Animals Insects Flora Sites News & Gossip

Friday 29th February 2008

Blaydon -Pheasant in a garden in Cowen road, an industrial part of the town
Team Valley - Kingfisher on the river Team in the centre of the Team valley trading estate. There was a report from a dog walker at Lamesley a couple of weeks ago that he saw one there and another day presumably the same bird over the A1 Coalhouse roundabout. Together with the odd record at the Birtley sewage works/reedbeds it looks like they may be colonising the Teams again.

Thursday 28th February 2008

Stargate - Sparrowhawk over garden this morning pursued by a Carrion Crow
Byermoor - Common Buzzard flew over this morning
Dunston Staithes/Riverside - 8.00am this morning - 14 Shelduck, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker (bit of a rarity here - 3 or 4th record for site), 20 Redwing in song - pos pre-migration gathering? An hour earlier, a bird of prey was seen very high up above Costco, circling round and round and it seemed to be building up speed then all of a sudden it went into a stoop just as a bunch of feral pigeon’s were flying up the river from Newcastle. I was then lost to sight but is thought to have been a Peregrine.

Wednesday 27th February 2008

Clara Vale - Common Buzzard being harried by two Red Kites at this morning.
Sled Lane - Goldeneye (displaying pair), 2m 4f Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe
4 Mute Swan. No sign of wigeon or goosander over 2 hours. Also Red Kite showing excellently over farm fields at Sled Lane/Crawcrook lane junction

Tuesday 26th February 2008

Shibdon Pond -- 40 species on and around today (+ coal tit in gardens along Shibdon Road) - including 5 Goldeneye, Teal, 1 Curlew, 1 Oystercatcher, 37 Lapwing, 2 Snipe flushed from boardwalk, Reed Bunting and Song Thrush (at least 3 territories).
Far Pasture NR - 2 Little Grebe, 3 Coot, 4 Moorhen, 80+ Teal, 2 Red Kite, 6 Mallard, 4 Snipe, 3 Robin, 2 Wren, 1 Bullfinch, 8 Long Tailed Tit, 1 Coal Tit, 1 Blue Tit and 2 Dunnock.
Clara Vale LNR - 1 Goldfinch, 20+ Chaffinch, 4 Blue Tit, 4 Great Tit, 1 Robin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Pheasant, 3 Moorhen and 4 Mallard.

Sunday 24th February 2008

Shibdon Pond -15 Waxwings by the hid mid morning then flew towards Axwell Park. Also 1 Water Rail and 2 Oyster-catcher
Timber Beach - 2 Ringed Plover still

Ringed Plover

The first of the year, this is one of three at Timber beach

[Ray Wilby]

Far Pasture NR - 10+ Red Kite, Little Grebe and 2 Grey Lag Geese
Burdon Moor - Short-eared Owl seen in the afternoon

Saturday 23rd February 2008

Shibdon Pond - 2 Oyster-catcher still present
Ryton - Juvenile Iceland Gull on the Gateshead side of the river opposite Newburn mid morning
Timber Beach - 2 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin , 100 Golden Plover and a Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Birtley - Tawny Owl singing
Watergate Park - 1 Little Grebe, 1f Goldeneye, 2 bullfinch, 4 Teal, both Mute Swan cygnets now being shown the door by their parents!
Lamesley Water Meadows - Shoveler still present

Friday 22nd February 2008

Thornley Woodland centre - Grey Wagtail with a Dipper on the river

Grey Wagtail near Far Pasture

[Derek Bilton]

Clara Vale LNR - A female Sparrowhawk took a swipe at a Moorhen but failed to kill it. Long-tailed Tit and Nuthatch seen but no further reports on the Kingfisher
Lamesley Water Meadows - Drake Shoveler

Wednesday 20th February 2008

Clara Vale LNR - Kingfisher seen here today, the first for some time.
Thornley Woods - 5 Jay, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Yellowhammer etc. and a single Sparrowhawk flew through. Also 2 Red Fox/
Far Pasture NR - : 1 Common Snipe

Tuesday 19th February 2008

Shibdon Pond - The Oystercatcher still present
Watergate Park - 1 Water Rail (superb close views), 2 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Canada Geese, 3 pairs of Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch & 4 Goldfinch.
Washingwell Woods - 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Jay, Magpie, Chaffinch & a Stoat.

Monday 18th February 2008

Clara Vale LNR - Male Blackcap seen again
Stella - early afternoon - 1 juvenile Glaucous Gull and a juvenile Iceland Gull.
Shibdon Pond - (mid afternoon) - 1 Oystercatcher, 3m 6f Goldeneye (displaying in small unfrozen area of pond), 14 Canada Goose, 1 Barnacle Goose (presumed feral), 3m 4f Teal, 3 Cormorant, 2 Snipe (over), 1 Mute Swan, 1m 1f Tufted Duck, 1 Goldfinch, plus gulls on ice: 120 Black-headed, 6 Common, 19 Herring, 1 Lesser Black-backed. Also 1 Fox sunning itself briefly at back of pond.
Burdon Moor - For the second day running, 2 Short-eared Owls and a Common Buzzard were seen.

Sunday 17th February 2008

Stella - Juvenile Glaucous Gull on waste ground viewable from opposite Board Inn . Also a dark mantled Lesser Black-backed Gull, probably race of race intermedius there
Shibdon Pond - 5 Goldeneye, 2 Shelduck, 6 Redwing and a Sparrowhawk.
Thornley Lane - 4+ Tree Sparrow, 10 Yellowhammer and 8 Redwing. Pair of displaying Red Kite

Tree Sparrow at Thornley Lane

It may have been several years since the Tree Sparrow was recorded at this former regular site. At least 4 were with Yellowhammers in the old hedge.

[Paul Davidson]

Watergate Park - 1 Jack Snipe (flushed from waterside vegetation at west end of pond), 1 Little Grebe, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Teal, 1 Sparrowhawk, 50+ Lapwing overflew, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, plus Mallard, Tufted Duck, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Moorhen, Coot & Carrion Crow.
Derwent Walk CP - 7 Red Kite together
Burdon Moor - 2 Short-eared Owls and a Common Buuzzard
Timber Beach - Ringed Plover, Common Seal, 80 Dunlin, 500 Golden Plover, Lesser Black-backed Gull & 2 Goosander
Clara Vale LNR - Male Blackcap seen

Male Blackcap at Clara Vale

Several have been recorded already this year

[Gordon Pollinger]

Sled Lane - 10 Wigeon, Goldeneye & 8 Tufted Duck
Far Pasture NR - 2 Common Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, Weasel and Roe Deer seen

Sparrowhawk

[Phil Aitkin]

Saturday 16th February 2008

Crawcrook Quarry -Pair of Oyster-catcher this morning
Eels Wood - A Woodcock seen
Timber Beach - Golden Plover 200+, Black Headed Gulls 20+, Lapwings 100+
Thornley WC - Nuthatch 3, Yellowhammers 10+, Blackbirds 5, Woodpigeon 50+, Robin 4, Blue Tit 6, Coal Tit 6, Bullfinch 3, Jay 2, Red Kite 2, Dunnock 2, GS Woodpecker 2, Long Tailed Tit 3, Sparrowhawk 1, Chaffinch 6.
Clara Vale LNR - Dunnock 5, Blackbird 5, GS Woodpecker 2, Robin 2, Moorhen 4, Greenfinch 5, Gt Tit 4, Chaffinch 6, Coal Tit 3, Willow Tit 1, Goldfinch 7, Nuthatch 2, Jay 1, Wren 1, Sparrowhawk 1.

Willow Tit at Clara Vale

Not the only, but certainly the easiest site, to see this species in Gateshead

[Ray Wilby]

Watergate Park - 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Teal, 1 Roe Deer

Friday 15th February 2008

Clara Vale - Male Blackcap in a garden this afternoon.
Shibdon Pond - Water Rail seen very well in the reserve just past entrance gate. Clockburn Lake - 3 male Pochard (predumably the 3 that were at Shibdon yesterday) , along with Tufted Duck, Little Grebe and a pair of Mute Swans. The male of this pair is getting aggressive early this year and was watched as it chased 3 mum's with pushchairs and kids on bikes.

Thursday 14th February 2008

Stargate - Common Buzzard over an observer's garden - same place where a Peregrine flew over earlier this week - the new straits of Gibraltar
Sunniside - 2 Red Kite over, heading towards Ravensworth Fell
Shibdon Pond - 10 Goldeneye, 3 Pochard and a Shoveler

Wednesday 13th February 2008

Shibdon Pond - 1.30-2.30 pm - 4 male and 1 female Goldeneye on the pond, many Wrens in the reed beds, 1 male Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel.
Bradley Fell old workings - Woodcock showing well near dusk. Also Tawny Owl calling & Red Kite seen earlier flying low over Greenside cricket pitch.

Tuesday 12th February 2008

Clara Vale - The first butterfly of the year - A Small Tortoiseshell out in the sunshine.
River Tyne at Timber Beach - First Ringed Plover of the year 3 were amongst the Curlew, 150+ Lapwing, 10 Redshank, 100+ Golden Plover, 3 Dunlin and 3 Shelduck. A Sparrowhawk flew over.
Stargate - Nice little garden tick for one observer - a Peregrine flying low in a northerly direction over his garden in Stargate at 08:40
Watergate Park - Green Woodpecker over. Water Rail heard in reeds at car park end of lake.
Burdon Moor - Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel and a female Stonechat.

Stonechat and Common Buzzard

Both birds were over Burdon Moor on 12th February

[Ray Wilby]

Monday 11th February 2008

Shibdon Pond - A Chiffchaff singing in the reserve today
Swalwell - The field behind the Derwent Crossing pub heldat least 100 Curlew, today and again a sparrowhawk flew over.
Beacon Lough - Several few Bramblings feeding with Chaffiches and 30+ Redwings ground-feeding near Callendar Court
Teams - No sign of Rock Pipit today. Stock Dove watched nest building in a hole in the the walled up part of the riverbank here.
Westfield Pasture - Little Owl seen

Sunday 10th February 2008

Far Pasture NR - A Chiffchaff was trapped during the bird ringing session here this morning. A juvenile male Sparrowkhawk was caught along with a Great Tit first ringed here in June 2002. 4+ Red Kite seen and 2 Tawny Owl calling at 11am.
Ryton - A Green Sandpiper on the river by the Ferry House (new for teh year) . Also 2 Mute Swans showing territorial behaviour on the river here. This species tends not to breed on the rivers in Gateshead, prefering the ponds and may be due to the fact that all the suitable waters are now occupied.
Stella - A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull noted on the old power station site. Note, not the 1st winter that was present at Shibdon earlier in the month.
River Tyne at Dunston - The Rock Pipit was seen again on the river about 100 metres downstream of the Staithes
Felling bypass - No sign of the Waxwings this morning first thing but 20 seen from Stadium carpark laterr that morningh
Westfield Pasture - Willow Tit, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and Bullfinch all seen here this morning.

Saturday 9th February 2008

Shibdon Pond - Drake Pochard on pond and 11 Reed Bunting in the typha. Later, 1 Water Rail, 40 Redhshank, 2 Grey Lag, 6 Mute Swans, 50 Canada Geese, 5 Shelduck and 4 Goldeneye
Felling Bypass - Flock of 20+ Waxwing in trees by Gateshead Stadium this afternoon.
Derwent Walk Country Park - Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Goldcrest, Chaffinch, Blue Tit and Kestrel over Hollinside Manor and marsh. On Clockburn Lake t 1 male pochard, 10 Tufted Duke, 2 Little Grebe, and a pair of Mute Swans. By the river behind the football club Colts-foot in flower and a pair of Dipper on the river at the cricket club bridge.
Burdon Moor - 1 Short Eared Owl, c400 Golden Plover, 150 Lapwing, 2 Teal, 1 Red Leg Partridge, the latter being new for the year
Lamesley reedbeds - morning - A Kingfisher on the river, Reed Bunting and 2 Shelduck seen and a Sparrowhawk flew over.
Gibside - Nuthatch and Red Kite. At leastanother 8 Red Kites in the air together nearby over Rowlands Gill.

Friday 8th February 2008

Birtley reedbeds -A bird called that was thought by the observer to be a possible Bearded Tit but no futher sign. 2 Shelduck flew over.
Burdon Moor - A Short-eared Owl seen this afternoon, presumably the bird seen nearby on Monday.
Watergate Park - 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull

Thursday 7th February 2008

Lamesley Water meadows - no sign of Mandarin today
Burdon Moor- Stonechat noted

Wednesday 6th February 2008

Lamesley Water meadows - Drake Mandarin pool in front of hide with male & female Mallard
Derwenthaugh - 10 Mistle Thrush feeding on the field next to Toyota garage
River Tyne opposite Stella - Iceland Gull on waste ground at Newburn and flew onto river Tyne
Barlow - About 200 Golden Plover

Another partial albino Blackbird, again at Clara Vale

[Ray Wilby]

Tuesday 5th February 2008

Milton Square - Waxwing seen today.
Beacon Lough - Flock of Chaffinches beside shelterd housing at Callendar Court

Monday 4th February 2008

Ravensworth Fell - Short-eared Owl - Good views of a bird, at about 2.30 pm today, hunting next to the track which runs behind theBirkhead Nursery just to the east of the A6076 Sunniside to Stanley road.
Shibdon Pond - 15 Goldeneye, 5 Shelduck, 2 Greylag and 1 Tufted Duck

Sunday 3nd February 2008

Shibdon Pond - Glaucous Gull present this morning, also 7 Shelduck and 1 Goldeneye.

The first winter Glaucous Gull at Shibdon

[Paul Davidson]

River Tyne at Dunston - 9 Goldeneye on river.
Axwell Park - 1 Blackcap
Ravensworth Fell - 500 Golden Plover
Westfield Pasture - Woodcock seen at dusk
Lobley Hill - A Common Buzzard gliding low over lobley hill with 1/2 its primaries feathers missing looked like it was looking into back gardens!
Saltwell Park - Dozen Redwing and 1 Tree Creeper
Bradley Fell - 2-4 Brambling on garden feeders for the second week with several Siskin, c8 Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, numerous Chaffinch, 2 Nuthatch and 1-2 Willow Tit.
Clara Vale LNR - Long Tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Brambling, Yellowhammer, Willow Tit, female Bullfinch and Great-spotted Woodpecker.

The Brambling at Clara Vale LNR

The 2nd site this species has been seen at this winter

[Joanne Reavey]

Saturday 2nd February 2008

Axwell Park - Single male Tree Sparrow visited peanut feeder 8.30am today. Observer's first record for the garden. Also around were Blackbird (10); Song Thrush, Robin (3); Starling, Dunnock, Goldfinch (6); Siskin (5); Greenfinch (3); Blue and Great tit; House Sparrow (6); Jackdaw; Collared Dove; Wood Pigeon; Chaffinch.
Swalwell - The field behind the Derwent Crossing pub held 30 Curlew, about 50 Redwings plus a Sparrow Hawk tormenting a charm of about 15 Goldfinches
Tyneview Place, Teams- I Waxwing heard, but despite search of housing estate unable to locate.
Thornley Woodland Centre - A Common Buzzard circled a couple of times and drifted north
Bradley Fell - Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, numerous Chaffinch, 2 Nuthatch and 1-2 Willow Tit.