Sightings – January 2008
30th January, 2008
(Croxdale)
A lunchtime visit to Croxdale Hall for possible Hawfinch provided good views of Little Owl (1 at its usual location), a female Sparrowhawk and a selection of garden birds. A Grey Wagtail was on the river. No sign of any Hawfinch in this quick half hour visit.
26th January, 2008
(Escomb)
Nothing unusual found during this half hour visit to Escomb other than a small party of at least twelve Pied Wagtails in the recently ploughed field behind the Saxon Church. Plenty of work going on in the area by the local fishing club / landowners in an attempt to help the local wildlife.
Thirty eight different species, with the only point of note being a pair of female Goldeneye and upto thirty Tufted Ducks on the small lake. A single Cormorant was on the main lake and a pair of Goosanders were on the river.
19th January, 2008
(Low Barns)
The feeding station produced all the usual birds, including Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Nuthatch (1) and Marsh Tit (1). A Little Grebe and nine Goldeneye’s (7f & 2m) were amongst the usual wildfowl.
It was nice to bump into an old work colleague (K.R.) but otherwise, it was very quiet.
15th January, 2008
(Hesleden)
Nine Grey Partridges and approximately a hundred Fieldfares were seen on the outskirts of Hesleden.
14th January, 2008
(New Brancepeth)
A Dipper was seen on the river that runs along the northern edge of the village and a Goldcrest was also there. A single Brambling was seen on a near–by feeding station.
12th January, 2008
(North Norfolk)
Today was the first opportunity that I had to go for the reported White–crowned Sparrow since the first report at the beginning of the week.
Set off at 4am and arrived at 8.20am to find approximately 100 birders all trying to look up a small lane to the feeding area where the bird was visiting. Many more arrived before the White–crowned Sparrow showed itself.
A good selection of birds were seen whilst waiting for the bird to appear including Sparrowhawk (1 over), Greenfinch (5+), Chaffinch (10+), Robin (2), Dunnock (1), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (1), Collared Dove (10+), Woodpigeon (10+), Stock Dove (2 over), Black–headed Gull (2 over), Herring Gull (2 over), Jackdaw (10+), Starling (5+) and a Barn Owl (hunting the field behind us).
The White–crowned Sparrow showed itself off and on but unfortunately, not in a position for decent photographs (at least not whilst I was there).
Two Lapland Buntings were amongst at least fifty Snow Buntings at Salthouse, before mysteriously disappearing. Five Egyption Geese and the first of todays Brent Geese (30+) were close–by. Little Egret (1), Wigeon (100+), Mallard (10+), Shoveller (10+), Shelduck (2), Marsh Harrier (2), Barn Owl (1), Turnstone (10+) and Dunlin (15+) were also in the area.
Upto a thousand Pink–footed Geese were seen close to Egmere. Brambling (1) and Red–legged Partridge (6) were also seen in the area.
Two Black Brants (including one that was not so convincing) were seen amongst approximately 100 Brent Geese at the Wells Pitch & Put Green. Several Curlew were also here. Ross’s Goose (1), Pink–footed Goose (500c), White–fronted Goose (200c), Greylag Goose (3), Marsh Harrier (1) and Barn Owl (1) were the pick of the birds at nearby Holkham.
Three Hen Harriers (1 male and 2 ringtails) were seen going to roost at Roydon Common before setting off home at approximately 5pm. Back in the house at 8.30pm after an enjoyable day in North Norfolk.
6th January, 2008
(Cardoness & Caerlaverock)
The reported Cattle Egret at Cardoness Castle was found shortly after day break, providing views down to as close as five yards. Unfortunately the light was far from perfect, so the photo opportunity was not as good as it could have been.
A quick drive over to Laurieston gave good views of Raven (several in the area) and Stonechat (2).
A good variety of geese were at Loch Ken, which included Snow Goose (a single white morph), White–fronted Goose (80+), Canada Goose (100+) and Greylag Goose (80+). Three Common Buzzards, a Red Kite, a Common Kestrel and a Peregrine Falcon were the only raptors seen and a Pintail was the only noteworthy bird on the Loch. A female Scaup was found at Carlingwark Loch.
At least five Pink–footed Geese were amongst thousands of Barnacle Geese in and around the area of Caerlaverock, but unfortunately failed to catch up with the reported Red–breasted Goose. At least forty Whooper Swans were also seen here.
A Tawny Owl was seen on the top of a telegraph pole when leaving the reserve.
5th January, 2008
(Teesside)
Over seventy different species seen today, picking up from where I left off on the third.
Eight Barnacle Geese were amongst good numbers of Canada Geese (100+) at Back Saltholme. A probable Merlin passed through, temporarily lifting all the usual wildfowl and waders. At least ten Pintail were also there and a drake Scaup was seen on East Saltholme. Four Bewicks Swans were seen on Dormans.
A Little Egret and at least thirty Twite were found at Greenabella. Two Pink–footed Geese were in fields to the north of Zinc Road and a Mediterranean Gull was off Newburn. A good selection of waders were also found here, including Sanderling (30+), Oystercatcher (50+), Common Redshank (50+), Knot (10+), Turnstone (10+) and Ringed Plover (35+).
A single Red–necked Grebe was seen amongst Common Scoters (50+) and Eiders (100+), off Marine Drive (Hartlepool Headland). A single Ring–necked Parakeet was at nearby Ward Jacksons Park.
3rd January, 2008
(Teesside & Etherley Moor)
The regular Yellow–legged Gull was seen at Tees Barrage. Surprise find here was a fully grown Grey Seal with several Cormorants close–by.
At least one Water Pipit and a male Kestrel were seen on the pipeline at Haverton Hole before heavy snow forced a steady drive back home.
Back on Etherley Moor, three Tree Sparrows were seen amongst good numbers of House Sparrows (50+). Several groups of Fieldfare were seen (totalling at least 150), with the odd Redwing (10+) amongst them.
Other birds seen here in a one hour period included Herring Gull (10+), Common Gull (5), Black–headed Gull (3), Carrion Crow (2), Rook (1), Magpie (2), Starling (15+), Blackbird (5), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (2), Robin (1), Dunnock (3), Wren (1), Woodpigeon (3) and Collared Dove (5c). A Sparrowhawk visited the feeding station yesterday afternoon.
1st January, 2008
(Teesside)
Sixty seven different species were seen on this very dull and wet visit to Teesside (the camera didn’t come out once).
Good numbers of Tree Sparrows (10+), Yellowhammer (20+), Greenfinch (10+) and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Cowpen Bewely feeding station with the other regular visitors. Little Grebe (2), Tufted Duck (7), Goldeneye (5) and Gadwall (2) were birds of note on the pond.
A pair of Black–throated Divers and eighteen Red–breasted Mergansers were found at Jacksons Landing.
Two Red–throated Divers, a single Shag and fifty plus Common Scoters were seen off the Headland. Purple Sandpipers (10+) and a Rock Pipit were amongst the usual waders on the rocks.
Two Brent Geese were on Seal Sands and a Little Egret was on Greatham Creak. At least two Bewicks Swans and several Pintail were amongst the usual birds at Dormans / saltholme.
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