Sunday 18 October 2020

Whitley Bay Bluetail

It's always a good day when you see a Red-flanked Bluetail. This bird was just across the Tyne from Trow, but was a bit of a drive round. The first Bluetail I saw, back in 1995 was in Great Yarmouth Cemetery and the Whitley Bay bird had found the local cemetery to its liking too. I watched the bird flicking around the Sycamores lining the paths between the gravestones. Gorgeous as ever, sometimes sitting still high in the canopy for minutes on end before dashing around the branches after flies, like a Redstart or flycatcher. Perhaps a first winter female, its blue tail was rather dull but super-cute as always.

I have been determined to find my own Yorkshire Bluetail and this autumn would be a good bet, though with the wind going back westerly tonight, the door may be closing on another season...






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