Sightings for March 2010
28th March, 2010
(Teesside)
Purple Sandpiper (10+), Ringed Plover (7), Knot (3+), Oystercatcher (2), Common Redshank (3) were on the beach at Newburn. Cormorant (3) and Great Crested Grebe (2) were on the sea.
Greylag Goose (4), Canada Goose (2), Wigeon (40+), Mallard (2), Merlin (1), Curlew (50+), Lapwing (10+), Common Redshank (7), Dunlin (3), Great Black–backed Gull (20+), Herring Gull (10+), Common Gull (10+), Black–headed Gull (5+), Starling (20+), Carrion Crow (10+), Meadow Pipit (1) and Skylark (2) were seen from the road leading to North Gare. Seven Northern Wheatears were seen from Zinc Road during a quick visit yesterday (27th).
Several Barnacle Geese were at Back Saltholme. Two Little Egrets, a Grey Heron and two Pintails were on Dormans. No sign of the reported Great White Egret at Saltholme or Dormans (pm). Three Sand Martins were seen at Dormans during a quick search for yesterdays Great White Egret (27th).
A female Brambling was at Cowpen Bewley feeding station. Greenfinch (2+), Goldfinch (4), Blackbird (2), Blue Tit (4+), Great Tit (6+), Tree Sparrow (20+), Reed Bunting (4+) and Yellowhammer (3+) were also there.
25th March, 2010
(Spennymoor)
First Chiffchaff of the year (1 heard in trees, close to the old B&D entrance).
20th March, 2010
(Bishop Middleham)
Decided to stop off at Bishop Middleham on the way to Teesside (pm). Three Ruff were seen amongst a group of approximately seven Common Redshank and a Common Snipe was in the rough grass close–by. All the usual wildfowl, but no sign of the Whooper Swans that had been there the previous two days. Nothing unusual at Teesside other than a group af at least seven Avocets at Greenabella.
18th March, 2010
(Teesside)
The wintering Cetti’s Warbler was in the reeds behind Archer’s Law, Bowesfield Marsh (9am). Fifteen Mute Swans were on the main lake, but no sign of yesterdays whoopers. Tufted Duck (4+), Pochard (2), Goldeneye (4), Mallard (2), Coot (4), Shoveller (6+), Teal (10+), Lesser Black–backed Gull (7), Herring Gull (5), Common Gull (6), Black–headed Gull (10+), Long–tailed Tit (4+) and Reed Bunting (4+) were also seen.
A Green Sandpiper was at Billingham Beck. Saltholme Pools held all the usual birds. Zinc Road and Seaton Common were quiet (highlight here was a group of approximately 250 Starlings off Zinc Road). I decided not to stop at Greenabella for the reported Avocets.
Cowpen Bewley feeding station was quite active. Brambling (1), Chaffinch (3+), Greenfinch (8+), Goldfinch (4), Great Tit (6+), Blue Tit (10+), Coal Tit (1), Blackbird (2), Magpie (2), Tree Sparrow (20+), Reed Bunting (4+) and Yellowhammer (4+) were seen before deciding to leave after a Sparrowhawk made an unsuccessful attack.
Stopped off at Tillery Wood on the return journey. No sign of any Crossbills, but the car park became quite active once I put some food out. Birds seen here included Chaffinch (10+), Greenfinch (2), Goldfinch (1), Goldcrest (2), Treecreeper (1), Robin (1), Dunnock (1), Collared Dove (2), Woodpigeon (1), Great Tit (10+), Blue Tit (10+), Coal Tit (1), Marsh Tit (1) and Willow Tit (1).
14th March, 2010
(Teesdale)
Black Grouse were quite sparse with only three seen (1 at harwood and 2 further up the valley). Mallard (2), Red Grouse (5+), Sparrowhawk (1), Kestrel (1), Lapwing (pairs and small groups throughout the visit), Mistle Thrush (2), Fieldfare (50+), Magpie (2), Jackdaw (20+), Carrion Crow (10+), Woodpigeon (50+), Stock Dove (7) and Long–tailed Tit (1) were the only other birds seen.
10th March, 2010
(Bishops Park)
Another poor visit to Bishops Park and The Batts. A two hour visit to the area produced Dipper (2 on the River Gaunless), Chaffinch (1 female), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (2), Long–tailed Tit (2+) and Mallard (3).
5th March, 2010
(Escomb)
A Great–crested Grebe, two Coots, two Goldeneyes and two Tufted Ducks were on the only unfrozen part of Escomb Lake. Lesser Black–backed Gull (1), Common Gull (10+) and Black–headed Gull (20+) were on the ice. Two Mallards, two Coots and two Mute Swans were on the small pond. Two Oystercatchers, a Curlew, forty two Greylag Geese and four Canada Geese were in adjacent fields.
Magpie (2), Carrion Crow (4), Woodpigeon (7+), Blackbird (2+), Dunnock (2), House Sparrow (4+), Robin (1), Wren (2), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (4+), Bullfinch (2), Chaffinch (2) and Moorhen (1) were also seen.
4th March, 2010
(South Tyneside)
First stop was Thornley Woods where all the usual birds were seen including Mallard (2), Red Kite (1 over), Pheasant (1), Woodpigeon (6+), Blackbird (2+), Dunnock (2), Robin (2+), Wren (1), Magpie (2+), Carrion Crow (2), Jay (1), Great–spotted Woodpecker (1), Chaffinch (4+), Greenfinch (1), Bullfinch (4), Nuthatch (1), Great Tit (4+), Coal Tit (4+), Blue Tit (6+), Willow Tit (1), Long–tailed Tit (10+) and Yellowhammer (2+). Several Grey Squirrels and a Roe Deer were also seen before moving on to the Far Pasture.
The Far Pasture was reasonably quiet when I first arrived. Four Mallards, two Coots, two Moorhens, a Common Snipe and a Grey Heron were seen from the hide.
At least six Moorhens and another Common Snipe were in the flooded field a short walk from the car park. The car park itself proved to be the best part of this visit. I put a bit of food out and a good variety of woodland birds soon started to visit. These included Blackbird (2), Dunnock (2+), Robin (2+), Willow Tit (2), Blue Tit (1), Great Tit (2), Coal Tit (1), Bullfinch (3) and Chaffinch (2+). A Vole was also seen.
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