Sightings for October 2010
31st October, 2010
(Sleddale)
Two Rough–legged Buzzards were seen from the chevrons soon after arrival. Other birds in the area included Grey Partridge (9), Red Grouse (50+), Green Woodpecker (1), Stonechat (2) and Siskin (10+). No sign of yesterdays Great Grey Shrike or Hen Harrier whilst I was there. A Whooper Swan and a Long–tailed Duck were at Scaling Dam.
29th October, 2010
(Etherley Moor)
At least twenty Redwings and thirty Fieldfares have been in the surrounding fields during the past week. Despite losing the hedge row, there is still a decent amount of activity on the feeders (although numbers are definitely down on what used to visit). At least four Tree Sparrows are still amongst the visitors to the feeding station (also nest boxes). A Barn Owl was seen hunting on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland.
16th October, 2010
(Escomb)
A mid–afternoon walk around Escomb Lake produced Great–crested Grebe (1), Mute Swan (6 adults & 11 juveniles), Mallard (7), Tufted Duck (6), Wigeon (1), Pochard (1), Coot (10+) and Black–headed Gull (1). The hedgerows produced Sparrowhawk (1), Chaffinch (2), Goldfinch (10+), Blue Tit (4+), Willow Tit (1), Redwing (20+), Blackbird (2+), Magpie (2) and Yellowhammer (10+). Two Moorhens, seven Black–headed Gulls and a Pied Wagtail were on the small pond. Two female Goosanders were seen flying up the River Wear.
24th October, 2010
(Low Barns)
Fifteen minutes at the feeding station produced Pheasant (2), Redwing (1 over), Robin (2), Dunnock (2), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (2+), Coal Tit (4+), Marsh Tit (2), Chaffinch (10+), Greenfinch (1), Nuthatch (2) and Siskin (3 over).
A very enjoyable and relaxing hour was spent watching 2 – 3 Kingfishers move around the west pond. A large bird of prey was seen in the wooded area behind the pond, which was probably a Buzzard.
Other birds seen from the west hide included Cormorant (1), Grey Heron (3), Moorhen (1), Teal (5), Wigeon (1), Mallard (10+), Tufted Duck (6), Kestrel (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Carrion Crow (4+), Jackdaw (2), Woodpigeon (10+), Long–tailed Tit (4+) and Blue Tit (2).
A quick scan of Marston Lake from the tower produced Cormorant (10+), Coot (15+), Tufted Duck (10+), Mallard (4+), Herring Gull (1) and Black–headed Gull (3)
16th October, 2010
(Escomb)
A late evening walk around the lake produced Mallard (7), Tufted Duck (3), Wigeon (2), Coot (10+) and Black–headed Gull (20+). The hedgerows produced Chaffinch (2), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (4+), Treecreeper (1), Redwing (25+), Song Thrush (1) and Blackbird (2).
A Kingfisher and a female Goosander were on the River Wear and a group of eighteen Greylag Geese were seen flying east.
10th October, 2010
(North Tyneside)
First stop was Tynemouth for the reported Dusky Warbler, which was seen in the cliff face soon after arrival. Bonus bird here was a Shorelark.
Next was the short drive up to St Mary’s Island for the reported Red–flanked Bluetail. The target bird proved to be quite elusive at first, but the Red–flanked Bluetail did offer good intermittent views when it eventually decided to show.
Other birds seen whilst waiting to view the Red–flanked Bluetail included Robin (15+), Goldcrest (20+), Dunnock (2), Greenfinch (10+), Chaffinch (2), ChiffChaff (3+), Willow Warbler (1), Blackcap (1 male), Lesser Redpoll (1), Redwing (10+), Mistle Thrush (2), Fieldfare (1), Blackbird (5+), Reed Bunting (4+), Magpie (2) and Curlew (1).
8th October, 2010
(Etherley Moor)
The removal of the hedge row might be starting to take effect with Starling (1), Magpie (1), Coal Tit (1), Blue Tit (1) and Dunnock (1) being the only birds seen at the feeding station during a two hour watch. On a plus note, two Tawny Owls were seen and heard in the field behind the feeders. A ChiffChaff was heard during the week.
2nd October, 2010
(Teesside)
The reported juvenile Woodchat Shrike was seen soon after arriving at Croft Gardens, Hartlepool Headland. A Yellow–browed Warbler and at least four Willow Warblers were in the trees in front of Borough Hall.
The walk round the sea front was quiet. The only birds of note was a very approachable Snow Bunting close to the tennis courts and three Song Thrushes on the bowling green.
The regular wintering Mediterranean Gull was at Newburn Bridge. At least twenty Ringed Plovers, four Sanderlings, four Turnstones, three Common Redshanks, two Curlews and ten Oystercatchers were on the shoreline. Two large groups of Goldfinches were seen in the field to the north of Zinc Road, totalling approximatey two hundred birds.
A Little Egret, a Black–necked Grebe and two female Pintails were on East Saltholme. Two Little Stints and several Dunlin were on West Saltholme.
1st October, 2010
(Etherley Moor)
The removal of the hedge row has so far had little effect with House Sparrows (10+), Tree Sparrows (2+), Dunnock (2), Robin (1), Song Thrush (1), Starling (2+), Blue Tit (2) and Great Tit (2) visiting the feeders since its removal on 27th September.
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