Sightings for October 2006
28th October, 2006
(Northumberland Coast)
An early morning visit to Cresswell provided us with eleven Whooper Swans (flying south-west) and the reported juvenile Isabelline Shrike.
The Bonepartes Gull was seen at Newbiggin, now in full winter plumage. At least six Mediterranean Gulls were also seen there, including one adult, two second winter and three first winter birds. A Little Auk was observed flying north and a Red–throated Diver was on the sea.
A drake Manderin Duck and four Whooper Swans were on Holywell Pond.
24th October, 2006
(Rainton Meadows & Whitburn)
At Rainton Meadows, several Common Snipe were amongst the reeds to the right of the hide and at least five more were seen in flight. Other birds seen here included Little Grebe (1), Grey Heron (2), Mute Swan (2), Wigeon (10+), Teal (20+), Mallard (5+), Coot (5+), Moorhen (10+), Water Rail (1, MI), Common Redshank (at least two), Skylark (at least three), Meadow Pipit (2) and a single Redpoll (MI).
At Boldon Flats, the American Wigeon gave good views for its second day (once again, too distant for good photography). Before leaving, a Sparrowhawk flushed all the birds revealing good numbers of Curlew and Common Redshank. Greylag Geese (15+), Mallard (10+), Wigeon (20+), Moorhen (1), Woodpigeon (10+), Jackdaw (5), Carrion Crow (2) and Starling (10+) were also seen there.
A second winter Mediterranean Gull was seen amongst the Black–headed Gulls on South Shields Leas.
23rd October, 2006
(Whitburn & Rainton Meadows)
No sign of the reported Alpine Swifts, but the American Wigeon gave good views (too distant for good photography).
A Sooty Shearwater, five Common Scoter and two Gannets were seen from Lizard Point during a twenty minute seawatch.
A Water Rail and at least four Common Snipe were amongst the usual birds at Rainton Meadows.
22nd October, 2006
(Teesside)
Several Barnacle Geese were amongst good numbers of the more regular Greylag Geese and Canada Geese on Saltholme Pools. Little Grebe (5+), Cormorant (3), Mute Swan (2), Shoveller (10+), Wigeon (50+), Teal (50+), Mallard 10+), Tufted Duck (20+), Pochard (at least 2), Ruddy Duck (1), Gadwall (10+), Kestrel (1), Golden Plover (50+), Lapwing (80+), Dunlin (at least seven), Ruff (1), Black–tailed Godwit (3), Curlew (20+), Common Redshank (10+) and Woodpigeon (1) were other birds seen whilst visiting the pools.
Dormans Pool and the Reclamation Pond added Great Crested Grebe (5+), Little Egret (1), Moorhen (10+), Coot (80+), Common Gull (10+), Herring Gull (20+) and Great Black–backed Gull (20+) to the list.
A pair of Bar–tailed Godwits were seen at Seal Sands with a small flock of possible Twite seen at a distance. Rook (2) and Starling (30+) were also seen there. Four Common Seals were viewed from the bridge before seeing a female Stonechat on the Zinc Road.
Hartlepool Headland provided us wth good views of at least four Purple Sandpipers, over fifty Turnstones and three Rock Pipits. Other birds on the headland today included Red–throated Diver (1), Common Scoter (5+), Eider (100+), Oystercatcher (30+) and Sanderling (5).
15th October, 2006
(Holy Island)
Common Buzzard (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Kestrel (1) and the reported European Roller were seen on the way up to the island.
Brambling (5+), Chaffinch (5+), Robin (2) and Redwing (4) were seen in the same garden as the reported Red–breasted Flycatcher.
A Peregrine came in off the sea as we were watching the reported Great Grey Shrike.
Before leaving the island, a Merlin was observed disturbing a flock of approximately 100 Redwing. The Merlin was seen chasing a single Redwing for approximately five minutes before being mobbed by a Carrion Crow. A Red–throated Diver was seen resting near the causeway.
Stag Rocks was quiet, with Red–throated Diver (2), Purple Sandpiper (1) and Rock Pipit (2) being the only birds of note. A Golden Pheasant was seen in Bamburgh (presumably an escaped bird).
14th October, 2006
(South Gare & Teesside)
A twenty minute stop at South Gare produced several good views of the reported Barred Warbler. A Blackcap and four Redwing were also seen in the same area.
Two Little Egret and large numbers of Golden Plover and Lapwing were on Saltholme Pools.
A single Kingfisher was seen on the River Tees whilst waiting to cross the transporter bridge.
Three Stonechat were on the roadside fences on Zinc Road.
9th October, 2006
(Etherley Moor)
The first Redwing of the winter for Etherley Moor. Seen flying towards Escomb. Also, a Barn Owl on the way towards a teaching session at Barnard Castle. Sorry Nigel.
8th October, 2006
(Low Barns & Byers Green)
Two Kingfishers were seen from the west hide occasionally giving superb views in near perfect sunlight. Twenty eight Mallard, two Tufted Duck, three Mute Swans, three Jays, a Kestrel, a Grey Heron, five Greylag Geese, a Wren, at least eighty Lapwing, a Moorhen, a Coot, five Woodpigeon, at least eight Common Snipe and a Fox were also seen from the hide.
A second Grey Heron was seen on the river before visiting the south hide, where Teal (3), Little Grebe (2), Jackdaw (20+), Cormorant (3), Black Headed Gull (20+) and Common Gull (5+) were added to the list.
Other sightings at various locations on the reserve included Treecreeper (1), Nuthatch (1), Mistle Thrush (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Coal Tit (1), Blue Tit (2), Great Tit (2), Robin (1), Dunnock (2), Goldcrest (2), Magpie (5), Carrion Crow (2) and Chaffinch (1).
Very quiet at Byers Green with Tree Sparrow (10+) being the only bird of note. Two female Goosanders and a single Dipper at Bishops Park.
7th October, 2006
(The Dales & Teesside)
Twenty eight Black Grouse (including one female), five Red Grouse and at least sixteen Grey Partridge were seen in upper Teesdale. A Kingfisher was also seen.
A quick visit to Low Barns for the opportunity to photograph Kingfisher proved to be unsuccesfull.
Hartlepool Headland was very productive with Wheatear (1), Mediteranean Gull (1 adult), Purple Sandpiper (10) and Rock Pipit (5+) being arguably the best birds seen. Other birds at this location included Common Eider (1), Cormorant (10+), Turnstone (10+), Common Redshank (4+), Curlew (2), Sanderling (at least 1), Oystercatcher (2), Great Black–backed Gull (10+), Herring Gull (20+), Black Headed Gull (20+), Starling (20+), Pied Wagtail (4) and Dunnock (1).
At least three Stonechats were seen along the Zinc Road. Meadow Pipit (5+), Knot (20+) and Dunlin (3) were also seen in this area.
A single Ruff and two Little Egrets were on East Saltholme. Other birds seen during this short visit to Saltholme Pools included Shoveller (10+), Teal (10+), Wigeon (10+), Gadwall (10+), Mute Swan (2), Moorhen (3), Coot (20+), Lapwing (100+), Grey Heron (1), Little Grebe (3) and Great Crested Grebe (2).
Attempts to see Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl and Tree Sparrow proved to be unsuccesfull on what was a very windy, but otherwise satisfying day.
3rd October, 2006
(Barnard Castle)
Ten Black Grouse and five Red Grouse were at their usual location. A single Common Buzzard near Toft Hill.
1st October, 2006
(Teesside)
The reported Yellow–browed Warbler was seen shortly after arriving at the McDonalds car park, near Hartlepool Headland. At the same location, a Lesser Whitethroat was heard but not seen.
Two Pectoral Sandpipers, five Little Egrets, several Ruff, a single Little Stint and a single Marsh Harrier were seen at Saltholme Pools.
Approximately twenty four Golden Plover were seen with good numbers of Lapwing. At least twenty Black–tailed Godwits were on East Saltholme.
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