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Sightings5th July, 2008 Other birds on the pool included Common Sandpiper (2), Wood Sandpiper (1 possible, briefly), Ruff (1), Greenshank (3), Redshank (10+), Dunlin (3), Ringed Plover (2), Black–tailed Godwit (15+) and Shelduck (1 with young). Nothing much more of interest and the poor weather meant photographic opportunities were non–existant. 3rd July, 2008 A third Reed Bunting, a Common Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler were seen from the board walk. Two Grey Herons were on the River Wear. Chiffchaff (3), Willow Warbler (2) and a family of at least five Coal Tits were seen on the way to the South Hide. Three Speckled Wood butterflies were also seen. Two Little Grebes, two Oystercatchers and at least ten Mallards were on Marston Lake. Two unidentified Chasers and a Banded Demoiselle were seen whilst viewing from the hide. Two Swallows and a Song Thrush were seen from the butterfly garden opposite the visitor centre. 2nd July, 2008 30th June, 2008 An hour was spent in the west hide, with no sign of any Kingfishers. Several Mallards and a Grey Heron were on the pond, with Reed Bunting (3 males) and a single Sedge Warbler being seen on the west pasture. The river was very quiet, but the walk to Marston Lake produced at least three calling Chiffchaffs and upto two Willow Warblers. Three Little Grebes, three Cormorants, an Oystercatcher, at least twenty Common Swifts, ten Sand Martins and two House Martins were seen from the South Hide. 29th June, 2008 The feeding station is still quite active with House Sparrow (10+), Tree Sparrow (3+), Goldfinch (4), Greenfinch (3), Chaffinch (1), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1), Wren (1), Dunnock (5+), Robin (2), Blackbird (5+), Song Thrush (1), Jackdaw (2), Woodpigeon (2) and Collared Dove (2) visiting regularly. Common Swift (2+), House Martin (4+) and Swallow (3+) hunting overhead. A spiders web appeared over the entranceway to the Blue Tit nestbox, which prompted me to check the contents. Sure enough, there was one dead chick and one unhatched egg, suggesting a possible shortage of food in the area. On a brighter note, it looks very likely that a second brood of Tree Sparrows are about to fledge (two young chicks looking out of the entranceway to their nestbox). 24th June, 2008 At least sixteen Tufted Ducks and several Mallards (7+) were on the main lake. Coot (2), Kingfisher (1), Swallow (2), Swift (1) and Reed Bunting were also there. A Green Woodpecker, a Jay, a Common Whitethroat and a female Blackcap were seen between Escomb Lake and the fishing lakes. Four Oystercatchers and a further fourteen Tufted Ducks (including six recently fledged young) were seen dodging the fishing lines. A Grey Wagtail and a second Kingfisher were seen whilst returning to the car, via the River Wear The Corn Bunting is still calling nicely from the trees, hedge rows and wires on Etherley Moor. Blue Tits are still taking food into the nest box, but there is no sound of any chicks? One of the Song Thrushes is still very vocal. 15th June, 2008 Common Blue (20+), Dingy Skipper (7+), Large Skipper (2), Wall Brown (1), Meadow Brown (2) and a single Northern Brown Argus were the butterflies. Plenty of Bee Orchids coming through, but none in flower. Birds seen included Lesser Black–backed Gull (1), Sand Martin (10+), Swift (2), Willow Warbler (1), Yellowhammer (1), Robin (1) and Jackdaw (1). An evening visit to a new area in Hamsterley Forest resulted in Nightjar (1 male), Woodcock (7+), Tawny Owl (3 calling), Little Owl (1 calling), Tree Pipit (2) and Common Buzzard (1). A Tawny Owl was seen on the return journey (on a telegraph pole at Etherley Moor). Etherley Moor is still as active as ever. Tree Sparrows are taking nesting materials into a second nest box (as predicted). Blackbird and Song Thrush chicks have now fledged. Surprisingly, it looks as though the Blue Tits are feeding young (thought the nest had failed). A Corn Bunting is still singing from the tree closest to the feeding station. 7th June, 2008 Corn Bunting (1), Common Whitethroat (1) and Song Thrush (1) are still singing. Other birds over the past week include Kestrel (1), Pheasant (1), Swift (10+), Swallow (6+), House Martin (10+), Greenfinch (2), Chaffinch (1), Blackbird (1), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1), Wren (1), Robin (2), Woodpigeon (2), Collared Dove (2) and House Sparrow (10+). 5th June, 2008 Grey Heron (3), Shelduck (4), Swallow (4), Meadow Pipit (10+), Skylark (20+), Black–headed Gull (3), Linnet (10+) and Goldfinch (3) were the other birds seen. Plenty of Terns were heard from the seaward side of the dunes, but decided not to investigate. A Common Buzzard was seen whilst travelling to Northumberland.
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