Sightings – August 2007
31st August, 2007
(Etherley Moor)
The Tree Sparrows appear to have had their finalbrood for the year with the last bird fledging on 22nd August.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker and a single Willow Warbler passed through the garden earlier in the month.
Herundines have slowly decreased in numbers during the month, with seven House Martins seen going south today and two visiting the eaves in Croftside estate.
Starling numbers have been increasing as the month progressed building up to a maximum of approximately 500.
27th August, 2007
(Bishops Park, The Batts)
A Green Sandpiper and a Grey Heron were found on the outskirts of the park. A Kingfisher and six Mallards were seen on the River Wear.
Butterflies included Peacock (2), Small Copper (1), Wall Brown (2), Peacock (1) and Small White (2).
23rd August, 2007
(Bishop Middleham Quarry & Teesside)
The first stop this afternoon was the quarry at Bishop Middleham, where we were hoping to see Northern Brown Argus amongst the variety of butterflies that can be found there. The target species was not found, but Large White (1), Small White (2), Wall Brown (10+), Meadow Brown (2+), Peacock (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1), Small Copper (2), Small Heath (3+) and Common Blue (10+) were seen.
The first stop on Teesside was Seaton Snook, which is normally good for Terns and Waders. The birdwatching on this occasion proved to be hard going with Great Crested Grebe (2), Sandwich Tern (20+), Common Tern (4+), Little Tern (6+), Oystercatcher (100+), Knot (10+), Common Redshank (10+), Curlew (10+), Whimbrel (1 over), Dunlin (10+) and Cormorant (10+) being the only birds seen.
Instead of going for the reported Sabines Gull that was lingering offshore (distantly), we decided to go to the marshes. Here we found the usual variety of wildfowl and waders, which included Common Teal (50+), Shoveller (3), Gadwall (10+), Black–tailed Godwit (10+), Curlew (10+), Ringed Plover (3), Dunlin (2), Ruff (2) and Curlew Sandpiper (2 probables).
A Yellow Legged Gull was at Tees Barrage.
17th August, 2007
(Castle Lake, Bishop Middleham)
An early morning visit to the lake proved very relaxing and worthwhile.
Waders included Wilsons Phalarope (1), Greenshank (at least 2), Ruff (5), Ringed Plover (5+), Little Ringed Plover (2), Dunlin (7) and Common Sandpiper (1).
Four Canada Geese were amongst Greylag Geese (150c). Wildfowl included Little Grebe (8+), Mallard (20+), Tufted Duck (10+) and Shelduck (1). Not so many herundines about this morning with only a handfull of Sand Martins seen.
Other birds in the immediate area included Linnet (20+), Goldfinches (50+), Meadow Pipit (5c) and Pied Wagtail (20+).
15th August, 2007
(Castle Lake, Bishop Middleham)
Four Greenshank, three Ruff and three Common Sandpiper were with the reported Wilson’s Phalarope this evening.
13th August, 2007
(South Shields)
At least two Roseate Terns were amongst Common Tern (20+), Arctic Tern (10+), Sandwich Tern (10+) and Little Tern (3) on Sandhaven Beach this morning.
Gulls included Great Black–backed Gull (20+), Lesser Black–backed Gull (10+), Herring Gull (100c), Common Gull (2), Black–headed Gull (100c) and Kittiwake (5). Waders included Oystercatcher (2), Common Redshank (2), Turnstone (1) and Sanderling (10+).
Other species seen this morning included Cormorant (30+), Eider (7), Guillemot (5), Carrion Crow (7), Starling (50c), Linnet (10+) and Goldfinch (70+).
12th August, 2007
(Bishop Middleham)
Two Egyptian Geese were amongst at least 180 Greylag Geese in a field close to the A1 flashes.
A Greenshank and at least five Ringed Plovers (including four juveniles) were on Castle Lake. Other birds in the area brought the total number of species seen to a total of thirty two.
The Tree Sparrows on Etherley Moor are now feeding young for the third time this year. A Great Spotted Woodpecker visited our Etherley Moor feeding station this morning and a Willow Warbler was in the garden two days ago. Starling numbers are slowly increasing, with a count of at least 70 on the wires yesterday evening.
8th August, 2007
(Kibblesworth)
A teaching session at Beamish this afternoon meant that I had a chance to visit a small selection of sites in south Tyneside. The birdwatching was very poor, with only several common birds seen.
Butterflies included Grayling (1), Comma (1), Small Heath (20+), Meadow Brown (2), Small White (10+) and Wall Brown (5+).
31st July – 7th August, 2007
(Scotland)
The poor weather continued in to the second week, visiting North Skye, Fort William and finally Loch Lomond. The birdwatching was hard going in the sometimes very wet and windy conditions, but we still managed to see some good birds bringing the trip total to 113.
In North Skye (31st July – 3rd August), Uig bay had Gannets (seen at close range) and a selection of Gulls. A Black Guillimot (1) Common Buzzards (2), Hooded Crow (3+), Peregrine Falcon (1) and Stock Dove (10+) were also seen at Uig.
At least thirty Twite were at Kilmuir, along with three Rock Doves, two Whinchat and several Northern Wheatear. Five Raven, at least ten Hooded Crows, three Sedge Warbler and a single Grasshopper Warbler (seen reeling) were close–by.
An adult Golden Eagle and two White–tailed Eagles (Juvenile & a second year) were seen at Portree. A Merlin was observed chasing three Meadow Pipits at very close range close to Quiraing. The hunting ability of the Merlin was fantastic to watch and will stay with us for a very long time, excellent.
Fort William (3rd – 5th) provided some pleasant birdwatching.
Loch Linnhe held at least thirty Red–breasted Mergansers, at least twenty Canada Geese, ten Eiders, three Mallards, five Cormorants and three Curlews.
The surrounding area proved to be very productive. One road held Whinchat (3+), Stonechat (2+), Meadow Pipit (30+), Tree Pipit (2+), Spotted Flycatcher (1+), Willow Warbler (3+), Chiffchaff (2), Siskin (10+), Greenfinch (4+), Chaffinch (10+), Bullfinch (1), Raven (3) and Common Buzzard (2+).
Several Scotch Argus butterflies were seen at Glen Nevis.
Loch Lomond (5th – 7th) was surprisingly quiet. The highlight here being the sighting of a single Osprey, which was seen over Loch Lomond.
Glen Fruin was once again the most productive location here. Swallows (20+), Meadow Pipit (20+), Pied Wagtail (3+), Grey Wagtail (2), Stonechat (2), Pheasant (20+), Common Buzzard (2), Kestrel (3+), Carrion Crow (20+) and Hooded Crow (4+) being at there usual locations.
There was strong evidence showing that the Barn Owl was still present, although not seen on this occasion.
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