Sightings – February 2006
27th February 2006
A 45 minute visit to the outskirts of Bishops Park produced the usual wintering Green Sandpiper and a single Tree Sparrow. Other birds included Grey Partridge (2), Pheasant (1), Woodpigeon (2), Wren (1), Robin (1), Blackbird (2), Song Thrush (1), Coal Tit (1), Great Tit (10+), Blue Tit (10+), Treecreeper (2), Magpie (2), Carrion Crow (5) and Chaffinch (10+).
26th February 2006
An early afternoon drive to North Shields with the family produced excellent views of the reported Iceland Gull.
Other birds included Cormorant (10+), Eider (10+), Black-headed Gull (100+), Herring Gull (50+), Great Black-backed Gull (20+), Kittiwake (1) and Turnstone (20+).
A Brown Rat was seen happily eating peoples left over fish and chips. A good number of people gathered to view two large tug boats, escorting a medium sized merchant vessel along the Tyne.
13th February 2006
(Organised Tour to Aberlady Bay)
A good weather forecast was promised for this day trip to Aberlady Bay. The target birds was the reported Arctic Redpoll and the Surf Scoter that can regularly be seen along this coastline.
The first stop was Barns Ness, where a Tundra Bean Goose had been reported during the previous week. No sign of Bean Goose or the accompanying Pink-footed Geese, but a nearby beach gave excellent views of displaying Sparrowhawk (2). Other birds in the bay included Eider (2), Mallard (5), Curlew (1), Knot (10+), Grey Plover (1), Lapwing (10+), Common Redshank (4), Great Black-backed Gull (1 over), Herring Gull (1), Common Gull (1) and Black-headed Gull (10+). A single Dunnock was seen on the edge of the beach.
Next was Aberlady and Gosford Bay. Plenty of birds were in Aberlady Bay adding Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Red-breasted Merganser. Arctic Redpoll, one of the two target birds was located nearby, along with two Common (Mealy) Redpolls and ten Lesser Redpolls. Other birds of note (in the area) included Moorhen (1), Common Snipe (7), Stonechat (10+), Skylark (20+), Wren, Chaffinch (10+) and Reed Bunting (10+). Gosford Bay produced Red-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Cormorant, Shag, Razorbill and excellent views of Velvet Scoter, Common Scoter & Long-tailed Duck.
Surf Scoter was the second target bird. Knowing that the bird was reported at Largo bay, a decision was made to travel through Edinburgh and across the Forth Road Bridge to Largo. On route was a group of Waxwing (40+), which displayed superbly at Tranent. Despite a sudden change in the weather (light rain showers) on our arrival at Largo Bay, the Surf Scoter showed well. Turnstone, Ringed Plover (50+) and Rock Pipit (3) were also seen here.
Finally, an unscheduled plan to Lock Leven produced the last few surprises for the day. A field of 150 Whooper Swans, along with a single Bewicks Swan (apparently the only one in Scotland at this time) were seen close to Loch Leven. A single Little Egret was on the reserve, along with a single drake Smew. Other birds of note included, Great Crested Grebe (10+), Goosander (at least four), Pink-footed Goose (400c, coming to roost), Greylag Goose (250c, in a nearby field), Common Buzzard and plenty of garden birds on the feeding station.
So, even though the weather forecast was wrong, the target birds were found and along with some very good extras. A total of at least 78 birds were recorded, giving the group a very enjoyable and rewarding day.
13th February 2006
A 45 minute visit to Low Barns.
The feeding station was busy with Chaffinch (10+), Robin (3), Coal Tit (2), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (8), Blackbird (8) and Mistle Thrush (1) in the tree tops. I am sure more species would have been seen if more time had been spent there.
The main lake had Canada Goose (28), Mallard (10+), Teal (3m & 2f), Moorhen (3), Coot (5), Goldeneye (1m & 3f), Tufted Duck (1f) and Kingfisher (1). Five Cormorants were on the raft in the middle of the lake. One of the female Goldeneye's discolouration to its plumage, which could cause confusion. Probably the best way to describe it, was that it looked as though it had a tin of white emulsion thrown over it.
A Common Snipe was well hidden in the tall grass at the west pool. Also there was Pochard (1m & 1f) and a single Grey Heron.
Elsewhere on the reserve were Sparrowhawk (1 at a distance), Lapwing (150c over the west pasture), Woodpigeon (1), Black-headed Gull (25+), Fieldfare (20+), Goldcrest (2), Carrion Crow (3), Jackdaw (20+), Starling (20+), Goldfinch (2) and Siskin (20+).
12th February 2006
A 3 hour visit to the Teesdale produced a memorable afternoon in both birdwatching and scenery.
From the outset I knew that the afternoon was going to be different. The weather was typical of the dales with cold wind, snow, rain, drizzle, mist and fog, whilst the valleys gave good sunshine with hardlies any wind.
Three Grey Partridge, Two Common Buzzard and at least seven Raven were seen near Bowlees. Seven Black Grouse were near Langdon Beck. Red Grouse and one Red Kite were at Kinninvie. Numerous Fieldfare (200+) and Pheasant (40+) were seen throughout the afternoon, along with good numbers of Chaffinch and Starling.
Other birds included Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Robin and Wren.
5th February 2006
A second visit to Gateshead involved visits to Shibdon Pond, Thornley Woods and Far Pasture.
The Green-winged Teal at Shibdon Pond showed very well in front of the hide. Poor light conditions made photographing the bird hard, waiting for just the right moment to press the shutter. Other birds of note included Goldeneye (2 drakes) and good numbers of Teal.
The new hide at Thornley Woods certainly looks and feels better than the previous one. Birds on show included Stock Dove, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Goldcrest (2), Jay (1), Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Siskin (1), Chaffinch and Bullfinch. Willow Tit and Nuthatch was heard, but not seen.
Far Pasture was the opposite to our previous visit. Mute Swan (2), Teal (10+), Grey Heron (1), Common Snipe (7), Jack Snipe (1), Moorhen (3), Coot (2), Long-tailed Tit (7+), Blue Tit (5+), Great Tit (5+), Sparrowhawk (1), Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and at least three Red Kite being the birds present in a 30 minute visit.
3rd February 2006
A visit to Gateshead for the reported Green-winged Teal involved visits to Dunston, Far Pasture, Shibdon Pond and Barlow.
Common Redshank (50+), Teal (100+), Shelduck (4), Cormorant (5), Great Black-backed Gull (3), Herring Gull (5+), Common Gull (10+), Black-headed Gull (20+) and Lapwing (100+) were seen on the River Tyne at Dunston.
Far Pasture was very quiet. The only birds seen here during a twenty minute stay were Mute Swan (2), Moorhen (3) and a single Jay.
The report of the Green-winged Teal at Shibdon Pond, meant that we missed out on a visit to Thornley Woods. The Green-winged Teal was seen in the reeds towards the back of the pond, along with some Teal (20+). Other birds of note included Goldeneye (4+) and a single Sparrowhawk.
The final stop of the morning at Barlow produced close views of at least seven Red Kite. A Common Buzzard was heard, but not seen.
2nd February 2006
A quick visit to the Haverton / Saltholme area of Teesside produced Smew (2 drake and 1 red-head), Pintail (1), Water Pipit (10), a juvenile Peregrine, Greylag Goose (50+), Canada Goose (50+), Taiga Bean Goose (1), Stonechat (3) and many more regular birds such as Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveller, Shelduck and Lapwing (200+).
1st February 2006
Low Barns and Cockfield were visited today. All the regular birds were on the feeding station at Low Barns including Moorhen (3), Pheasant (1), Chaffinch (20+), Greenfinch (5), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (10+), Coal Tit (3c), Marsh Tit (1), Dunnock (3c), Robin (2), Blackbird (5), Nuthatch (1 heard), Carrion Crow (2 over) and Jackdaw (4 on the tree tops).
At least five Bullfinch were seen around the area of the visitor centre. More than twenty five Siskin and a Kingfisher was seen on the walk round. No sign of the reported Bittern, but there were two Goosanders seen on the River Wear.
All ponds were almost fully frozen with only a small area for the dablers to congregate. A Greylag Goose, several Mallard and a couple of Teal were seen in this area.
Cockfield had a good covering of frost and visibility was very poor. Two male Pheasant, two Grey Partridge and a Little Owl were seen between Cockfield and Burnt Houses. Otherwise, very quiet.
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