Nightingale

Friday 6th May was bright and warm.

Being a good day for Birdwatching i set off for Cowpen Bewley Nature Reserve, near Billingham.

When I arrived with Kev Pye we were told that a Nightingale was on the Reserve. A hugh surprise, so we set off full of anticipation.

On the way round there were plenty of Birds including Whitethroats Finches of many types and all the usual species including a Kestrel hovering overhead.

After a while we heard the Nightingale singing along with three other people. Unfortunately because of it's location i was unable to obtain any pictures, although other people have managed shots of this rare bird for the North East.

It was great to hear the very loud and melodic song of this small bird.

We then went across to North Tees Estuary not far from Saltholme were we saw a Ringed Plover and around 20-25 Avocets. We saw around four Avocet young.

The adults were defending their young and nests with vigour, attacking both Herring Gulls and Crows which got too close.

A great morning.