Sightings – December 2006
31st December, 2006
(Bishop Auckland)
A single Waxwing at Bondgate Car Park. What a nice way to end the year. Here’s wishing you all a Happy New Year and good birding for 2007.
30th December, 2006
(Newfield)
A quick stop at Newfield resulted in Great Black–backed Gull (20+), Herring Gulls (50+) and Black–headed Gull (30+). Several Lapwing and a couple of Carrion Crows were also there. No sign of any white–winged gulls, but there was plenty of activity on the tip.
28th December, 2006
(Bishops Park)
A very quiet walk along the River Gaunless produced the usual Dipper (1) and Grey wagtail (1). Surprisingly, there was no sign of any Kingfishers.
At least ten Mallards and three Goosanders (1m & 2f) were on the River Wear.
27th December, 2006
(Escomb)
Goldeneye (2m & 1f), Wigeon (1m & 1f), Pochard (1f), Tufted Duck (9), Mallard (2) and Goosander (1m & 1f) were on the lakes with four Mute Swan and several Coot. Otherwise, very quiet.
27th December, 2006
(Low Barns)
The feeders were quite active this morning with Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Nuthatch (2), Long–tailed Tit (10+), Marsh Tit (3), Coal Tit (4+), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (3), Chaffinch (10+), Greenfinch (3), Redwing (5+), Robin (3) and Dunnock (2) all being seen from the observation area. A large group of Siskin (250+) flew over the feeding station before setting in the tree tops between the feeders and the west hide. A Water Rail was seen before taking a closer look at the Siskin. No Redpoll amongst them.
A female Goldeneye, several Teal, a Great Black–backed Gull, two Herring Gulls and at least ten Black–headed Gulls were seen on the main lake. Others present included Coot (10+), Moorhen (2), Treecreeper (2), Wren (2), Blackbird (5+), Stock Dove (1), Magpie (4), Jackdaw (2), Carrion Crow (2) and Lapwing (100+, over).
24th December, 2006
(Escomb)
Thirty Canada Geese, twelve Tufted Duck, four Goosander, two Goldeneye and a single Teal were on the main lake. Good numbers of gulls present, which included Black–headed Gull (50+), Common Gull (5), Great Black–backed Gull (2 first winter) and Herring Gull (1 adult). Coot numbers were high, with a count of at least thirty.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Treecreeper (2+), Blue Tit (5+), Great Tit (1), Wren (2), Song Thrush (1), Blackbird (5+) and Redwing (30+) were also recorded.
21st December, 2006
(Low Barns)
Another cold and frosty day in Wear Valley meant that the ponds were mostly frozen over. Mallard (10+), Common Teal (10+), Tufted Duck (6+), Goldeneye (1 female) and Coot (10+) were congregated around the only patch of unfrozen water.
The feeding station was very active with Nuthatch (3+), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Coal Tit (2+), Marsh Tit (2), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (6+), Chaffinch (10+), Dunnock (2), Wren (1), Goldcrest (1) and Robin (3), all visiting regularly.
A Sparrowhawk flew through the reserve lifting several Redwing and at least 150 Siskin.
20th December, 2006
(Escomb)
28 different species of birds were recorded on this very cold and frosty morning at Escomb. Large numbers of Black–headed Gulls (70+) were on the main lake, along with the less regular Common Gull (5). No fewer than twenty three Tufted Duck and a single female Goldeneye were also there.
Good numbers of Thrushes in the area included Redwing (20+), Mistle Thrush (1), Song Thrush (3) and Blackbird (10+). Several Siskin flew over the River Wear and a pair of Willow Tits were with a tit flock close to the village.
17th December, 2006
(Snettisham)
No sign of the reported Black–eared Kite.
A pair of Barn Owls were observed hunting the fields on the approach road to the reserve. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen on at least three occasions, a Sparrowhawk, a Kestrel and a probable Merlin were seen whilst searching for the Kite. Eleven Snow Buntings, at least ten Linnet, four Shorelarks and a single Little Egret were the other noteworthy birds seen.
Three Pintail and good numbers of Golden Plover (300+), Pink–footed Geese (300+), Shelduck (100+) and Greylag Geese (100+) were also seen. A third Barn Owl was seen before leaving the reserve.
16th December, 2006
(Bishops Park)
23 different species of birds were recorded. Large numbers of thrushes today included Fieldfare (75+), Redwing (75+), Mistle Thrush (10+) and Blackbird (10+). At least 200 Woodpigeon were also in the area.
Red–legged Partridge (2), Jay (1), Green Woodpecker (1) and Yellowhammer (3) were amongst the other species seen. A Barn Owl was seen nearby.
9th December, 2006
(Croxdale Hall & Hurworth Burn)
Two Hawfinches were seen during a quick visit to Croxdale Hall (a male and a female). A male Blackcap, a Little Owl, several Mistle Thrushes and at least five Redwing were close by. Good numbers of Nuthatch (10+), Great Tit (6+), Blue Tit (10+) and Coal Tit (10+) were also seen.
A flock of approximately eleven Lesser Redpoll were at Hurworth Burn. Other sightings in the area included Great Crested Grebe (4), Cormorant (6), Grey Heron (2), Canada Goose (30+), Greylag Goose (2), Wigeon (50+), Mallard (30+), Pochard (20+), Tufted Duck (4), Goldeneye (3), Common Redshank (1), Coot (50+), Kestrel (2), Black–headed Gull (40+), Common Gull (10+), Chaffinch (20+), Greenfinch (2) and Yellowhammer (1).
A Yellow–legged Gull was seen at Tees Barrage.
8th December, 2006
(Low Barns)
A quick visit to the reserve produced a total of 24 species. A Great Black-backed Gull was on the island with eight Cormorants. Plenty of Mallards, two Tufted Duck and a single drake Teal were on the West Pond. No sign of any Kingfishers.
The feeding station was quite active. Two Marsh Tits visited regularly along with Blue Tit (5+), Great Tit (2), Coal Tit (1), Nuthatch (1), Dunnock (1), Robin (1) and Pheasant (1 female).
A flock of eight Siskin were in the area with Green Woodpecker (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) and Goldfinch (1).
7th December, 2006
(Escomb)
A very quiet visit to Escomb this pm. Black-headed Gull (50+), Redwing (20+), Blackbird (10+) and Bullfinch (4) being the highlights. No sign of the Blackcap that was seen on the last visit.
Four Grey Partridges seen on Etherley Moor.
2nd December, 2006
(Holyhead, Llanfairfechan & Fluke Hall)
Sixty five different species were seen today, with all three target birds for the day being found soon after arriving at each of the three destination.
A Barn Owl was seen on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland as we departed for South Stack near Holyhead, where several Chough were viewed in very windy conditions. At least four Ravens, a Hooded Crow, two Carrion Crows, two Magpies and eight Jackdaws were also there.
The reported Black Scoter was amongst good numbers of Common Scoter at Llanfairfechan. A Black–throated Diver was close by, along with Black Guillimot (1), Manx Shearwater (2) and Great Crested Grebe (6).
The long staying Glossy Ibis was seen at Fluke Hall (Pilling), before it was disturbed by local shooting. Whooper Swan (12+), Pink–footed Goose (1000+), Peregrine (1) and Lapwing (800+) were the other birds of note at this location.
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