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Steve

@locustella.bsky.social

96 followers 48 following 130 posts

Birder, runner, occasional moth-er and otherwildlife-er. https://beautifulhordenandblackhall.blogspot.com

beautifulhordenandblackhall.blogspot.com

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 2d

This day-flying moth landed in the scrub, walked up and down with it's wings closed until it found a suitable spot, then flattened down to hug the branch and almost disappear. So cool. Epirrita sp. I think.

#teamMoth

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 2d

A fun day on the Durham coast - Crossbills and Marsh Tits at Blue house Dene; YB Warbler (found by @dunnock67.bsky.social) and Hen Harrier at Horden; Short-Eared Owl and Great-northern Diver at Whitburn.

#NEbirding

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 2d

Nice!

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 9d

#NEbirding 😬

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 9d

Plenty of PF Geese and this chap going south along the coast at Blackhall this a.m.

Also 3 GWE at Castle.Lake but I couldn't see the Am Wigeon.

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 16d

bah! forgot #NEbirding

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 16d

Also present were little and large - juv little gull and great white egret; 2 Pintail; 1 Ruff; 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Dunlin.

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 16d

Was very excited to find this, what looks like it's an eclipse male American Wigeon at Castle Lake today. I've never found one before and I'd be interested if anyone thinks it isn't one!

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 22d

After 30 km of walking round bushes this weekend, I finally found a migrant or two! A lovely wheatear and Whinchat together in the same spot - not quite what I was hoping for.

It *was* a beautiful day on the coast.
#NEbirding

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 23d

As well as a Rush Veneer at Horden!

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 23d

I had a day flying one at Blackhall today.

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 23d

After 7 hours checking the bushes to no avail I was grateful to see 8 Pintail on the sea at Castle Eden Denemouth with a flock of Wigeon.

#NEbirding

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 24d

Nice one Andy!

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · 28d

Fantastic pics!

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · Sep 20

200+ Pink-footed Geese south over Horden in between the showers this morning.
#NEbirding

@dunnock67.bsky.social

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · Sep 20

Plenty of Red-throated Divers past Whitburn this morning. Also a pic of Bottle-nosed Dolphins with a youngster.

#NEbirding
#seawatching

Bottle-nosed Dolphins. Smaller paler fin is the young one.

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Steve @locustella.bsky.social · Sep 13

Marsh Harrier south over the sea was the highlight of a quiet seawatch at Whitburn this morning. The bushes at Castle Eden Denemouth / Black hall allotments held 5 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, Willow Tit and numerous Chiffs.
#NEbirding

One of a 'flock' of 3 Lesser Whitethroat at Blackhall.

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · Aug 22

Well, considering the big crack in my lens, I can't complain! I fancy a new camera now I've got it working better 😂

Steve @locustella.bsky.social · Aug 22

#Seabirds
#NEbirding

Some seawatch birds from the last week or so at Whitburn. Clockwise from top left: Gannet, Oystercatcher, Kittiwake, Scaup, Cormorant, Gannet, mixed Tern flock (including Roseate), Purple Sandpiper, Bonxie, Pomarine Skua, Teal.