2007

December

A Grey Squirrel in a Birtley garden in the town centre was a 1st for that site. Two Stoats were watched chasing a Rabbit at Stargate on 3rd. On 16th a Grey Squirrel was seen at Clara, Roe Deer were noted at several spots as far east as Kibblesworth and recent Otter tracks & spraint were noted in the Team valley.

November

Roe Deer showed well at Fat Pasture early in the month. Up to 6 Brown Rat and a Grey Squirrel visiting Shibdon pond (and the adjacent Health Centre!). 2 Red Fox continued to visit Thornley woodland centre all month. Another Grey Squirrel was noted at Bradley Fell old workings.

October

Several Pipistrelle and 2 Noctule Bats at Axwell Park on 2nd. On the 4th, 2 Red Foxes were seen at 02:00 by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Grey Squirrel in Cowen Road on 5th when a Brown Rat noted at Shibdon

September

One observer had lovely surprise on 6th when she looked out of her window in Rowlands Gill and saw a Badger feeding on the scraps that are put out for a Red Fox which comes for every night. Two Red Fox regular mid month at Thornley from the hide. It was only a few feet away so had an excellent view. 2 possibly 3 Common Seal regular at Dunston, particularly the Timber beach area and at the Clara Vale-Ryton stretches of the river Tyne. A Pipistrelle noted over Cowen Road, Blaydon on 19th. and other noted later in the month in the Blaydon/Gtreenside/Shibdon areas. A Common Lizard was at Libblesworth Brickwork pools on 7th.

August

Red Fox still being seen occassionally at Clara Vale and the Common Seal at Timber Beach on 19th. Roe Deer again noted at several sites.

An Otter cub was found dead at Blaydon

July

Red Fox at Clara Vale on 2nd was watched eating Apples

June

Red Fox seen at Far Pasture on 2nd and the Common Seal on the mud at Timber Beach the next day. Field Vole (Microtus agrestis) sen in the top pasture at Shibdon on 6th. A Mole SEEN, scrambling around in roadside mulch off the A694 just south of Thornley
Woodland Centre. A live animal is a rare sight. Grey Squirrel noted at Cowen Road, Blaydon and strongly suspected of eating favoured plants. Grey Squirrel noted at Beacon Lough on 8th, a Badger juvenile showed very well on 9th and Stoats were noted at Bradley Fell on 10th and Far Pasture on 24th. On 16th/17th - a young Grey Squirrel seen amongst the Rabbits at Clara Vale and Roe Deer continue to be seen in the borough. Super views of a Daubenton's Bat friday 29th afternoon at 15:15 feeding in font of hide at Shibdon.

May

Red Fox at Thornley [Paul McGinn]

Palmate Newt and Red Fox both noted at Thornley on 7th. Grey Squirrels noted at my sites. Fair numbers of Pipistrelles plus possible other bat species over the house/garden during recent evenings. Stoat on the 12th, running across the grass in front of Blaydon swimming baths at lunchtime today. Believe it or not it was being continuously mobbed by an angry group of seven jackdaws and a magpie, which took it in turns to swoop down on it all the way across the grass and on through the car park. During the attack it appeared mostly totally unphased. Noctule and Pipestrelle Bats noted at Shibdon/Axwell on 12th. A Red Fox was at Thornley again on the 12th. Roe Deer were noted at several sites between 17th and 21st. Grey Squirrel noted at Kibblesworth on 22nd. On the 31st a Hedgehog watched collecting a massive pile of leaves in his/her mouth and trundle off into an unused greenhouse, so must be making a new nest. Roe Deer at Far Pasture again the same date.

Palmate Newt at Thornley [Steven Fryer]

Grey Squirrel [Ray Wilby]

April

First tadpoles were at Barmoor on 4th when a Weasel at Stargate. Dead Badger found by the side oa a Rowlands Gill road. Stoat at Low Thornley on 11th. Red Fox and Roe Deer made brief appearances at Thornley WC on 14th. Another Red Fox was seen at Stargate on 22nd. On the evening of the 26th, both Noctule and Pipistrelle bat species were seen over Shibdon/Axwell.

The Red Fox and Roe Deerat Thornley Woodland Centre on 14th [Frank Anderson]

March

Another Hedgehog at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 9th and 12th and possibly 15th. A Grey Seal reported at Timber beach on 12th and a Weasel at Far Pasture on 14th. Badger foraging in a garden at Greenside on 19th. A Stoat was seen at Clara Vale on 24th. A Red Fox showed well at Lamesley on 25th and Brown Hare and Frog spawn the same day were noted at Kibblesworth.

February

Three Roe Deer were seen at Kibblesworth brickworks pool on 5th. The female Otter and her 2 cubs was seen on 7th by the Nine Arches Viaduct on the Derwent walk and again on the 13th from the stone bridge at Clockburn Lake. Frog spawn was first noted on the 14th at Clara Vale LNR and on the 17th a Palmate Newt and Frog spawn was seen in a pond at Greenside. The resident Common Seal again off Timber beach on 24th. Roe Deer showed very well at a private feeding station at Hagg Hill on 25th and more Frog spawn was noted at 4 sites in the Tyne valley on the 25th/26th with adults very active. At least one Brown Rat still showing at Shibdon Pond on 25th. A large (25cm) Hedgehog at Cowen Road, Blaydon on 16th at 9.30pm and may have been the first of the year.

Roe Deer at Hagg Hill [Steven Fryer]

January

An Otter was seen at Clockburn Pond along the Derwent Walk, Two Brown Rats showing well at Shibdon from the hide, The Common Seal still regular between Costco and Dunston, Roe Deer at several sites including Thornley were the best records at the start of the year. Grey Squirrels continue to increase with large counts noted at Thornley, Chopwell and Strother Hills and are now spreading further afield, with one seen running across the road at Beacon Lough. There have been NO reports of Red Squirrel so far this year and with perhaps a small population still in Gibside, this species is near to extinction in the borough.
On 14th on the River Derwent at the tennis courts a female Otter & 2 cubs, feeding, playing and grooming on bankside for 1 hour, 2 Common Seals were on the Tyne (one at Ryton and one at Timber Beach) at the same time. It had previously been thought that this was the same wide-ranging animal. A Red Fox was at Hagg Hill Wood and at least was Brown Rat still showing very well at Shibdon. First definate Stoat of the year was at Shibdon Pond on the 20th. 2 Roe Deer, 3 Rabbits and 6 Grey Squirrels were at Thornley Feeding Station on 2th when another Roe Deer was at Nine-arches Viaduct. The female Otter and her 2 cubs was seen on several occasions around the weir on the Derwent walk and outside the area, another Otter showed on the river Derwent, this time on the on 28th at Burnmill Bank bridge near Shotley Bridge. The first Pipistrelle Bat of the year was seen during the mild evening of the 29th. At Swalwell on 31st, at 2:30 pm three Otters swimming up the river Derwent just above the” Hikey Bridge “ this is the little swing bridge behind B&Q. Speaking to one of the allotment holders he has seen them a couple of times this week especially at low tide. This may be the female and her 2 cubs that has been seen on a number of occasions along the Derwent Walk in the weir area thuis month but just as equally be another family.

2006

September - December

Roe Deer and Red Fox at Thornley on 11th September.

[Photos: Ray Wilby]

August

Red Squirrel seen at Gibside on 4th. It ran across the path just in front of the observor, then scrambled
up a tree just to the side of the path and hung upside down from a branch just above head height for an excellent view. (Highlight of the day as it was his first Red in the Valley for 19 months). A Common Seal frequented the river Tyne at clara Vale from mid to late month.

July

Two Roe Deer on the Golf course at Clara Vale on 6th. Of particular interest was a large recently shed snake skin found at Shibdon on 18th. It appears to be too large for an Adder and there are old records of Grass Snake for Shibdon. One observer commented - We caught a Grass Snake not far for Shibdon (next to rugby club ) when I a kid in about 1974. A Red Fox at Stargate on 19th.

June

Baby Roe Deer at the junction near Far Pasture . Ran straight towards the observer until about 10ft away then turned round and ran off. At one site, a young Badger was seen, followed by a Red Fox, with it present again on 24th/25th with 2 cubs. Roe Deers seen at several spoted, particularly in the west. Another Red Fox and lots of bats (unknown species) were seen at dusk on 29th at Ryton Willows.

May

Roe Deer showing at several locations and a Hedgehog visited a garden at Bradley Fell on 2nd. Pipistrelles showing at Axwell and Bradley Fell early in the month, the former site also hosting both Noctules on 5th. Brown Hare again at Burdon Moor on 6th. At Kibblesworth on 14th, 1 Fox Cub (first confirmed breeding in set), 2 Roe Deer, 2 Hare. A Roe deer and a Red Fox were on show at Thornley woodland centre on 29th.

[Photo: Steven Fryer]

April

Common Toads at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Roe Deer showed very well at Far Pasture on 1st and Foxes were on show quite regularly here early month. A Grey Squirrel at Kibblesworth on 15th was a new site record. A Fox was caught in a snare at Shibdon and released by the RSPCA. It was not thought it would survive. Obviously if you see anyone seeting snares or other traps please report it. An Otter, on the Tyne just west of Ryton Willows was thought to be an adult female and showed very well as it fed by the river bank and shingle on 18th. There were several record of Pipestrelle bat from mid month and Brown Hares showed well in teh Ravensworth/Burdon Moor area. Pipestrelle and Noctule bats were on show on the evening of 27th. A weasel was at Burdon Moor on 29th.

Roe Deer at Far Pasture [Ray Wilby]

March

Frog spawn at Watergate Park [Ray Wilby]

A small Bat flying around Axwell Park on 31st was assumed to be a Pipistrelle as it does have a habit of leaving hibernation if the winter/spring weather gets milder for a few days. The first last year was seen on the 17th March. Lots of Common Toad males were noted on the move at Stargate and Shibdon on 27th. Brown Hare noted by Tanfield Railway station on 26th. Up to 6 Red Squirrels visiting a private garden at Chopwell late in the month. Note there has been an attempt to remove Grey Squirrels from Chopwell over some months now and over 100 have been destroyed. More frog spawn was noted mid month and many pairs were observed mating at Westfield Pasture on 26th. A Red Fox visited Far Pasture and slept there again in view of the hide several times and another was noted at Westfield Pasture on 26th. An Otter again showed well at Far Pasture NR on 19th. On 12th also at Far Pasture NR - A small deer sat in the woodland at the far side of the lake for over 20 mins before getting up and moving down to the lake, it was joined by an even smaller one and both were on show for 15 mins. A Red Fox made a brief appearance before running away from the deer.

At Bradley Fell during the month - : Single Red Foxes were seen on 2 dates. 3 Grey Squirrels were regularly seen chasing each other through trees adjacent to the garden, although none were seen in the wooded areas.

Red Fox sleeping at Far Pasture

February

The White (ermine) Stoat again at Far Pasture - see opposite. 3 Badger sets have been dug out at Low Thornley and there have been a few more in the Highfield area all done by what is believed to be the same person. We understand the police have questioned a man. Please do not to approach these people as they carry guns, but if people are seen late at night in a field with dogs and flash light just to call the police and they will respond immediately as they are trying to stamp out this awful crime.
A nest of wood mice must be near a garden in Lintzford as there are 3 seperate mice visiting it at the same time feeding on dropped bird seed. Brown Hare at Lamesley on 11th. At Far Pasture the next day, an Otter showed very well all morning feeding on crayfish and fresh-water mussels. First frog spawn of the year was noted on 14th, at Shibdon Pond.

January

By the inkworks at Lintzford a local told the observer that he had seen a Grey Squirrel with a rabbit by the neck. When explained that it was probably a stoat or a weasel and he was told it had a grey bushy tail with the rest of its body!!!!

Otter at Far Pasture on 14th and Stoat in ermine (see above) there on 16th. Roe Deer noted at several spots. Common Seal on the Tyne at Ryton on 8th.