Sightings for April 2010
30th April, 2010
(Teesside)
Three male Garganey, a Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, approximately thirty Dunlin, three Common Terns and a Yellow Wagtail were the pick of the birds at Saltholme.
Grasshopper Warbler (1), Common Whitethroat (5+) Sedge Warbler (10+), Reed Warbler (10+), Cettis Warbler (1), Willow Warbler (3+) and Chiffchaff (1) were at Dormans. At least twenty Northern Wheatears were seen on Seaton Common.
26th April, 2010
(Teesside)
The target birds of American Wigeon (Saltholme) and Hooded Crow (Seaton Common) weren’t seen, but there was still plenty to be seen in a short space of time.
Four Pink–footed Goose, a Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, two Avocets and a Common Tern were at Saltholme. Two Grasshopper Warblers and a single Common Whitethroat were heard from the lower car park at Dormans. Three Wheatears were seen on Seaton Common and two Whimbrels were on Cowpen Marsh.
25th April, 2010
(Weardale)
Highlights included Mandarin (1 drake at Bedburn), Goshawk (1 between Frosterley and Bollihope), Ring Ouzel (1 at Bollihope Quarry), Northern Wheatear (at least 2 at Bollihope Quarry) and Fieldfare (200+ near Hamsterley).
18th April, 2010
(Teesside)
First stop was Crookfoot reservoir where there was an earlier report of two Common Cranes. No joy with the target birds, but it was nice to have thirty minutes watching the usual birds to be found here. I then decided to have a quick look round the Tees marshes. No Whimbrels and no sign of the reported White–fronted Goose (Saltholme). Pick of the birds included Pink–footed Goose (4), Barnacle Goose (6), Little–ringed Plover (4), Yellow Wagtail (4+) and White Wagtail, all seen on Back Saltholme.
16th April, 2010
(Escomb)
Shelduck (2 on the small pond), Great–crested Grebe (2 on Escomb Lake), Kingfisher (1 flying down the River Wear), Sand Martin (20+), Blackcap (3), Yellowhammer (20+ in the hedgerows leading to the lake) and Reed Bunting (5+) were the highlights.
12th April, 2010
(Low Barns)
Blackcap (2), Willow Tit (2), Willow Warbler (4), Chiffchaff (7+), Treecreeper (1), Robin (1), Wren (1), Nuthatch (3+), Blackbird (1), Jackdaw (2), Carrion Crow (1), Siskin (heard calling), Great Tit (6+), Blue Tit (10+) and Long–tailed Tit were seen whilst walking round the reserve.
A pair of Oystercatchers were on the Marston Lake raft. Two Mute Swans, four Mallards, one Teal, three Goldeneyes (2 males), four Wigeon and at least ten Tufted Ducks were on the lake.
The feeding station was fairly active with most of the usual species visiting and the Mistle Thrush was still sitting on it’s nest in a near–by tree. A pair of Goosanders were on the River Wear.
12th April, 2010
(Etherley Moor)
A single Corn Bunting back on territory. Two pairs of Tree Sparrows are taking nest materials to three nest boxes in the back garden.
11th April, 2010
(Bishops Park & The Batts)
A male Common Redstart was seen towards the lower end of the park. Several Willow Warblers and at least two Chiffchaffs were back on territory. Green Woodpeckers were calling towards the top of the park (2 seen). A surprise find was a single Redwing.
Other birds included Canada Goose (5 flying towards the golf course), Mallard (2), Pheasant (1), Woodpigeon (10+), Stock Dove (1), Lesser Black–backed Gull (2), Sand Martin (5+), Blackbird (3+), Robin (1), Wren (1), Blue Tit (4+), Great Tit (2+), Great–spotted Woodpecker (1), Jackdaw (4+), Carrion Crow (4+), Magpie (4+) and Reed Bunting (2).
10th April, 2010
(Escomb)
A late afternoon visit to Escomb Lake produced a nice selection of birds. Highlights during this visit included Blackcap (2 males), Willow Warbler (3+), Chiffchaff (1), Willow Tit (2) and Yellowhammer (2).
Other birds seen included Great–crested Grebe (2), Coot (6+), Mallard (2), Pheasant (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Kestrel (1), Woodpigeon (10+), Stock Dove (4), Sand Martin (3), Blackbird (10+), Dunnock (2+), Robin (2+), Wren (1), Treecreeper (1), Blue Tit (4+), Great Tit (2+), Long–tailed Tit (2), Great–spotted Woodpecker (1 heard), Jackdaw (4+), Carrion Crow (2), Magpie (6+) and Starling (5+).
7th April, 2010
(Northumberland)
A mid–week family holiday to Haggerston Castle offered me the opportunity to check a few of the locations in the area. Highlights included twenty two Whooper Swans (north of Budle Bay) and the first Willow Warbler of the year (calling from trees in Haggerston Holiday Park). We had a quick look for the reported Hoopoe at Dunglass, which did not show during my 60 minute visit.
4th April, 2010
(Low Barns)
A male Reed Bunting was amongst the usual visitors at the feeding station which included Nuthatch (2+), Coal Tit (1+), Great Tit (2+), Blue Tit (4+), Blackbird (2), Chaffinch (6+), Dunnock (1), Robin (1), Starling (1) and Siskin (10+ over).
Three Mallards, two Tufted Ducks, a Coot and a Moorhen were on the west pond. Five Greylag Geese and two Canada Geese were on the West Pasture.
Several Mallards, ten Tufted Ducks, one Goldeneye, one Little Grebe, two Mute Swans, two Canada Geese and three Black–headed Gulls were on Marston Lake.
Oystercatcher (2 on the floating island), Sand Martin (10+), Swallow (5+), Jackdaw (30+), Stock Dove (1), Woodpigeon (2), Wren (1), Long–tailed Tit (2), Chiffchaff (2 seen and at least six heard calling) and Mistle Thrush (1 seen sitting on it’s nest). At least four Grey Heron nests were occupied at a nearby heronry.
1st April, 2010
(Escomb)
A male Goosander, two Mallards and four Coots were on Escomb Lake. At least ten Sand Martins, a Swallow and two Greylag Geese were also seen. Two Chiffchaffs were heard (1 seen).
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