Sightings for December 2009
27th December, 2009
(Low Barns)
Fifteen Common Teal and at least twenty Mallards were on the only unfrozen part of the west pond. Two Mute Swans flew over the west pasture.
The feeding station was quite active with at least three Robins, two Dunnocks, two Nuthatches, five Chaffinches, two Great Tits, four Blue Tits, two Coal Tits, two Marsh Tits, one Pheasant, four Blackbirds and a single Jay visiting during a ten minute observation. The rest of the reserve was very quiet.
24th December, 2009
(Escomb)
Seven Mute Swans, fifteen Tufted Ducks and four Mallards were on the only unfrozen part of Escomb Lake (about 15 sq yds in size). Several Coots, fifteen Common Gulls and ten Black–headed Gulls were on the surrounding ice. Two Moorhens were seen flying across the River Wear.
Moorhen (2), Blue Tit (6), Great Tit (4), Long–tailed Tit (8), Coal Tit (1), Dunnock (2), House Sparrow (10+), Starling (10+), Wren (2), Goldfinch (2), Greenfinch (1), Chaffinch (2), Great–spotted Woodpecker (1), Redwing (2), Fieldfare (1), Song Thrush (2), Blackbird (10+), Magpie (10+) and Reed Bunting (2) were seen whilst walking around the lake.
20th December, 2009
(Low Barns)
The feeding station was quite active with at least eight Robins, six Dunnocks, two Nuthatches, ten Chaffinches, four Great Tits, four Blue Tits, three Coal Tits, four Pheasants and two Blackbirds visiting the feeders during a twenty minute oservation.
Six Goldfinches, one Siskin and four Jackdaws were in the tree tops, whilst I was viewing the feeders in very cold (ice and snow (minus 4)) conditions.
The West Pond was almost completely frozen over. At least ten Mallards and several Common Teal were in the only unfrozen part towards the rear of the pond.
A female Reed Bunting, a Grey Heron (in flight over the pasture), seven Greylag Geese (in flight over the pasture) and a female Goldeneye (on the River Wear) were seen whilst walking towards the South Hide. An small unfrozen area in the centre of Marston Lake produced ten Mallards, four Common Teal and one Little Grebe. Two Mute Swans were sitting on the ice in front of the hide.
The walk back towards the feeding station produced Blackbird (10+), Redwing (3), Fieldfare (1), Carrion Crow (2), Magpie (2), Lapwing (4 over), Willow Tit (1), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (4), Coal Tit (2), Siskin (20+) and Lesser Redpoll (1, amongst the Siskins).
Surprise find of the visit was the sighting of two Jack Snipe that lifted whilst I was looking for Water Rail in the Butterfly Garden. Two Moorhens, a Wren and a handfull of Long–tailed Tits were also seen here.
4th December, 2009
(Teesside)
Ten Pintails were at Dormans. Back Saltholme produced Barnacle Geese (20), Greylag Goose (200c), Canada Goose (50c), Wigeon (50c), Lapwing (100+) and Golden Plover (50+).
A Water Pipit was seen and heard whilst checking the bottom tank at RSPB Saltholme. A Black–tailed Godwit was also seen amongst the usual species to be found at this location.
No joy at North Gare when checking for Twite and Snow Bunting. Five Shags and two Red–breasted Mergansers were seen in the channel that leads up towards Seal Sands. A Merlin was seen on Zinc Road.
A Great Northern Diver, five Cormorants and upto fifty Lapwings were seen at Hartlepool Marina. The diver was seen for approximately twenty seconds and was not seen again during a thirty minute search.
At least ten Ring–necked Parakeets were at Ward Jackson Park. A redhead Smew and a Great crested Grebe were at Crookfoot Reservoir. A Little Owl was seen in nearby trees.
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