Sightings for February 2009
28th February, 2009
(Teesside)
A good variety of geese were seen on Teesside today. A Tundra Bean Goose was with four Pink–footed Geese near the Haverton pipe line. A White–fronted Goose and five Barnacle Geese were with reasonable numbers of Greylag Geese and Canada Geese at Saltholme Pools.
A Mediterranean Gull, a Common Scoter and a Red–necked Grebe were seen from Hartlepool lifeboat station. A Merlin was on Seaton Common.
19th February, 2009
(Teesdale)
A very disapointing visit to the dales today. Four White–fronted Geese were seen amongst approximately two hundred Greylag Geese between The Stang and the A66. Twenty Black Grouse and at least fifteen Red Grouse were seen close to The Stang. Two more groups of Black Grouse were seen further up the dale, seventeen at Langdon Beck and three at Harwood.
18th February, 2009
(Hartlepool Headland)
All the usual birds at the headland this afternoon. Four Shag, one Purple Sandpiper and a Mediterranean Gull being the pick of the birds.
17th February, 2009
(Escomb)
A mid–afternoon walk around the ponds produced 25 different species of bird which included Little Grebe (1), Grey Heron (1), Oystercatcher (1), Lapwing (10+), Goosander (2 pair), Goldeneye (4, including 1 drake) and Willow Tit (1).
15th February, 2009
(Low Barns)
The feeding station was very busy during this early afternoon visit to the reserve. Still no progress on the feeding station, making disturbance likely.
Despite regular disturbance, the birds seen at the feeders included Pheasant (6 females), Moorhen (2), Backbird (5+), Chaffinch (10+), Great Tit (5+), Blue Tit (5+), Coal Tit (2), Marsh Tit (2), Nuthatch (2), Treecreeper (1), Reed Bunting (1 female), Jackdaw (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 heard), Dunnock (2), Robin (2) and Siskin (1 male). No sign of last weeks Hawfinch.
The rest of the reserve was very quiet. Five Mallards and three Moorhens were seen on a partially frozen West Pond. The river wear was flooded and Marston Lake was fully frozen. A single Wren was the only other bird seen whilst walking round the reserve.
A count of no fewer than thirty five Pied Wagtails was in a field north of Beechburn Gravel Pits. Four Fieldfares were in the same field.
15th February, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
The feeding station and surrounding fields were very active this morning.
Fieldfare (70+), Redwing (10+), Mistle Thrush (2), Song Thrush (1), Blackbird (7+), Collared Dove (4), Woodpigeon (7), Carrion Crow (4), Rook (1), Magpie (2 regularly attacking thrushes), Starling (100+) and Grey Partridge (2) were in the field behind the feeders.
The feeding station itself produced Sparrowhawk (1), House Sparrow (15+), Tree Sparrow (4, 2 of which looking in nestboxes), Greenfinch (3), Chaffinch (1), Great Tit (2 visiting nestboxes), Blue Tit (2), Coal Tit (2), Dunnock (4), Robin (3) and Wren (1).
14th February, 2009
(Bishops Park & Low Barns)
Very quiet afternoon visit to both locations with very few birds seen. Over seventy Lapwings were on Etherley Moor.
8th February, 2009
(Escomb)
I was surprised to see the lake was only half frozen when deciding to take a quick mid–afternoon look from the football fields. Greylag Goose (25+), Cormorant (1), Wigeon (10+), Pochard (6), Mallard (20+) and Coot (2) and a large number of Tufted Duck (50+) were seen.
8th February, 2009
(Low Barns)
Surprise find on the feeders this morning was a Hawfinch. It showed for 30 – 40 seconds soon after arrival and was not seen again during the hour I was watching the feeders. Blackbird (6+), Chaffinch (20+), Great Tit (4+), Blue Tit (6+), Coal Tit (2+), Marsh Tit (2), Long–tailed Tit (3), Nuthatch (2), Dunnock (2) and Robin (3+) were seen whilst looking for the Hawfinch to put in a re–appearance.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Jay, two Carrion Crows and at least 180 Greylag Geese were seen from the tower. Two Mute Swans and at least ten Mallards were seen on the small unfrozen section of Marston Lake.
7th February, 2009
(Teesside)
The reported Green–winged Teal was found amongst 100+ Common Teal at Bowesfield Marsh. At least two Ruff were also there. A Barn Owl was seen at Greenabella.
7th February, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
A Yellowhammer was seen in the field behind our feeding station.
1st February, 2009
(Castle Eden)
A decent sized flock of finches contained Brambling (60+), Chaffinch (20+) and Goldfinch (10+). A Linnet, two Song Thrush, several Robin, five Blackbird and a single Redwing were also seen.
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