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Monday 30th April 2007

Stargate Quarry - Singing Lesser and Common Whitethroat.
Shibdon Pond - 2 Common Sandpipers on the pond early morning.

Male Tufted Ducks at Shibdon [Ray Wilby]

Sunday 29th April 2007

Shibdon Pond - 2 Reed Warbler singing in phragmities bed. Also singing Sedge Warbler and 3 Common Whitethroat and a Water Rail.

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Maryside Hill, Clara Vale - Singing Lesser Whitethroat with a Garden Warbler
Chopwell Woods- 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Garden Warbler, Blackcap.

Male Reed Bunting at Far Pasture [Ray Wilby]

Burdon Moor - Willow Tit, drumming Snipe, 6 Grey lag and a Mallard with 6 duckings.
Buckshill Plantation, Whickham - Chiffchaff and Whitethroat but no sign of any Grasshopper Warbler today.
River Tyne at Costco - 1 Goldeneye, 20 Shelduck but no waders at all. 19 Magpie flew over to the Newcastle side of the river.
Birtley reedbeds - 1 Little Grebe, 12 Swift and 50 mixed Sand/House Martin.
Lamesley Water Meadows - 6 Grey Lag.

Robin at Far Pasture [Ray Wilby]

Saturday 28th April 2007

Burdon Moor - Black-tailed Godwit seen this afternoon.
Birtley sewageworks - First Garden Warbler of the year. Plus 18 Swift, Common Whitethroat & Blackcap. Also Little Grebe

Swift at Birtley reedbeds [Paul Davidson]

Crawcrook Quarry - Whinchat and White Wagtail noted in the South quarry.
River Tyne at Costco - Whitethroat singing
Team Valley/A1 roundabout, Lady Park slip road - 2 Red Leg Partridge
Far Pasture NR - Cuckoo, Tawny Owl, Whitethroat (trapped), Swift 6, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap 6+, Willow Warbler 10+, Chiffchaff 10+, Red Kite 4, Jay 3
Lamesley Water Meadows - 14 Grey Lag Geese
Shibdon Pond - First winter Iceland Gull latter today and a Common Tern. A Reed Warbler singing in phragmities bed at 8:30pm.

5th Kibblesworth CBC - 1 Marsh Tit, 2 GS Woodpeckers, 2 Little Owl, 2 Red Leg Partridge, 1 Reed Buting, 1 Nuthatch, 4 Whitethroat, 29 Willow Warbler (Singing Males), 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Tree Sparrows (calling males) and 5 Swift.

Shelducks and Grey Lag Geese at Shibdon [Ray Wilby]

Friday 27th April 2007

Rowlands Gill- A cream-crowned Marsh Harrier being mobbed by two red kites over the village, eventually chasing it off towards spen banks wood. Also a Buzzard over a little later and possibly the same pair of Red Kites were active over the village regularly through the day.
Birtley sewage works - 1 Swift and a Large Red Damselfly
Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 pair Little Ringed Plover, 1 pair of Red-legged Partridge and a Holly Blue.
Winlaton - 2 Grasshopper Warblers.
Shidon Pond - 6 Common Whitethroat and 3 Ruddy Duck

Oyster-catcher at Shibdon [Ray Wilby]

Derwent Walk CP - A Goshawk flew over heading west.

Thursday 26th April 2007

Shibdon Pond - 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat and a Swift on the reserve this morning.
Crawcrook Quarry - 1 Wheatear
Rowlands Gill - 5 Red Kites, a Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.

Wheatear at Crawcrook [Gordon Pollinger]

Wheatear at Crawcrook A number are starting to pass through on spring migration [Photo: Gordon Pollinger]

Splendid views of a Tree Pipit singing in clearfell at Scaifes Wood on Durham side of the Rowlands Gill (Derwent Walk) viaduct this morning

Report in the logbook at Shibdon (no name) of a Hoopoe in the trees left of the hide yesterday. No sign today but a Jay there. Another treport the same day -"Two Hoopoes flew over me tonight over Burdon Plain, about half a mile apart." They were roughly on a course from Causey Arch to Kibblesworth. Didn't really recognise them from underneath, they were much smaller than I'd imagined, but the cries were spooky and unmistakeable! " SEE NEWS for more detail

Jay Two birds at Thornley rasing their crests [Photo: Ray Wilby]

Wednesday 25th April 2007

Shibdon Pond - Iceland Gull (1st winter) again briefly on the pond and a possible Reed Warbler in beside the middle reed bed today
Birtley sewage works - Common Sandpiper.

A brown raptor being watched being chased by a crow up towards Barlow Fell from Clara Vale and appeared to have a pale/whitish band on its rump. It was seen flying very low over the crops and may well have been a Hen Harrier

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Clara Vale [Ray Wilby]

Tuesday 24th April 2007

Shibdon Pond -2 Common Tern present today. An Oyster-catcher seen flying from the Tyne towards the pond.

Common Tern at Shibdon The first birds are now back at this regular breeding site, The Common Tern is so similar to the closely related Arctic Tern, that many birdwatchers admit defeat and simply call them 'Commic Terns'. When an adult is seen at rest, look for an obvious black tip to a long crimson-red bill and the. Common Terns also have longer legs than Arctic Terns and their shorter tails don't protrude beyond the wing tips. In flight, Arctic Terns have a uniformly pale upperwing; whiter not darker towards the tips and the long, springy tail streamers. Indeed, the whole bird looks shorter-headed and longer-tailed than a Common Tern. Ther Common Tern has an obvious contrast between dark outer primaries and pale inner ones. This feature can be hard to detect in early spring as in this bird but becomes obvious as the summer progresses. [Photo: Ray Wilby]

Buckshill Plantation, Whickham -A Grasshopper Warbler again noted singing in the hedgeline adjacent to the wood & running parallel with Washingwell School
Stargate - Common Whitethroat singing today.

Lobley Hill - A report of a Hoopoe

Influx of House Martins - noted an a number of sites in the borough today.

Willow Warbler at Clara Vale [Ray Wilby]

Common Corn-Salad, Rowan and Greater Tussock-sedge in flower

Monday 23rd April 2007

Shibdon Pond - The first Common Tern arrived today.

Bird Cherry, Horse Chestnut, Wych Elm and Hedge Mustard in flower

Sunday 22nd April 2007

Shibdon Pond - The first Sedge Warbler of the year today. Singing Lesser Whitethroatand 300+ Sand Martin and a Tree-creeper also present.
Burdon Moor - A Ring Ousel (with possibly 2 others), 2 Stonechat, 27 Wheatear, 2 Red-legged Partridge and a Green Woodpecker.
Birtley sewage works - Single Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat and 10+ Swift present. Also couns of - House Martin 10+, Swallow 15+, Chiffchaff 5, Willow Warbler 8, Green Woodpecker 2, Dipper 2 on River Teams, Shelduck 2.
Reeley Mires - The first Cuckoo of the year
Clara Vale LNR - The Grey Heron continuing to create havoc. Also present - 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 15 Blue Tit, 15 Greenfinch, 18 Yellowhammer, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Spaqrrowhawk and 2 Stock Dove.

Grey Heron These photographs show birds at Clara Vale and Shibdon hunting baby Moorhens.The one on the left was at Clara Vale, where the Moorhens managed to get rid of the Heron and save the sole surviving chick, and boy were they vicious too The right hand bird was at Shibdon. despite their parents protests and sucessfully catching one and flying off with it [Photo: Ray Wilby]

Sled Lane - 23 species including Mallard ducklings, 2 Chiffchaff. a Red Kite and 40+ Sand Martin.

One of the first Mallard ducklings of the year at Sled Lane [Ray Wilby]

Blaydon Quarry - 9 Shelduck, Oystercatcher and many Sand Martins
Stargate - Red Fox, 2 Mute Swans but both year-old birds, not last year's breeding pair. Also Green Woodpecker.
Blaydon Burn - Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Goldcrest. Also Dipper along the stream.

Saturday 21st April 2007

Shibdon Pond - The first Ruddy Ducks have arrived, a pair on the pond today. Single Oyster-catcher also present,

Oyster-catcher at Shibdon [Ray Wilby]

Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 Little Ringed Plover flew over.
Birtley sewage works - 1 Ringed Plover still present.

This is the partial leusitic Canada Goose that frequentas Saltwell and Shibdon [Ray Wilby]

Friday 20th April 2007

Robin [Ray Wilby]

Birtley sewage works - Fair numbers of Swallow and Sand Martins but little else.
Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Lapwing, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Redshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Oystercatcher, 2 Moorhen and 1 Mallard.

Wednesday 18th April 2007

Shibdon Pond - Big influx of Swallows and Sand Martins this afternoon.

Marley Hill - Common Buzzard this morning at Fortune Wood on the Gateshead/Durham border just south of Marley Hill.
Clara Vale LNR - Kingfisher still present.

Kingfisher at Clara Vale [Ray Wilby]

Tuesday 17th April 2007

Shibdon Pond - Possible Green Woodpecker heard
Clara Vale LNR - 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing in the Reserve this morning Probably different bird than the one on Sunday as that was some distance from the Reserve (close to the quarry) and moving away.

Monday 16th April 2007

River Tyne opposite Newburn -A White Stork that spent the weekend in the Ashington area of Northumberland was seen flying south over Newburn then over the river and Blaydon today. The 1st winter Iceland Gull was also seen, on the Tyne here.

White Stork This is the bird that was seen to fly over Blaydon on the 16th, having been seen earlier in Northumberland. It is currently at Bishop Middleham in county Durham. [Photo: Steven Fryer]

Buckshill Plantation, Whickham - 1 Grasshopper Warbler singing at 8.45pm in the hedgeline adjacent to wood & running parrallel with Washingwell School
Ravensworth Fell - Railway carriage field - Wheatear 1, Curlew 2, Mistle Thrush 1
Birtley sewage works - 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Wheatear and 3 pair of nesting Lapwing on the roadside pool. Over the sewage works - House Martin 4, Swallow 2
Shibdon Pond - 30 Sand Martin, 5 Shelduck, 3 Little Grebe, Chiffchaff (nest building), 2-3 Blackcaps, 6 Cormorant, 2 Water Rail showing very well just past the gate left hand-side. 2 feral Barnacle Geese and a hybrid present.

Barnacle Goose One of two feral birds that summer and attempt to breed at Shibdon Pond [Photo: Ray Wilby]

Thornley Woods Feeding Station - 8 Yellowhammer, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker (male), 4 Bullfinch.

Pair of Bullfinches at Hagg Hill Woods [Photo: Steven Fryer]

Far Pasture - 1 Red Kite, 1 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Grebe, numerous Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap (male).

Little Grebe Insects are the Little Grebe's favourite food, but they also eat snails. Usually it in the winter time, when there are fewer insects around that they will dive for fish. With virtually no tail, they are expert divers. [Photo: Rick Thornton]

Lamesley Water Meadows - 3 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 5 Lapwing, 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Goldfinch.

The first Hawthorn

Sunday 15th April 2007

Clara Vale - Singing Lesser Whitethroat by path to cricket pitch. Several Green-veined White on the wing here.
Crawcrook Quarry - 1 Green Sandpiper
Sherburn Towers Estate - Up to 25 Red Kite at the roost 15:45 plus a male Merlin which was like an exocet missile homing in a small flock of starling which took a hit . Left 16:30 when things had quietened down. Excellent views with over head flights, well worth the visit.
Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Grey Lag, 3 Redshank
Birtley sewage works - 3 Little Ringed Plover, displaying, 1 Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Green Woodpecker, Willow Warbler 6+, Chiffchaff 5+, Bullfinch 3, Reed Bunting 7, Skylark 4, Orange Tip 4, Comma 2.
Shibdon Pond - The Common Sandpiper still present

Common Sandpiper at Shibdon This early bird, the first of the year, performed well in front of the hide [Photo: Paul Davidson]

Sunniside - 3-4 House Martin back at their nesting colony.
Kibblesworth CBC - 1 Golden Plover, 1 Nuthatch (singing), 2 Little Owl, 2 Kestrel, 1 Snipe (first for 4 years), 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Willow Warbler in song, 2 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 5 Tree Sparrow, 4 Red Leg Partridge (all singles & suggesting 4 terrritories), 20 Robin (singing males).

Willow Warbler at Clara Vale Still more to arrive [Photo:Gordon Pollinger]

Far Pasture - Tawny Owl

Saturday 14th April 2007

Ravensworth Fell - 2 Wheatear in field with the old railway truck and another 2 on nearby Burdon Moor together with a pair of Tufted Duck.

Wheatear at Burdon Moor [Paul Davidson]

Shibdon Pond - Common Sandpiper in front of hide and Blackcap singing beside the hide. 6 Willow Warblers at different locations and another singing Blackap. Also 2 Goldeneye, 4 Shelduck and 1 Swallow. Lots of Chiffchaffs and Wrens.

Common Sandpiper at Shibdon This bird remains at Shibdon Pond. [Photo: Paul Davidson]

Barlow Fell - Common Swallow

Swallow at Barlow Fell Numbers are gradually returning from winter in Africa [Photo: Ray Wilby]

Far Pasture NR - At keast 10 of each of Chiffchaff (4 ringed) and Willow Warbler (3 ringed). Also Blackcap 5+ (3 ringed), Reed Bunting, Great Spotted Woodpecker- 3 drumming, Red Kite 4.
East Bradley Fell - : Common Buzzard with 3 Red Kite, 2 Willow Warbler, Blackcap heard singing, numerous Chiffchaff, Willow Tit, Nuthatch, 3 Jay, several Yellowhammer, Bullfinch and Linnet, 3 Curlew over, Tawny Owl calling throughout the day, Stock Dove also heard calling.

Jay at Clara Vale The Jay can raise its crown feathers to a crest when excited or displaying. perhaps for this reason, novice birdwatchers sometimes confuse Jays with Hoopoes. Before the 1990s JAys rarely visited gardens unlike today. It is thought they visit when they have depleted their stores of acorns, etc., and then move into the gardens in search of food. The Magpies used to chase them off, but then the Jays started to stand their ground and even retaliate. Nowadays, the Magpies rarely bother the Jays when they are visiting the garden. When in the woodlands, they are reluctant to leave the shelter. If they have to venture across clearings and roads, they do so one at a time, the following bird not breaking cover until the previous one has made it safely across. [Photo: Ray Wilby]

Lintzford - First Mallard ducklings of the year seen today.
Thornley Woods - Sparrowhawk seen to catch a pigeon

Grey Heron taking Moorhen chick [Les Canon]

Friday 13th April 2007

Ravensworth Fell - 3 Wheatear this afternoon.

Male Wheatear at Ravensworth Fell One of 4 in the area on the 14th. [Photo:Paul Davidson]

Derwenthaugh Park - 4 different Green Woodpeckers calling, Pair of Dipper on Derwent River, Singing Willow Warbler, Blackcap and lots of Chiffchaffs 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lapwing flying over and a Grey Wagtail
Lamesley - The two Red Legged Partridge seen again.
Clockburn Lake - Pair of Greylag Geese, 1 Cormorant on the new nesting raft, Pair of Little Grebe, Swallows and Sand Martins flying over the lake and river. Pair of nesting Mute Swans.
Birtley Sewage Works & Lamesley Reedbeds - Mute Swan 3, Greylag 8, Grey Partridge 2, Little Ringed Plover 2, Ringed Plover 2, Lapwing 11, Snipe 9, Sand Martin 5+, Swallow 15+, Pied Wagtail 14, Mistle Thrush 2, Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 5, Willow Warbler 7, Linnet 2, Reed Bunting 7

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Clara Vale [Les Canon]

Thursday 12th April 2007

Clara Vale LNR - 2 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff singing in the reserve and 2 Willow Warbler arrived here today.

Jay at Clara Vale [Les Canon]

Rowlands Gill - 3 House Martins feeding overhead midday. At least 5 Red Kites overhead early afternoon, including a yellow tagged bird eyeing up the gardens from just over house height, and 2 birds displaying high overhead.
Shibdon Pond - Pair of Orange Tips on the wing and a Water Rail showed well this morning just through the gate to the reserve.
Barmoor - 2 Swallows over.
Far Pasture - Red Kite 6,

Late News: on Sunday at Eels Wood a Brambling was heard

Wednesday 11th April 2007

Clara Vale - Common Buzzard over.
Lamesley Water Meadows - White Wagtail, c18 Sand Martins, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting.
Birtley sewage works - At least 2 poss 3 or 4 Little Ringed Plover

Chiffchaff at Thornley [Ray Wilby]

Thornley WC - 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Jay, 5 Magpie, 6 Bullfinch (5 male), 12 Yellowhammer, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 3 Dunnock, 10 Blue Tit, 6 Woodpigeon and 7 Stock Dove.

Bullfinch at Clara Vale Bullfinches tend to be seen singly, in pairs or in small groups. A pair tends to be faithful to each other at least for the breeding season. [Photo: Ray Wilby]

Low Thornley - Small numbers of swallows heading west, and the observer's first Meadow Pipits for this site. Also a Green woodpecker was heard, Stoat seen. 4+ Red Kites in the area.

Tuesday 10th April 2007

Ravensworth Fell - 7 summer-plumaged Golden Plover of the northern race
Shibdon Pond - A Common Sandpiper - 1st of the year. Also 2 Willow Warbler, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Teal and 2 probable Continental Cormorant of the race sinensis.

The Common Sandpiper at Shibdon [Paul Davidson]

Timber beach - 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Peacock and 1 Small White butterfly
Stargate - 1 Peacock, 3 Chiffchaff and 3 Sand Martin..
Lamesley Water Meadows -1 Little Ringed Ringed Plover, 6 Lapwing, 4 Greylag Goose, 1 Blackcap and 1 Willow Warbler.

Little Ringed Plover in flight at Birtley sewage works This was one of 3 birds that were displaying together, The call, a harsh repeated 'kree-ah, kree-ah... , together with the lack of any white wing-bar makes identification from Ringed Plover in flight quite simple. It is interesting to note that a breeding pair is sometimes joined by a third bird, male or female, which readily takes part in incubation, care of the young and even defence of the territory. Such 'helpers' - exceptionally there may be two - are fully tolerated by the pair. Possibly they are offspring or partners from an earlier year. This behaviour was noted at several sites in Gateshead last year too. [Photo: Paul Davidson]

Lamesley Reedbeds 3 Redwing flew over, 1 Willow Warbler and a Ringed Plover on the roadside Pool.
Far Pasture NR - 6 Red Kite
Blaydon - A Willow Warbler in Cowen road.

Monday 9th April 2007

Ravensworth Fell - 250 Golden Plover
Shibdon Pond - Willow Warbler singing at front of pond. Also 9 Goldeneye & 4 Shelduck. Several Sand Martin but no other hirundines

Little Ringed Plover at Lamesley [Paul Davidson]

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Green Sandpiper on the small wet area.

Sunday 8th April 2007

Grey Heron at Axwell [Paul Davidson]

Shibdon Pond - Pair of Gadwall back on the pond, 4 Shelduck, 5 Goldeneye, 14 Tufted Duck and 6 Little Grebe. Also singing Willow Warbler and Blackcap in the reserve. House Martin & Swallow here late afternoon.

Female Gadwall at Shibdon Part of the pair that were at Shibdon and Axwell on 6th [Photo: Paul Davidson]

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Swallow.

Little Ringed Plover at Lamesley One of two that can be seen from the hide at the water meadows [Photo: Paul Davidson]

Timber beach - 2 Ringed Plover.
Thornley Kennels - 1 Swallow
Clara Vale LNR - 3 Cormorant, 13 Greenfinch, 12 Yellowhammer, 5 Blackcap, 1 Siskin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Kingfisher and a singing Chiffchaff.

Kingfisher(s) at Clara Vale LNR [Photo: Steven Fryer]

Birtley sewage works - Sparrowhawk (M), Blackcap 3, Chiffchaff 5, Comma 2
Barlow Fell - 3 Red Kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Tree Sparrow
Far Pasture NR - 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Tufted Duck, 4 Little Grebe, 4 Teal and 6 Red Kite
Rowlands Gill - Dead Badger found by side of road.
Thornley Woods - 1 Swallow

Saturday 7th April 2007

Shibdon Pond - 5 singing Chiffchaff and 3 Common Snipe. Also 2 Oyster-catcher, but no sign of any Gadwall today
Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover and Little Owl seen.
Far Pasture NR - 1 Swallow reported
Clara Vale LNR - Green Woodpecker 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2/3, Chiffchaff 7+ inc 1 ringed, Bullfinch 5,Stock Dove 4, Long Tailed Tit 4- new nest discovered, Starling 2 - 1 ringed became the first to be caught in the reserve, Mallard 8, Moorhen 2

Singing Chiffchaff at Clara Vale [Photo: Steven Fryer]

Possible Osprey reported over Sunniside and Shibdon on 5th

Red Kite at Far Pasture [Ray Wilby] - This bird, No. 6 "Flame" is a male and perhaps the most sedentary of the Kites released

Friday 6th April 2007

Crawcrook Quarry - Little Ringed Plover present this morning together with 30 Sand Martin. Also 5 Grey Partridge and 3 pair of Oyster-catcher.
Lamesley Water Meadows - Green Sandpiper, 5 Little Ringed Ringed Plover, 10 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 pair Teal, 7 Greylag Goose, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker flew north past hide, 1 Heron, 3 Stock Dove in stubble field on opposite side of road.
Lamesley Reedbeds: 2 Mute Swan, 2 pair Teal, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull flew north. On the roadside pool by the sewage works there were 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Lapwing, 20+ Pied Wagtail, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Meadow Pipit, 8 Linnet and 1 Stock Dove
Shibdon Pond - Pair of Gadwall early morning flew off quickly but were relocated on Axwell Park lake. . Late in the day the Gadwall returned to the pond. Also 18 Tufted Duck, 8 Little Grebe, 5 Goldeneye, 2 Oystercatcher & 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Stock Dove at Shibdon [Photo: Paul Davidson]

Axwell Park - Pair of Gadwall.
Thornley Kennels - Willow Tit and 5 Red Kite.
Timber beach - 2 Ringed Plover
Clara Vale LNR - Pair of Kingfisher, 2 Grey PArtridge. 1 singing Blackcap. 70 Redwing and 11 feldfare flew NW.

Blackcap male at Clara Vale [Photo: Steven Fryer]

Blackcap female at Clara Vale [Photo: Ray Wilby]

East Bradley Fell: At least 6 Red Kites present mid morning (possibly more) giving exceptional views, attractedby the increasing number of diseased rabbit fatalities. Also female Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, several Yellowhammers, Meadow Pipit, singing Skylark, singing Linnet, Willow Tit, numerous Chiffchaffs.

Male Kestrel at Far Pasture [Photo: Ray Wilby]

Goshawk seen again by one observer

Thursday 5th April 2007

Blaydon - Red Admiral in carpark at Cowen Road
Kibblesworth - 3rd Census of the year - 2 Little Owl, 4 Red Leg Partridge, 2 Woodcock, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Oystercatcher, 8 Tree Sparrow (including 1 with nesting material in box), 1 Nuthatch, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 10 Fieldfare, 30 Redwing
Teams - 4 Redwing
Thornley Woods - Sand Martin flew over. Also 1 Redwing, 2 Grey Wagtail, several Nuthatch etc

Wednesday 4th April 2007

Cowen Road, Blaydon - Comma, Peacock, Plume moth (probably Emmelina monodactyla), Red-tailed Bumble-bee, Greenfinches, Long-tailed and Blue Tits all nest-building. Female Blackcap definitely eating parts of the yellow Berberis flowers.
Gibside Estate - Swallow flew over (1st of the year)
Teams - 2 Redwing

Late News: Great Crested Grebe on the Tyne at Clara Vale on 31st March and possibly the same bird over Ravensworth Fell on Sunday 1st April

Tuesday 3rd April 2007

Sled Land Pond - Mute Swan 8, Little Grebe 1, Tufted Duck 9, Goldeneye 2, Goosander 1m, Red Kite 1, Grey Heron 1

Grey Heron with Moorhen chick at Clara Vale Herons take a wide range of food not just fish and frogs. They are particularly partial to young Coots and Moorhens and in the winter to Water Rails that venture out of hiding in the cold weather. [Photo:Les Canon]

Clara Vale LNR - Nuthatch, 4 Bullfinch, 2 male and 1 female Blackcap, Great Spotted Woodpecker and several Yellowhammers.
Rowlands Gill - Two Goldcrests in a garden.
Derwent Walk - Two Reed Buntings and a Dipper behind the tennis courts, with Chiffchaffs calling all along the river.
Bradley Hall farm - over nearby fields 4 red kites (wing tag 87 on one) circling low giving great views and then landing in a nearby tree.
Kibblesworth Brickworks pool - 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 1 female Pochard

Blue Tit [Steven Fryer]

Monday 2nd April 2007

Shibdon Pond - 90 Sand Martin counted here today but they did not stay for long before moving ooff again.
Rowlands Gill - 2 Common Buzzard over, with a single later in the day. Also female Sparrowhawk and the Red Kites still showing well over the village with over a dozen sightings, mainly singles soaring in the sunshine. Mid-morning a cormorant in breeding plumage heading north.

Sparrowhawk at Thornley Woods This made was seen to take a pigeon [Photo:Frank Anderson]

A r eport of a SHAG which would be a Gateshead first.

Moorhen at Clara Vale [Steven Fryer]

Sunday 1st April 2007

Shibdon Pond - 5 Sand Martin and 2 Jay.
Clara Vale LNR - Blackcap still present and the pair of kingfishers showing well.

Kingfisher at Clara Vale   [Photo:Les Canon]

Barlow- Tree Sparrow by the pub car park
Far Pasture LR - Snipe & Chiffchaff (singing) & 3 Stock Dove
Birtley sewage works - Green Sandpiper still on roadside flash and Ringed Plover. Also Kestrel, Oystercatcher 2 over, Chiffchaff 6+, Bullfinch 2, Reed Bunting 5+

Male Goshawk displaying [Photo: Steven Fryer]

Displaying male Goshawk seen -

Black-headed Gull at Shibdon Pond [Steven Fryer]