Sightings – April 2008
27th April, 2008
(Bishops Park)
Three Common Whitethroats, two Blackcaps (1 male & 1 female), two Willow Warblers and upto three Chiffchaffs were by the River Wear. Two Sand Martins and a couple of Swallows were in the same area on yet another dull and wet day.
The regular Green Sandpiper was at it’s usual location.
A Treecreeper was seen amongst a small group of woodland birds that included Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (2), Wren (1), Dunnock (1) and Robin (1). A Nuthatch and a Green Woodpecker were heard calling. Blackbird (1), Song Thrush (1) and Mistle Thrush (2) were also there.
Back on Etherley Moor, Yellowhammer (1), Corn Bunting (1) and Skylark were heard. Tree Sparrows have now occupied three nest boxes and a pair of Blue Tits have taken residency in another.
26th April, 2008
(Teesside)
At least six Northern Wheatears were in the fields to the north of Zinc Road. Fifteen summer plumaged Golden Plovers and at least three Linnets were amongst good numbers of Lapwing (20+), Meadow Pipit (20+) and Skylark (10+).
Two Avocets and two Little–ringed Plovers were on Greatham Creek, before finding a Whimbrel close to the fire station.
At least one Common Tern and a probable Arctic Tern (initially identified as a Roseate Tern) were at Back Saltholme. A reasonable number of Swallows and Sand Martins were seen over West Saltholme, along with two more Whimbrels and a Yellow Wagtail. Seven Barnacle Geese and a small number of Pink–footed Geese were amongst the usual Greylag and Canada Geese in the fields to the rear of Saltholme Pools.
At least three Reed Warblers, two Common Whitethroats and one Sedge Warbler were heard at Dormans.
A quick visit to Portrack Marsh produced two Common Whitethroats, at least one Grasshopper Warbler, two Willow Warblers, three Chiffchaffs and a male Blackcap.
24th April, 2008
(Bishops Park)
A quick visit to the top end of Bishops Park resulted in my first Common Redstarts (2 males) of the year. A Swallow, a superb male Kestrel and a hand full of Yellowhammers were also seen.
23rd April, 2008
(Escomb)
Several Willow Warblers, upto three Chiffchaffs and a single Common Whitethroat were seen this afternoon. At least ten Sand Martins and two Swallows were also seen.
The best find of the day was two Shelducks that were in one of the fields between Escomb Lake and the angling club fishing ponds. Six Greylag Geese, a Lapwing, a Curlew and a pair of Lesser Black–backed Gulls were also in then same field before being disturbed by dog walkers.
Eight Tufted Ducks, four Coots, two Moorhens, two Mallards, a Common Gull and a small number of Black–headed Gulls were on the lake. At least four Reed Buntings, four Blue Tits, two Long–tailed Tits, two Great Tits and two Meadow Pipits were on the edge of the lake. A drake Goosander was seen flying up the river wear, heading towards Low Barns.
Other birds included Magpie (2), Carrion Crow (5), Starling (4+), House Sparrow (10+), Robin (3), Dunnock (4), Wren (2) and Song Thrush (2).
20th April, 2008
(Lytham St. Annes)
The reported Ross’s Gull was found to the north of Faithaven Beach, which was the target bird of the day. Soon after this we decided to go for the nearby Glossy Ibis at Warton Bank / Marsh, which was found soon after arrival. Other birds of interest at these locations included Shelduck (30+), Black–tailed Godwit (40+), Grey Plover (50+), Dunlin (20+), Knot (1000c), Little Egret (3), Swallow (1) and Merlin (1 female).
We decided to stop off at a couple of sites on the return journey. The first stop was Warton Crag near Leighton Moss, where we got good views of a male Peregrine and a Raven. A short drive from here, we observed a Marsh Harrier flying over the reedbeds at Leighton Moss (a Green Woodpecker was heard calling in the distance). Several miles further and we stopped at Sizergh Castle, where we seen at least five Hawfinch in the tree tops by the car park.
An excellent day out spoilt only by the cold, wet and breezy conditions, which limited photographic opportunities to nil.
19th April, 2008
(Swallow Pond, Northumberland)
Upto nine Black–necked Grebes were on the pond along with Little Grebe (2), Mallard (10+), Tufted Duck (2), Pochard (1), Teal (10+), Moorhen (2+) and Coot (2+). Herring Gull (2), Lesser Black–backed Gull (2) were seen amongst a hundred or so Black–headed Gulls.
The reported Pallas’s Warbler proved to be too elusive. This was not too dissapointing as some very enjoyable birdwatching took place whilst looking, with Goldcrest (2), ChiffChaff (3+), Willow Warbler (2 heard), Goldfinch (3+), Chaffinch (4+), Dunnock (2), Robin (3), Wren (2), Blackbird and Reed Bunting being seen.
Lapwing (2), Carrion Crow (7) and Magpie (4+) were seen in the surrounding fields / hedgerows.
19th April, 2008
(Bishops Park)
A mid morning visit to the top end of the park was very quiet.
A Treecreeper was busy building it’s nest. ChiffChaffs (3+) and Willow Warbler (2+) were seen and heard, but there was no sign of any Redstarts.
18th April, 2008
(Bishop Auckland)
A Little Owl appears to have taken up residency in a tree cavity, regularly used by Barn Owl. A Corn Bunting was also heard from the same location.
17th April, 2008
(Teesside)
A pair of Manderin were seen at ward Jacksons Park in Hartlepool. At least two Ring–necked Parakeets were in the area along with Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), ChiffChaff (3), Blackcap (2m & 1f), Song Thrush (3), Mistle Thrush (1) and the usual garden birds that are found here.
A Brent Goose, two Greylag Geese and three Canada Geese were on Seaton Common. A pair of Stonechats were on Zinc Road and Meadow Pipits were calling / showing at almost every stop.
The pair of Avocets were still on Greenabella.
Saltholme Pools were surprisingly quiet, with the only birds of note being several Black–tailed Godwits on Back Saltholme. A Reed Warbler was singing from within the reeds at Dormans.
14th April, 2008
(Holy Island, Northumberland)
A family visit to Holy Island in what turned out to be the brightest day of the weekend proved excellent for landscape photography, but unfortunately denied me the chance of getting some birding images. If I had only known what was to follow!
Whilst taking photos of one of the churches, all the pigeons suddenly took to the air. A Merlin was soon seen chasing one of the Linnets that were in the area and was soon entertaining the family for some 4–5 minutes to the sound of ‘oh no’ and ‘somebody save it’. Was this the reason why the Linnet escaped I hear you ask? Although I have thought of this myself, I think it was the intervention of a second Merlin that gave the prey it’s chance to dive for cover. The ability of the bird was truly amazing and with views down to ten yards, this display is one that will stay with us for a very long time. Magnificent.
Two Rock Pipits, three Pied Wagtails and a single White Wagtail was seen on the shoreline.
A visit to the beach at Bamburgh gave me the opportunity to quickly scan the sea. Two Sandwich Terns were fishing the area and good numbers of Gannets (150+) were heading north.
13th April, 2008
(Stag Rocks & Seahouses, Northumberland)
An early morning run out on Saturday proved very rewarding with the first of the birds being a Merlin on one of the fence posts, seen whilst checking the safe crossing times on Holy Island causeway.
With the tide not allowing me to cross for a further two hours, I decided to go further down the coast to Stag Rocks at Bamburgh. It was here that the best bird of the day was found, a ‘a superb Slavonian Grebe in full summer plumage’. At least three Red–throated Divers were on the sea with Long–tailed Duck (10+), Common Scoter (10+), Eider (10+), Shag (3), Guillimot (30+) and Razorbill (7). At least fifteen Kittiwake, several Fulmars, a Sandwich Tern and a Gannet were also seen. A Northern Wheatear was seen to the north of the light house shortly before the rain arrived.
Several Shovellers were on the pond situated to the north of Seahouses. A Purple Sandpiper was amongst Turnstones in the Seahouses Harbour.
12th April, 2008
(Swallow Pond, Northumberland)
A family holiday to Northumberland allowed us to have our break at Swallow Pond situated to the north of the Tyne Tunnel. The reported Red–crested Pochard was on the pond with a supporting cast of at least three Black–necked Grebes.
11th April, 2008
(Teesside)
The reported Spoonbill was on Back Saltholme with a selection of Gulls, before flying high in a northerly direction at 0745am and a drake Pintail was amongst the usual wildfowl. Ringed Plover (1), Dunlin (1) and Black–tailed Godwit were also there. No sign of any Whimbrel amongst the hundred or so Curlews in the surrounding fields.
10th April, 2008
(Low Barns)
Two Swallows were amongst several Sand Martins over Marston Lake. At least four Chiffchaffs were calling as was a Green Woodpecker. Nine Cormorants were on the raft and a pair of female Goldeneyes were amongst Teal (2), Mallard (4), Canada Goose (1) and Greylag Goose (4).
8th April, 2008
(Escomb)
I managed to get some good telescoped views of the Goldeneye and I now strongly believe that it is a 1st winter, partial eclipse Common Goldeneye. Three Lesser Black–backed Gulls were amongst the regular gulls on Escomb Lake. A Nuthatch was seen on the opposite side of the River Wear.
7th April, 2008
(Escomb)
What a difference a day makes. Plenty happening here thisafternoon with Willow Warbler (1), Chiffchaff (10+), Sand Martin (50+), Meadow Pipit (8), Skylark (1), Green Woodpecker (1), Willow Tit (2), Reed Bunting (7), Grey Wagtail (2) and Swallow (2) being the pick of the birds seen today.
One bird that I am questioning is a 1st winter Goldeneye that was seen over a week ago. After seeing a picture of the Barrows Goldeneye in Ireland, I decided to visit Escomb again today. It showed very briefly before being disturbed by dog walkers / fishermen and on reflection, I believe it is a first winter partial eclipse Goldeneye (but of which species)? Brown head with faded white cheek patch behind the bill, grey body with more predominent white markings than a common Goldeneye.
6th April, 2008
(Escomb)
At least fifty Sand Martins were over Escomb Lake late PM. Not much else happening, which was probably due to the combination of a very cold wind and occasional snow showers.
5th April, 2008
(Teesside)
No sign of the Yellow–legged Gull at Tees Barrage, but there was a pair of Lesser Black–backed Gulls amongst the usual gulls to be found here.
A White Wagtail was on Back Saltholme, a single Iceland Gull was at Greatham Creek and a pair of Avocets were on Greenabella.
On the return journey, a Little Ringed Plover was seen on a pond close to Coundon.
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