Sightings for December 2008
29th December, 2008
(Low Barns)
A two hour visit to the reserve this morning didn’t disappoint, mainly because the feeding station had been topped up over the past day or two (the food I brought for todays visit can now be left in the car for future use).
An hour was spent at the feeders providing good views of Great–spotted Woodpecker (1), Nuthatch (2+), Treecreeper (2+), Chaffinch (10+), Goldfinch (1), Bullfinch (1), Jay (1), Jackdaw (2), Magpie (1), Redwing (7), Mistle Thrush (1 heard), Blackbird (3+), Blue Tit (6+), Great Tit (2+), Coal Tit (2+), Marsh Tit (2+), Long–tailed Tit (9 near the visitor centre), Robin (2), Wren (1) and Siskin (1 over).
Mute Swan (1), Mallard (4), Teal (3), Tufted Duck (1), Moorhen (2), Blue Tit (2) and Treecreeper (3) were seen from the west hide.
Goldeneye (2 drakes & 2 females), Pochard (1 drake), Tufted Duck (24c), Mallard (10+), Cormorant (2), Herring Gull (1), Common Gull (2) and Black–headed Gull (20+) were seen from the south hide (Marston Lake).
The walk round was very quiet with Long–tailed Tits (5+) and Coal Tit (2) being the only birds seen. Nothing on the river.
28th December, 2008
(Bishops Park)
A good selection ofthe usual birds were seen during this lunchtime walk around the outskirts of the park.
Grey Heron (3), Greylag Goose (10 over, heading in an easterly direction), Green Woodpecker (1), Jay (2), Nuthatch (1 heard), Redwing (7), Mistle Thrush (5), Blackbird (10+), Blue Tit (2), Robin (3), Wren (4) and Reed Bunting (1) were seen. There were also plenty of gulls, corvids and pigeons.
25th December, 2008
(Etherley Moor)
A Stoat was a surprise visitor to our feeding station. All the usual visitors, including House Sparrow (10+), Tree Sparrow (3), Long–tailed Tit (7+), Blue Tit (4), Coal Tit (2), Great Tit (2), Dunnock (2), Robin (2), Wren (1), Blackbird (3) and Starling (3+).
24th December, 2008
(Low Barns)
A Barn Owl was seen hunting the West Pasture and a single Water Rail was heard from the board walk. Goldeneye (1 male & 3 females) and Tufted Duck (10+) were on Marston Lake.
20th December, 2008
(Escomb)
A late afternoon visit to Escomb proved to be very quiet with Little Grebe (1), Goosander (15c), Tufted Duck (8), Mallard (1), Coot (10+), Moorhen (3), Mistle Thrush (1), Blackbird (3), Wren (1), Coal Tit (1), Magpie (20+ going to roost) and Sparrowhawk (1) being the only birds seen.
14th December, 2008
(Etherley Moor)
Dark nights, poor weather, poor light and plenty of work has limited my birdwatching / photography over the past week or two, so finding the time to watch the feeders at Etherley Moor was very welcome.
A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the tree to the rear of the feeders. Other birds seen included Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (2), Coal Tit (2), House Sparrow (15+), Dunnock (2), Robin (3), Wren (1), Blackbird (1), Redwing (10 over), Fieldfare (15 over), Woodpigeon (3), Common Gull (25 over), Goldfinch (3), Starling (5+), Rook (2 over) and Jackdaw (2 over). Not bad for fifteen minutes.
Following the fifteen minute watch I sat down in the office to get on with some work, constantly watching for movement on the feeders. Other visitors that were seen during the afternoon included Tree Sparrow (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Herring Gull (5+), Black–headed Gull (1), Collared Dove (2), Magpie (1) and Carrion Crow (2 over).
Other bits & pieces during the week has included Tree Sparrow (3), Long–tailed Tit (5+), Weasel (1 on Saturday) and Rabbit (1 on Wednesday). The most unexpected sighting of the week was the sighting of a Hedgehog at Spennymoor (Wednesday afternoon).
7th December, 2008
(Low Barns)
Pheasant (3 – 4), Moorhen (2), Mute Swan (1 over), Bullfinch (3), Chaffinch (10+), Siskin (20+), Blackbird (2), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (2), Coal Tit (4+), Willow Tit (1), Long–tailed Tit (15+), Nuthatch (1), Dunnock (2), Robin (4) and Jackdaw (4) were seen at the feeding station.
At least ten Mallards and approximately fifty Common Teal were on the west pond. Moorhen (1), Bullfinch (3), Chaffinch (3), Treecreeper (1), Wren (2), Robin (1), Blue Tit (3+), Great Tit (2), Magpie (2), Jay (1) and Woodpigeon (3) were also seen from the hide. A Great–spotted Woodpecker was heard calling in the distance.
The walk from here (round the reserve) was quiet, with very few birds seen.
6th December, 2008
(Thornley Woods)
A twenty minute visit to the hide at Thornley Woods proved very worthwhile (would have stayed longer if time allowed).
Two Red Kites (1 was tagged), several Lesser Redpoll and at least eighteen Siskin were seen.
A female Sparrowhawk put in a brief appearance clearing the feeding stations in a split second.
Other birds seen during this short visit included Blackbird (2), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (15+), Coal Tit (10+), Chaffinch (7+), Bullfinch (5+), Dunnock (1), Robin (2), Nuthatch (2), Woodpigeon (15+), Magpie (2), Jay (1) and Carrion Crow (2+).
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