Sightings – August 2006
27th August, 2006
(Portrack Marsh)
Mute Swan (2), Grey Heron (1), Coot (10+), Moorhen (10+), Greenshank (1), Common Redshank (10+), Common Snipe (7+), Lapwing (15+), Common Tern (10+), Lesser Black–backed Gull (3), Black–headed Gull (10+), Herring Gull (3), Kingfisher (1) and Sparrowhawk (1) and Starling (30+), this pm.
25th August, 2006
(Low Barns)
Forty three different species of birds at Low barns this morning, not including a dead Wryneck. A local farmer brought the bird to the centre yesterday after their cat brought it in to their house. The staff ringed the bird and let it go (after checking that it was unhurt), only to find the bird dead this morning.
Highlights this morning included a Water Rail, two Common Snipe and two Kingfishers on the west pool. Reed Warbler (2+, first record of this species at this site for a good number of years), Sedge warbler (5+), Garden Warbler (1), Willow Warbler (10+), Chiffchaff (2+), Common Whitethroat (1), Reed Bunting (2), Marsh Tit (2), Willow Tit (1), Blue Tit (3+), Great Tit (1), Long–tailed Tit and Dunnock (1), all in the small bushes, reeds and single tree by the board walk. A Common Sandpiper and a pair of Grey Wagtails were on the river.
Butterflys seen included Comma (1), Peacock (1), Red Admiral (1), Wall Brown (10+) and Small White (4).
24th August, 2006
(Bishops Park)
The Green Sandpiper was at its usual location. Two Common Sandpipers were seen on the River Wear, along with single Grey and Pied Wagtails.
At least two Green Woodpeckers were seen on the outskirts of the park. A Moorhen was seen with two recently hatched young. Three Grey Heron, Willow Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher were the other noteworthy birds.
Good numbers of Darters (20+) were active. Butterflys seen included Clouded Yellow (1), Painted Lady (1), Small Copper (2), Wall Brown (10+) and Small White (10+).
A Barn Owl was seen mid–morning at its usual location on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland.
20th August, 2006
(Teesside)
A Spotted Redshank, at least thirty Black–tailed Godwits, several Greenshank and several Ruff were seen at East Saltholme.
At least three juvenile Black Terns were on Back Saltholme, with a single Common Sandpiper and several more Ruff.
Good numbers of Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler were at the headland, along with Garden Warbler (2+) and Greenish Warbler (1). At least five Arctic Skua were seen from the headland, along with Manx Shearwater (5+).
A Camberwell Beauty butterfly passed through our garden that overlooks Etherley Moor, mid–afternoon.
19th August, 2006
(Hartlepool Headland)
A Lesser Whitethroat, at least four Pied Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler were seen at the headland this pm.
18th August, 2006
(South Gare)
Juvenile European Roller and a male Common Redstart close to the lifeboat station for much of the afternoon. Pied Flycatcher (2), Garden Warbler (3), Willow Warbler (1), Common Whitethroat (1), Grasshopper Warbler (at least 2 reeling), Reed Warbler (at least 3), Sedge Warbler (at least 2), Reed Bunting (2), Song Thrush (1) and Dunnock (2) on the opposite side of the road from shrike bushes.
17th August, 2006
(Escomb and Etherley Moor)
Thirty species of birds were recorded during a short visit to Escomb. A single Spotted Flycatcher was close to the small pool, along with Common Whitethroat (1), Garden Warbler (1), Blackcap (family of at least 3), Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (1), Blue Tit (3), Marsh Tit (1), Greenfinch (3), Bullfinch (2) and Goldfinch (5).
A Ruddy Duck was on the main lake, along with at least ten Tufted Duck. Herundines included House Martin (5+), Swallow (30+) and Sand Martin (20+). A Sparrowhawk was also there.
Butterflies seen included Common Blue (2), Small White (3) and Painted Lady (1).
Swift (5), House Martin (10+) and Swallow (10+) passing through Etherley Moor. A Willow Warbler visited the garden. Yellowhammers and Song Thrushes are no longer visiting the feeders. Last recorded sighting of Corn Bunting was on 2nd August.
10th to 13th August, 2006
(The Lakes, Cumbria)
The highlight of this three day visit to the lakes had to be a pair of Honey Buzzard that were observed with two Common Buzzard at a distance of no more than 200yds. Other interesting sightings included a Merlin near Brough, Raven near Haverthwaite, and Whooper Swan on Windermere.
Other species of birds that were recorded included Grey Heron (5, including a nest with three young), Mute Swan (30+), Canada Goose (20+ on Windermere), Goosander (40+ females on Windermere), Mallard (50+ on Windermere), Rook (1), Carrion Crow (10+), Magpie (8+), Jay (5+), Jackdaw (3), Greater Black–backed Gull (4), Lesser Black–backed Gull (4), Herring Gull (2), Lesser Black–backed Gull (4), Black-headed Gull (20+), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon (10+), Great Spotted Woodpecker (3), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail (1), Wren (1), Blackbird (3), Great Tit (1), Blue Tit (3), Coal Tit (5+), Marsh Tit (1), Nuthatch (3), Robin (10+, including several juveniles), Dunnock (2), Chiffchaff (1), Willow Warbler (3), House Martin (30+), Swallow (30+), Chaffinch (10+) and Greenfinch (3).
Butterflies seen included Silver–washed Fritillary (1), Large White (3), Small White (10+), Green-veined White (1), Gatekeeper (1), Painted Lady (20+), Small Tortoiseshell (10+), Red Admiral (20+) and Peacock (20+).
9th August, 2006
(Bishops Park)
Two Green Sandpipers on the outskirts of the park today. Swallow (60+), House Martin (30+) and Swift (3) passed through mid–afternoon.
Other species of birds that were recorded today included Grey Heron (4), Kestrel (1), Moorhen (1), Common Gull (1), Lesser Black–backed Gull (4), Herring Gull (2), Stock Dove (2), Woodpigeon (5+), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Pied Wagtail (1), Wren (1), Blackbird (1), Goldcrest (1), Blue Tit (3), Jay (1), Carrion Crow (4), Chaffinch (1) and Goldfinch (5).
Butterflies seen included Small White (5+), Small Copper (5) and Wall Brown (2).
2nd to 6th August, 2006
(Dunbartonshire)
Visiting relatives in the area of Dunbartonshire gave me the chance to revisit a selection of my old patches from when I was based at the nearby submarine base at Faslane.
Poor light offered little in the way of photography, but all the expected birds were seen during this short visit.
At least ten Hooded Crows were seen at Glen Fruin along with a single bird at Glen Douglas. Other birds that we expected to see included Common Buzzard (10+), Whinchat (3 seperate families), Stonechat (1 family & at least five individuals), two Wheatears and Barn Owl (1). Good numbers of Spotted Flycatcher (15+), Willow Warbler (30+), Chaffinch (50+), Meadow Pipit (30+), Siskin (10+) and Lesser Redpoll (10+) were seen along with a family of Raven. A summer plumaged Twite was arguably the best bird of the visit.
Other birds seen included Gannet (10+, Clyde Estuary), Cormorant (3, Clyde Estuary), Mute Swan (2 & a family of 5 including 3 cygnets, Clyde Estuary), Canada Goose (5 on Loch Lomond), Mallard (30+ at Glen Fruin and Loch Lomond), Eider (20+, Clyde Estuary), Kestrel (3, Glen Fruin), Pheasant (100+, including at least 80 in one group at Glen Fruin), Coot (10+, Helensburgh), Oystercatcher (10+, Clyde Estuary), Lapwing (3+, Glen Fruin), Black Headed Gull (20+), Common Gull (20+), Lesser Black-backed Gull (20+), Herring Gull (30+), Great Black-backed Gull (10+), Woodpigeon (10+), Collared Dove (4), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1, Luss), Sand Martin (10+), Swallow (50+), House Martin (25+), Grey Wagtail (3, Glen Fruin), Pied Wagtail (10+), Wren (7, Luss), Dunnock (5), Robin (10+), Common Redstart (1, Luss), Blackbird (10+), Song Thrush (1), Mistle Thrush (1), Common Whitethroat (1, Glen Fruin), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (10+), Nuthatch (1 heard, Glen Douglas), Treecreeper (1, Luss), Magpie (5+), Jackdaw (10+), Rook (30+, Glen Fruin), Carrion Crow (10+), Starling (30+), House Sparrow (10+), Greenfinch (4), Goldfinch (4+), Linnet (5) and Reed Bunting (3, Luss).
Butterflies seen included Large White (1), Small White (10+), Meadow Brown (3+) and Scotch Argus (3).
1st August, 2006
(Undisclosed Site)
A pair of Barn Owls were observed resting in their usual tree close to dusk. No sign of the Whinchat that have been seen there on the previous two visits. Woodpigeon (10+), Swallow (30+), Rook (20+), Linnet (10+), Yellowhammer (3), Hare (1) and Red Deer (2) were also in the area.
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