Sightings for October 2008
31st October, 2008
(Reighton Sands)
A single Waxwing was seen during a family holiday to the holiday park. Not much else seen during this 3 day break other than four Red–throated Divers on the sea and a single Fieldfare in the touring area at Blue Dolphin.
29th October, 2008
(Escomb)
Good numbers of thrushes seen during this 90 minute visit to Escomb with several Blackbirds, two Song Thrushes, one Mistle Thrush, at least forty Redwing and a decent sized group of what we believed to be Fieldfare (probable 50+) being seen as the light slowly began to fade.
Great Tit (4+), Blue Tit (4+), Coal Tit (1), Long–tailed Tit (4+), Dunnock (2), Robin (3), Wren (2), Chaffinch (5+) and Bullfinch (1) were seen in the hedge rows. Starling (30+), Magpie (2), Carrion Crow (7+), Rook (1) and Cormorant (1) were also seen in the area. Three Mute Swans circled before one landed on the small pond.
At least twelve Mallards, several Tufted Ducks, three Coots and a Moorhen were seen on the water.
28th October, 2008
(Bishops Park)
Spent a couple of hours walking round the outskirts of the park this afternoon (a cold breeze in the bright sunshine).
Two Grey Herons and a Moorhen were on the pond, but no sign of the Green Sandpiper that usually winters at this location. A surprise here was a brief visit of a single Kingfisher.
A reasonably sized group of garden birds was found to the north of the park, which included Long–tailed Tit (6+), Blue Tit (4), Coal Tit (2), Robin (1), Goldcrest (2), Siskin (1) and Goldfinch (2).
Redwing (10+), Blackbird (7+), Song Thrush (at least 2), Carrion Crow (10+), Jackdaw (10+), Jay (2), Woodpigeon (25+) and Herring Gull (1) were also in the area.
28th October, 2008
(Etherley Moor)
A Great–spotted Woodpecker visited the feeders early pm.
Blackbird (10+), Collared Dove (2), Woodpigeon (1), Tree Sparrow (4), House Sparrow (10+),Dunnock (2), Robin (2), Long–tailed Tit (4), Coal Tit (2) and Blue Tit (2) still visiting on a daily basis.
26th October, 2008
(Low Barns)
Decided to head for Low Barns, hoping to improve on last weeks photographs of the Kingfisher that frequently visits the west pond. A single Kingfisher showed twice, but the light was poor on both occasions preventing the chance to improve on last weeks photographs.
A Tufted Duck and at least twelve Mallards were on the pond. A couple of Jays, several Magpies and a Wren were seen from the hide. A female Sparrowhawk was seen flying across the West Pasture and then flushing at least three Common Snipe before chasing them in a southerly direction.
Cormorant (2 over), Nuthatch (1 heard calling), Goldcrest (1), Blue Tit (3), Great Tit (2), Long–tailed Tit (at least 2 heard calling), Pied Wagtail (3) and Grey Wagtail (1) were seen from the car park.
19th October, 2008
(Low Barns)
Another attempt to photograph kingfishers at Low Barns proved worthwhile this morning as a single Kingfisher was actively fishing the west pond from a distance, then bringing it’s catch to the poles to feed. Poor light limited the photographs to good record shots.
A Water Rail was seen working it’s way round the small island in front of the West Hide.
Several Common Snipe were flushed from the meadow by a Grey Heron, with one of the Snipe appearing to be smaller and shorter billed indicating that it could have been a Jack Snipe. A Mute Swan, two Tufted Ducks, a Common Teal and a dozen Mallards were on the pond. Two Black–headed Gulls put in a brief appearance.
Two Goosanders flew up the River Wear, were a single Grey Wagtail was seen feeding. Five Cormorants, two Little Grebes, a Coot, several Mallards, three Common Teal and a Moorhen were seen from the South Hide.
Three Redwings, two Blue Tits, a Great Tit, a Siskin, a Bullfinch and a Greenfinch were seen whilst walking around the reserve. Still no food being used on the feeding station.
18th October, 2008
(Hartlepool Headland)
Decided to head for Hartlepool Headland to do 2 – 3 hours of seawatching, visiting various locations along Marine Drive, Heugh Battery and the sea breaks.
Highlights included Red–throated Diver (5), Whooper Swans (2 south), Velvet Scoter (6 drakes & a single drake heading north), Common Scoter (30+ females heading north & a single drake on the sea), Wigeon (two small groups adding up to at least 25), Teal (1 south), Razorbill (3 on the sea), Guillimot (5) and Puffin (1 north & 1 south).
All the usual waders were seen, but no sign of any Purple Sandpipers today. An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the rocks with other gulls. Four Rock Pipits, a Pied Wagtail and a House Martin were also seen.
12th October, 2008
(Etherley Moor)
Plenty of visitors to the feeding station this afternoon with Tree Sparrow (3), House Sparrow (10+), Great Tit (3), Blue Tit (2), Coal Tit (2), Robin (1), Dunnock (2), Wren (1) and Blackbird (3) visiting.
Woodpigeon (30+), Jackdaw (20+), Rook (30+), Carrion Crow (3), Magpie (2), Starling (35+) and Collared Dove (1) in the fields.
12th October, 2008
(Low Barns)
Another visit to the reserve and another failed attempt at photographing the Kingfishers.
A very frustrating two hours spent in the West Hide. I say frustrating as a Kingfisher was on the pond, but remained out of range for the full two hours.
A Mute Swan, a Common Teal, two Tufted Ducks, two Moorhens, three Grey Herons and several Mallards were there. A Water Rail put in a brief appearance as it swam from the nearest island to the waters edge in front of the hide, not to be seen again.
11th October, 2008
(Teesside)
After missing the chance to go and see the Alder Flycatcher (1st for Britain) I needed a pick me up, so I decided to go and see if I could photograph the Short–eared Owls that had recently been reported on Teesside. They didn’t disappoint.
The first Short–eared Owl of the morning was seen hunting Greenabella.
Other birds seen at Greenabella included Little Egret (1), Grey Heron (1), Curlew (30+), Common Redshank (50+), Black–tailed Godwit (3), Common Snipe (3), Common Teal (30+), Mallard (2), Shoveller (1), Shelduck (10+) and distant views of could have been Twite (9 possibles).
Three more Short–eared Owls were displaying perfectly along the road to North Gare. Two Merlins and at least one Kestrel were also in the area. Two Stonechats were seen along Zinc Road.
Short–eared Owl at Seaton Common
Approximately 400 Pink–footed Geese were seen flying in a southerly direction mid–morning and the regular wintering Yellow–legged Gull was at the Tees Barrage.
9th October, 2008
(Low Barns)
Highlight this afternoon were a small group of Lesser Redpolls (10+) and Bullfinches (4+), which were amongst a larger group of Goldfinches (80+).
5th October, 2008
(Low Barns)
A Kingfisher showed briefly from the west hide, but once again failed to come close enough for a decent photograph. A Tufted Duck, several Mallards and at least two Moorhens were on the water. A Goldcrest, a Treecreeper and a Willow Tit were with a group of at least five Long–tailed Tits in the wooded area outside the hide.
The regular hybrid Hooded Crow was seen by the boardwalk, where two Reed Buntings were also seen.
Four Common Teal, two Little Grebes and at least thirty Mallards were on the main lake. Nine Cormorants and four Jackdaws were in the trees.
I decided to walk back the way that I came finding a Dipper and a Grey Wagtail on the River Wear. No fewer than nineteen Pied Wagtails were on and around the wires by the boardwalk (most I've seen at Low Barns).
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