Sightings for September 2006
30th September, 2006
(Winterton, Norfolk)
The reported Pallid Harrier was seen shortly after sunrise, giving the group excellent views. A single Marsh Harrier and thirty Common Crane were seen nearby.
28th September, 2006
(Bishops Park)
Two Green Sandpipers were at their usual location on the outskirts of the park. Two Blackcaps and at least one Chiffchaff were amongst a tit flock.
26th September, 2006
(Newbiggin)
A single Common Buzzard and five Black Grouse were seen near Kinninvie. A Merlin was recorded at Butterknowle.
24th September, 2006
(Escomb)
Eight Mute Swans were on the main lake, along with Tufted Duck (10+), Pochard (2), Ruddy Duck (1), Coot (10+) and Mallard (1).
At least ten Black Headed Gulls, two Swallows and one House Martin visited. Jay (2), Magpie (3), Carrion Crow (2), Robin (2), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1), Blackbird (2), Chiffchaff (1), Blue Tit (2) and Willow Tits (3) were the other birds recorded.
Buterlies seen included Small White (10+), Small Tortoiseshell (7+), Red Admiral (1), Small Copper (2) and a Speckled Wood. Migrant Hawker (10+) and Common Darter (3) dragonflies were also seen today.
22nd September, 2006
(Low Barns)
A half hour visit to the west hide didn’t disappoint.
A Kingfisher displayed superbly, but poor light spoilt an excellent photo opportunity.
No fewer than eighteen Common Snipe flew eastwards from the meadow.
Two Jays and a Hooded Crow was also seen there.
19th September, 2006
(Kinninvie and Low Barns)
Two Common Buzzards, a Red Kite, over fourteen Red Grouse and a single Black Grouse were recorded close to Kinninvie.
A Gadwall was with Wigeon, Mallard and Teal at Low Barns. A Kingfisher was seen several times whilst walking round the reserve (may have been the same one).
15th September, 2006
(Bishops Park)
Twenty eight different species of birds were recorded during a one hour visit to the park.
Three Green Sandpipers were seen on the outskirts of the park, along with a single Common Sandpiper. At least two Spotted Flycatchers were in the same area. Swallow (50+), House Martin (30+), Willow Warbler (1), Goldcrest (1) and Chiffchaff (1) were seen.
A Barn Owl and a pair of Little Owls were seen on the outskirts of Bishop Auckland. A second pair of Little Owls were recorded on Etherley Moor.
14th September, 2006
(Etherley Moor)
Lots of activity on the garden feeders during a three hour watch this morning.
House Sparrow numbers continued to be high, with a maximum count of thirty three. A juvenile Tree Sparrow visited this am, but has been absent for at least three days. At least one Coal Tit is raiding the sunflower hearts, presumably storing them for the winter months. A male Sparrowhawk made an unsuccesfull attack mid–morning. Good numbers of Rook (20+) and Starling (80+) were in the surrounding fields.
Others included Blue Tit (6+), Great Tit (2), Woodpigeon (2), Collared Dove (1), Greenfinch (10+), Swallow (5+), House Martin (3+), Dunnock (2) and Robin (2).
10th September, 2006
(Newbiggin)
At least seven Mediterranean Gulls were seen whilst looking for the reported Boneparte‘s Gull at Newbiggin, ‘three adults (1 Belgium and one Dutch bird), three 1st winter and one 2nd winter’.
Good numbers of Black–headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black–backed Gulls, Greater Black–backed Gulls and Common Gulls were on the rocks and the beach. Sanderling (2+), Knot, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher and Turnstone were the waders that were seen. Common Tern (2) and Sandwich Tern (2) were also there.
Then of course was the Boneparte‘s Gull. The bird was not found until three hours after our arrival, but it was well worth the wait. Excellent views for approximately twenty minutes before it flew to the far end of the bay.
9th September, 2006
(Bridlington Skua & Shearwater Cruise)
We arrived at Flamborough for a quick check of the fields at 7am. Highlights here included four Snow Buntings, six Yellow Wagtails, seventy plus Linnet and fifty plus Goldfinch. A Sparrowhawk and a single Kestrel were also there.
A Purple Sandpiper, at least three Common Redshank and Turnstone (2) were seen in Bridlington Harbour, before sailng at 1015am.
The cruise itself proved to be worthwhile with Red–throated Diver (3), Sooty Shearwater (2), Manx shearwater (2), European Storm Petrel (1), Great Skua (2), Arctic Skua (10+), Red–necked Grebe (1), Great Crested Grebe (1), Puffin (3+) and Little Gull (1) being arguably the best birds seen.
Good numbers of Guillimot, Razorbill, Gannet, Great Black–backed Gull, Lesser Black–backed Gull, Herring Gull, Black–headed Gull, Kittiwake, Shag, Cormorant, Teal and at least four Common Scoter were also seen on the trip.
8th September, 2006
(Etherley Moor & Etherley Dene)
A very quiet day on Etherley Moor and Etherley Dene in the way of birds.
House Sparrow (20+), Tree Sparrow (3+), Coal Tit (2), Blue Tit (3), Great Tit (2), Wren (1), Woodpigeon (2), Collared Dove (1), Rook (30+), Carrion Crow (2), Jackdaw (25+) and Starling (20+) were seen.
Forgive me for this, but the day will have to be remembered for the Hummingbird Hawkmoth (1 outside B & Q) and the butterflies that were seen. Recorded butterflies included Large White (5+), Small White (2), Red Admiral (5+), Peacock (1), Small Tortoiseshell (2), Painted Lady (3), Common Blue (1), Small Copper (1) and Speckled Wood (1).
3rd September, 2006
(Croftside)
A full day working in the office meant that I could occasionally watch the garden feeding station. Maximimum counts (at any one time) were Sparrowhawk (1), House Sparrow (75+), Blackbird (3), Woodpigeon (2), Collared Dove (1), Jackdaw (10), Rook (2), Carrion Crow (2), Greenfinch (5), Chaffinch (1), Coal Tit (1), Blue Tit (4), Great Tit (3), Robin (3), Dunnock (2), Wren (1) and House Martin (5+).
It wasn't until the next morning that Tree Sparrow was recorded (1 adult and a single juvenile, 4th).
It looks as though the Corn Buntings and Yellowhammers have moved location, ‘I hope to see them again next year’.
Go to Latest Sightings
Go to October 2006
Go to August 2006
Please note that all images displayed on these pages are copyright protected and I would like to be asked if you intend to use the images for anything other than personal use (a small fee may apply if you are not a David Brown Website Design, Imaging & Photography customer or charitable organisation).
Click here for my contact details, ‘thank you’.
These pages are copyright © 2007 by David Brown Website Design, Imaging & Photography.