Sightings for April 2009
26th April, 2009
(Saltholme Pools)
I was sat enjoying a few minutes in front of our feeding station at Etherley Moor listening to Corn Bunting (1 on wires) and Tree Sparrow (young birds calling from one of the occupied nest boxes) when I recieved a text informing me of Whiskered Tern (2) and Spoonbill (1) at Saltholme Pools. A quick run over and the terns were seen covering all three pools. The Spoonbill was on Back Saltholme.
25th April, 2009
(Saltholme Pools)
The Bean Goose was still with several Greylag Geese in the field opposite the fire station. Three Ostercatchers, a Curlew and two Whimbrel were in the same field. Three Northern Wheatears were in nearby fields.
At least ten Pink–footed Geese were on Back Saltholme. Three Yellow Wagtails and two Common Terns were also seen, but no sign of the reported Spoonbill or Black Tern whilst I was there.
A Sedge Warbler was seen and at least two Reed Warblers were heard at Dormans. Nineteen Avocets were in the area (2 on the calor gas pool & 17 from the bridge at Greenabella.
18th April, 2009
(Saltholme Pools)
In addition to yesterdays short visit, two hours scanning the area of saltholme produced Bean Goose (1 with Greylags), Pink–footed Goose (10+), Short–eared Owl (1), Northern Wheatear (1), Turnstone (3), Iceland Gull (1) and Spotted Redshank (1 in full summer plumage).
At least three pairs of Great Crested Grebes on the three pools.
10 – 20 Common Crossbill were seen near the scouts hut at Tilery Wood. Unfortunately, the birds stayed in the canopy of the trees not allowing the opportunity of any photographs.
17th April, 2009
(Back Saltholme)
Pink–footed Goose (10+), Ruff (1), Ringed Plover (1), Little–ringed Plover (1), Dunlin (1), Swallow (5c), Sand Martin (30+) and House Martin (3c) were seen amongst the regulars during a brief stop at the reserve.
15th April, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
A Corn Bunting was calling from the wires behind the feeding station. The feeders are attracting all the usual birds with Goldfinch (3) and Siskin (1) visiting in recent days.
Two nestboxes are now occupied by Tree Sparrows and a House Sparrow nest box has Great Tits nest building in one of the three apartments. Blackbirds have also been busy building a nest in the hedgerow. No sign of the Blue Tits in their usual nest box this year (failed the previous two years).
A Sparrowhawk put in a brief appearance during the late hours of the morning.
12th April, 2009
(Escomb)
A Common Sandpiper was on the River Wear. At least ten Sand Martins were inspecting nest holes and a single Swallow flew downstream. Willow Warblers (10+) appear to be outnumbering Chiffchaff (5+) by 2 to 1. The two Great Crested Grebes are still on Marston Lake. No sign of any Blackcaps.
11th April, 2009
(Low Barns)
Six male Blackcaps, several Willow Warblers and at least fifteen Chiffchaffs were seen / heard whilst walking around the reserve. A Green Woodpecker was heard yaffling from beyond the west pasture. A Willow Tit was a welcome find close to the south hide (the first I have seen here for a number of months).
The feeding station was a bit more quieter than usual with only a handfull of Chaffinches being seen during a fifteen minute watch. Two female Goldeneyes were on Marston Lake. Cormorant (3), Mute Swan (2), Grey Heron (1), Greylag Goose (10+), Canada Goose (2), Tufted Duck (10+), Mallard (2), Teal (2), Coot (4) and Moorhen (1) were also seen here.
10th April, 2009
(Thornley Woods & Far Pasture)
After a visit to the Metro Centre we decided to pop into Thornley Woods to see if Brambling were still visiting the feeders.
A female Brambling was seen with several Chaffinch and a male Yellowhammer at the far bird table. Chiffchaff (2) and Willow Warbler (1) were heard. Other birds seen included Mallard (2), Red kite (1), Pheasant (2), Chaffinch (10+), Bullfinch (3), Nuthatch (1), Dunnock (1), Robin (2), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (2), Coal Tit (1), Long–tailed Tit (1 heard), Willow Tit (1), Treecreeper (1), Wren (2), Woodpigeon (3), Stock Dove (1), Magpie (2), Jay (2+), Carrion Crow (2) and Yellowhammer (1).
A quick visit to Far Pasture produced Little Grebe (2), Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (2), Canada Goose (1), Moorhen (2) and Coot (2). A Red Kite, two Willow Warblers, five Chiffchaffs, fifteen Sand Martins, two Swallows, two Dunnocks, one Robin, two Blue Tits and two Great Tits were seen whilst walking to and from the car.
7th April, 2009
(Bishops Park, The Batts)
Three Swallows, four Sand Martins, two Pied Wagtails and a female Goosander were seen during a short stop by the River Wear.
6th April, 2009
(Tilery Wood)
Three Common Crossbills (2 females & 1 male) were seen close to the scouts hut. Several Chiffchaffs were heard and a decent sized group of Goldfinches (60+) were in the area.
5th April, 2009
(Bollihope & Low Barns)
Had a good look round Bollihope early morning. The pick of the birds included five Ring Ouzels (3 males & 2 females), at least fifteen Wheatears, three Woodcocks, three Common Snipe, two Curlews, two Oystercatchers, four Lapwings, two Skylarks, at least ten Meadow Pipits and two Sand Martins.
At least ten Sand Martins were seen from the bridge at Frosterley. Two Song Thrushes were also there.
Low Barns feeding station produced the usual variety of woodland birds.
The west pond was very quiet with only three Common Teal, two Mallards, two Coots, three Moorhens and a Red Fox seen here. A Grey Wagtail was on the River Wear and a group of approximately sixty Fieldfares flew over the reserve heading in a northerly direction.
A drake Goldeneye, a Great Crested Grebe, a Little Grebe and two Oystercatchers were on Marston Lake. Mute Swan (2), Herring Gull (3), Common Gull (7+) and Black–headed Gull were also there.
A report of three Whooper Swans flying over Low Barns earlier in the day prompted me to check Escomb and it proved to be worthwhile. The three Whooper Swans were found resting on Escomb Lake (still there when leaving at 2pm). Two Great Crested Grebes, two Mallards and three Coots were also on the lake.
4th April, 2009
(Low Barns)
The new feeding station is now nearing completion and looks very promising. All the usual birds visiting in a fifteen minute watch, including Pheasant (3 females & 1 male), Backbird (2), Chaffinch (10+), Great Tit (3+), Blue Tit (4+), Coal Tit (2), Marsh Tit (2), Nuthatch (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) and Robin (2).
A pair of Tufted Duck were on the West Pond and a Grey Heron was on Marston Lake.
3rd April, 2009
(Bishops Park)
A very quiet visit with nothing out of the ordinary seen. Several Redwing, a Green Woodpecker and a Moorhen that was busy nest building were the highlights.
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