Sightings – January 2006
29th January 2006
(Organised Tour to Loch Ryan)
This trip to Loch Ryan produced a memorable day out for the group, producing a total of eighty nine different species of birds. Departure time from Gateshead was at 0600am, with temperatures at a low of –4.5°. Daylight hours produced a very cold, clear and sunny day with no wind.
We arrived at Loch Ryan at the estimated time of 0900am. Black Guillimot (38), a single Razorbill (1), Red–throated Diver (10+), Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe (3), Brent Goose (15+), Scaup (3), Long–tailed Duck (3), Common Scoter (30+), Red–breasted Merganser (7+), Turnstone (50+), Common Snipe (1) and a variety of garden birds (visiting one of the local feeding stations) were found.
Loch Ken added some more birds to our list. White–fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose and a single Barnacle Goose were found at the northern end of the loch. Close views of both Red Kite (5+) and Common Buzzard (30+ throughout the day) were a pleasure to watch. No sign of Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier or Red–legged Partridge today.
Glencaple was very quiet with no geese on show, but we did get distant views of Whooper Swan (50+). Kingfisher, Linnet and Common Redshank were also there.
The drive to Caerlaverock gave us views of large numbers of Barnacle Goose and Pink-footed Goose. Whooper Swans were showing well, but no sign of any Bewicks Swans. There was also no sign of the Taverners Canada Goose or the Lesser Scaup (both reported on the previous day). Two Stonechat was seen at the south hide, along with Deer and Fox. Dozens of Yellowhammers were seen along the footpaths, being lit up beautifully by the evening sun.
A single Peregrine Falcon was seen by one member of the group before we all witnessed thousands of geese flying to roost. A Tawny Owl was seen resting on overhead cables. An excellent way to end the perfect day out birdwatching.
28th January 2006
A half hour visit to Byers Green produced good views of Collared Dove, Tree Sparrow (20+), House Sparrow, Dunnock, Blackbird, Nuthatch (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Carrion Crow, Magpie, Goldfinch (10+), Chaffinch (50+), Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Willow Tit (1), Treecreeper, Yellowhammer and Robin. Five Greylag Geese flew over, heading east. No sign of any Brambling.
26th January 2006
Second day of checking local public footpaths and old railway lines (during the afternoon). Surprise find of four Whooper Swan on the oldest of the ponds at Ramshaw. Over a hundred Siskin were nearby before being disturbed by a Sparrowhawk (missed my head by inches when attacking the flock). Two Dippers were seen on the River Gaunless.
Other birds seen included Teal (3), Mallard (2), Grey Partridge (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Bullfinch (1 male and 1 female), Chaffinch (3), Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest (10+) and Lapwing (150+). A Fox was also seen.
25th January 2006
Checked local public footpaths and old railway lines this morning. Four Lesser Redpoll were seen near Greenfields. Other birds in the area included Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Kestrel, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Starling, Carrion Crow, Rook and Black-headed Gull. A group of Golden Plover was seen flying towards Cockfield.
At Kinninvie, a pair of Red Kite were seen, along with four Common Buzzard. All the birds were flying in the same area and provided views that were down to 20 - 30 yards. What a site to see on the way to work, 'excellent'.
22nd January 2006
A single Jack Snipe was seen at Hetton Boggs on the way to a morning out at South Shields. A Little Owl was in Trow Quarry and an adult Mediterranean Gull was on the Leas. Other birds seen during this 2 hour visit included Fulmar, Cormorant, Shag, Common Eider, Turnstone, Redshank, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Kittiwake, Skylark (20+), Kestrel, Feral Pigeon, Meadow Pipit (10+), Rock Pipit (1), Stonechat (4) and Reed Bunting (2).
21st January 2006
A quick visit to Byers Green produced Chaffinch (50+), Greenfinch (10+), Tree Sparrow (20+), Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Kestrel and Collared Dove. No sign of any Brambling.
350 - 400 Gulls were at the gull roost at Newfield. Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull and Black-headed Gull were all seen.
A probable Long-eared Owl was seen on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland in poor light conditions. Site will be checked in the next few days for possible confirmation.
20th January 2006
A very windy day made birdwatching hard this morning. Two drake Smew were on Back Saltholme along with other regulars (notably there were hundreds of Lapwing and Golden Plover).
A flock of Twite (45+) were at Seaton Snook, which could have easily been overlooked if they hadn't decided to fly up and reposition themselves. Once visible, they gave some excellent views. No sign of any Snow Bunting at North Gare.
The long staying Red-necked Grebe was still at Cowpen Bewley. The best views of this species yet!
19th January 2006
Three Goosander were on the River Wear, one male and two female. A Barn Owl was seen hunting the opposite side of the River Wear at Bishops Park (at dusk). Two Dipper were on the River Gaunless. Otherwise, very quiet on a very dull afternoon.
18th January 2006
Two wing-tagged Red Kite were seen close to Kinninvie. Three Common Buzzard were also seen in the same area as the kites.
At least seventy Fieldfare flew through the valley whilst I was watching the raptors.
Three Red Grouse and at least forty Greylag Geese were nearby.
Other birds in the area included Mallard (10+), Common Gull (100+), Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw and Mistle Thrush.
16th January 2006
Fifteen White-fronted Geese were seen at Houghton Gate, along with Greylag Goose (2), Wigeon (10+), Mallard (2) and Shoveller (2).
At least one Hawfinch was at Sunderland Bridge. No sign of Brambling or Lesser-spotted Woodpecker.
Other birds in the Sunderland Bridge area on this very cold and dull day included Moorhen (3), Pheasant (1), Blackbird (3), Dipper (1), Kingfisher (1), Goldcrest (10+), Long-tailed Tit (3+), Blue Tit (10+), Coal Tit (2), Great Tit (5), Treecreeper (1), Chaffinch (5) and Magpie (2).
15th January 2006
A Humes Leaf Warbler was at Whitley Bay and at least forty five Waxwing were at Jarrow (south side of the Tyne Tunnel).
14th January 2006
Two Common Snipe and a single Jack Snipe were seen at Hetton Bogs. At least three Short-eared Owls were hunting at Rainton Meadows. Other birds at Rainton Meadows included Little Grebe (2), Greylag Goose (50+), Mute Swan (2), Pochard (10+), Tufted Duck (10+), Coot (20+), Moorhen (2), Common Kestrel (3+), Pheasant (7), Magpie (10+), Carrion Crow (10+), Jackdaw (40+), Siskin (30+), Greenfinch (4), Chaffinch (1) and Bullfinch (3).
13th January 2006
Croxdale was visited for two hours today. Eight Hawfinch were seen along with good numbers of Siskin, Redwing, Chaffinch and Yellowhammer. Other birds included Goosander (3 over), Cormorant (1 over), Pheasant, Nuthatch (10+), Dipper, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker (4+), Green Woodpecker (heard calling), Goldcrest (20+), Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit (20+) and Long-tailed Tit.
6th January 2006
A total of 72 birds were seen on this visit to Teesside.
Cowpen Bewley had Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Magpie and Woodpigeon.
Saltholme Pools had Cormorant, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Shoveller, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Smew, Ruddy Duck, Peregrine Falcon, Moorhen, Coot, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Ruff, Curlew and Pied Wagtail.
Dormans and Reclamation Pond had Little Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kingfisher, Goldfinch and Reed Bunting.
Seal Sands area had Red Throated Diver, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret, Shelduck, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Plover, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Guillimot and Stonechat.
Hartlepool Headland had Shag, Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Velvet Scoter, Oystercatcher, Knot, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone and House Sparrow.
3rd January 2006
Bishops Park - Very quiet at first. However, a walk around the outskirts of the park produced the regular, winter visiting Green Sandpiper. A small flock of Lesser Redpoll were also seen (site first) with a single Common (mealy) Redpoll showing signs that it could be a member of the rarer Arctic Redpoll.
Other birds of note that were seen included Fieldfare (70+), Redwing (3) and a single Common Snipe.
1st January 2006
(Organised tour, birdrace targetting inland birds)
Low Barns had Water Rail (call only) and Tawny Owl (call only) at dawn. Moorhen, Blackbird and a Wren were working there way around the West Hide. At the same location, Greylag Geese (several), a Lapwing, a Sparrowhawk and a pair of Grey wagtail flew overhead. The river was high, so there was nothing to be seen there other than a single Grey Heron. The walk around the reserve found Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Robin, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Treecreeper, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Hooded Crow (hybrid), Starling, Chaffinch, Siskin, and Bullfinch. On the lake there was Little Grebe, Cormorant, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye. No sign of yesterdays Scaup. No food on the feeding station.
A drive through the Dales resulted in very few additions to the list. Goosanders were found at three locations. Pheasant, Common Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Mistle Thrush were seen near Butterknowle. Red Grouse (7) were close to Kinninvie. Dipper (1) and Grey Partridge (10) were seen near Egglestone. Black Grouse were eventually found after searching for nearly two hours (only 2 were found from three normally reliable locations). One member of the group found Kingfisher at one of these sites. Pied Wagtail and Collared Dove were seen on the way to the Stang, which was very quiet.
Bishop Middleham at dusk added more birds to the list, but most had gone to roost by the time we got there. Birds seen here included Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Barnacle Goose, Wigeon, Gadwall, Shoveller, Golden Plover, Common Snipe, Common Redshank, Herring Gull and Tree Sparrow.
A total of 65 birds were seen, which is a good count for inland birds. Surprise birds that weren't seen included Jay, Redwing, Fieldfare, Song Thrush and Nuthatch.
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