Sightings
5th July, 2008
(Teesside)
Persistent rain meant an early exit from Crook Carnival and a visit to Teesside for the reported Terek Sandpiper, which was soon located on the Calor Gas Pool (10 – 15 birders already watching).
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
(Low Barns)
A Mute Swan, two Tufted Ducks, three Coots, a Moorhen and several Mallards were on Coot Pond. Two Reed Buntings were calling from West Pasture. Still no sign of any kingfishers.
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
(Etherley Moor)
It sounds as though the Tree Sparrows are close to fledging, with at least two young birds being seen from the entranceway to thier nestbox. Corn Bunting (1) and Yellowhammer (1) are still calling from the tree line behind the feeding station.
30th June, 2008
(Low Barns)
A late afternoon visit to hopefully photograph Kingfishers was disappointing.
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
(Etherley Moor)
A Yellowhammer is now calling from the same tree that the Corn Bunting has been calling from (not seen for at least two days).
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
(Escomb)
Work commitments are still getting in the way, so a late afternoon visit to Escomb was thoroughly enjoyed.
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
(Bishop Middleham & Hamsterley)
Work commitments stopped play during this past week, so a photography session targeting butterflies and orchids at Bishop Middleham Quarry was in order.
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
(Etherley Moor)
Tree Sparrows (2 adults & 2 young), Dunnock (2 adults & 3+ young), Starling (1 adult & 2+ young) have all fledged and it appears that the Tree Sparrows are now using last years nest box for a second attempt. The Song Thrushes are still feeding young but unfortunately, it looks as though the Goldfinch nest has failed (not seen sitting on the nest for over a week now).
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
(Long Nanny, Northumberland)
The reported Lesser Grey Shrike showed very well during this late afternoon visit, but it was quite flighty. Poor weather limited the photographic opportunities, but patience paid off when the shrike landed 15 – 20 foot away from me. The photo's obtained weren't perfect, but it was lovely to see and hear my first Lesser Grey Shrike at such a close range.
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.
| DIARY OF EVENTS FOR 2007 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| January | February | March | April |
| May | June | July | August |
| September | October | November | December |
| DIARY OF EVENTS FOR 2006 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| January | February | March | April |
| May | June | July | August |
| September | October | November | December |
Please note that all images displayed on these pages are copyright protected and I would like to be asked if you intend to use the images for anything other than personal use (a small fee may apply if you are not a David Brown Website Design, Imaging & Photography customer or charitable organisation).
Click here for my contact details, ‘thank you’.
These pages are copyright © 2007 by David Brown Website Design, Imaging & Photography.