Sightings – December 2007
30th December, 2007
(Etherley Moor)
Two Tawny Owls calling close to the feeding station at approximately 8pm (1 seen at close range).
28th December, 2007
(Teesside)
First stop was Tees Barrage where the regular Yellow–legged Gull was seen amongst other gulls. Cormorant (1) was also there.
A single Water Pipit (possibly two) was seen in the field opposite the pipeline at Haverton Hole.
A single Ruff and at least ten Golden Plovers were amongst several hundred Lapwings at Back Saltholme. Two Barnacle Geese (possibly more) were with Canada Geese (30+) at the same location. Four Bewicks Swans and at least ten Pintails were the pick of the birds at Dormans.
Great Black–backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull and Black–headed Gulls were everywhere this afternoon, with varied numbers at each location.
26th December, 2007
(Low Barns)
A late afternoon visit to the reserve proved to be very quiet, probably due to the ponds still being mostly frozen over.
The only notable birds was the return of the leaucistic female Goldeneye with four other Goldeneyes (1m & 3f) and a small flock of at least twenty Siskin.
23rd December, 2007
(Bishops Park, The Batts)
An early afternoon visit to the batts area of Bishops Park produced it’s usual variety of birds.
A mixed flock of Finches & Tits were seen shortly after leaving the car and a female Sparrowhawk was circling over the area. Three Grey Herons and a Little Owl were seen in the valley. A female Goosander was on the River Wear.
Thrushes included Mistle Thrush (2), Song Thrush (1), Fieldfare (1), Redwing (2) and Blackbird (10+).
15th December, 2007
(Etherley Moor)
Sixteen Fieldfare, four Redwing, a Herring Gull and a Common Gull flew over the feeding station this morning whilst I was topping up the feeders.
The feeding station itself is still attracting good numbers of House Sparrows (30+) and Starlings (10+). Tree Sparrow (2), Chaffinch (1), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (2), Woodpigeon (2), Carrion Crow (1), Jackdaw (2), Magpie (1), Blackbird (3), Wren (1), Dunnock (2) and Robin (2) were also seen during a half hour watch.
Kestrel (1) and Sparrowhawk (1) have been seen on an almost daily basis during the past week. Song Thrush (1), Linnet (1) and Goldfinch (1) were also seen during the past week.
13th & 14th December, 2007
(Escomb)
An early afternoon visit to Escomb Lake on the (13th at 1230pm) produced twenty seven Tufted Duck, fifteen Mallard, three female Goldeneye and a pair of Wigeon. Two Mute Swan, ten Coot, three Moorhen, c50 Black–headed Gulls, c10 Common Gull and three Herring Gull were also on the main lake.
At least thirty Siskin flew over the footpath that runs along the south side of the lake. Wren (1), Robin (2), Dunnock (2), Great Tit (3+), Blue Tit (4+), Starling (30+), House Sparrow (20+), Blackbird (2+), Song Thrush (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 heard), Magpie (4), Bullfinch (3), Chaffinch (1) and Reed Bunting (4+) were also seen around the lake side.
There was no sign of the Wigeon on the 14th (late afternoon, 1500pm) and the Tufted Duck numbers had reduced to ten. However, three more Goldeneyes (females) and a pair of Teal had joined the wildfowl on the lake. A Fieldfare was on the northern side of the lake, along with at least five Reed Buntings. Seven Goosanders were on the River Wear, with a pair of Little Grebe.
A Little Owl was seen on the return to the car.
9th December, 2007
(Teesside)
A single Mediterranean Gull was amongst the usual gulls on the rocks between the two sea walls. Cormorant (10+), Eider (10+), Oystercatcher (10+), Turnstone (20+), Common Redshank (10+), Knot (30+), Curlew (1), Purple Sandpiper (3+), Pied Wagtail (1) and House Sparrow (10+) were also there.
A Red–throated Diver was off marine drive, along with a large flock of at least 150 Common Scoter.
A Merlin was seen off Zinc Road and a second Merlin was observed hunting at Seaton Snook (later seen resting on a post opposite the power station). There was just enough time to see a pair of Stonechat before the rain arrived.
Three Pintails were amongst the usual wildfowl at Saltholme Pools with no sign of the reported female Scaup. Lapwings were in good numbers, with at least 400 present.
2nd December, 2007
(Cromer Point, Burniston)
The reported Desert Wheatear was found between the coastal path and the water works station. A pair of Stonechat were close–by.
Very wet today, so I decided to head for home soon after viewing the bird. Poor weather prevented me taking the camera which was a let down as the views were sometimes as close as 10–15ft.
1st December, 2007
(Teesside)
Four Bewicks Swans (including one juvenile) were on Dormans and a brief view of what could have been a Whooper Swan at the same location.
A Little Egret was taking shelter from the weather at East Saltholme. A wide variety of wildfowl was also on Saltholme Pools, the highlight being three superb male Pintails. Lapwings (150+), Golden Plover (150+) and a small selection of other waders occasionally took to the air, indicating the presence of raptors (none seen here today).
The reported Black–throated Diver was at Jacksons Landing, along with at least four Red–breasted Mergansers and a couple of Cormorants.
No sign of the regular Mediterranean Gull at Hartlepool Headland, but there was the usual selection of waders including Oystercatcher (10+), Knot (50+), Sanderling (2), Turnstone (20+), Common Redshank (10+) and Purple Sandpiper (2).
At least 150 Common Scoters and a Red–throated Diver were off Marine Drive.
Four Ring–necked Parakeets were at Ward Jacksons Park.
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