Sightings – April 2007
29th April, 2007
(Tunstall Woods)
A pair of Blackcaps, two Song Thrushes, a single Dipper and two Common Sandpipers were seen at Witton Gate.
Tunstall Woods produced four Pied Flycatchers (2 pairs), at least three Common Redstart, a Garden Warbler and a single Wood Warbler. Other species that were recorded included Green Woodpecker (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1+), Nuthatch (3+), Treecreeper (5+), Blue Tit (2+), Great Tit (2+), Coal Tit (2), Long–tailed Tit (1), Willow Warbler (5+) and Chaffinch (4+).
Two Red Grouse were seen at Knitsley Fell and the regular Corn Bunting was at Etherley Moor.
28th April, 2007
(Bishops Park)
Two Oystercatchers, a single Curlew and four drake Mallards were on the small pond. A Common Whitethroat was seen close–by.
28th April, 2007
(Teesside)
A Garganey and a Greenshank were seen on Back Saltholme Pools. At least eighty Common Swifts, fifty Sand Martins and ten Swallows were also there.
Good numbers of Sedge Warblers (20+) were at dormans with Common Whitethroat (2) and Grasshopper Warbler (1 heard reeling) also there.
Only three Northern Wheatear were in the field to the north of Zinc Road (over thirty there on Wednesday). A Whinchat and two Whimbrel were close by.
A Weasel was seen on the Long Drag.
26th April, 2007
(Organised Tour to Upper Teesdale)
Thirty two Black Grouse were seen at three seperate locations. Approximately ten Red Grouse were also seen, along with good numbers of Lapwing (30+), Curlew (20+), Common Redshank (10+), Pheasant (20+), Meadow Pipit (30+) and Common Buzzard (10+). A female Ring Ouzel was back on it’s breeding ground, along with at least five Northern Wheatear’s.
Other interesting sightings today included a pair of Dippers flying up the main road from the River Tees towards Egglestone Hall and back (a pair of Grey Wagtail were on the river here), a single Peregrine Falcon over Widdybank Fell, four Common Sandpipers near Langdon Beck and excellent views of a Water Vole, also near Langdon Beck.
A wing–tagged Red Kite and a single Sparrowhawk were seen on the return journey (near Kinninvie).
25th April, 2007
(Organised Tour to Teesside)
A pair of drake Garganey, two Black–necked Grebe, two Yellow Wagtail and at least two Common Tern were amongst the usual birds that can be found on Back Saltholme. A White–fronted Goose and two Pink–footed Geese were also there. A single Northern Wheatear was seen with two Curlews to the rear of West Saltholme.
Sedge Warbler (1), Common Whitethroat (1), Willow Warbler (1) and at least four Reed Bunting were close to Dormans Pool. Five Whimbrel, several Black–tailed Godwit and a handfull of Bar–tailed Godwit were seen on the way to the headland.
At least thirty Northern Wheatear were in the field to the north of Zinc Road, along with Stonechat (2), Skylark (5), Meadow Pipit (2) and Golden Plover (5 in full summer plumage). At least eight Purple Sandpipers were seen at Hartlepool Headland, along with good numbers of Turnstone and a single Wheatear.
A single Corn Bunting was observed singing on roadside wires at Etherley Moor. A perfect way to end an excellent day out.
21st April, 2007
(Hamsterley Forest)
A Grey Heron was on the river, along with a single Grey Wagtail. Several Song Thrushes were seen along the forest drive. Willow Warbler (5+), Chiffchaff (3+), Blackcap (1 singing), Green Woodpecker (1 female) and a couple of Jays were also seen.
19th April, 2007
(Bishop Middleham)
A quick visit to both the Roadside Pool and Castle Lake produced thirty five different species.
A Little Owl was seen close to the roadside pool, which was very quiet. Two Shelducks, two Common Gulls, two Common Redshank were on the pool, whilst a Willow Warbler was singing in the trees
The White stork was quickly found on Castle Lake. Other birds of interest here included Green Sandpiper (1), Common Sandpiper (1+), Little–ringed Plover (1), White Wagtail (1), Yellow Wagtail (2), Swallow (4+) and Sand Martin (200c).
15th April, 2007
(Low Barns & Bishops Park)
Missed a male Hawfinch, which was caught by the local ringers and released five minutes before arrival. Two male Blackcaps singing close to the visitor centre. A third male Blackcap was seen at Bishops Park.
14th April, 2007
(Teesside)
Fifty one different species were recorded during this morning visit to Teesside.
Two Northern Wheatears were at Hartlepool Headland (Jewish Cemetery) and a single Grey Partridge was close by (in the railway sidings). A Ruff was seen at Zinc Road.
Three Little Egrets were on Coatham Marsh, along with good numbers of Shelduck (20+). A Little–ringed Plover was on the roadside pool island and at least one Whimbrel was near Saltholme roundabout with at least twenty Curlew (plenty of these around).
The reported drake Garganey was showing very well on Back Saltholme, along with at least two Pintail (drake and female). A drake and three female Goldeneye were also there.
West Saltholme pools were also productive, with Great–crested Grebe (4) and Little Grebe (2) looking very nice in their full summer plumage. White–fronted Goose (1), Pink–footed Goose (at least three), Greylag Goose (50+) and Canada Goose (20+) were also there.
13th April, 2007
(Bishops Park)
A pair of Common Redstart and at least ten Willow Warblers were seen at the top end of the park. A Common Sandpiper was on the River Wear. Chiffchaffs are now calling at most suitable locations. No sign of the Green Sandpiper this morning.
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A further 26 species were seen during the early morning walk round the park including Green Woodpecker (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (2), Dipper (1 on the River Gaunless / Wear inlet), Common Treecreeper (3+) and Yellowhammer (10+).
10th April, 2007
(Wear Valley)
Shortly after arriving at Low Barns, fourteen Whooper Swans were seen heading north (flying just above tree top height). A pair of Willow Warbler were seen from the footpath. Other than good numbers of Tufted Duck (20+), ‘very quiet’.
Three Sand Martins were seen at The Batts (at least another seventy were at Escomb). Two Swallows and at least thirty Tufted Duck were also at Escomb.
8th April, 2007
(Hurworth Burn)
At least one Long–eared Owl (possibly two) and a single Common Buzzard were seen from the old railway line. Other birds seen from the footpath included Sand Martin (5), Kestrel (1), Bullfinch (at least 2), Skylark (1+), Lapwing (5+), Curlew (2), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (4+), Long–tailed Tit (4+), Blackbird (2) and Yellowhammer (1 heard).
At least twenty Tufted Duck were on the reservoir, along with seven Great Crested Grebe, five Goldeneye, three Cormorants, nine Wigeon, one Pochard and one Ruddy Duck. Approximately eighty Greylag Geese and at least ten Canada Geese were in surrounding fields.
A pair of Little Owls, two Grey Partridge and approximately thirty Linnets were seen on the return journey.
7th April, 2007
(Bollihope)
An afternoon visit to Bollihope produced several Red Grouse and a single Ring Ouzel.
Other birds seen during the afternoon included Merlin (2), Sparrowhawk (1), Pied Wagtail (at least 2), Meadow Pipit (10+), Chaffinch (2), Mistle Thrush (1), Common Gull (2), Black–headed Gull (20+), Curlew (5+) and Lapwing (10+).
Before departing for Bollihope, we found the Green Sandpiper at it’s usual location (Bishops Park).
7th April, 2007
(Etherley Moor)
A Corn Bunting was heard calling at 8am. At least two now singing / calling on a daily basis.
The rest of the morning was spent at the feeding station, which is still very busy. Tree Sparrow (1 nestbox taken), House Sparrow (8+), Blue Tit (1 nestbox taken), Great Tit (2), Long–tailed Tit (2), Chaffinch (1 male), Greenfinch (5+), Goldfinch (2), Woodpigeon (3), Collared Dove (2), Blackbird (pair, taking food to the nest), Song Thrush (1), Robin (1) and Dunnock (5+) all visiting regularly.
Pheasant (1) and Grey Partridge (1) have been visiting this past week.
6th April, 2007
(Bishops Park & Escomb)
The Green Sandpiper was at Bishops Park and at least ten Sand Martins were at Escomb.
5th April, 2007
(Hetton & Brasside)
A single Jack Snipe was at Hetton Boggs, early morning. Mallard (2), Coot (2), Moorhen (1), Pheasant (1), Great–spotted Woodpecker (1), Dunnock (2+), Robin (1), Bullfinch (2), Chaffinch (1), Chiffchaff (5+), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (2+), Coal Tit (2), Willow Tit (2), Reed Bunting (6+) were also in the area.
A pair of Goldeneye were on Brasside Pond. Approximately fifty Curlew were in surrounding fields.
4th April, 2007
(Upper Teesdale)
A quick stop at Kinninvie produced a wing–tagged Red Kite.
Twenty one Black Grouse were seen at three seperate locations. Approximately ten Red Grouse were also seen, along with good numbers of Fieldfare (50+).
A male Ring Ouzel was back on it’s breeding ground, along with two Northern Wheatear’s. Meadow Pipit (20+), Pied Wagtail (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Grey Partridge (2+), Black–headed Gull (4), Common Snipe (1), Common Redshank (5), Curlew (4+), Lapwing (30+), Kestrel (1) and Merlin (one briefly) were also in the area.
Three Common Buzzards were seen on the return journey (near Kinninvie).
4th April, 2007
(Etherley Moor)
A Corn Bunting has been singing for over two days. A pair of Tree Sparrows are still nest building in one of our nest boxes and a second pair have been investigating another nest box. A pair of Goldfinch visiting the feeders on a daily basis (for at least two weeks).
2nd April, 2007
(Escomb)
Three Common Snipe were close to the West Pond, as was two Meadow Pipit. At least ten Tufted Ducks, two Coots and a single Moorhen were on the West Pond.
Four Greylag Geese, two Mallards and several Coots were on Escomb Lake. At least twenty Common Toads were taking advantage of the warm weather in north–east corner of the lake (expecting plenty of spawn on the next visit).
At least ten Common Gulls and several Black–headed Gulls visited the lake and a Common Kestrel flew over heading in a southerly direction.
Other birds included Bullfinch (2), Chaffinch (3), Goldfinch (5), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1), Long–tailed Tit (3), Rook (1), Carrion Crow (3), Magpie (2), House Sparrow (5) and Great Spotted Woodpecker (1).
1st April, 2007
(Organised Tour to Bollihope & Kinninvie)
A male Ring Ouzel was at Bollihope along with three Grey Wagtail, several Red Grouse. Curlew (10+), Golden Plover (50+ flew west) and Lapwing (10+).
A pair of Sparrowhawks were seen at Knitsley Fell, near Wolsingham. A Red Grouse and a pair of very close Roe Deer were also seen in the area.
We had our lunch at a very peacefull Low Barns, before moving on to Kinninvie. Here we had excellent views of a single Common Buzzard and two Red Kites (one untagged).
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