Sightings – January 2007
30th January, 2007
(Farnham, North Yorkshire)
The reported juvenile Pacific Diver was at Farnham gravel pits. Little Grebe (2), Great Crested Grebe (1) and Coot (30+) were also there.
28th January, 2007
(Newfield & Bishops Park)
Bishops Park was very quiet until a large group of birds were found feeding on the edge of the park, which contained Brambling (1), Redwing (50+), Bullfinch (2), Chaffinch (5+), Coal Tit (2), Great Tit (20+), Blue Tit (20+), Nuthatch (2) and Treecreeper (2). A single Sparrowhawk and a male Kestrel were also in the area.
Not as many gulls at Newfield today with Black–headed Gull (10+), Herring Gull (30+) and Great Black–backed Gull (20+) being the only birds present.
27th January, 2007
(Hetton & Tyneside)
A large Owl was seen at sunrise (Hetton). Unfortunately, it was seen too briefly to confidently identify the bird (probably Short–eared Owl). Common Snipe (1), Willow Tit (1) and Water Rail (1) were the other highlights at this site.
Four Waxwings were at Jarrow. Blackbird (10+), Redwing (20+), Mistle Thrush (2) and Song Thrush (1) were also there.
A Black Redstart was seen to the north of St Marys Island, Whitley Bay. Several Rock Pipit, a Grey Wagtail and at least twenty Fulmars were also at this location.
24th January, 2007
(Bishop Auckland & Lower Teesdale)
Good numbers of thrushes near Bishop Auckland Rugby Club included Redwing (50+), Blackbird (20+), Mistle Thrush (2) and Song Thrush (5). Two Treecreepers, four Great Tits, two Blue Tits, a single Robin and five Goldfinch were also in the area.
Two Red Grouse were seen at Barningham and 100+ Fieldfare were seen to the west of the village. A further four Red Grouse were close to the Stang. Poor weather then forced an early retreat.
A single Common Buzzard was seen on the outskirts of Barnard Castle.
23rd January, 2007
(Low Barns)
Twenty six different species were recorded in this thirty minute visit to Low Barns. The highlight was a flyover of approximately two hundred Greylag Geese.
21st January, 2007
(Hartlepool Headland)
Red Throated Diver (1), Eider (30+), Common Scoter (35+), Sanderling (20+), Oystercatcher (30+) and Common Redshank (10+) were seen from marine drive. A single Velvet Scoter was seen flying south at this location.
No fewer than forty eight Purple Sandpipers were between the first two breakwaters. Shag (1), Cormorant (2), Knot (30+), Turnstone (40+), Rock Pipit (1) and Pied Wagtail (2) were also there.
Gulls present included Black–headed Gull (100+), Common Gull (10+), Herring Gull (30+) and Great Black–backed Gull (30+).
20th January, 2007
(Teesside)
The Yellow–legged Gull was still at Tees Barrage and a single Water Pipit was at the pipe line, near Haverton.
A single White–fronted Goose, four Pink–footed Geese and at least seven Barnacle Geese were amongst good numbers of Greylag Geese and Canada Geese. All the usual wildfowl were present, but no sign of any Ruddy Ducks.
18th January, 2007
(Byers Green & Newfield)
Good numbers of Tree Sparrow (40+), Chaffinch (30+) and Yellowhammer (30+) were at Byers Green. Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (4), Goldfinch (2), Greenfinch (4), Blackbird (7) and Redwing (10+) were also there. A total of thirty three Collared Doves (27 in one tree) were also there.
Newfield had good numbers of Gulls (3000c), which included Great Black–backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull and Black–headed Gull. I am sure there would have been more on the tip.
16th January, 2007
(Bishops Park & Low Barns)
Twenty five species were seen at Bishops Park, the highlight being a pair of Green Woodpeckers that were seen towards the top end of the park. Good numbers of thrushes were also in the area, which included Fieldfare (80+), Redwing (80+), Blackbird (10+) and Mistle Thrush (3).
A quick visit to Low Barns provided good views of Lesser Redpoll (6+), Siskin (10+) and Goldfinch (4). The feeders were busy with all the usual visitors including Coal Tit (2), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (10+), Willow Tit (1), Marsh Tit (1), Nuthatch (1), Chaffinch (20+), Robin (2) and Dunnock (1). Cormorant (10), Goldeneye (5), Moorhen (1), Coot (1), Black–headed Gull (4), Herring Gull (2) and Jackdaw (20+) were also seen on and around the main lake.
14th January, 2007
(Croxdale)
Two Hawfinches were seen, briefly at Croxdale Hall. Little Owl (1), Redwing (10+), Nuthatch (3), Mistle Thrush (2), Chaffinch (2), Blue Tit (20+), Great Tit (10+), Coal Tit (2) and Goldcrest (2) were also seen here.
A quick stop at Newfield tip produced good numers of Great Black–backed Gull (80+), Herring Gull (50+) and Black–headed Gull (50+). Two female Goosander, three Mallard and a Moorhen were seen at the Batts.
13th January, 2007
(Escomb and Low Barns)
Eighteen different species were seen at Escomb, which had good numbers of Redwing (25+), Blackbird (10+), Mistle Thrush (2) and Song Thrush (2).
The Low Barns feeding station was not as busy as usual, but still had all the usual visitors including Chaffinch (10+), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (2), Coal Tit (2), Nuthatch (1), Robin (2) and Dunnock (1). The west pond had Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (2), Tufted Duck (4), Mallard (15+) and a drake Goosander (1 over). Eight Cormorants, an adult Great Black–backed Gull and up to eight Goldeneye (including 2 displaying drakes) were seen on the main lake. A Sparrowhawk was also seen on the return to the car. Only thirty different species seen during this two hour visit.
10th January, 2007
(Teesside)
An adult Yellow–legged Gull was at Teesside Barrage. A drake Ring–necked Duck was at Hemlington with at least a dozen Tufted Ducks. Grey Heron (1), Mute Swan (5), Pochard (4), Mallard (10+), Coot (2) and Moorhen (10+) were also there.
The reported first winter Black Guillimot was seen at South Gare, along with a flock of approximately twenty Snow Buntings. Red–throated Diver (2), Shag (2), Cormorant (20+), Red Breasted Merganser (2), Guillimot (2), Razorbill (1), Turnstone (10+), Purple Sandpiper (2), Common Redshank (1), Oystercatcher (10+), Great Black–backed Gull (20+), Herring Gull (20+), Common Gull (10+) and Black–headed Gull (10+) were also there.
Fourteen Barnacle Geese and at least ten drake Pintails were on Back Saltholme. Others here included Wigeon (40+), Teal (20+), Shoveller (at least four), Shelduck (2), Golden Plover (100+) and Lapwing (50+). At least 300 Starlings were at Dormans and a Merlin was in the field north of Zinc Road.
A quick visit to Cowpen Bewley produced Woodpigeon (2), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1), Chaffinch (1), Tree Sparrow (10+) and Yellowhammer (20+).
To finish the day, four Whooper Swans were seen flying south over Bishop Auckland.
7th January, 2007
(Escomb, Bishop Auckland & Newfield)
Extremely quiet during this quick visit to several locations in the valley this afternoon. The only highlight was a Barn Owl on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland.
5th January, 2007
(Croxdale)
A very quick visit to Croxdale Hall produced good numbers of Nuthatch (10+), Long–tailed Tit (15+), Great Tit (10+), Blue Tit (20+), Coal Tit (10+), Chaffinch (2), Grey Heron (2), Jay (1), Great–spotted Woodpecker and a single Dipper. No sign of any Hawfinch in the few minutes that we were there.
2nd & 3rd January, 2007
(North Norfolk)
Sixty eight different species were seen during this 2 day visit to the North Norfolk Coast.
A Barn Owl was seen on the outskirts of Kings Lynn shortly before arriving at Cley for day break. Up to seven Marsh Harrier and a ringtail Hen Harrier were seen here, but no sign of the reported Black–eared Kite. A Kingfisher was seen before departing for Morston.
A mixed flock of finches included good numbers of Brambling (approximately 85) before seeing a blue phase, intermediate Snow Goose amongst Pink–footed Geese (1000+) near Morston.
Nine Shorelarks, nineteen Snow Buntings and five Sanderling were seen at Holkham. Ten White–fronted Geese and at least a hundred Brent Geese were amongst at least another ten thousand Pink–footed Geese.
To end the day, we headed for Stubb Mill were Marsh Harrier (30+, including adult 2 males), Hen Harrier (1 male and 3 ringtails), Merlin (2+), Harris Hawk (escaped), Barn Owl (1) and Common Crane (2) were added to the list.
On the second day, Avocet (10+), Pintal (5), Gadwall (3) and Egyptian Goose (1) were amongst several hundred Wigeon at Cley before seeing a Common Buzzard at Holkham.
Titchwell produced very good views of five Bearded Tits, five Little Egrets, two Lesser Black–backed Gulls and several more Pintail. Large numbers of Common Scoter were on the sea. Red–throated Diver (1), Grey Plover (10+), Arctic Skua (1) and Black–tailed Godwit were also there.
An excellent two days slightly spoilt by high winds, showers and poor light. During our return journey, a report of the Black–eared Kite returning to Snettisham was recieved, meaning that a return visit may take place in the coming weeks.
1st January, 2007
(Northumberland)
Sixty eight different species were seen today, covering Druridge, Cresswell and Newbiggin. Clara Vale and Barlow were visited on our return journey (County Durham).
Two Goosanders were seen at QE2 Country Park, before moving on to Cresswell. Here we found a Great Northern Diver and a female Smew on the pond. A short distance from the pond a single Shorelark and several Twite were amongst a flock of Linnet. A Richardsons Canada Goose was amongst at least twenty Greater Canada Geese at east Chevington. A pair of Stonechat, four Common Snipe and good numbers of Common Scoter were seen at Druridge Country Park. A second winter Mediterranean Gull was at Newbiggin.
Back in County Durham, a drake Manderin was seen at Sled Lane (near Crawcrook) and three Red Kites were observed from the Black Horse Pub in Barlow.
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