Sightings – June 2008
30th June, 2008
(Low Barns)
A late afternoon visit to hopefully photograph Kingfishers was disappointing.
An hour was spent in the west hide, with no sign of any Kingfishers. Several Mallards and a Grey Heron were on the pond, with Reed Bunting (3 males) and a single Sedge Warbler being seen on the west pasture.
The river was very quiet, but the walk to Marston Lake produced at least three calling Chiffchaffs and upto two Willow Warblers.
Three Little Grebes, three Cormorants, an Oystercatcher, at least twenty Common Swifts, ten Sand Martins and two House Martins were seen from the South Hide.
29th June, 2008
(Etherley Moor)
A Yellowhammer is now calling from the same tree that the Corn Bunting has been calling from (not seen for at least two days).
The feeding station is still quite active with House Sparrow (10+), Tree Sparrow (3+), Goldfinch (4), Greenfinch (3), Chaffinch (1), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1), Wren (1), Dunnock (5+), Robin (2), Blackbird (5+), Song Thrush (1), Jackdaw (2), Woodpigeon (2) and Collared Dove (2) visiting regularly. Common Swift (2+), House Martin (4+) and Swallow (3+) hunting overhead.
A spiders web appeared over the entranceway to the Blue Tit nestbox, which prompted me to check the contents. Sure enough, there was one dead chick and one unhatched egg, suggesting a possible shortage of food in the area.
On a brighter note, it looks very likely that a second brood of Tree Sparrows are about to fledge (two young chicks looking out of the entranceway to their nestbox).
24th June, 2008
(Escomb)
Work commitments are still getting in the way, so a late afternoon visit to Escomb was thoroughly enjoyed.
At least sixteen Tufted Ducks and several Mallards (7+) were on the main lake. Coot (2), Kingfisher (1), Swallow (2), Swift (1) and Reed Bunting were also there.
A Green Woodpecker, a Jay, a Common Whitethroat and a female Blackcap were seen between Escomb Lake and the fishing lakes. Four Oystercatchers and a further fourteen Tufted Ducks (including six recently fledged young) were seen dodging the fishing lines.
A Grey Wagtail and a second Kingfisher were seen whilst returning to the car, via the River Wear
The Corn Bunting is still calling nicely from the trees, hedge rows and wires on Etherley Moor. Blue Tits are still taking food into the nest box, but there is no sound of any chicks? One of the Song Thrushes is still very vocal.
15th June, 2008
(Bishop Middleham & Hamsterley)
Work commitments stopped play during this past week, so a photography session targeting butterflies and orchids at Bishop Middleham Quarry was in order.
Common Blue (20+), Dingy Skipper (7+), Large Skipper (2), Wall Brown (1), Meadow Brown (2) and a single Northern Brown Argus were the butterflies. Plenty of Bee Orchids coming through, but none in flower. Birds seen included Lesser Black–backed Gull (1), Sand Martin (10+), Swift (2), Willow Warbler (1), Yellowhammer (1), Robin (1) and Jackdaw (1).
An evening visit to a new area in Hamsterley Forest resulted in Nightjar (1 male), Woodcock (7+), Tawny Owl (3 calling), Little Owl (1 calling), Tree Pipit (2) and Common Buzzard (1). A Tawny Owl was seen on the return journey (on a telegraph pole at Etherley Moor).
Etherley Moor is still as active as ever. Tree Sparrows are taking nesting materials into a second nest box (as predicted). Blackbird and Song Thrush chicks have now fledged. Surprisingly, it looks as though the Blue Tits are feeding young (thought the nest had failed). A Corn Bunting is still singing from the tree closest to the feeding station.
7th June, 2008
(Etherley Moor)
Tree Sparrows (2 adults & 2 young), Dunnock (2 adults & 3+ young), Starling (1 adult & 2+ young) have all fledged and it appears that the Tree Sparrows are now using last years nest box for a second attempt. The Song Thrushes are still feeding young but unfortunately, it looks as though the Goldfinch nest has failed (not seen sitting on the nest for over a week now).
Corn Bunting (1), Common Whitethroat (1) and Song Thrush (1) are still singing.
Other birds over the past week include Kestrel (1), Pheasant (1), Swift (10+), Swallow (6+), House Martin (10+), Greenfinch (2), Chaffinch (1), Blackbird (1), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (1), Wren (1), Robin (2), Woodpigeon (2), Collared Dove (2) and House Sparrow (10+).
5th June, 2008
(Long Nanny, Northumberland)
The reported Lesser Grey Shrike showed very well during this late afternoon visit, but it was quite flighty. Poor weather limited the photographic opportunities, but patience paid off when the shrike landed 15 – 20 foot away from me. The photo's obtained weren't perfect, but it was lovely to see and hear my first Lesser Grey Shrike at such a close range.
Grey Heron (3), Shelduck (4), Swallow (4), Meadow Pipit (10+), Skylark (20+), Black–headed Gull (3), Linnet (10+) and Goldfinch (3) were the other birds seen. Plenty of Terns were heard from the seaward side of the dunes, but decided not to investigate. A Common Buzzard was seen whilst travelling to Northumberland.
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