Holy Island and environs

Today, with visiting Teesmouth Bird Club (26 pairs of eyes & ears), we marvelled at a hunting Barn Owl devouring prey; 2 far off Short-eared Owls quartering the northern dunes;  c150 Teal dabbling in & around the Rocket Pool; 80-100 Curlew enjoying feeding in nearby very wet ground;  small parties of Brent Geese moved over the same puddled pastures at whim. 3 Long-tailed duck flew out of sight over the sea whilst yesterday's drake remained in the causeway channel. Other waders included Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Lapwing, & Redshank. Moving on, we sighted  c200 Barnacle Geese grazing in a far off field from Harpers Heugh. At Budle Bay c1.500 Pinkfeet were seen flying over the north shore, c200 Knot were present on the mud flats in addition to a variety of usual duck, gulls and usual other waders. At Stag (Harkess) Rocks, it is worth reporting there were no Purple Sandpipers - their usual stronghold! However, from there small groups of Common Scoter, numbering 16 in total, could be seen. Also 2 Harbour Porpoises were ID'd.