Sightings – March 2006
29th March 2006
An early afternoon walk around Low Barns produced the first Chiffchaff of the year.
A pair of Long-tailed Tits and a Siskin were visiting the feeders, along with Chaffinch (10+), Blue Tit (10+), Marsh Tit (1), Great Tit (4), Robin (1), Dunnock (2) and Blackbird.
Three Tufted Duck were on the West Pool. Moorhen (2) and Coot (2) were also there. Two Grey Heron, two Mute Swan and a hybrid Hooded Crow were on the West Pasture. Grey Wagtail (1) and Dipper (1) were on the River Wear.
Seven Goldeneye were on the main lake, along with Tufted Duck (7), Pochard (1), Canada Goose (2), Greylag Goose (4), Teal (1m), Cormorant (2), Oystercatcher (2) and several Black-headed Gulls. Two Jackdaws were in the Owl Boxes, viewed from the south hide.
24th - 26th March 2006
(Organised Tour to the Cairngorms)
Departed from Darlington at 0600 and returned before lunch on the sunday, via Braemar. The journey went well with plenty of sunshine, arriving in the Aviemore area at approximately 1130am. Birds seen on the journey includes Cormorant (1), Common Buzzard (20c), Pied Wagtail (2), Skylark (1), Carrion Crow, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Goldfinch and Jackdaw.
A Red Squirrel was seen whilst driving past Insh Marshes. Greylag Goose (4), Kestrel (1), Oystercatcher (5+) & Lapwing (2) were also in the area. Glen Feshie provided the first two of our target birds, a female Capercaillie and at least 2 Crested Tits. A Peregrine was seen stooping from a great height, into some trees towards the lower end of the Glen. Other birds seen there included Hooded Crow (1), Greenfinch, Chaffinch (10+), Coal Tit (10+), Blue Tit (10+), Meadow Pipit (2), Stonechat (2 males) and a single Red-legged Partridge.
The short drive to Loch Morlich gave us excellent viewes of Crested Tit (6c) along with Coal Tit (10+), Goldcrest (2+) and Treecreeper (1). Bullfinch (1m & 1f), Tufted Duck (2), Goosander (1m & 1f), Goldeneye (5c), Mallard (10+) and a Dipper were also in the area.
Next came the attempt of getting the reported Waxwings from Nethy Bridge. By this time the weather had taken a turn for the worse and the Waxwings were nowhere to be seen. The drive to Nethy Bridge gave us distant viewes of Meally Redpoll (1), Lesser Redpoll (1), Siskin (10c), Mistle Thrush (7+), Song Thrush (2), Redwing (1+), Wren (1), Robin (1), Dunnock (1), Grey Heron (1), Curlew (1) and Blackbird (1).
Numerous Pheasants, Woodpigeon, Starling, Black-headed Gulls and Magpie were seen throughout the day.
An early morning start on saturday took us to Aberlady Forest and Loch Garten on a cold, dull and breezy morning. Loch Garten had several Goldeneye and at least one Great Black-backed Gull. A Little Grebe was also on the Loch. No sign of any Crossbills or Crested Tits.
A second attempt for the Waxwings at Nethy Bridge proved to be unsuccessfull. But we did get good views of Buzzard, Siskin (10c), Dipper (2 on the river), House Sparrow (5+) and Chaffinch (50c).
Following Breakfast we headed off for Findhorn Valley. By now the weather had become sunny. A single Peregrine and at least three Common Buzzard were seen whilst driving up the valley. Common Buzzard (4c), Raven (3), Red Deer (50+) and Feral Goat (5+) were seen at the end of the valley. After three hours were spent searching the skies for Golden Eagle, a decision was made to depart, stopping at good vantage spots throughout the valley. On our first stop, a sub-adult Golden Eagle soared above us, dissappearing into the clouds after showing itself for approximately 5 minutes. Before we had chance to gather our thoughts, a red wing-tagged Red Kite appeared providing us with our bonus bird for the day. Other species in the valley included Common Gull, Black-headed Gull (10c), Lapwing (4c), Goosander (2), Mallard (2), Mistle Thrush (3c), Greenfinch (2), Chaffinch (3), Blue Tit (2), Curlew (1) and an impressive show of at least eighty Oystercatcher.
To finish off the day we had a walk around Loch an Eilien. Once again, we failed to locate any Crossbill or Crested Tit, but Great Spotted Woodpecker was added to the list.
An early morning trip to the Cairngorms gave us excellent views of Snow Bunting (3c) and Pied Wagtail (2). There were no Ptarmigan to be seen, but we did have distant views of Red Grouse (2+) and Mountain Hare (1).
On our return journey, a final visit for the Waxwings at Nethy Bridge proved succesfull (21). The journey back to Perth (via Braemar) provided us with Mute Swan (20c), Whooper Swan (3), Raven (7+), Buzzard (10+), Red Grouse (10c), Red Deer and Mountain Hare.
A total of seventy one birds were seen over the weekend. Three of the five target birds were seen, which were Capercaillie, Crested Tit and Golden Eagle. Some ten hours were spent looking for the other two species, Ptarmigan and Scottish Crossbill. Bonus birds were the Red Kite at Findhorn Valley and the Waxwings at Nethy Bridge. The scenery and weather were just as you would expect from the area at this time of year. Evening entertainment took place in the local bar, giving us the chance to reflect on each day. All appeared to have enjoyed the experience, who are already looking forward to their next trip.
20th - 22nd March 2006
Two Barn Owls were seen on the 22nd, at two seperate locations. The owl on the outskirts of West Auckland was seen hunting hedge rows (distant views) and another was seen hunting at Etherley Moor.
The pair of Yellowhammer are still visiting the garden. Other birds on Etherley Moor during the week included Chaffinch (3), Tree Sparrow (5 max), House Sparrow (30 max), Carrion Crow (2), Blackbird (3), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (2), Robin (3 max), Starling (4), Dunnock (2). Lapwing (2) and Skylark (2) still singing/displaying in surrounding fields. A wren and a Song Thrush were singing well, on the 22nd. Two Long-tailed Tits were in the garden on the 23rd.
19th March 2006
A visit to the southern edge of the county provided good views of at least three Goshawk, nine Common Buzzard, two Sparrowhawk and one Kestrel.
Greylag Goose (4), Canada Goose (2), Teal (2), Mallard (4), Curlew (5), Lapwing (10+), Redshank (1), Pheasant (10+), Woodpigeon (3), Song Thrush (1), Mistle Thrush (3), Fieldfare (45+), Redwing (3), Siskin (3), Greenfinch (2), Chaffinch (2), Long-tailed Tit (2), Coal Tit (5), Great Tit (4), Blue Tit (10+) were also in the same area.
A Barn Owl was once again seen hunting on the outskirts of west Auckland. Observed for fifteen minutes, occasionally at very close range.
18th March 2006
A twenty minute stop at Byers Green produced good numbers of Tree Sparrow (40+). House Sparrow (10+), Yellowhammer (20+), Chaffinch (20+), Greenfinch (3), Song Thrush (1), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (2), Jackdaw (10+), Carrion Crow (3), Magpie (2) and Kestrel (1) were also seen in the area. A group of Greylag Geese (25+) were in fields on the other side of the River Wear.
Fieldfare (75+), Mistle Thrush (3), Song Thrush (2), Blackbird (3), Starling (20+) and Pheasant (12+ females) were in a field on the outskirts of Newfield. At least three Bullfinch were also in the area (1 male and 2 female).
Newfield tip was quiet, as was Bishops Park.
13th - 17th March 2006
On the 17th, a Great Crested Grebe was on Escomb Pond. Also at Escomb that day (viewed from the top road) were Redwing (1), Song Thrush (1), Kestrel (1), Jackdaw (7), Carrion Crow (3), Robin (1), Woodpigeon (20+), Black-headed Gull (20+) and Common Gull (3).
The cold weather at the beginning of the week made sure the Yellowhammer (2 on Wednesday) kept visiting the garden. Other birds on Etherley Moor during the week included Chaffinch (2), Tree Sparrow (7 max), House Sparrow (40 max), Jackdaw (1), Blackbird (5+), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1+), Robin (3 max), Starling (20+), Dunnock (4 max). Lapwing (2) and Skylark (2) still singing. Four Grey Partridge and three Curlew were seen on the 17th.
At least six Black Grouse were seen between Barnard Castle and Woodlands on the 15th, along with three Common Buzzard and large numbers of Starling (3 seperate flocks, totalling at least 850).
6th - 12th March 2006
Highlight of the week was a Barn Owl that was seen most evenings on the outskirts of West Auckland.
Tree Sparrows (6+), House Sparrows (15+), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (3), Collared Dove (2), Woodpigeon (150+), Robin (3), Dunnock (4) and Blackbird (2) were seen at Etherley Moor on a daily basis.
Song Thrush, Lapwing and Skylark are all singing / displaying on Etherley Moor. Cold weather and snow showers towards the end of the week brought Yellowhammer (2), Fieldfare (10+) and Mistle Thrush (1) into the garden.
Other local reports from Mike Irvin included Common Buzzard, Red Kite, Raven, Red Grouse and good numbers of Black Grouse. A new area for Black Grouse (several seen on four out of five visits) has been found, which is much closer to home and will be monitored closely during the coming months. A single Little Egret was observed coming to roost at Hartlepool.
5th March 2006
A two hour visit to South Gare and Coatham Marsh on a very cold, but sunny morning.
Three Snow Buntings (1 male & 2 female) were at South Gare. A single Wren, two Stonechats, five Reed Bunting, two Pied Wagtail and several Rock Pipits were also in the same area. Birds on the beach included Cormorant (3), Eider (7), Bar-tailed Godwit (6), Knot (1), Redshank (2), Sanderling (60+), Turnstone (30+), Starling (75+), Herring Gull (10+), Common Gull (10+) and Black-headed Gull (10+). In the bay there was a single Red-throated Diver and a single Guillimot.
A quick stop at Coatham Marsh produced a single Ring-necked Duck. Other birds there included Tufted Duck (7), Pochard (5), Wigeon (10+), Teal (10+), Grey Heron (1) and Water Rail (2).
4th March 2006
A visit along the southern edge of the county produced a good selection of raptors including Common Buzzard (1), Goshawk (1), Sparrowhawk (1) and Kestrel (1).
On the outskirts of Bowes, there was an impressive flock of Starlings (500c), along with Carrion Crow (30+), Jackdaw (20+) and Common Gull (10+). Also nearby were Lapwing (50+), Golden Plover (1+), House Sparrow (10+), Great Tit (5), Blue Tit (10+), Goldcrest (3), Chaffinch (20+), Goldfinch (4), Robin (2), Blackbird (1), Song Thrush (6) and Mistle Thrush (1).
Three Red-legged Partridges were seen on the road to Brignal along with numerous Pheasants. Good numbers of Redwing were also in the area along with at least 200 Fieldfare.
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