Sightings for August 2009
31st August, 2009
(Bishop Auckland)
Found this little (or not so little) Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar in a Bishop Auckland garden. Very big and very strong (could not seperate it from the feushia it was feeding on).
23rd August, 2009
(Yorkshire Twitch)
Decided to go to Edderthorpe Flash near Barnsley for the chance of seeing the Spotted Crake that had been seen over the past few days. Didn’t manage to see the crake, but did manage to stop off for the reported Citrine Wagtail at Saltholme Pools on the return journey. Greenshank (1) and Black–necked Grebe were also seen from the RSPB visitor centre.
22nd August, 2009
(Low Barns)
Kingfisher (1), Water Rail (1), Moorhen (3+), Grey Heron (3), Mallard (6+), Mute Swan (family of 5), Jay (1), Magpie (2+), Carrion Crow (2), Jackdaw (5+), Rook (1) and Woodpigeon (2+) were seen from the West Hide. A Green Woodpecker was heard calling. A female Goosander, five Mallards and a Moorhen were on the River Wear.
A Mandarin, several Mallards, Cormorant (2) and approximately twenty Greylag Geese were on the islands in front of the South Hide. Little Grebe (2+), Coot (6+), Common Teal (5+), Tufted Duck (2+), Mallard (10+) and Swallow (3) were also seen from the hide.
Willow Warbler (2+), Chiffchaff (2+), Long–tailed Tit (4+), Blue Tit (3+), Coal Tit (2+), Great Tit (1+), Chaffinch (3+), Blackbird (10+), Song Thrush (4+) and Wren (1) were seen from the footpath whilst walking round the reserve. Marsh Tit (1) and Chaffinch (15+) were seen during a short visit to the feeding station.
21st August, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
Good numbers of butterflies in the garden this week, with at least twenty four Peacocks and fourteen Painted Ladies (all on one Budlea bush). Corn Bunting has not been seen since the fields were harvested at the beginning of the week. Common Swift (2+), Swallow (10+) and House Martin (20+) have been seen during the past week (figures shown are the highest count at any one time).
12th August, 2009
(Low Barns)
The West Pond had a family of five Mute Swans (2 adults), two Moorhens, several Mallards and three Grey Herons. Great–spotted Woodpecker (1), Swallow (2), Rook (30+), Carrion Crow (20+) and Jackdaw (40+) were seen flying over the area.
A Barnacle Goose was amongst approximately forty Greylag Geese on the Marston Lake islands. Little Grebe (2), Teal (2), Black–headed Gull (1) and Coot (5) were also seen here.
Nuthatch (3+), Marsh Tit (2), Blue Tit (2+), Great Tit (4+), Coal Tit (3+), Robin (3+), Blackbird (1), Chaffinch (6+) and Willow Warbler (1) were seen at the feeding station during a ten minute watch.
Butterflies throughout the reserve included Peacock (10+), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Painted Lady (5+), Speckled Wood (4+), Small White (10+), Large White (2) and Green–veigned White (2).
8th August, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
Most of the spare time this week has been spent in the garden at Etherley Moor.
Butterflies have visiting the Budlea. The most seen at any one time includes Painted Lady (6+), Peacock (10+), Small Tortoiseshell (5+), Large White (5+), Small White (2+), Comma (1) and Speckled Wood (1).
The moth trap went out for only the second time this year with a good return of moths (100+). Nothing out of the ordinary, but it was nice to see the children taking an interest in the various camouflage and colours, especially the Chinese Character which disguises itself as bird droppings.
Tree Sparrows are now busy feeding a third brood (this time they are using the House Sparroe box that was put up earlier this year). House Sparrow (10+), Dunnock (3+), Robin (2+), Blackbird (2+), Woodpigeon (2+), Collared Dove (2), House Martin (6+), Swallow (2), Rook (4 over), Greylag Goose (1 over) and Chaffinch (1) have been seen from the garden.
The Corn Bunting (1) is still being seen on the wires from the back road (not heard calling for a few weeks now).
2nd August, 2009
(Low Barns)
Very quiet during this two hour visit to the reserve. The highlight being approximately eighty Greylag Geese being constantly attacked by a very territorial Mute Swan on Marston Lake.
Spent about an hour photographing butterflies, bees, flies and damselflies in the butterfly garden. This was also quiet, but did manage to get some rather nice photos of Comma Butterfly, Drone Fly, Flesh Fly and Blue–tailed Damselfly.
1st August, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
A single Corn Bunting has been seen at the usual location for the past two days.
1st August, 2009
(Saltholme Pools)
Another short stop at Saltholme Pools and Calor Gas Pool and still no sign of the Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper or Pectoral Sandpiper from the roadside (didn’t have time to go on the reserve). Green Sandpiper (1), Black–tailed Godwit (17), Dunlin (10+), Common Redshank (30+) and Avocet (5) were the pick of the birds at the Calor Gas Pool.
Ruff (4+), Common Sandpiper (1) and Dunlin (10+) were seen on Back Saltholme.
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