Sightings – March 2007
31st March, 2007
(Organised Tour to South Durham)
Several Red Grouse and six Black Grouse were seen near The Stang. Shelduck (4), Mallard (2), Curlew (10+), Common Redshank (2), Golden Plover (50+), Red–legged Partridge (1), Lesser Redpoll (20+), Greenfinch (1) and Chaffinch (3) were also seen in the area. A thirty minute watch returned no raptors.
A Common Buzzard was seen on the outskirts of Bowes and a Northern Wheatear was close to Sleightholme Farm. Plenty of Fieldfare (50+), Starling (30+), Lapwing (20+) and Curlew (15+) were in the fields that surround the farm. Once again, very quiet for raptors.
30th March, 2007
(Low Barns)
Two Hawfinches were seen from the footpath by the River Wear. The feeding station was quite active with all the usual birds visiting regularly.
28th March, 2007
(Bishops Park)
The Green Sandpiper was at its usual location. A pair of Dippers and a pair of Grey Wagtails were on the River Gaunless. Still no Kingfishers (usually two pairs)!
25th March, 2007
(Saltholme Pools)
Forty four different species seen during this late morning visit to Saltholme Pools.
The reported pair of Smew were still on Back Saltholme. A single Snow Bunting, an adult Peregrine Falcon, several Pintail and two Lesser Black–backed Gulls were also there.
Geese in the area included Pink–footed Goose (24c), White–fronted Goose (1) and three hybrised geese amongst the usual Canada and Greylag Geese.
The three Ring–necked Parakeets were still at Ward Jackson Park in Hartlepool.
24th March, 2007
(Low Barns)
Thirty five different species seen during this late morning visit to the reserve. Noteworthy records included the sightings of two Chiffchaffs (at least two more heard), several Goldcrest, five Redwings and at least ten Goldeneye (including 2 males and the lucisitic female).
Nine Cormorant, two Oystercatcher and a pair of Teal were on Marston Lake. Flyovers included two Grey Wagtails, two Mute Swans and a female Sparrowhawk.
The feeding station was less active than usual. Nuthatch (2), Great Tit (1), Blue Tit (2) and Coal Tit (1) were the only birds seen, arguably caused by the presence of ringers during the morning.
18th March, 2007
(Escomb)
A Chiffchaff and a single Grey Wagtail were seen by the River Wear. A drake Goosander was on the main lake.
17th March, 2007
(Witton Gate)
A male Brambling (in full summer plumage) was seen on the approach to the trout lakes. A pair of Grey Wagtails were on the river.
14th March, 2007
(Dryderdale & Bishop’s Park)
A pair of Goshawk were seen shortly after arrival. They were watched for approximately ten minutes (at a distance), displaying superbly before they went out of view.
A Sparrowhawk, a male Kestrel and three Common Buzzards were the other raptors seen in the area.
A pair of Skylark, a Grey Partridge, two Curlew, a Lapwing and a Meadow Pipit were also in the area.
Bishop’s Park produced a Green Sandpiper (at it’s usual location) and a pair of Goosanders (on the River Wear).
13th March, 2007
(Low Barns & Etherley Moor)
A Common Buzzard flew over the reserve, heading in a westerly direction. The lucistic female Goldeneye was on the west pond with a pair of Tufted Ducks. The hybridised Hooded Crow was seen close to the board walk and at least one Chiffchaff was heard calling.
Eight Comorants were on the Marston Lake raft, with a pair of Oystercatchers. At least nine Goldeneye were also on the lake and a Curlew was heard calling several times.
A pair of Grey Wagtails were on the River Wear.
The feeding station was active with all the usual birds visiting regularly, including Nuthatch (1), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (4), Coal Tit (2), Long–tailed Tit (2), Dunnock (1) and Blackbird (1).
Two nest boxes on our Etherley Moor feeding station look as though they will be occupied by Tree Sparrows this spring, with at least one pair taking in nesting material. A pair of Blue Tits are nest building in another nest box. A single Corn Bunting seen and heard during the past week.
6th March, 2007
(Low Barns)
Drake Ring–necked Duck still present this afternoon, favouring the east end of Marston Lake.
3rd March, 2007
(North–west Norfolk)
A visit to North–west Norfolk did not disappoint, with 72 different species being recorded throughout the day. However, it was not so much the quantity, but the quality of the birds that made the day special.
Wolferton was the first stop where at least nine Woodcock and two Jays were seen before viewing the first of our target birds, a Golden Pheasant (one female).
A further 26 species were added to the list at this location. Highlights included Barn Owl (quartering the land to the north of the village), Sparrowhawk (1 female) and Common Buzzard (2).
Next up was Snettisham, where the second target bird was the long staying Black–eared Kite.
The morning could not have gone better. Hen Harrier (1 ringtal), Marsh Harrier (at least 3), Common Buzzard (2), Merlin (1) and Kestrel (1) were the raptors. Geese included Greylag Goose (100+), Canada Goose (50+), Egyption Goose (6+), White–fronted Goose (2), Brent Goose (2), Pink–footed Goose (200+), Barnacle Goose (12+), Ross’s Goose and a presumed Snow x Ross’s Hybridised Goose.
A further 43 species were added to the list, including four Shorelarks (by rotary hide), the Black–eared Kite and a Short–eared Owl (to the west of the pumping station).
Go to Latest Sightings
Go to April 2007
Go to February 2007
Please note that all images displayed on these pages are copyright protected and I would like to be asked if you intend to use the images for anything other than personal use (a small fee may apply if you are not a David Brown Website Design, Imaging & Photography customer or charitable organisation).
Click here for my contact details, ‘thank you’.
These pages are copyright © 2007 by David Brown Website Design, Imaging & Photography.