Sightings – May 2006
31st May, 2006
(Bishop Middleham & Barnard Castle)
The reported Turtle Dove was seen by the roadside pool. Little-ringed Plover (1), Corn Bunting (1), Grey Partridge (3) and Yellow Wagtail (1) were also there.
At least fifteen Dingy Skippers were in Bishop Middleham Quarry. Wall Brown (20+) and Small White (5) butterflies were also there.
Pied Flycatcher (1 pair) and Spotted Flycatcher (2) were seen at Deepdale (Barnard Castle). Cuckoo (1 heard close to the ford), Garden Warbler (1), Blackcap (1 male), Willow Warbler (2), Chiffchaff (1), Goldcrest (1), Robin (3), Treecreeper (1), Blackbird (2), Great Tit (5), Blue Tit (2), Long-tailed Tit (2), Dipper (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (2), Kestrel (1) and Carrion Crow (2) were also seen there.
A Red Kite and two Common Buzzards were seen on the outskirts of Barnard Castle.
27th to 30th May, 2006
(Harwood Dale, Scarborough)
A single Turtle Dove and a pair of Red-legged Partridges were the only birds of note during this weekend break with the family.
25th May, 2006
(Teesside)
Very quiet today on Teesside. At least three Little Gulls were at the Reclamation Pond.
Two Four-spotted Chasers were on the land between Dormans and the Reclamation Pond. Small Copper (3), Wall Brown (5) and Peacock (1) butterflies were also there.
A single Corn Bunting is still being seen on a daily basis at Etherley Moor. Plenty of fledged young are also present. Young Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Dunnocks, Robins and Tree Sparrows have been visiting the garden over the past 3 to 4 days.
21st May, 2006
(Muggleswick & Whitburn)
Two Spotted Flycatchers were seen at Muggleswick. Other birds there included Willow Warbler (3+), Chiffchaff (2+), Grey Wagtail (2), Nuthatch (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1) and a single Wood Warbler (1 heard calling).
The visit to Muggleswick was cut short when news of a Woodchat Shrike at Whitburn Country Park was recieved.
The forty minute drive to Whitburn seemed to last an eternity, but the drive proved to be well worth it. The Woodchat Shrike was showing very well and the next couple of hours were spent admiring what appeared to be a full summer plumaged adult male. Common Whitethroat (1+), Reed Bunting (4+), Goldfinch (4+), Swallow (4+) and a quick glimpse of a possible Reed Warbler were also there.
17th May, 2006
(Escomb)
A single Black-necked Grebe at Escomb this morning. Showed very well, but tended to stay in the centre of the main lake.
3 Garden Warblers, 1 male Blackcap and 2 Common Whitethroats were also there. Normally a reliable site for Lesser Whitethroat, but none (as yet) this year.
Corn Bunting and Cuckoo still on Etherley Moor.
12th to 14th May, 2006
(Organised trip to Norfolk)
A total of 122 different species of birds were seen on this three day trip to Norfolk / Suffolk. Some of the highlights were as follows:
Dunwich Heath near Minsmere provided us with good, but brief views of Nightingale (3), Dartford Warbler (3) and Cettis Warbler (5), which were all quickly located by listening for their distinctive calls. At least two Bitterns were heard booming and two Marsh Harriers were seen over the marsh. Five Barnacle Geese flew north, whilst seawatching. Cuckoo was heard from at least five different locations. Two Woodlarks were located on the outskirts of the reserve.
Two Stone Curlews were seen flying westward from Weeting. At Laken Heath a drake Garganey and a single Common Sandpiper were seen before spending the next two hours searching for Golden Oriole. At least fifteen Hobbies were seen above Laken Heath, before we eventually found and viewed a single male Golden Oriole (a possible female was also seen). Two Cuckoos were also seen there.
A male and female Montagu's Harrier provided excellent views at a site situated towards the north of the county. A second visit to this location found that there was at least two males in the same area. Common Buzzard (1), Marsh harrier (2+), Hobby (2) and Whinchat (1 female) were also added to the trip list at this location.
Three Bearded Tits showed very well at Titchwell. Avocet (50+), Ruff (1), Grey Plover (7+), Common Sandpiper (2), Temmincks Stint (1) and a single Whimbrel were the pick of the waders found at Titchwell. Five Little Gull, two Little Egret and four Little Terns were also showing nicely. Several Corn Bunting and three Turtle Doves were found at the nearby Chorsley Drying Barns.
Nightjar (1 heard), Woodcock (1) and at least one more Nightingale were at Salthouse Heath.
Four Spoonbill and a single Greenshank were seen at Holkham. Egyption Goose (16+), Brent Goose (7+), Marsh Harrier (2m & 2f), Bar-tailed Godwit (1), Black-tailed Godwit (20+), Little Egret (7+) and Cormorant (30+) were also seen at this location.
Good numbers of Red-legged Partridge (20+), Turtle Dove (7+) and Barn Owl (10+) were seen throughout the weekend.
All target birds were found, with the only disappointment being the failure to connect with Honey Buzzard (possibly too early) and the elusive Purple Heron at Titchwell. Sixteen Dotterel and a single Little Ringed Plover were seen at North Cotes on the return journey.
10th May, 2006
(Etherley Moor)
Barn Owl seen hunting hedge rows on Etherley Moor tonight.
At least three different Corn Buntings seen/heard singing on Etherley Moor today.
Goldfinch (3), Greenfinch (4+), Tree Sparrow (4+), Yellowhammer (pair) still visiting garden feeders. Blackbird and Song Thrush possibly feeding young in neighbours hedges. Blue Tits have now finished nest building in a nest box that was put up less than 6 weeks ago.
7th May, 2006
(Bishops Park)
Very quiet this morning. Two Common Whitethroats were singing well and a Reed Bunting was seen flying along the river bank. Two Grey Wagtails were also by the river.
A Cuckoo was heard calling on Etherley Moor, along with two Corn Buntings.
6th May, 2006
(Teesside)
Crimdon Dene had a reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Stonechat (1), Linnet (10+), Meadow Pipit (2), Swallow (10+), Little Tern (2) and Ringed Plover (3) were also seen during the fifteen minutes that were spent there.
Three Northern Wheatears were at the end of the Zinc Road. No sign of any Whinchats.
A Little Stint and a single Ruff were on Back Saltholme. A 1st year Little Gull was on West Saltholme, with approximately fifty Common Terns. Numerous Dunlin and Ringed Plover were on both West and Back Saltholme.
6th May, 2006
(Escomb)
An hours walk around Escomb Lake produced two Common Sandpipers, two male Blackcaps, four Common Whitethroats, four Willow Warblers and a single Chiffchaff.
Eight Greylag Geese and nine Canada Geese were in the surrounding fields. A male Ruddy Duck was on the main lake and at least ten Tufted Duck were on the small lake.
Other birds seen included Grey Heron (1), Mallard (2), Woodpigeon (2), Sparrowhawk (1), Kestrel (1), Coot (4), Oystercatcher (1), Curlew (1), Woodpigeon (2), Common Swift (5), Kingfisher (1), Swallow (2), House Martin (2), Meadow Pipit (2), Dunnock (1), Robin (1), Blackbird (3), Long Tailed Tit (1), Blue Tit (3), Great Tit (1), Magpie (4), Jackdaw (3), Carrion Crow (3), Starling (20+), House Sparrow (3), Chaffinch (1), Goldfinch (2) and Reed Bunting (3).
Several Orange Tip butterflies were on the wing along with Small Tortoiseshell (1) and Peacock (1).
3rd May, 2006
(Billingham, Teesside)
An early morning trip to Billingham on Teesside proved to be very rewarding.
Just before I arrived, I recieved a phone call saying that the bird was flying at a considerable height and I was beginning to think that i would not get there in time. However, shortly after parking the car, the White Stork flew in and landed approximately fifty yards from were I was standing. It allowed excellent oppertunities to get some good photos which was taken to full advantage.
The best shots of the ring (on the lower part of its left leg) showed no indication of lettering or marking. these will be looked at in more detail when I have time to do so.
A Common Sandpiper was seen shortly before I arrived to see the Stork. Plenty of Sedge Warblers and Common Whitethroats were singing at nearby Dormans.
1st May, 2006
(Nosterfield, Teesside & Escomb)
A visit to Nosterfield for the reported Long-billed Dowitcher proved to be very rewarding. The summer plumaged adult showed very well, allowing superb views for nearly thirty minutes. A single male Blackcap was also there.
A dark morph Marsh Harrier was seen at Back Saltholme on Teesside. A drake Garganey, two Ruff, two White Wagtails and two Yellow Wagtails were also there. Sedge Warbler (3), Reed Warbler (3), Common Whitethroat (2) were seen at Dormans. At least twenty Swifts passed through whilst watching the Reed Warblers.
At least three male Blackcaps were sen at Escomb. Otherwise, very quiet.
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