Hello again all,
It's been awhile since my last post so a quick update and some waffle...
My new budget scope Vivitar Terrain 18-36X 50mm  arrived this morning so I nipped down to patch to test it out, only had a 20 min test before it rained. So my first impressions are good with it having a bright field of view at 18X and  its even usable at 24X. Of course with it being only a 50mm objective lens the 36X is like looking through net curtains and there is very distinct chromatic aberration. I looked at a fishing boat offshore and it looked like it had it's shields up as it had yellow glow all around it. This is barely noticeable at the lower end zoom and for the price it's to be expected. I was able to see Bar tailed Godwits (18X)  at a distance which would be difficult with my 8X42mm bins, and the view was crisp and I was able to see plenty of detail. I mainly bought it for its size as I can't carry my camera and a scope at the same time as its far too heavy. It fits right into my camera bag spot on so overall a handy bit of kit and all for the bargain price of £19.99 online, complete with carry case and desktop tripod. A Budget Birder 10/10

Here it is in all its glory...

With TV remote for comparison

 

 

 

 

Carry Bag

Birds noted today were 3 Bar Tailed Godwit, Oystercatchers, Curlew, 100+ Lapwings, 3 House Martins,
GBB Gulls, Herring Gulls, Starlings, Wood Pigeon, Turnstones, 2 Mute Swan, Moorhen, Black Headed Gulls, 5 Cormorants, Eider,

Wetland

Payed a quick visit this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see some more work being done to the wetland by some of the local birders. A big thank you for taking the time to do something which should have been done by North Tyneside council years ago. Its looking much better already as the main island has been cut and cleared ( you cant really see the difference in photo). I wont name you but will thank you in person next time I bump into you all.

Ongoing Work

 A bit of seawatch this morning with a few Guillemots and young noted, Gannets, 6 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar and a few Eider offshore, I gave up as visibility was terrible. Another of the local guys had had 3 Storm Petrel past and he's also had adt Mediterranean Gull and juv Roseate Tern here during the week.

Lighthouse Panorama