Sightings – November 2006
30th November, 2006
(Escomb)
A male Blackcap was seen in one of the hedge rows close to the main lake. Other birds in the hedge rows included Redwing (20+), Song Thrush (2), Mistle Thrush (3), Blackbird (10+), Bullfinch (5+), Goldfinch (3), Greenfinch (2), Chaffinch (5+), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (2) and Wren (2).
At least twenty Black–headed Gulls and five Common Gulls were on the main lake. Tufted Duck (6) and Coot (10+) were on the small lake.
28th November, 2006
(Gaunless Flats)
Very quiet during this short visit to Gaunless Flats.
Birds present included Mute Swan (2 juveniles), Grey Heron (1), Common Snipe (1), Kestrel (1 female), Black–headed Gull (20+), Song Thrush (1), Redwing (30+), Blackbird (5+), Blue Tit (1), Great Tit (1), Robin (1), Wren (1), Jackdaw (30+), Carrion Crow (10+), Linnet (14+) and Yellowhammer (1).
No sign of any Short–eared Owls, which was the target species.
26th November, 2006
(Tees Barrage)
An adult Yellow–legged Gull at Tees Barrage.
Cormorant (5+), Great Black–backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (1), Common Gull (3), Black–headed Gull (10+) and Pied Wagtail (1) were also there.
25th November, 2006
(Callander, Forth)
An early start meant that we were the first to see the previously reported Barrows Goldeneye at Callander in Scotland. Several of our more common Goldeneye were in the same area, along with Mute Swan (2), Grey Heron (1), Mallard (20+), Common Buzzard (1), Siskin (50+), Redpoll (1 heard), Blackbird (1), Carrion Crow (4+), Jackdaw (2) and Dipper (1 heard).
A stop at Musselburgh Lagoons provided the bonus birds of the day, which were Little Gull (1 adult) and Water Pipit (1). Other birds here included Slavonian Grebe (2+), Great Crested Grebe (1+), Velvet Scoter (15+), Common Scoter (5+), Long–tailed Duck (10+), Red–breasted Merganser (6+), Wigeon (20+), Teal (2), Grey Partridge (7), Pheasant (5+), Common Redshank (10+), Bar–tailed Godwit (2), Curlew (1), Knot (30+), Turnstone (10+), Dunlin (2), Oystercatcher (10+), Grey Plover (10+), Great Black–backed Gull (10+), Herring Gull (50+), Common Gull (30+), Black–headed Gull (50+), Meadow Pipit (4+), Skylark (10+) and Starling (10+).
19th November, 2006
(Etherley Moor & Blackbank Wood)
Target species of Crossbill was found during the first few minutes of the mid–morning visit to Blackbank Wood. Unfortunately it was a fly–over, so we were unable to get good views. Three Goosanders also flew over, heading towards Wolsingham.
At least twenty Fieldfare and a pair of Bullfinch showed beautifully in the bright sunshine. Redwing (30+), Mistle Thrush (1), Green Woodpecker (1 heard), Blue Tit (2+), Great Tit (2+), Coal Tit (2+), Goldcrest (10+), Treecreeper (1), Lesser Redpoll (5+) and Jay (1) were also recorded there.
Several Lapwings flew over our Etherley Moor feeding station, along with at least three Redpolls. An injured Magpie (presumably by the female Sparrowhawk that still visits on a daily basis) has been desperately trying to survive. At one point it was seen plucking a male Greenfinch, which it had presumably caught earlier. Tree Sparrow numbers reached a maximum of five.
11th November, 2006
(Lower Dales & Low Barns)
Several Red Grouse and a pair of Black Grouse were seen close to Knitsley Fell. A pair of Woodcock were seen shortly after seeing a pair of Common Snipe. Other birds seen in the area of Knitsley Fell included Sparrowhawk (1 female), Merlin (1 female), Fieldfare (30+), Redwing (15+), Mistle Thrush (1), Green Woodpecker (1 heard), Siskin (12) and Redpoll (1 heard). A Stoat and a Fallow Deer were also seen.
Three Common Buzzard, a Kestrel and at least ten Red Grouse were close to Kinninvie.
A female Goldeneye and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen at Low Barns. Plenty of food available on the feeding station, but little activity.
5th November, 2006
(Croftside & Etherley Moor)
Work commitments has meant that birdwatching has been very quiet during the first week of November, resulting in Croftside and Etherley Moor being the only sites recorded.
A Sparrowhawk has been regularly visiting the feeding station at Croftside. A pair of Tree Sparrows have been setting up territory around a new nest box in the garden (maximum of four birds seen at any one time on the feeders). House Sparrows are still visiting in large numbers, occasionally rising to at least eighty.
Other visitors to the feeding station include Dunnock (3), Robin (2), Blackbird (7+), Woodpigeon (1), Collared Dove (1), Coal Tit (1), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (3), Chaffinch (1 female), Greenfinch (5+), Goldfinch (1) and Starling (20+).
Good numbers of Carrion Crow, Rook and Jackdaw are still present in the surrounding fields. Ten Grey Partridge were also seen.
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