Sightings for August 2010
30th August, 2010
(Escomb)
Six Mute Swan, three Wigeon, nine Mallard, five Coot and a single Tufted Duck were on Escomb Lake. Five ChiffChaff were in the bushes on the waters edge.
At least ten Swallows were over the small pond. Three Blackbird, two Wren, a male Blackcap, two Common Whitethroat, a Willow Warbler, ten Goldfinch, a Linnet and a Yellowhammer were in the bushes at this location.
A Kingfisher, three Mallard and two Moorhen were on the River Wear. A Green Woodpecker was heard and two Great–spotted Woodpeckers were seen whilst walking back to the car.
29th August, 2010
(Low Barns)
A Kingfisher was on the West Pond. Two Tufted Ducks, several Moorhen, two Coot and a Common Snipe were also there.
A Grey Heron, two Grey Wagtails, a Dipper and a Kingfisher were seen on the River Wear. At least 100 House Martins and 20 Swallows passed over just before one of two heavy rainfalls.
Two Little Grebe, five Mute Swan, a Common Teal, four Tufted Duck and at least ten Mallard were on Marston Lake. A single female Sparrowhawk was seen from the South Hide.
The feeding station was reasonably active with Nuthatch (2), Great Tit (10+), Blue Tit (10+), Coal Tit (2), Marsh Tit (2) and Chaffinch being seen during a quick five minute watch. At least two Great–spotted Woodpeckers were heard.
19th – 28th August, 2010
(Boston & Great Yarmouth)
A family holiday to Great Yarmouth provided me with the opportunity to visit a selection of locations in the areas of Boston and Great Yarmouth.
The first two nights of the holiday was spent at a certified location on the outskirts of Boston, which produced Collared Dove (10+), Woodpigeon (20+), Blackbird (2), House Sparrow (10+), Greenfinch (4), Goldfinch (6), Linnet (20) and Dunnock (1).
Evening (19th) and early morning (20th) visits to Freiston Shore produced Little Grebe (5), Little Egret (10+), Cormorant (2), Brent Goose (1), Canada Goose (20+), Tufted Duck (2), Mallard (5), Cape Teal (2 escapees), Marsh Harrier (1), Kestrel (1), Green Sandpiper (2), Common Sandpiper (1), Avocet (1), Black–tailed Godwit (10+), Curlew (20+), Whimbrel (1), Greenshank (1), Common Redshank (10+), Dunlin (100+), Ringed Plover (5), Grey Plover (50+), Golden Plover (100+), Lapwing (20+), Pheasant (4), Grey Partridge (2), Great Black–backed Gull (1), Lesser Black–backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (1), Black–headed Gull (10+), Tree Sparrow (2), House Sparrow (10+), House Martin (10+), Sand Martin (2), Swallow (10+), Mistle Thrush (2), Blackbird (5), Meadow Pipit (2) and Yellow Wagtail (4+).
A quick stop at Gibraltar Point (20th) produced Spoonbill (12), Little Egret (1), Grey Heron (1), Bar–tailed Godwit (10+), Avocet (1), Dunlin (10+), Greenshank (1), Green Sandpiper (1), Little Ringed Plover (2), Grey Plover (1), Sparrowhawk (1) and Common Tern (3).
A mid–morning visit to Breydon Water at high tide (22nd) produced Avocet (100+), Black–tailed Godwit (100+), Curlew (30+), Whimbrel (1), Ringed Plover (20+), Dunlin (20+), Greenshank (8), Common Redshank (10+), Golden Plover (50+), Little Egret (3), Grey Heron (1), Great Black–backed Gull (2), Lesser Black–backed Gull (10+), Herring Gull (2), Black–headed Gull (50+), Mediterranean Gull (2), Carrion Crow (2), Shelduck (10+) and Common Tern (3).
A visit to the cemetery on the 23rd was poor with only Chiffchaff (1 heard), Wren (1), Blue Tit (6), Robin (1) and Blackbird (2) being the only birds found in a 30 minute stay.
Two additional visits to Breydon Water (23rd & 24th) added Sparrowhawk (1), Sandwich Tern (1), Pintail (2), Mallard (5) Grey Plover (1), Dunlin (100+), Knot (5) and Bar–tailed Godwit (4) to the list of birds seen on the 22nd.
Five Mediterranean Gulls were on Great Yarmouth Beach (24th) before viewing a selection of Darters and Hawkers at Vauxhaul Caravan Park.
16th August, 2010
(Shibdon Pond)
I was unable to go to see the reported Sykes’s Warbler in Northumberland, but did manage to get good views of the reported Spotted Crake at Shibdon Pond. Water Rail (2), Common Tern (3) and Little Egret (1) were also there.
15th August, 2010
(Etherley Moor)
Tree Sparrow (7+), House Sparrow (20+), Starling (10+), Woodpigeon (2+), Collared Dove (2) and Magpie (2+) are regularly visiting the feeding station. Two Yellowhammers are still in the area, but no sign of the Corn Buntings (last seen on 9th July).
15th August, 2010
(Teesside)
A visit to Hartlepool Headland for the reported Wryneck proved to be frustrating (13th and 14th). I didn’t manage to see the Wryneck, but Pied Flycatcher (1), Willow Warbler (3+) and ChiffChaff (1) were seen whilst waiting.
A sixty minute seawatch was also poor with Arctic Skua (1), Gannet (10+), Common Scoter (7) and Guillimot (5) being the only birds of note.
A quick visit to saltholme pools produced a Black–necked Grebe and the long staying Whiskered Tern (both seen on the east pool). At least one Ruff was on the west pool.
3rd August, 2010
(Etherley Moor)
The Tree Sparrows have succesfully fledged five broods out of two nest boxes this year. Two Yellowhammers, two Greenfinches and two Coal Tits have been amongst the regular visitors to the feeding station. Three Magpies have been attacking the feeders and todays finding of the scattered remains of a sparrow was a reminder of their flesh eating habits.
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