Teesmouth Bird Club

These two groups were on the sea around lunchtime today.
The group of 5 were well out past the pier at Skinningrove and the group of 11 were heading towards Marske along The Stray.
Neil

Yesterday I managed to catch up with the Black Guillemot close to the main breakwater.

It's interesting to note that at this time of the year the bird is very much paler than a Common Guillemot. Confusing - especially at a distance.
I've posted photos of both for comparison - and of the red legs to confirm the Black Guillemot

Neil

A few more showing some of the key ID features

Neil

Here are some photographs from last night - and yes, it was very dark and this was the best I could do... (2 second exposure time for the last photo)  All taken from the Cleveland Way.

There was no sign of them until 22:15, then it was too dark by 23:30. In between, brilliant.

Up to 5 males churring at one time and three different pairs flying in tandem at another.

One tip: go up on a push bike (I add a health and safety disclaimer). As soon as i had finished, i.e. it's just light enough to see the path!, and I decided to freewheel CAREFULLY downhill, the ticking of the rear sprocket sent the males into a frenzy. The sound was all around and then two flew beside me, no more than ten feet away - obviously my camera was in the rucksack by then.

Please be careful if you go and don't forget a torch.

Neil

I managed to take these from the causeway behind Archers Law early this afternoon

Neil

Well done John, your ID skills (and luck) must be improving....   

I'll be sure to have my ear-protectors with me just in case we meet up over the next couple of weeks.

Neil

In the absence of any other, better shots of this bird from yesterday I thought I would post this one. Sorry about the quality...

Neil

More photos from this morning.

Showing well early this morning with 20+ Dunlin.

Showing well this afternoon despite the wind and poor light.

Neil

Hi Gary and Ian,

The visible white flanks while swimming, slightly peaked head shape and bill size left me not even considering that the bird might have been a Pacific Diver... and I'm still pretty sure it was a BTD.  I didn't consider checking the vent strap which, as you say, is often given as a diagniostic for a PD.  Also the size is similar to that of the GND and, therefore, almost certainly too large for a PD.

With all that said it would have been interesting to identify the bird from the flight pictures alone where gizz, size and head shape are difficult to pick up. Is there a diagnostic other than bill size/shape vs. vent strap that would have identified this as a BTD?       ... just in case I happen to come across a PD and photograph it taking off !!!  I can dream.

Cheers,

Neil

It's amazing what a bit of sun will do to bring them out. I reckon we spotted over 15 Northern Loons (photographers), showing well all round the marina, while we were there. Great weather, great birds, great company.

The bird had just finished dancing on the water before it reached me and passed on to you. Ray or JB must have a good shot.

Cheers, Neil

The bird was showing well this afternoon as it fed on dead fish on the beach North of the pier. It seemed happy to fly between the carcasses when it was disturbed by dogs and people riding horses.

A couple of record shots in the poor light.

Neil

Still showing really well this afternoon at very close range - with a cat sitting under a bush only four feet away from it.

Neil

Hi Gary.  The photos were taken at 11:50 this morning. When it was flushed it flew around the South Gare breakwater and headed North towards Hartlepool, so I guess it could well be the same bird you saw a little later. I have never seen one on a beach before, but I guess they will scavenge pretty much anywhere - albeit it appeared to be taking a rest when I saw it.

Cheers Neil.