A day on Teesside...

Yesterday me and my dad fancied a change of scene. A few visits to the patch recently have proved rather quiet so we decided to have a day down on Teesside.

Our main aim was to get better views of the Bean Geese, so we headed there first. We were the first there so the 6 Taiga Bean Geese were close to the road and we were able to get some really good views from the car. They had been joined by a Pink-footed Goose but there was no sign of the Tundras.

While the weather was still good, we drove round to Dorman's Pool. We gave it a while in the top car park but there was no sign of the Bearded Tits. Down at the hide, the drake Green-winged Teal was showing well on the grass in front, even if the light was a bit difficult.

Saltholme also provided a nice selection of birds. One Long-eared Owl was visible from the viewing platform, and the ringtail Hen Harrier showed nicely from the Haverton Viewpoint along with a Short-eared Owl. 3 Pintail and several Little Egret were also around the reserve.

Back at Seaton Common, the 6 Taiga Bean Geese had been joined by the 2 Tundra Bean Geese but unfortunately they were now staying at the back of the field, so photos were impossible with the poor light.

Taiga Bean Geese - with a Pink-footed Goose in the last photo.

Green-winged Teal

Greenfinch - it was good to see these in decent numbers around the RSPB reserve. 

Holy Island

With the morning free, I decided to head up to Holy Island today with the hope of seeing the Woodlark along with its supporting cast.

In the end there was no sign of the lark but it was still an enjoyable few hours before I had to head to school. The best bits included...

3+ Yellow-browed Warbler
1 Ring Ouzel
3 Chiffchaff
1 Mealy Redpoll
1 Yellowhammer
1 Snow Bunting
1 Treecreeper
1 Long-eared Owl

Very confiding Snow Bunting on the Crooked Lonnen

The autumn that keeps on giving...

We were visiting relatives in Teesside yesterday afternoon so decided to call in at Hartlepool Headland and Saltholme on the way down. As soon as we arrived at Hartlepool the extremely smart first-winter male Eastern Black Redstart was showing well in the memorial gardens, and at one point it approached to within a few metres of us on the grass at the Heugh. We were also able to watch 7 Whooper Swans fly over the sea and into the Tees Bay. Saltholme provided a Long-tailed Duck, Long-eared Owl and a probable fly-over Water Pipit.

This morning it was back to the patch, and we stayed for the whole time at Chevington north pool. The number of wildfowl was once again impressive, including lots of Goldeneye, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, 8 Pintail and an incredible 20 Scaup! My dad spotted a ringtail Hen Harrier flying south through the dunes, a Kingfisher flew along the east edge and 16 Black-tailed Godwits flew over south. I then heard an almost sparrrow like "shreep!" come from above us and looked up to see a long-tailed, long-winged, sandy coloured bird flying north. Somehow ADMc managed to get the bird in his scope and confirm it was a large pipit. A Richard's Pipit!! Just my second in Northumberland and a very welcome self found tick.

We drove home via Ashington, where there were 6 Waxwings by the police station and c.25 more flying over North Seaton Cemetery before disappearing into the nearby housing estate.

PWC 2016
Species: 165
Points: 230

Eastern Black Redstart

Long-tailed Ducks and Scaup

Tufted Ducks, Goldeneye, Pochard and at least five Scaup

Hen Harrier at Chevington

Waxwings

Recent sightings

On Monday we decided to have a look at East Cramlington Pond for dragonflies. There were plenty on the wing with at least 10 Ruddy Darters being the highlight. Plenty of Azure, Emerald and Blue-tailed Damselflies were also there.

Later in the day I had a cricket match in Corbridge, so we took the opportunity to have a look in Slaley Forest for Nightjars. Sure enough we heard and saw a couple of Nightjars, as well as Woodcocks and a Cuckoo. Barn and Long-eared Owls were also in the area.

At Cresswell on Tuesday there was: a Ruff, a Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Knot, 6 Avocet, a Whimbrel and 10 Black-tailed Godwits. A Wood Sandpiper was on my patch, Bothal Pond.

Ruddy Darters

Emerald Damselfly

Azure Damselfly