VC66 Sightings - SAT 18th Nov'17

A fresh start to the weekend from Gateshead boroughs high ground, Steve Fryer was up on Barlow Fell early doors noting Barn & Tawny Owl, along with 20+Tree Sparrow & 50Skylark.

The dedicated sea-watchers at Whitburn Obs also got off to a good early start with a juvenile Iceland Gull close inshore at 7am, other highlights from the morning watch included 5GNDivers.

Comprehensive details of the Ob's daily log are listed on the Trektellen website :- http://www.trektellen.org/count/view/741/20171118

A fine Saturday morning early winter is a perfect time to appreciate the beautiful parkland at Croxdale Estate - Fred Milton reporting back with an excellent range of woodland birds,

Croxdale Chapel image by F.Milton

including Buzzard Dipper Sparrowhawk Goosander Nuthatch Treecreeper GSW Jay etc but sadly none of the recent Hawfinch today.

2 Green Sandpipers noted at Chilton Moor - this is an exciting & active bird to study in winter, it can be hard to detect on small inlets & issues, though this site regularly produces records of this non breeding species from every month of the year.

Green Sandpiper image by S.Evans

Over recent years a pattern has emerged of local birds noted visiting modern sewage works, where they are impossible to detect other then when arriving or leaving.

Another Green Sand was viewed at close range at the Phil Stead hide.

Our local RSPB reserve continues a good run with a small herd of Whoopers Swan dropping onto the Saltholme West roadside pool, comprising a couple of family groups.

Whoopers - image by IanF

Elsewhere on the reserve visitors were treat to a list of specialities including Water Pipit, Pintail, Cettis Warbler & Long-eared Owl.

Water Pipit - image by B.Martin

The coast at Seaton is popular with visitors & dog walkers particularly on a weekend, although they seemed to have little impact on the 4Shorelarks which gave many visitors the chance to study & photograph this unusual winter visitor from the high mountain tops of Scandinavia.

This species appears to be having a better run of records over the last few winters, with Dave Phillips noting the Twite flock close by having risen to a respectable 90 birds. Elsewhere at Teeside Marsh Harrier & Spotted Redshank look set to spend the winter with us.

Inland local patchers report winter thrushes as rather thin on the ground other than up in the dales, with treble figure flocks of both in upland pastures.

Fieldfare image by IanF

Bill Richmond visiting the Durham uplands today & finding 2Snow Buntings whilst making the most of the sun to record this superb image of our County bird & Club emblem

Grey Partridges seemingly confused by the weather with a mix of coveys & vocal paired birds. Winter feeding stations are yet to pull in any large numbers as natural food sources are still in abundance.

Todays star bird seems to have been a GLOSSY IBIS,

spotted by Hilary Chambers at Greatham Creek - the first County record this year & in fact the first seen for a while hopefully this will be relocated on your local patch tomorrow........

Sightings - FRID 17th Nov '17

A touch of ice had 4Water Rails out & active at Hetton Bogs (M.Heron) - one of the most reliable sites in the County to observe these often elusive & skittish birds. A further 2 seen today at both Lyons Pk & Rainton close by.

Water Rail image by M.Heron.

Other Coalfields sites did well with a couple of overdue winter species gracing Hetton Lyons (CW) with Short-eared Owl, 4Goosander & 2Goldeneye present. Regulars included Kingfisher, 2WRail & 4Willow Tits - another 8 of these being counted at RMs.(MH) and another 2 at Hurworth Burn (DFr) - we surely have one of the best populations in the Country...? Time will tell, as this is the next subject for the Clubs Projects & Surveys team. Look out for further details on the Club Website.

Willow Tit image by M.Heron

A detailed search of the Sharpley / Slingley areas (SE) produced only singles of Jack Snipe & Long-eared Owl - both disappointing results, although good numbers of farmland passerines & a female Stonechat looks set to overwinter. Towards the end of the day a male Merlin made up for the lack of regular winter specialities & 3 Woodcock rose at dusk to fly out to feed - though sadly no Short-eareds in sight.....

Inland a single Hawfinch (CH) was reported late morning from Croxdale, with no real sign of any numbers here despite an unprecedented national influx. Further west, 4Brambling (GS)were noted in a finch flock on stubble at Satley

Down in the Team valley, Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper & further Willow Tits were noted at Lamesley (DG).

Moving across to the coast, the Blackhall stretch was quiet with singles of GNDiver, V.Scoter & a fem Snow Bunting.(CW)

The Estuary always hold something of interest through winter & the 4Shorelark remain near North Gare (BM et al) & the Twite flock continue to entertain as they converge to drink from a regular pool on the Power Station field at the southern end of Seaton Snook.

Finally, along with a showy Water Pipit, a welcome report from (IF) of a Long-eared Owl giving a good opportunity for many visitors to enjoy this species from a new vantage point.

Don't forget to let us know what you've seen via our WhatsAp bird news, Twitter, Facebook or Website Forum - if you have bird news you would like to report in confidence then please contact the County Recorder directly, details on the Contacts page.

Hope all our Members have a pleasant & bird filled weekend.

Quick round up - THURS 16th Nov '17

North Gare - 4Shorelarks remain

Hartlepool - 65+Purple Sandpiper

Seaton Snook - Merlin & 65Twite

Shields - 3Snow Bunting

Rainton - 3Pochard 2Little Egret

Chilton Moor - 2Green Sand

Saltholme - Green Sand, Marsh Harrier, 2GWEgret

Browney Valley - 60Fieldfare, Kingfisher, 3Buzzard, Dipper, 2Jack Snipe at a spot which held dozen plus all last winter, 6Little Owl at dusk.