Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae)

This unassuming brown bird was discovered by Marsden Quarry in late October, remaining there for a number of days. Identification was a little uncertain at first, with the bird showing features consistent with Siberian Stonechat and reported as such at first. However, with more images available, there were some inconsistencies in plumage characters in comparison to that species and the consensus settled on this bird being a hybrid between Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus) and Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra). There have only been a small number of cases of such hybridisation reported, making this a very rare sighting.

Pied Wheatear breeds from Romania east across central Asia, wintering in central Africa. The species is a rare visitor to Britain, with 1-2 sightings every year. This bird, a first-winter male, was present around Whitley Bay from 1-12 November and was typically tame. It would use a variety of perched, including the many memorial benches along the Promenade.

A very approachable Black Redstart on the cliffs between Seaburn and Roker. Despite the very cold conditions (lows of -9C), it was managing to find some insects on the sun warmed stones. Black Redstarts are scarce visitors to NE England during spring and autumn migration, with only one or two braving the winter months.

Another view of the Black Redstart on the cliffs at Seaburn.