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Wednesday 30th April 2008

Birtley sewage works - Garden Warbler showing by the river bridge (new for year), Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Green Woodpecker and Chiffchaff also present.
Far Pasture NR - Common Whitethroat
Axwell Park - Canada Geese with six gosling and Mute Swan on its nest.
Redheugh - Two Shelduck on Tyne beside Redheugh bridge

Tuesday 29th April 2008

Birtley sewage works- Singing Sedge Warbler and the Green Woodpecker again.
Hedley Hall Woods - Green Woodpecker
Shibdon Pond - Gadwall on pond and in the reserve, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Reed Bunting all singing

Gadwall at Shibdon

The 97th species to be photographed in the borough this year. This bird arrived on the 16th April

[Martin Price]

Stargate - 2 Common Buzzard flew west.
River Derwent - 18.15 - Female Goosander with 13 very young ducklings on the Derwent near the Holiday Inn
Shibdon Pond - 18.30 – 19.30 - Many Sand Martin with a few Swallow and 1 Swift, male Sparrowhawk, pr Shoveler, 2prs of Shelduck, 2 male Blackcap, Sedge Warbler 1-2 and Common Whitethroat 1 from boardwalk and a Goldcrest by the hide

Shoveler at Shibdon

[Ray Wilby]

Monday 28th April 2008

Thornley WC - Cuckoo flew over - 4th of the year and its still April !
Birtley - 12 Common Swift
Axwell Park - 25 Common Swift
Hedley Hall Woods - Grasshopper Warbler singing plus several Whitethroats.
Cowen Road, Blaydon - First Blue Tit egg laid in the nestbox

Sunday 27th April 2008

Burdon Moor - 21 Wheatear and a Short-eared Owl showed very well. Also Common Whitethroat singing. Common Snipe displaying nearby and 1-2 Brown Hare seen.

Wheatear at Burdon Moor

[Paul Davidson]

East Bradley Fell: Singing Cuckoo and Common Whitethroat, reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 1-2 male plus 1 female Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, numerous Yellowhammer, 1-2 Willow Tit, Nuthatch, singing Blackcap, Sparrowhawk and several Swallow. Both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler now widespread.

Willow Warbler

Numbers now starting to arrive

[Gordon Pollinger]

River Tyne at Costco - 07:00 - 3 Common Terns (new for the year) flying around and landing on branches in the water, Common Seal and 3 Swallows flying up river.
Lamesley - Red-legged Partridge
Lady Park -Nuthatch, Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing
Birtley sewage works -Single Yellow and Grey Wagtail, 5 White Wagtail, 11 Pied Wagtail, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Oyster-catcher, 7 Swift, 1 House Marting and 30-40 Swallow / Sand Martin. Green

Little Ringed Plover

One of 4 birds currently in the Lamesley/Kibblesworth area, this bird was at Lamesley Water Meadows on 6th.

[Ray Wilby]

Woodpecker, 4 Blackcap, Chiffchaff all singing by the reed-beds. Of interest - 5 pair of singing Reed Bunting at the reedbeds, 7 male Reed Bunting in the field by the entrance and a pair nesting in the adjacent rape field. With the decline of Yellowhammers this may now be the commonest bunting in Gateshead.
Hedley Halll farm - Common Whitethroat singing.
Shibdon Pond - Gadwall still present and 4 Common Whitethroat and 2 Sedge Warbler in the marsh. Green-veined White (first of the year)
Thornely Woods - Grasshopper Warbler singing
Barlow Fell - Cuckoo singing
Rowlands Gill - Pair of Blackcap in one observer's garden were a garden 'tick'
Axwell Park - 12 Common Swift

Saturday 26th April 2008

Burdon Moor - 17 Wheatear and a male Ring Ousel
Rowlands Gill - An Osprey (new for the year) circled over the village and flew towards the Derwent valley.
Lamesley - Sedge Warbler (new for the year) singing in the wet meadow behind the Ravensworth Arms
Ravensworth Estate - Cuckoo singing (new for the year)
Birtley sewage works - Lesser Whitethroat still singing at entrance and 3 Swifts (new for the year) overhead. Singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap and 60 House Martin here later.
Hedley Halll farm - Common Whitethroat singing.
Shibdon Pond - Gadwall still present

Friday 25th April 2008

Dyke Heads: Grasshopper Warbler (new for year) reeling from rough field edge 7am, plus another reeling at East Bradley Fell this evening

Thursday 24th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - 3 Little Ringed Plover but no sign of the Black-tailed Godwit
Birtley sewage works - Lesser Whitethroat new for the year, singing at the entrance to the sewage works together with a male Blackcap, 3 Grey and 1 White Wagtail and 3 Little Ringed Plover nearby.
Shibdon Pond - Gadwall & Common Whitethroat still present. Also Goldfinch 6, Jackdaw 6, Coot 16, Canada Geese 12, Mute Swan 2 (Nesting), Little Grebe 4, Herring Gull 15, Black Headed Gull 4, Mallard 18, Sand Martins/Swallows too many to count, Tufted Duck 12, Starling 3, Wren 2, Gadwall 1, Blackbird 1, Grey Heron 1, Chiffchaff 5, Shelduck 4, Reed Bunting 4, Willow Warbler 4, Blackcap (m) 1, Long Tailed Tits 12, Greenfinch 2, Robin 1, Black backed Gull 1. Also present - 2 Peacock butterflies, Common Toad, 2 Seven-spot Ladybirds (also first of the year )and a Hedgehog, unfortunately the latter drowned in the pond.

Wednesday 23rd April 2008

First ducklings of the year

[Ray Wilby]

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Greylag Geese, Teal, Mallard (female with 15 ducklings), Moorhen, Coot, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, 2 Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Swallow & Jackdaw, Redshank 6, Black Tailed Godwit 1, Little Ringed Plover 2

Black-tailed Godwit at Lamesley Water Meadows

Not only annual but now a regular passage migrant in the borough

[Will Cook]

Birtley sewage works - Yellow Wagtail new for the year
Marley Hill - One Short-eared Owl early this morning perched on top of a sapling.
Shibdon Pond - 1 Common Whitethroat (new for year), Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, 2 Shelduck, 2 pair of Teal, Mallard, a drake Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Swallow, 30+ Sand Martin, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Blackcap (1 male 1 female), Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Bullfinch & Reed Bunting.

Tuesday 22nd April 2008

Red Kite

Cowen Road, Blaydon - Blackcap male visited a garden and Long-tailed Tits nesting
Lamesley Water meadows - Black-tailed Godwit was still showing along with 2 Little Ringed Plover. Also Woodpigeon 3, Chiffchaff 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Starlings 20+, Greylag Geese 2, Redshank 4, Mallard 4, Lapwing 5, Coot 8, Teal 8, Moorhen 3, , Curlew 1, Lesser Black backed Gull 3, Goldfinch 6, Jackdaw 2, Wren 1, Willow Warbler 1,Skylark 1, Blackbird 2, Reed Bunting 2
Derwent Walk CP - 18.15 – 18.45 - Goosander 1 fem, Grey Wagtail 1 fem, pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 pair Long-tailed Tit, several Sand Martin and Swallow, several Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler around and 1 Red Kite over Axwell Park.

Kingfisher on the Teams [Will Cook]

River Teams - Kingfisher confirmed breeding - Please note: Kingfishers are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981
Bradley Fell old workings: 1 Red-legged Partridge late this afternoon, first for site (unless anyone knows different). However no Grey Partridge yet this year - the first they have been absent during the last 12 years.
Birtley sewage works - The Green Woodpecker was showing very well and was very vocal, at one point sharing its 'tree' with a Great Spotted Woodpecker !!....also noted were Blackcap , Reed Bunting and Tree-creeper, the latter possibly a first for the site..

Monday 21stApril 2008

Shibdon Pond - Peacock ,Comma and Orange-tip on the wing today
River Tyne at Swalwell - 3 Terns just flew up the Tyne at speed towards Scotswood bridge – seen from desk and no id possible.
East Bradley Fell - Pair of Tawny Owls giving superb views by gardens 6am with one chased off its perch by a Grey Squirrel. Late this afternoon 4 House Martin, 2 Swallow, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 3 Red Kite including 2 drifting low over Greenside village, a few Linnet back in breeding area, Siskin (heard), a probable Peacock butterfly & several Pipistrelle over gardens near dusk.
Burdon Moor - The Black-tailed Godwit was here most of the day, resumably before flying off to Lamesley Water Meadows. Short-eared Owl seen nearby

Short-eared Owl at Ravensworth Fell

The 96th species to be photographed in the borough this year. This bird is which has wintered, was at Hedley Hall

[Will Cook]

Lamesley Water Meadows - Black-tailed Godwit flew in at 18:30hrs. Also a single Little Ringed Plover and a Fieldfare present

Little Ringed Plover at Lamesley Water Meadows

When they are showing its often right in front of the hide

[Gordon Pollinger]

Sunday 20th April 2008

Shibdon Pond - Gadwall still present plus 4 Shelduck and a female Pochard. 2 Grey Lag flew over and 6 singing Willow Warbler in the reserve - pm - Willow Warbler, Gadwall still present, male Blackcap by hide, many Sand Martin with some Swallow and pair Bullfinch near teal screen.

Gadwall at Shibdon [George Simpson]

Lamesley Water Meadows - Black-tailed Godwit seen again, 4 Redshank, 8 Teal and 2 Red-legged Partridge. Also Chiffchaff singing still and a Little Owl nearby

One of the breeding Redshank at Lamesley [Gordon Pollinger]

Birtley sewage works - Green Woodpecker still at nest hole and very vocal. 4 singing Willow Warbler, 3 singing Blackcap and a Chiffchaff. 2 Oyster-catcher, 6 Teal, 4 Shelduck.

The sewage works Green Woodpecker [Joanne Reavey]

River Teams - Pair of Kingfisher nesting
Near Ryton - Pair of Kingfisher nesting
Burdon Moor - 8 Grey Lag, 4 Teal and a singing Willow Warbler
Saltwell cemetrery - Great spotted Woodpecker
Ravensworth Fell - Short -eared Owl again, plus 10 Linnet
Tyne Bridge - Common Seal directly under Tyne Bridge

River View, Winlaton - a spectacular 10 minutes in the garden around 12.30 - 1 Common Buzzard high North East, 2 Red Kites mobbed by Jackdaws and heading down towards centre of Blaydon plus sible Grey Heron and Swallow

Swallow at Axwell Park

[Phil Jobson]

Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin all regular over areas of water throughout the borough now, but few of the latter in their breeding territories yet.
Many Red Kites nesting and several coming regularly into garden to scavange - See Red Kites page

Red Kite at Clara Vale

A proper Gateshead Red Kite born & bred in the borough

[Gordon Pollinger]

Saturday 19th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - Many Swallow, Sand Martin and a few House Martin.
Birtley sewage works - Green Woodpecker at nest hole, 2 Willow Warbler and 2 Sparrowhawk
Marley Hill - Probable sighting of two Short-eared Owls hunting in rough pasture about 7pm
Shibdon Pond - 2 Willow Warbler and the Gadwall still present. In the afternoon, a White Stork, presumably one of the Yorkshire birds on its annual wanderings flew over heading east. [There have been several sightings in recent years and many of you may remember the 2002 bird in particular]
Axwell Park - Several of the Grey Heron nests have chicks now, and a pair of Red Kite nesting in the area.

Lesser Black-backed Gull at Sled Lane [Ray Wilby]

Friday 18th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover and later, a summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwit - presumably the same bird as earlier in the month was seen.
Burdon Moor - Ring Ouzel present late afternoon, plus 4 Wheatear, 2 Stonechat.
Birtley sewage works -2 Little Ringed Plover. 1 Ringed Plover , Green Woodpecker, a pair of Grey Wagtails, Swallow, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.

Thursday 17th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank and the Chiffchaff still singing in the pub car park.
Birtley sewage works - 1 Ringed Plover, 20 Swallow and 2 House Martin.
Stargate - A Common Buzzard flying low and slow northerly over an observers garden at 11.40 am. Looked gorgeous in the sunshine against the blue sky. Even the facial features with the naked eye. Also a steady trickle of Swallows and House Martins making their way east today.
Burdon Moor - 200+ 'Northern' Golden Plover

Wednesday 16th April 2008

Shibdon Pond - Gadwall on the pond this morning
Ravensworth Fell, - Short-eared Owl seen again and 4 Roe Deer

Tuesday 15th April 2008

Shibdon Pond - A Common Sandpiper seen, the first of the year, Also 2 Oyster-catcher and a male Blackcap outside hide.
Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Fieldfare and the Chiffchaff still singing in the pub car park.
Birtley sewage works -3 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover at Birtley sewage works

Usually in the muddy field to the left of the works entrance

[Joanne Reavey]

Far Pasture NR - Singing Willow Warbler.
Greenside - 14 Fieldfare north early this morning, (but still no Swallows here)

Monday 14th April 2008

Axwell Park - 1 Swallow on wires this morning

Sunday 13th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - No sign of the Black-tailed Godwit this morning. Only 1 Oyster-catcher and 7 Grey-lag Goose.
Birtley sewage works - singing Willow Warbler, and 2 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap. Also a Green Woodpecker. On the adjacent rough field, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 1 Ringed Plover
Far Pasture NR - A adult Otter seen briefly but its cub seen well not in the main pond but in the pools on the right as you drive to the car park. It was eating frogs, and appeared to have a cataract.
Watergate Park - Barnacle Goose (presumably one of the feral birds) anda female Goosander plus 4 Willow Warblers and 5 Chiffchaff
Clara Vale - Red Kite, one of last years birds showed particularly well.

Red Kite

Now becoming a frequent garden visitor

Kibblesworth CBC - Red Kite, 1 (pos 2) Buzzard flying over Kibblesworth village, 2 Willow Tits, 1 Marsh Tit, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Nuthatch, 2 Redpoll sp. (first for 10 years), 1 Reed Bunting, 10 Red Leg Partridge, 10 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Coot (2 metres up in a tree!!), 8 Curlew, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Tree Sparrows, 20 Robins in song. Also 1 Hare & 1 Roe Deer
Stargate - Two separate Common Buzzards over Stargate Ponds. 1 at 1.30pm drifted N towards Newburn, 2nd at 2.30pm circling westwards towards Greenside had primaries missing from left wing distinguishing from 1st bird. Both mobbed by gulls. Also Red Kite over quarry at Stargate and Axwell Park later.
Ravensworth Fell - c2,000 Golden Plover

Saturday 12th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - A summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwit present and the 2 Little Ringed Plover showing very well, right in front of the hide.
Shibdon Pond - Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow all present. 2 Shoveler present early morning only.
Kibblesworth brickworks pool - 3 Little Ringed Plover
Birtley sewage works - Willow Warbler singing along path
Clara Vale LNR - 12 Swallow today
Crawcrook Quarry - Little Owl in quarry this morning.
Far Pasture NR - Gollum, the resident Robin at Far Pasture is still taking food from your hand, but he is now passing it on to his ladyfriend. This could be the start of a wonderful friendship. Two pair of Little Grebe displaying and good numbers of Sand Martin.
Axwell Park - A survey of the Grey Heronry found 7 pair on eggs and a total of 13 nests in use on todays visit. A walk around without binoculars produced - Mallard; Blackbird; Wren; Robin; Mute Swan; Great Tit; Blue Tit; Great spotted Woodpecker (1 pair, 1 single); Grey Heron; Jackdaw; Carrion Crow; Shelduck (3); Moorhen; Canada Geese; Lapwing (2 flying upriver); Cormorant; Wood Pigeon; Green Woodpecker; Chiffchaff (at least 8 singing); Willow Warbler (2); Mistle Thrush; pheasant; Chaffinch; Greenfinch and Goldcrest.

Friday 11th April 2008

Shibdon Pond - 2 Shoveler and later, hundreds of Sand Martins and Swallows arrived from the west at 3.00pm, together with one House Martin
Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover, 1 female Ruff.
Birtley sewage works - White Wagtail present for its third day. Also a flock of mixed Swallows and House Martins dropped in during a heavy shower. 3 Little Ringed Plover in the rough field next to the sewage works
Washingwell Woods - Linnets back in their breeding territories

Linnet at Washingwell

Birds were back on their territories after being rather scarce this winter

[Will Cook]

Burdon Moor - 1 Stonechat
Ravensworth Fell - 2 Little Owl and 1 Red Kite
Clara Vale LNR - 2 singing Willow Warblers,1 Swallow, 1, possibly 2 singing Blackcap , Green Woodpecker calling and a Common Buzzard flew over. Badger tracks noted.
Lobley Hill - Another partial albino Blackbird

The series of partial albino birds continues with this bird at Lobley Hill

[Liam Cook]

Thursday 10th April 2008

Shibdon Pond - Pair of Shoveler and 3 pair of Little Grebes on the pond this morning. About 2pm today a mixed bunch of 30 Sand Martins and 10 Swallows arrived at the pond they fed for about 15 minutes then moved off west. The first House Martin of the year was reported here later
Birtley sewage works - White Wagtail still present
Saltwell - A Tawny Owl seen at the Joseph Swan School flew over the road into the trees
Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 Little Ringed Plover briefly, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Snipe, 12 Sand Martin and a Swallow flew over the pool nearest the hide a couple of times
Cowen Road, Blaydon - Chiffchaff singing in the trees this morning

Wednesday 9th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover . The 3 Ruff seen at 14:30-15:30 only at the extreme right of the field. Also seen were Wren 2, Chiffchaff 1 (heard), Lesser Black-backed Gulls 2, Lapwing 3, Greylag Goose 9, Moorhen 8, Teal 2, Skylark (heard) Black-headed Gull 1, Kestrel 3, Coot 2 (nesting), House Sparrow 14, Magpie 3, Blackbird 3, Robin 1, Common Snipe 1, Blue Tit 4, Greenfinch 1, Woodpigeon 18 Jackdaw 3, Carrion Crow 6, Ruff 3, Redshank 6, Starling 5.

Ruff

2 of the 3 Ruff that are now on Lamesley Water Meadows

[Will Cook]

Birtley sewage Works- - 1 Swallow in evening . Also a White Wagtail (first of the year) seen here.
Sled Lane - Chiffchaff 3, Canada Goose 5, Mute Swan 2, Wigeon 1, Tufted Duck 7, Mallard 5, Black-headed Gull 4.
Clara Vale - Great-spotted Woodpecker 1, Chiffchaff 1, Chaffinch 5, Gt Tit 6, Blue Tit 2, Greenfinch 5, Dunnock 6, Moorhen 2, Blackbird 2, Willow Tit1, Mallard 2, Goldfinch 3, Robin 1, Bullfinch 2, Nuthatch 1, Coal Tit 1, Magpie 3.

Chiffchaff at Clara Vale

The summer birds arrived in force during the last few days of the month

[Gordon Pollinger]

Far Pasture - Mute Swan 2, Tufted Duck 7, Moorhen 5, Chiffchaff 5 (heard) Little Grebe 6, Canada Goose 2, Grey Heron 1, Teal 7, Wren 2, Dunnock 9, Sparrowhawk 1, Bullfinch 1, Robins 2, Blue Tit 4, Great Tit 8.

Tuesday 8th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - The 3 Ruff still present and a Chiffchaff singing in the pub car park.

Ruff on Lamesley Water Meadows

The Ruff wre present on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th, a briefly on Wednesday afternoon but appear now to have gone

[Paul Davidson]

Monday 7th April 2008

Lamesley Water Meadows - The 3 Ruff arrived in front of the hide this afternoon. Also a female Wheatear present most of the day, 11 Greylag Geese, 14 Teal, 3 Mallard, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 pair of Coot, 1 pair of Oystercatcher, 10 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 6 Redshank, 1 Song Thrush, 8+ Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 12+ Pied Wagtail, 1 male Reed Bunting plus Moorhen, Black-headed Gull, Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Magpie, Jackdaw, Starling & House Sparrow.
Shibdon Pond - A Common Buzzard over pond at 3.45 pm drifted of towards Greenside
Dunston Staithes - 9.00am - 1 Woodcock calling loudly & flying overhead high & downriver (site tick), 3 Kittiwakes

Sunday 6th April 2008

Ravensworth Fell - 3 Ruff found in a sheep field at Old Ravensworth were the first for many years. Also partial albinio Jackdaw, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 3 singing Chiffchaff and a singing Willow Warbler nearby.
Clara Vale - Singing Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler at Clara Vale [Gordon Pollinger]

Lamesley Water Meadows - Lapwing 10, Greylag Goose 10, Oystercatcher 2, Redshank 4, Pied Wagtail 1, Woodpigeon 6, Coot 4, Goldfinch 4, Little Ringed Plover 4, Common Snipe 1, Black Headed Gull 6, Pheasant 1, Moorhen 2, Hedrring Gull 1, Wren 1, Starling 100+, Teal 2, Carrion Crow 2, Jackdaw 11, Grey Wagtail 1, Robin 1, Blackbird 2.

Saturday 5th April 2008

Burdon Moor - 3 Wheatear s with about 1,000 Golden Plover nearby
Axwell Park - Survey of Grey Herons - 6 sitting on eggs with a further 3 estimated in use, Also in the area Common Buzzard, 4 singing Chiffchaff and a pair of Red Kites.
Hagg Hill Wood - Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers calling and a male Goldfinch singing. Also Goldfinch, Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch all nest building.
Lamesley Water Meadows - Redshank 4, Herring Gulls 6, Woodpigeon 9, Teal 32, Moorhen 4, Jackdaw 6, Snipe 3, Lapwing 6, Oystercatcher 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Kestrel 1, Wren 2.
Birtley - Great spotted Woodpecker drumming behind Main Street.

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Friday 4th April 2008

Shibdon Pond - 1 Peacock butterfly, 1 Chiffchaff, 100 Sand Martin
Thornley WC - Red Kite 1, Great-spotted Woodpecker 1, Bullfinch 4, Wren 2, Chiffchaff 2, Coal Tit 5, Yellowhammers 7, Chaffinches 9, Pheasant 3, Robin 1, Woodpigeon 6, Jays 3, Carrion Crow 3, Magpie 2, Stock Dove 9, Great Tit 8, Blue Tit 6, Nuthatch 2,. A Marsh/Willow Tit reported.
Lamesley Water Meadows - 50 Sand Martin
Ryton - 1 Blackcap

Blackcap

This male in a garden at Ryton is probably, like several other birds around in early April, one of the forerunners of this years breeding population.

[Paul Davidson]

Thursday 3rd April 2008

Barmoor - Single Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock also Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit and singing Skylark

Skylark at Kibblesworth

The 95th species to be photographed in the borough this year

[Ray Wilby]

East Bradley Fell - 5-6pm: Common Buzzard, Red Kite, several Chiffchaff, Goldcrest singing, Treecreeper, Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer. Pair of Tawny Owls later giving superb views from roost tree
Clara Vale NR - 1 Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting at Clara Vale

This is a very nicely marked adult female bird

[Venetia Parkins]

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Snipe, 2 Reed Bunting (on edge of pond right in front of hide), 1 Common Buzzard flying over site. Also several Peacock butterflies were seen in between Lamesley and Burdon Moor as well as a Stoat and Common Toad
Lockhaugh Meadows - 1 Blackcap and 2 Comma
Ravensworth Fell - A count of 4,000 Golden Plover

Wednesday 2nd April 2008

Kibblesworth Brickwork Pools - 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Redshank, 2 Oyster-catcher

Redshank [Ray Wilby]

Rowlands Gill - First Swallow of the year - seen heading north at a good height over Rowlands Gill in the afternoon
East Bradley Fell - . Also Willow Tit on feeders plus Tawny Owl in nearby roost tree being mobbed by a Mistle Thrush
Crawcrook Quarry - Sand Martins back at this site today.

One of the Sand Martins at Crawcrook [Gordon Pollinger]

Field Woodrush and Bluebell in flower

Tuesday 1st April 2008

Kibblesworth Brickworks Pond - 2 Little Ringed Plover
Clara Vale - 2 Fieldfare
Shibdon Pond - A drake Shoveler and about 50 Sand Martin