brood of her own, after pairing with a male Shoveler. (If I have it correct, then these little fellas have a great grandparent that was a BWT).

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Buston Links hybrids. Two today. Presumably the offspring of last year's female BWT X Shoveler hybrid pairing with a male Shoveler. Looking Shoveler-like but not quite right. #NEbirding Both seem to be loosely associating with male Shovelers.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Buston Links Marsh today. Left hand image is a typical Shoveler. Right hand bird - not quite Shoveler ??? I suspect this is one of last years' hybrids returning. (BWT x Shoveler X Shoveler). But please tell me if you think I am just making stuff up! #NEBirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

Wheatear. Warkworth Old Water saltmarsh today. Bang on time - I usually get one here in the last week of March (6 out of the last 8 years). Always a good day when you see your first Wheatear for the year. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

My first Avocet of the year and it is a repeat customer. Right hand taken on Mar 28th 2023. Left side today. Photos taken in exactly the same spot on Warkworth Old Water Gut. If my memory is correct, a very old Cresswell bird from 2011? Amazing! #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Water Pipits at Buston Links Marsh. These (prob 3 birds) have been about for a while but today in the sunshine, two came out for a feed in the open. Super zoom camera at super zoom distance but I got a couple of passable images. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Three Tundra Bean Geese. Still present in the fields in between Amble and Warkworth. Seen from Gloster Hill. I presume these are the same as were present a few weeks back. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Goose fest continues at High Hauxley. This was one of the Tundra Beans today. Sharing a field with c40 White fronts and 1500 Pink feet. Took a while to find it mind. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Buston Links (Alnmouth)- Water Pipits have not been easy. I think there are still 3. This 1 popped up today briefly but for once the camera was on and pointing in the right direction. Nice rusty rump patch, big white wing bars, clean white outer tail and pale underneath. #NEbirding Opinions welcome!

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

So many Tundra Bean Geese about at the moment. Went on a goose chase to get it on the 5km patch list for the year. WhatsApp led me to 4 at Warkworth and 6 at Hauxley. Along with 20 White fronts at Hauxley/Warkworth/Amble Links. Photo is of 2 of the Warkworth group and a White front.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Glaucous Gull - Warkworth Beach this morning. Presumably the juv that has been loafing about Druridge Bay, Snab and Newbiggin over the last few weeks. Good of it to venture a bit further north and onto the 5km patch. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Siberian Chiffchaff - Warkworth Beach Car Park - prob same bird as a few days ago. But this time it was calling !! And a bit easier to get some photos. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Not sure these photos show the paleness of this bird. Siberian Chiffchaff (??) at Warkworth Beach Car Park this afternoon. Very pale and monochrome but unfortunately it refused to call. Opinions welcome. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

Yellow Browed Warblers have been hard to come by in Northumberland this year. Delighted to find this one at Warkworth Beach Car Park. this morning- calling it's wee head off - which is always a help in finding them. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Hauxley NR - Buston Links hybrids?? I think the bill on these isn't quite right for Shoveler and there is a little hint of Blue winged Teal ?? I presume these are two of the offspring from the female BWT x Shoveler and male Shoveler from a bit further up the coast. ??? #NEbirding Comments welcome.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Another day, another Caspian Gull. Amble Links Beach this morning. 3cy/4cy ?? Don't see one for ages and then... #NEbirding Yesterday's 1cy was also still present making it my first ever 2 Casp day.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

After a couple of "is it or isn't it" birds this week. Finally, I got a Caspian Gull that I was happy with. Amble Links Beach this afternoon. A double gull day with the YLG this morning. Apart from PKCS, this is my first patch Casp this year (and it has not been through lack of trying)! #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

A couple of pics of the adult Yellow Legged Gull at Warkworth Weir this morning. My good year on patch continues - another new one for the year list. #NEbirding Even on a dull wet day the legs were glowing!

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

Wagtail Research! - Amble Links Beach today. This one looks like a White Wagtail to me. #markaeaton.bsky.social This was the most obvious of 20 wagtails with 2 others maybe Whites but probably not. (That was a good way to spend an afternoon!)

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Always exciting finding a small wader. Juv Little Stint at Hauxley Beach this afternoon. My first of the year and one I missed on the patch last year. Another good one to get. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Black Tern at Birling Carrs. (Cheers Neil for the WhatsApp). A bit of local knowledge and my hunch that it would move a little further down the coast on the rising tide proved correct. A difficult one to get on the 5km patch - only my second in 7 years! #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

This set the pulse racing today. I know it is an escapee, the transmitter wire is clearly visible, but it still knocks you off balance when you first see it! Saker or Gyr or hybrid ??? Boulmer this morning. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Help needed please? Seaton Point, Boulmer today. ???? #NEbirding. And please don't say its an Eider! The other one!

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Gull season has started. A good gathering on Buston Links Beach this morning. I think this is an Lesser Black Back of Scandinavian origin (probably intermedius). Seems dark enough on the back to me and a shade darker than the LBBG next door. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

Not many birds about today but two colour-flagged Redshank. CTN at Low Hauxley - (from the Wash Wader Group) and the returning bird to Coquet Estuary, back for a 4th year (originally ringed on the Humber). #NEbirding Two in one day!

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Green and Wood Sandpipers at Buston Links Marsh today. (ID : If it flies off never to be seen again = Green, if it poses for photos = Wood). Good to get Green Sandpiper on the 5km year list even if it remained out of sight for the camera. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

Buston Links Teal - 3 months on and this is what she now looks like. Seems to have got a bit greyer ??? The bill still looks big but looking more BWT ??. I thought I had this case closed as a hybrid (BWT x Shoveler) but today's views have put my head back a fuzz. #NEbirding #birdhybrids

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Caspian Gull - Amble's famous visitor seems to have returned early to the harbour. I presume this is "PKCS" but it has returned with only one leg! (The colour ring leg is missing!) 'Casper' was first seen in the harbour in July 2013 as a 3rd year, and has been seen every year since. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Today, the Buston Links Teal brought her babies out for a family photo. Ducklings already developing a big beak and white loral spot. Be interesting to see how they develop further. #NEbirding #birdhybrids Presumably (BWT x Shoveler) x Shoveler hybrids.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Buston Links - The female Blue winged Teal x Shoveler hybrid reappeared today with five-eight, week old, presumably (BWT x Shoveler) x Shoveler hybrid ducklings. Coming to a duckpond near you!!!! She is keeping the chicks well hidden but a couple did make it onto the photos. #NEbirding #Birdhybrids

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Another striking Stonechat #markaeaton.bsky.social This one has been at Buston Links, paired up and successfully breeding. Bright and with a clear white rump. More continental than average but I suspect within variation for hibernans.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Wood Sandpiper at the recently created Buston Links Marsh today. A good one to get on the 5km patch year list. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Photo is of the Buston Links Teal. I found this video of Blue winged Teal x Northern Shoveler hybrid ebird.org/species/x00629 Top Video 3. A bird from Toronto in 2022. The similarities are remarkable. Never totally happy with ID as Cinnamon or BWT. FWIW I am now thinking hybrid. #NEbirding ????

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

The Druridge Bay American Wigeon eventually did the right thing and moved a couple of km north to Hauxley and onto the 5km patch list. #NEbirding. The redhead Smew is still hanging on at Hauxley reserve also - a rare May record.

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 11/05/2025

Egyptian Goose keeping an eye open protecting a little one. For the second year running, a pair of Egyptian Geese have produced a young one at Warkworth Weir. Last year, the chick didn't survive long so let's hope for better in the next few weeks. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

Still winter in Northumberland today! Report of a Smew at Hauxley and I had to go for a look. Full on, 5km patch tick after several in the 10km area over the years. And most unexpected in May. #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Back to the "Buston Links" Duck this morning and a bit of research. The russet tones, dark forehead spot, lack of dark eyeline, attenuated back end, diffuse loral spot and heavy spatulate bill to my eyes are pointing toward Cinnamon Teal. (So that's a first for Britain then)! #NEbirding

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Clive Saunders @warkworthbirder.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Every so often I come across a bird that just doesn't look right to me. Today, it was a Shoveler duck that was hanging about with a male (and then chased by three other males). Is it just me or does this look strange for a female Shoveler?? The bill just doesn't look right. Every day a learning day!

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