Will's bird blog: 'Winter wonderland'

Today dad and I were tasked with the job in bringing my gran to our house for half-term. As she lives in Hartlepool we set off a couple of hours earlier than usual to go birding in Cleveland. Once there, the first stop was the Jewish cemetery on the headland. There we saw 3 Shorelarks and 5 Snow buntings, as well as 2 Grey partridges. We then went to try and see a Glaucous gull at Jackson's landing, but failed, however we did see some Red-breasted mergansers. We then picked up my gran and took her to Saltholme where we had lunch and did some more birding. We walked around the reserve getting good views of ducks and various finches and buntings, and keeping an eye out for the Penduline tits which were present the weekend before, we didn't see them. We went to Paddy's pool and got good views of a redhead Smew, it also went onto land which I have never seen this species do. We had already seen this bird the year before but wanted it on this years list. We then went on to Saltholme hide where we saw some Barnacle geese. Our relaxing walk back to the visitor centre was cut short by a heavy snow shower, in this I saw some Wigeon. Back at the visitor centre feeders I got more good views of some Reed bunting but also a Lesser redpoll. We then drove to the hide at Dorman's pool, but sadly an RSPB volunteer locked it as we arrived. The final bird of the trip was then a Red grouse on the moors whilst driving home. All in all, a good day.Below are 14 pictures from the day-