Sightings – April 2006
30th April 2006
(Tunstall Reservoir and Dryderdale)
A Corn Bunting was seen/heard calling when leaving the house at Etherley Moor. A pair of Bullfinches were also there.
Three male Common Redstarts were found whilst walking through the wood. A single Cuckoo and a Green Woodpecker were heard but not seen. One Common Sandpiper was feeding along the edge of the dam, whilst Tree Pipit (1), Great Crested Grebe (2) and Goosander (1m & 1f) were seen close to the reserve end of the reservoir.
Other birds seen at Tunstall Reservoir included Greylag Goose (4), Mallard (3), Pheasant (2), Moorhen (1), Oystercatcher (1), Common Snipe (2 heard), Common Redshank (2), Woodpigeon (5), Tawny Owl (1 heard), Great Spotted Woodpecker (3), Swallow (10+), Pied Wagtail (2), Grey Wagtail (1), Wren (1), Robin (3), Blackbird (3), Song Thrush (2), Mistle Thrush (1), Willow Warbler (7+), Goldcrest (2), Long Tailed Tit (2), Coal Tit (2), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (6+), Nuthatch (2), Treecreeper (2), Jay (1), Jackdaw (2), Rook (10+), Carrion Crow (4), Starling (3), House Sparrow (2), Chaffinch (4) and Goldfinch (3).
A second Cuckoo was heard at Dryderdale. Common Buzzard (1), Red Grouse (2) and another two Tree Pipits were also seen in the area.
28th April 2006
(Escomb)
At least one Common Swift and one House Martin were amongst the numerous Sand Martin (50+) and Swallows (7+) on the 28th. Five Great Crested Grebe were on the fishing pools. Two Common Sandpipers and a pair of Goosanders were seen on the River Wear.
27th April 2006
(Escomb)
A male Ruddy Duck was on the main lake (27th), which is now becoming a rare sight for Escomb.
26th April 2006
(Escomb)
Common Whitethroat (1), Garden Warbler (1), Blackcap (1m and 1f), Willow Warbler (10+), Chiffchaff (2) and a pair of Willow Tits were also seen.
A single Corn Bunting was seen/heard singing on wires at Etherley Moor. At least four Tree Sparrows are still visiting the garden feeders.
23rd April 2006
(Gaunless Flats & Bishops Park)
Gaunless Flats was surprisingly quiet today. Three Willow Warblers, three Reed Bunting and a pair of Yellowhammers showed well. Greylag Geese (2), Canada Geese (2), Mute Swan (2), Coot (3) and Jackdaw (1) were the only other birds seen.
At Bishops Park, the Green Sandpiper was seen at its usual location. Two Common Whitethroats, a male Blackcap and two male Redstarts were also seen towards the bottom end of the park. Grey Partridge (2), Pheasant (1), Woodpigeon (3), Song Thrush (1), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (2), Chaffinch (3) and Yellowhammer (2) were also there.
Four species of Butterfly were seen, Peacock (7+), Small Tortoiseshell (10+), Comma (1) and Small White (2).
22nd April 2006
(Bishop Middleham)
A Common Sandpiper was on the roadside pool, along with a singing Corn Bunting.
At least two more Corn Buntings were seen and heard close to Castle Lake. Yellow Wagtail (3), Linnet (4), Tree Sparrow (3), Blackcap (1m) and large numbers of Yellowhammer (50+) were also in the same area.
Castle Lake produced the find of the day, a single drake Garganey. Two Little Ringed Plovers were also there. Swallow (10+), Sand Martin (50+) and House Martin (1) arrived whilst watching the Garganey.
Little Grebe (2), Mute Swan (4), Canada Goose (15+), Greylag Goose (2), Shelduck (15+), Wigeon (10+), Gadwall (20+), Teal (4), Mallard (10+), Shoveller (2), Tufted Duck (20+), Pheasant (1), Moorhen (10+), Coot (20+), Oystercatcher (10+), Lapwing (10+), Common Redshank (10+), Black-headed Gull (1), Common Gull (5), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (1), Great Black-backed Gull (1), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon (10+), Collared Dove (2), Skylark (2), Pied Wagtail (4), Wren (1), Dunnock (2), Robin (1), Blackbird (2), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1), Magpie (5), Jackdaw (10+), Carrion Crow (2), Starling (10+), House Sparrow (3), Chaffinch (3), Greenfinch (1), Goldfinch (3) and Reed Bunting (2) were also in the area, making it a total of 54 different species of birds seen during this 2 hour visit.
21st April 2006
(Gaunless Flats & Low Barns)
An hour was spent at Gaunless Flats. No new arrivals other than Swallows (3) and Willow Warbler (5+). Linnet (2), Reed Bunting (5), Yellowhammer (2) and a single Common Snipe were also seen here.
After leaving Gaunless Flats, I decided to visit Low Barns. Forty three different species of birds were seen whilst walking round the reserve.
A Nuthatch and a Marsh Tit were visiting the feeding station along with the usual birds that visit the feeders. At seven Willow Warblers were close by, along with two male Blackcaps. Anther two Nuthatches were seen close to the West Hide, along with Treecreeper (2), Green Woodpecker (1) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (1). A Great Crested Grebe and three female Goldeneye were on the lake. Four Swallows and two Grey Wagtails were also seen.
20th April 2006
(Escomb)
A walk round Escomb Ponds produced at least eight Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps (1m & 1f) and one male Common Redstart.
Good numbers of Sand Martin have now returned to their usual nesting area.
Other noteable birds in the area included Meadow Pipit (2) and Reed Bunting (4m & 1f).
APRIL (2006)!
19th April 2006
(Bishops Park)
A walk round the top of Bishops Park produced at least ten Willow Warblers, two Chiffchaff and at least three male Common Redstart.
A Green Woodpecker was heard calling, before it was seen at close range. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also seen in the same area.
Other birds in the area included Curlew (2), Yellowhammer (1), Dunnock (1), House Sparrow (3+), Blackbird (2), Goldfinch (3), Greenfinch (2), Chaffinch (2), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (2), Coal Tit (2), Jackdaw (4), Carrion Crow (2), Jay (2), Magpie (4) and Robin (3)
A Corn Bunting was singing on wires at Etherley Moor.
18th April 2006
(Teesside)
An early morning start, targetting Long-eared Owl and then the reported Garganey at Teesside.
A Long-eared Owl was seen on the way to Teesside at day break. Curlew (1), Grey Partridge (2), Willow Warbler (3) and Reed Bunting (1m) were also in the same area.
Two Garganey (1m & 1f) were on Back Saltholme. A Marsh Harrier, Three Ruff and several Dunlin were also there. Five Pintail were on Dormans Pool and two Whimbrel were found whilst scanning through Curlews that were feeding in the fields opposite the fire station roundabout.
14th - 17th April 2006
(Family Holiday - Ayr)
A three day break to Ayrshire, targeting the reported King Eider at Irvine.
The journey was very quiet. Some good scenery and at least five Common Buzzard seen on the way.
An early morning start on Saturday morning, heading off to Irvine in hope of seeing the target bird. The drake King Eider showed well, after scanning the area for approximately three hours. Several Red-throated Divers (some in full summer plumage), Black Guillimot (3), Razorbill (5+), Guillimot (6+), Red-breasted Merganser (10+), Gannet (10+), Shag (10+), Cormorant (10+), Wigeon (3), Knot (1), Curlew (4), Turnstone (70+), Mute Swan (10), Common Eider (50+), Great Black-backed Gull (4), Lesser Black-backed Gull (20+), Herring Gull (20+), Black-headed Gull, (7+), Common Redshank, (40+), Carrion Crow (4), Jackdaw (2), Grey Heron (1) and three Common Seals were also seen in the area.
Later in the day, a walk down to the river from the caravan park provided me with my first three Willow Warblers of the year. Also in and around the van park were Chiffchaff (1 heard), Long-tailed Tit (2), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (1), Coal Tit (1), Siskin (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Greenfinch (2), Chaffinch (2), Goldfinch (3), Wren (1), Grey wagtail (2), Pied Wagtail (1), Blackbird (1) and Robin (1).
Most of the sunday was spent in the Caravan Park. A male Blackcap, a Stock Dove and at least two Treecreepers were seen close to the river. A Kestrel was also added to the holiday list.
14th April 2006
An early morning visit to Filey Dam nature reserve to view the reported Blue-winged Teal.
Very frustrating trying to get good views of the drake Blue-winged Teal. It showed three times during the two hours that were spent there, totalling only three minutes. The first two shows lasted under a minute each and the final show lasted only two minutes.
Other birds there included Mute Swan (2), Barnacle Goose (1), Shoveller (2), Gadwall (2), Tufted Duck (7+), Mallard (4+), Common Teal (10+), Moorhen (2), Coot (4), Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Herring Gull (6+), Barn Owl (1), Common Snipe (1), Skylark (2), Blackbird (1), Sand Martin (6+), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (2), Dunnock (2) and Reed Bunting (3).
9th April 2006
An afternoon visit to Claravale proved to be very rewarding in terms of relaxation and birds seen.
Two male Blackcaps and a male Brambling were seen feeding below the feeders in front of the hide on several occasions. Three Siskin (2 male and 1 female) visited the feeders throughout the afternoon.
Other birds seen there included Mallard (3), Moorhen (1), Coot (2), Pheasant (1m & 1f), Woodpigeon (6), Stock Dove (5), Greenfinch (7+), Chaffinch (10+), Blue Tit (4+), Great Tit (4+), Coal Tit (2), Magpie (2), Jackdaw (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Dunnock (2), Robin (1) and Yellowhammer (5+).
A Chiffchaff was heard singing further inside the reserve.
10th April 2006
A quick visit to Herrington Country Park before lunch provided me with good views of the reported Black-necked Grebes (2). A late afternoon visit to Bishops Park produced Green Sandpiper (1) and a singing ChiffChaff.
9th April 2006
A morning visit to Upper Teesdale produced twenty two Black Grouse (16m & 6f) at three seperate locations. Several Red Grouse were also seen was seen in the area.
Six male and one female Ring Ouzel were seen, along with Raven (2), Wheatear (1m), Grey Partridge (2), Snipe (10+), Common Redshank (10+), Curlew (10+), Oystercatcher (4), Lapwing (20+), Golden Plover (2), Meadow Pipit (20+), Skylark (10+), Carrion Crow (4), Blackbird (1), Dunnock (2), Common Gull (25+) and Black Headed Gull (10+). An impressive count of 800c Fieldfares were seen, viewed from the roadside at one location.
Further down the valley a Red Kite and no fewer than sixteen Common Buzzard were seen from two viewing places. A single Sparrowhawk and a further 120 Fieldfares were also seen in the same area.
Low Barns was quite productive during the early hours of the afternoon. Sand Martin (10+), Swallow (20+), Chiffchaff (4), Reed Bunting (3), Meadow Pipit (5), Siskin (2) and four Long-tailed Tits were nice to see. A Green Woodpecker was heard, but not seen. Thirty eight different species seen here in just over an hour.
4th April 2006
The usual Green Sandpiper was seen on the outskirts of Bishops Park. A pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were seen working their way up the River Wear.
4th April 2006
(Organised Trip to the Dales)
We began the tour at 8am in bright, but breezy conditions.
Seven male Black Grouse were seen shortly after leaving Barnard Castle. Another nine were found further up the Tees Valley. Only three Red Grouse were seen throughout the morning, all in upper Weardale.
Several Golden Plover (10+) were seen in full summer plumage. Curlew (10+), Oystercatcher (5c), Lapwing (20+) and Common Redshank (1+) being the other waders seen. Pheasant (5+), Common Kestrel (1), Blackbird (3+), Song Thrush (2), Mistle Thrush (2), Fieldfare (10+), Starling (50+), Carrion Crow (4c), Jackdaw (2), Black-headed Gull (2+), Common Gull (10+), Collared Dove (1) and Chaffinch (10+) were also seen.
The return to Barnard Castle resulted in a quick stop to visit Deepdale. Two Grey Wagtails and a Dipper were seen on the river. Chaffinch (3), Goldcrest (1), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1) and Song Thrush (1) were also seen there.
A good morning which was hampered by the moderate westerley wind, that at times made it bitterly cold.
4th April 2006
An early evening walk around Escomb Ponds for approximately one hour proved very rewarding. Not only was it a nice peacefull evening, but no fewer than 34 different species of birds were seen.
Two Swallows and at least twelve Sand Martin were over the ponds. A Meadow Pipit and a female Reed Bunting were near the small pond. A ChiffChaff was seen working its way along one of the hedge rows, where a pair of Long-tailed Tits were seen applying the finishing touches to their nest.
Three female Goosander, four Great Crested Grebe, two female Goldeneye and several Tufted Duck were on the ponds
Other birds seen included Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (4), Greylag Goose (8), Canada Goose (2), Mallard (5), Pheasant (1), Moorhen (1), Coot (6), Oystercatcher (3), Common Gull (1), Woodpigeon (20+), Wren (3), Dunnock (3), Robin (2), Blackbird (2), Mistle Thrush (1), Coal Tit (2), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (2), Magpie (4), Jackdaw (2), Carrion Crow (2), Starling (10+) and Chaffinch (2).
2nd April 2006
Unable to see the Penduline Tits at Portrack Marsh during the past week and hearing that they had flew high to the north, I thought my chance to see these birds had gone. Hearing that they were still in the area, I set off for Teesside. The two male Penduline Tits were seen after waiting for only an hour, flying over the river tees and into the bushes. Good views were had of both birds until a Blue Tit chased the birds out of site.
No sign of yesterdays Avocet at the Calor Gas Pool, but there was three Ruff on Back Saltholme. Sand Martins (10+), Ringed Plover, Great Crested Grebe (10+), Shoveller (5) and Shelduck were also there.
Two Little Ringed Plover were on the saline pool at Greatham Creek. A walk along towards Seal Sands provided excellent views of Northern Wheatear (1m & 1f). Red-throated Diver (2), Slavonian Grebe (2), Great Crested Grebe (5+), Red-breasted Merganser (4), Shelduck (25c), Grey Plover (7c), Ringed Plover (50c), Dunlin (50c), Curlew (10+), Black-tailed Godwit (10+), Bar-tailed Godwit (10+), Redshank (30c), Turnstone (10+), Herring Gull (20+), Great Black-backed Gull (2+) and Black-headed Gull were seen at Seal Sands. At least five Common Seal were also there.
A quick visit to the Jewish Cemetery produced Northern Wheatear (1m), Skylark (2) and Meadow Pipit (4). Mallard (5), Eider (5c), Cormorant (3) and Guillimot (1) were seen close by, before the weather turned to heavy showers.
1st April 2006
The reported Avocet was seen at the Calor Gas Pool on Teesside, along with the first Sand Martins (10+) of the year. Large numbers of Curlew were on West Saltholme, along with the regular birds that can be found in the area. It was nice to see Great Crested Grebe in full summer plumage at this location.
Two Stonechat were seen at Zinc Road.
Little Owl (1), Grey Partridge (2), Yellowhammer (2), Tree Sparrow (5+), Lapwing (2), Skylark (2) and Chaffinch (2) were seen at Etherley Moor. Fox and Hare also seen in fields nearby.
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