Veni vidi vici... for a change!

Having dipped (in one case quite spectacularly) on a few species recently, it's a pleasant change to report a degree of success. None of the three target species in question was easy, however, and it took two bites of the cherry to nail them - the White-winged (Black) Tern had reportedly flown off from Druridge Bay Country Park just before I left the motorway so I headed for its other haunt, East Chevington - and failed. There was a nice selection of birds here nonetheless - including Ruff (4), Greenshank (1), Red Knot, Snipe and a single Little Gull, a bird I hadn't seen for a while. Returning to the Country Park, I quickly found the scarcity but then had to circumnavigate the lake at least once to get the best views. Having not seen this species for a while, it was great to see it doing its thing but photographing it was a nightmare - a small(ish) bird against a dark background. It did get some pleasing images, though - my first ever of this species: White-winged (Black) Tern.

Next stop was Amble for the Caspian Gull - again, it had gone AWOL. Knowing that I'd have to pass this site again to get home, I chose to move on to Longhoughton Steel just north of Boulmer. Birders I passed on the way back to their car reported that a Merlin had just chased off the rarity - typical! Moments after I arrived, however, someone kindly pointed out to me that it had reappeared - right in front of us - a stunning adult Pacific Golden Plover in full summer plumage!

And there were a few Roseate Terns too - as well as a nice selection of other waders. Finally, I returned to Amble and after a pleasant meal of scallops and chips on the harbour, the scarcity finally dropped in (fourth time lucky!) - a fabulous adult Caspian Gull - visible from the restaurant table! So, all in all, it had been a great day out - and I was very pleased with my 'photo firsts' of two of the three rarities - and some very nice images at that. (You could argue all three given that the Caspian Gull photos were my first of a full adult).