Sightings for May 2009
31st May, 2009
(Teesside)
The reported Purple Heron at Haverton was seen after a four hour wait.
30th May, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
All the usual birds have been visiting the feeders over the past couple of days, including Pheasant (2), House Sparrow (10+), Tree Sparrow (at least 2 adaults), Dunnock (2+), Wren (1), Robin (1), Blackbird (2+), Starling (10+), Kestrel (1 over), Lapwing (1 over), Curlew (1 over), Swift (2 over), House Martin (5+ over), Greylag Goose (2 over), Rook (1 over), Magpie (2), Jackdaw (2 over), Woodpigeon (2), Collared Dove (2), Willow Warbler (1 calling) and Common Whitethroat (1 calling).
At least four juvenile Tree Sparrows have succesfully fledged out of two nestboxes. Young Blackbirds, Starlings and House Sparrows are also visiting the feeders indicating that they have had a good year. The Blue Tits have unfortunately failed for the third year running, with seven almost fully grown birds found dead in the nestbox. Not sure how they failed this year as there was at least one adult regularly taking food into the nestbox. Could the adult birds have been taken by the resident Sparrowhawks or possibly by the Magpies that are terrorising the feeding station?
Slideshow of the recent trip to the Farnes
(11th May 2009)
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24th May, 2009
(West Yorkshire)
An evening twitch at Swillington Ings in West Yorksire was very enjoyable. The target bird of Collared Pratincole didn't show for nearly two hours. It was eventually seen in flight for approximately 15 minutes before departing for home at 2015 (unfortunately, not offering any opportunity of photographs).
Whiskered Tern (3), Hobby (1 showing very well), Marsh Harrier (1) and Avocet (1) were amongst the other birds seen whilst waiting at the observation point.
24th May, 2009
(Low Barns)
Garden Warbler (4), Common Whitethroat (1), Sedge Warbler (4+), Reed Warbler (1+) and Willow Warbler (4+) were seen whilst walking round the reserve. Two Siskins, two Swifts, four Swallows, a Coal Tit, four Great Tits and at least six Blue Tits were also seen from the pathway.
Mute Swan (1), Greylag Goose (20+), Canada Goose (20+), Grey Heron (1), Cormorant (3), Coot (1 with 6 newly fledged young), Mallard (5) and Tufted Duck (2) and Oystercatcher (1 with at least 1 half grown chick).
24th May, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
A Common Whitethroat visited the feeding station this morning. Five adult Tree Sparrows were on the feeding station with at least one juvenile. Good numbers of House Sparrows and Starlings also with young fledglings. Blue Tits are taking food into thier nestbox with no sign of shortage of food (unlike last year). Two Magpies are once again attacking everything in sight.
23rd May, 2009
(Tunstall)
A pair of Pied Flycatchers and three male Common Redstarts were in the woods (no sign of any Wood Warblers or Spotted Flycatcher). A Spotted Flycatcher was at Bedburn Beck.
15th – 17th May, 2009
(Sutton Howgrave, North Yorkshire)
Two Black Terns, four Avocets, two Little–ringed plovers and at least ten Ringed Plovers were found at Nosterfield Quarry (15th). Several Dunlin and a Sanderling were at Nosterfield Nature Reserve (16th). A Tree Sparrow and two Yellow Wagtails were seen at the CL before departing for home (17th). Plenty of herundines seen throughout the weekend.
11th May, 2009
(Farne Islands)
A quick stop at Budle Bay produced Grey Heron (1), Grey Plover (20+), Curlew (1), Dunlin (50+), Knot (10+), Shelduck (20+), Eider (10+), Mallard (4), Lesser Black–backed Gull (10+), Herring Gull (10+), Black–headed Gull (10+), Common Gull (10+), Carrion Crow (4+) and Jackdaw (7+).
A stop at a pond on the outskirts of Seahouses provided excellent views of singing Sedge Warbler (1) and Reed Bunting (2). Mute Swan (1 with several young), Greylag Goose (2 with several young), Ruff (1), Swallow (2), House Martin (2), Sand Martin (5), Common Swift (2), Moorhen (2) and Shelduck (1) were also at this location.
At least twenty Northern Gannets were seen whilst crossing over to the islands where there was very good numbers of Grey Seal (most I have seen here). All the usual birds were seen on and around the islands, which included Shag (50+), Cormorant (10+), Guillimot (200+), Razorbill (20+), Puffin (100+), Common Tern (75+), Arctic Tern (75+), Sandwich Tern (75+), Fulmar (4), Kittiwake (50+), Black–headed Gull, Herring Gull (50+), Lesser Black–backed Gull (20+), Eider (10+), Mallard (3), Turnstone (4), Oystercatcher (10+), Dunlin (2), Knot (20+), Ringed Plover (two with at least five freshly fledged young), Rock Pipit (2) and Pied Wagtail (3). Tern numbers appeared to be low, but it is still early.
Wood Sandpiper (2), Pied Wagtail (2), Meadow Pipit and Shelduck (1) were seen on a small flooded area close to Henhill Farm, Seahouses (east of the main railway line).
10th May, 2009
(Teesside)
The reported Great White Egret was seen towards the rear of Back Saltholme. A Wood Sandpiper was on one of the pools (to the north of the road) that leads to North Gare.
10th May, 2009
(Knitsley Fell)
A quick stop at Bedburn Beck to check for flycatchers resulted in Greylag Goose (2 adults with several young), Mallard (1 adult with several young), Nuthatch (1), Grey Wagtail (1), Blue Tit (4), Robin (1), Song Thrush (1), Willow Warbler (1) and Chiffchaff (2). No Flycatchers.
Two Cuckoos were seen interacting on the wires at Knitsley Fell. Others here included Tree Pipit (1+), Skylark (2+), Meadow Pipit (6+) and Stonechat (1 pair).
Two Garden Warblers and two Lesser Redpolls were seen at Whinney Bank Wood on the way home.
10th May, 2009
(Etherley Moor)
First bird of the day was a Lesser Whitethroat, which was identified by it’s distinctive call before showing itself for a brief 20 – 30 seconds at close range (no camera). It then flew to the hedge row behind the feeders and was heard only twice before I went to Knitsley Fell. A Corn Bunting was in the tree behind our feeding station.
9th May, 2009
(Dormans)
The reported Great White Egret was quickly found towards the north end of Dormans. At least 40 Common Swifts were over Saltholme Pools.
3rd May, 2009
(Escomb)
The pair of Great Crested Grebes (10+) are still on Escomb Lake and showing no sign of nesting. A Greylag Goose, five Tufted Ducks, two Mallards and three Coots were also on the lake.
A Common Whitethroat was back on territory close to the small pond. Mute Swan (1), Coot (1), Moorhen (1), Oystercatcher (1 over), Swallow (5+) and Sand Martin (1) were also there.
Blackcap (3+), Willow Warbler (5+), Chiffchaff (2+), Robin (1), Wren (1), Song Thrush (1), Great Tit (1) and Blue Tit (3) were also seen whilst walking round the main lake in very windy conditions.
2nd May, 2009
(Saltholme Pools)
A quick stop at Saltholme gave us good views of Common Swift (10+). Sedge Warbler (4+), Reed Warbler (1+) and Common Whitethroat (1) were at Dormans.
2nd May, 2009
(Low Barns)
The west pond was quiet with only a couple of Mute Swans, a couple of Mallards and a Moorhen to keep me company.
At least five Sedge Warblers were heard and seen from the board walk and a Dipper flew down the river wear. Marston Lake held all the usual birds inclding Greylag Goose (6+), Canada Goose (4+), Tufted Duck (2), Mallard (4) and Oystercatcher (2).
A male Common Redstart was seen whilst walking round the reserve. Plenty of warblers were present, including with Willow Warbler (10+), Chiffchaff (6+) and Blackcap (5 males). Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Treecreeper (2), Bullfinch (2 males), Chaffinch (1), Blue Tit (2), Coal Tit (1), Long–tailed Tit (2), Song Thrush (2), Blackbird (3) and Jackdaw (2) were also seen.
The feeding station was very quiet with Pheasant (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (4) and Chaffinch (4) being the only birds seen. Other wildlife included Orange Tip (2), Small White (1) and Speckled Wood (1) Butterflies. Two Roe Deers, a Grey Squirrel and a Red Fox were also seen.
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