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Saturday 28th February 2009

Far Pasture NR - 6 Snipe, 6 Mallard, 2 Mute Swans, 2 Grey Heron both eating Frogs. Also Coot 12, Canada Geese 2, Red Kite 3, Carrion Crow 10+, Dunnock 3, Blackbird 2, Long-tailed Tit 2, Great Tit 3, Greenfinch 2 and a Bank Vole

Grey Heron at Far Pasture [Ray Wilby]

River Tyne at the Baltic - A Peregrine flew over the Tyne and landed on the Baltic Centre disturbing the pigeons on the roof.  A few minutes later it flew off and perched on the side of the Baltic, once again panicking the pigeons and Gulls.
Whickham -Little Owl along Fellside Road.
Clara Vale - A Barn Owl flew over one lucky observer's garden this evening.
Winlaton Mill - Oystercatcher seen
Hagghill Woods - Single Goldcrest noted
Timber Beach - 2 Ringed Plovers this afternoon
Lamesley - Little Owl and a juvenile Merlin behind the pub this morning.

Coots at Far Pasture [Ray Wilby]

Friday 27th February 2009

Lamesley Water Meadows - Oystercatcher on the church pool. 39 Greylag between here and Kibblesworth.
Gibside - Male Blackcap seen.
Ravensworth Fell - 200+ Golden Plover
Birtley reedbeds - 3,000 Starlings roosting in the reed beds tonight.

Starlings coming into roost at Birtley reedbeds [Anne Briggs]

Thursday 26th February 2009

Cowen Road, Blaydon - The Redpoll, previously reported as a Mealy is in fact a Lesser redpoll as can be seen by the accompanying photographs
Birtley reedbeds - Several thousand Starlings roosting in the reed beds at dusk tonight, a marvellous sight.

Wednesday 25th February 2009

Crawcrook Quarry - An adult Peregrine today north over the quarry. Also 1 Common Buzzard and 2 Grey Partridge

The Peregrine over Crawcrook Quarry [Gordon Pollinger]

Cowen Road, Blaydon - The Mealy Redpoll again present possibly before time and see well 15:00-16:00hrs

Tuesday 24th February 2009

Cowen Road, Blaydon - The Redpoll again present at mid-day
Sled Lane Pond - Goldeneye 2, Tufted Duck 6, Mute Swan 2, Canada Goose 2, Mallard 10 , Coot 10+, Moorhen 2, Wigeon 8.
Shibdon Pond - Water Rail calling. Still 2 Gadwall, 8 Goldeneye and a Little Grebe on the pond.

Gadwall at Shibdon The male has now been joined by a female - we can only hope they will stay to breed but its very unlikely as passage birds at Shibdon are presumably of the Scottish or Icelandic populations. [Ray Wilby]

Clara Vale LNR - Robin 2, Blue Tit 8, Chaffinch 2, Wren 3, Greenfinch 1, Siskin 3, Blackbird 1, Goldfinch 1, Kingfisher 1, Yellowhammer 2, Mating Frogs 2.

Siskin male at Clara Vale [Joanne Reavey]

Far Pasture NR - Mute Swan 2, Canada 2, Coot 5, Mallard 3, Moorhen 3, Bullfinch 1, Great Tits 6, Dunnock 3, Robin 2, Snipe 10, Chaffinch 3, Teal 1, Red Kite 1, Kestrel 1, Wren 1, Reed Bunting 1.

Wren at Clara Vale [Joanne Reavey]

Lamesley Water Meadows - Shelduck 2, Mute Swan 1, Teal 25 , Redshanks 3 , Moorhens 20+, Mallards 2, House Sparrows 15 , Grey Wagtail 1, Magpie 1, Crow 10+, Greenfinch 1, Woodpigeon 6 , Wren 1, Treesparrow 1, Collared Dove 1, and Curlews 2 and Greylag Geese 43 flew over together

Monday 23rd February 2009

Shibdon Pond -A skein of Pink-footed Geese flew north this morning. 60 to 70 flew over ands split over Newcastle some flew north the other turned and headed West.

Long-tailed Tit at Clara Vale Flocks of long-tailed tits fly around the woodland and hedgerows in a “follow-the-leader” fashion and spend very little of their time on the ground. They hop from tree branch to tree branch, feeding on adult insects as well as their eggs and larvae that they pluck from twigs, leaves, and unopened buds. Sometimes they hang upside down from small branches using one foot while nibbling on food held in their other foot as the rung bird in Michael's photo is doing. [Michael Eccles]

Sunday 22nd February 2009

Cowen Road, Blaydon - No sign of Redpoll, 2 Long-tailed Tit seen and a Cormorant showing characteristics of the continental race (P.c. sinensis) flew over
Rowlands Gill - Female Blackcap in an observer's garden this afternoon.
Shibdon Pond -2 Gadwall (mf), 5 Shelduck, 8 Goldeneye, 6 Tufted Duck 1 Pochard, 1 Oyster-catcher and a Little Grebe
Birtley Reedbeds -1 Water Rail, 2 Shelduck and 7 Greylag
Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Shelduck and 7 Greylag (same birds as Birtley reedbeds) and a Grey Wagtail.
River Tyne Timber Beach to Costco - 26 Dunlin, 10 Shelduck, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull and another Cormorant showing characteristics of the continental race (P.c. sinensis) on the river

Saturday 20th February 2009

Common Snipe at Far Pasture NR [Steven Fryer]

Lamesley Water Meadows - 31 Teal and 6 Redwing. A Jack Snipe nearby, behind the Ravensworth Arms. 4 (all adult) Common Buzzards in the area.
Birtley Reedbeds -1 singing Chiffchaff and 8 Redwing
Kibblesworth brickworks Pools -2 Tufted Duck and 2 Greylag Goose
Thornley WC - Blue Tits 10+, Coal Tits 14, Great Tits 17. Long Tailed Tits 14, Nuthatch 2, Chaffinch 30+ Dunnock 4, Robin 3, Great Spotted Woodpecker (mf), Blackbird 6, Woodpigeon 20+, Magpie 3, Jay 2, Red Kite 4, Brambling 4 (mmff), Sparrowhawk 2 (mf), Treecreeper 2, Bullfinch 4, Pheasant 2, Reed Bunting 1(f), Wren 1,

Friday 20th February 2009

Blaydon - 45 Waxwing behind the Queen's Head pub early afternoon
Shibdon Pond - Now 2 Gadwall (mf), also Cormorant 3, Long Tailed Tit 20+, Shelduck 5, Goldeneye 8, Tufted Duck 10, Pochard 3, Coot 10+, Moorhen 20+, Lapwing 14+, Mute Swan 4, Black Headed Gull 20+, Stock Dove 4, Woodpigeon 10+, Canada Geese 7, Mallard 20+, Herring Gull 3, Mistle Thrush 3, Goldfinch 2, Blackbirds 2, Red Kite 1.
Thornley WC - Brambling 1, Chaffinch 20+, Blue Tit 10+, Coal Tit 8, Great Tit 15+, Dunnock 3, Pheasant 2, Stock Dove 2, Wood Pigeon 10+, Nuthatch 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 (mf), Bullfinch 4, Long Tailed Tit 6, Robin 2, Jay 1, Treecreeper 1, Red Kite 4.

Tree-creeper at Thornley [Derek Bilton]

Birtley Reedbeds -1 Common Buzzard
River Tyne Timber Beach to Costco - 1 Pink-footed Goose on the mud, flew off north over Newcastle, 5 Ringed Plover and an Oyster-catcher.

Thursday 19th February 2009

Blaydon - 25 Waxwing flew over the Avenue at 15:30hrs
Lamesley Water Meadows - A Total of 500 Pink-footed Geese flew over between 12:30 and 15:00, all heading NW

Pink-footed Geese over Lamesley A large northerly movement of this speies occured in Yorkshire and later in durham with many skiens heading NW, following the River Team [Steve Egglestone]

Thornley Woodland Centre - Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 5 Brambling (3M 2F), Bullfinch, 1 Lesser Redpoll, Nuthatch, Redwing, Red Kite, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, and Jay

Song Thrush at Thornley WC [Steve Egglestone]

Wednesday 18th February 2009

Blaydon - No sign of the Redpoll today
Lamesley Water Meadows - The first Marsh Tit for a couple of years in the borough was seen at the junction with Pennyfine road with 2 Great Tit. The first year Common Buzzard was also seen here.
Birtley Reedbeds - 2 Water Rail and a Chiffchaff (calling, not singing)
Axwell Park - 30+ Waxwing at entrance to Axwell park Estate (opposite old school site) tonight at 5.15pm
Swalwell - 1 female Goosander and 3 Teal (mff) on lower Derwent below Wear at Swalwell about 5pm.

Long-tailed Tit at Clara Vale [Joanne Reavey]

Clara Vale LNR - 10:30 and 13:00 - 14 Long Tailed Tit, 7 Siskin, 6 Goldfinch, 5 Male Blackbird including the one with the white face patch, 4 Lesser Redpoll including the pink male, 2 Wren, 4 Robin (fighting), Willow Tit. 10+ Yellowhammer in the hedge next to the car parking area. A Kingfisher remained on the large pond for most of the time and a Green Woodpecker was seen.

The Kingfisher at Clara Vale [Chris Barlow]

First moth trapping of the year - 9 moths of 5 species

Tuesday 17th February 2009

Blaydon - A Redpoll seen again at Cowen Road feeding on the ground and was identified as a Mealy Redpoll [ Re-identified later as a Lesser Redpoll]

Lesser Redpoll at Blaydon This bird was originally thought just to be a Lesser Redpoll but was identified by one observer, later, as a Mealy. However as can be seen in Paul's photographs it is a Lesser. Note the brown streaked rump, not buff, greyish or pink, the poorly defined whitish wingbar, the buff, brown streaked belly and lack of any frosting on the nape and neck. All these points to Lesser Redpoll, probably a 1st winter male. [Paul Davidson]

The late winter timed BTO survey in the tetrad including Derwenthaugh and the Metrocentre produced the following :-
Derwenthaugh- 1 Oystercatcher, 7 Teal
River Derwent-B&Q area - 2 pair Goosander, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan
Station Wood, Swalwell - 1 Bullfinch. 8 Long Tailed Tit
River Tyne at Costco - 34 Curlew, 15 Teal, 5 Shelduck, 29 Lapwing, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Oystercatcher and 2 Kestrels on Costco building.

Male Pied Wagtail in Gateshead town centre [Ray Wilby]

Ryton Willow - Kingfisher and 2 Goosander on the Glebe Pond but no sign of any Smew on the river.
Far Pasture NR - Mute Swan 2, Mallard 5, Snipe 5, Coot 2, Moorhen 2, Long Tailed Tit 1, Goldcrest 2 (in car park area) Robin 1, Bullfinches 6-8.
Shibdon Pond -2 Pochard +6 Goldeneye
Derwenthaugh meadow- 100+Curlew
Metrocentre - The juvenile Peregrine (or possible hybrid) seen soaring above the Metro Centre.
Thornley WC - Blue Tit 10+, Bullfinch 6, Brambling 4 (3m 1f), Chaffinch 30+, Dunnock 2, Blackbird 7, Treecreeper 3, Nuthatch 2, Robin 2, Long Tailed Tit 2, Coal Tit 8, Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 (1m 1f) Magpie 2, Woodpigeon 9, Redwing 2, Yellowhammer 2, Jay 2, Pheasant 1, Sparrowhawk (m).

Jay at Thornley WC [Ray Wilby]

Monday 16th February 2009

Kibblesworth Common - Roding Woodcock and a Red Fox this evening
Blaydon - A pale Redpoll sp. feeding on the ground in Cowen Road for its second day and 40 Lapwing flew NW over Blaydon Haugh .

Redpoll at Blaydon [Peter Harvey]

Late news for Friday 13th - a drake Smew on the Tyne at Ryton Willows

Sunday 15th February 2009

Timber Beach - A Ringed Plover here is the first of the year and a Peregrine again.
Birtley Reedbeds - Chiffchaff singing and seen well. Also 3 (mmf) Shoveler, 3 Goldcrest , 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Long-tailed Tit and a Green Woodpecker. A Cormorant flew over.

One of the Shovelers at Birtley reedbeds [Paul Davidson]

Lamesley Water Meadows - Barn Owl seen at 07:00 hours this morning. 2 Common Buzzard (pair, displaying) with last year's youngster nearby at Pennyfine Road. 5 Red-legged Partridge and 12 Magpie
Burdon Moor - 10 Common Snipe, 2 (both male) Stonechat, 32 Teal, 3 Mallard and 190 Golden Plover
Kibblesworth Brickworks Pools area - 60 Redwing, 10 Skylark (4+ singing), 2 Grey Partridge, 1 Nuthatch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Yellowhammer
Shibdon Pond - 40 Redwing feeding on the remnants of the Sloe berries. On the pond 10 Goldeneye and 6 Shelduck
Far Pasture NR -Water Rail, Common Snipe, Goosander and Willow Tit present.

Goosander at Far Pasture NR [Joanne Reavey]

Hagg Hill woods - Tawny Owl and Red Fox seen
Near Ryton - Barn Owl

Saturday 14th February 2009

High Spen - 28 Waxwing along main road near the residential home most of the day.
Birtley -A skein of 50 Pink-footed Geese(new for the year) over Birtley heading NNW at 11:50 this morning. Pair of Willow Tit, 4 Lesser Redpoll and a Jay nearby
Birtley reedbeds - 2 Shoveler still. 1 Goldcrest and a Little Grebe.
Kibblesworth brickworks pool area - 1 Red Kite, 28 Golden Plover over S, Woodcock (flushed), 40 Skylark flew over S and a flock of 50 mixed Fieldfare/Redwing all along Clarty Lane, Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker by the River Team and 2 Common Snipe and 100 Redwing by the pool.
Crawcrook Quarry - 2 Stonechat
East Bradley Fell - 4 Tree Sparrow and 10-15 Yellowhammer. Also 1-2 Willow Tit and c6 Bullfinch on garden feeders plus Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker & singing Stock Dove in nearby trees.
Shibdon Pond - 40 Redwing
Whickham - A Pipestrelle Bat rescued during a house refurbishment.

Friday 13th February 2009

Coal Tit at Thornley [Joanne Reavey]

Birtley reedbeds - Merlin seen today (first of the year) and 2 Shoveler
Lamesley Water Meadows - 109 Curlew and a Kingfisher.

Lesser Redpoll at Clara Vale That spanking coloured male again [Joanne Reavey]

Thursday 12th February 2009

Ravensworth Fell - Barn Owl flew over the road at 7.05 am
Clara Vale - 2 Willow Tits in one observer's garden today.
Birtley reedbeds - 2 Shoveler still

Wednesday 11th February 2009

Birtley reedbeds - 4 Shoveler still and 2 Water Rail, The Chiffcahff was present again.
Lamesley - Little Owl behind the Ravensworth Arms was surprisngly the first of the year.
Clara Vale LNR - Goldfinch 6, Lesser Redpoll 3, Willow Tit 1, Greenfinch 6, Chaffinch 5, Robin 2. A Grey Wagtail on the Tyne between Clara Vale and Wylam at low tide.

Lesser Redpoll male at Clara Vale 7 of these birds together with 20 Siskin continue to show well here, despite the harsh weather [Gordon Pollinger]

Thornley WC - Sparrowhawk 1, Magpie 2, Jay 1, Blackbird 4, Nuthatch 2, Treecreeper 2, Brambling 1, Dunnock 3, Long tailed Tit 7.

Brambling at Thornley [Ray Wilby]

Sled Lane Pond - Mute Swan 2, Canada Goose 2, Tufted Duck 2, Mallards 12+
Shibdon Pond - Tree creeper , Goldcrest and Bullfinches in the reserve this morning and Jelly Leaf Fungus (Tremella foliacea) noted

Treecreeper at Thornley [Ray Wilby]

Tuesday 10th February 2009

Derwenthaugh meadows - 50 + Curlew , Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail and 10 +Redshank
Birtley - Again no sign of the Waxwings today
Birtley reedbeds - A Peregrine seen again and 4 Shoveler still
Near Ryton - Barn Owl seen at 20:40 hrs.

Monday 9th February 2009

Shibdon Pond - 1 Gadwall

Gadwall at Shibdon This drake which arrived last month is still present [Paul Davidson]

Birtley reedbeds - 4 Shoveler (mmmf) were new for the year
Crawcrook Quarry - A pair of returning Oystercatcher were new for the year
Clara Vale LNR - Lesser Redpoll and a Green Woodpecker
Thornley WC - Brambling 1, Blue Tits 10, Great Tits 12, Blackbirds 6, Chaffinch 16+, Coal Tits 9, Dunnock 2, Nuthatch 2, Red Kite 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Woodpigeon 23+, Pheasant 1, Robin 2, Long Tailed Tit 7, Rooks 3, Magpie 2, Jay 2, Bullfinch 2, Treecreeper 1, Sparrowhawk 1,
Far Pasture NR - 1 Willow Tit
Lamesley water Meadows - An adult Peregrine and a Kingfisher
Near Ryton - 1 Barn Owl.

A total of 75 species were seen in the borough today by one observer.

Sunday 8th February 2009

Blaydon - 100+ Waxwing in Orchard Road.
Teams- 2 Waxwing by the Garage next to the Redheugh Bridge roundabout.
Shibdon Pond - 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Red Kite - pond frozen
Watergate - 1 Water Rail - pond frozen

Water Rail at Watergate Showed well on the ice [Paul Davidson]

River Tyne at Timber Beach - 1 juvenile Peregrine at 10:30am chasing the gulls and then flew SW, 9 Goldeneye

Peregrine at Timber Beach This juvenile performed very well over the Tyne on Sunday 8th and what was presumably the same bird was over Gibside an hour later [Paul Davidson]

Peregrine at Timber Beach The same bird as above has also been noted several times in the Lamesley area. One observer thinks that this bird may be a hybrid Peregrine x Lanner but as can be seen in the excellent photographs there is a lot of Peregrine blood there. [Paul Davidson]

River Tyne at Dunston Staithes - 7 Stock Dove, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Goldeneye, 100 Teal and a Grey Wagtail
River Derwent at B&Q - 6 Long-tailed Tit, Tufted Duck and Little Grebe.
Birtley Reedbeds - 7 Long-tailed Tit, 25 Mallard and a Bullfinch
Gibside - A Peregrine flew over from south to north at 11:30 About 40 Fieldfare flew over Gibside Bank, (have been present all week) plus quite a few Redwing.
Harlow Green - A Sparrowhawk caught a Blackbird and spent 20 mins plucking and eating in one observer's garden, 10 feet from the window.
Bradley Fell - A partial unharvested field bythe Rockverne dog kennels held 29 speies including 5+ Tree Sparrow, 4 Red Kite, 2 Red-legged Partridges and a nice flock of flock of Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.

Tree Sparrow at Rock Verne Kennels [Steven Fryer

Saturday 7th February 2009

Birtley - Now 120+ Waxwing in the Orchard Street/ Birtley Lane area present most of the day.

Waxwing at Birtley [Steven Fryer]

Angel of the North - 15 Waxwing in the bushes here.
Thornley Woodland centre - Brambling
Winlaton - Pair of Stonechat and Woodcock seen.
Lamesley Water Meadows - Moorhens 12+, Curlew 2, Greylag 35+, Black headed Gull 100+, Jackdaws 30+, Fieldfare 2, Lapwing 12+, Robin 1, Greenfinch 6, Redshank 4, Snipe 4, Starlings 20+, Peregrine 1, Long Tailed Tit 4, House Sparrow 10+, Chaffinch 3, Blue Tit 4, Collared Dove 2, Teal.
Kibblesworth brickwork pools - 19 Lesser Redpoll.
Derwent Walk CP -11 Lesser Redpoll.
Bradley Fell - A partial unharvested field produced a mixed flock of about 100 birds including Greenfinch, Tree sparrow Yellowhammer, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Dunnockand Robin. Also in the area was a flock of 20+Skylarks

Friday 6th February 2009

Birtley - Still 30 Waxwing on Orchard Street this morning, rising to 80 in the afternoon

Fieldfare at Rowland Gill The cold weather has put many of these and Redwings on the move, like this one in a garden at Rowlands Gill [Alan Mould]

Thursday 5th February 2009

Birtley - 150 Waxwing on Orchard Street this afternoon .

Waxwing at Birtley 120+ at Orchard Street, Birtley another 15 or so around the Angel of the North. [Ray Wilby]

Lobley Hill - 15 Waxwings this morning outside the Norwood pub
Thornley Woodland Centre - Crossbill twice flew over.
Swalwell - Goldrest in one observer's garden
River Derwent by Rowland Gill viaduct - male Goosander

Wednesday 4th February 2009

Birtley - 75 Waxwing on the Avenue.

Waxwing at Birtley An ideal time to see them if you have not already [Paul Davidson]

Tuesday 3rd February 2009

Birtley Brickworks Pool area - 1 Sparrowhawk (fem), 1 Peregrine & 2 Stonechat .
Stargate -1 Green Woodpecker

Monday 2nd February 2009

River Tyne at Costco - 1 adult Mediterranean Gull with a near full black head.
Kibblesworth/Lamesley area - 47 species with highlights 1000 mixed flock of thrushes (Fieldfare/Redwing/Mistle & Song Thrush), 1500 Wood Pigeon, 3 Common Buzzards, 1 Red Kite, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Kestrel.
Clara Vale LNR - Several Lesser Redpoll and 25 Siskin.

Grey Heron flying at Clara Vale [Gordon Pollinger]

Sunday 1st February 2009

63 species seen before 2pm in the borough by one birder.

Near Ryton - 1 Barn Owl seen again
Clara Vale LNR - 6 Lesser Redpoll, 20 Siskin and 6 Long-tailed Tit
Stephensons farm, Follie Lane- 5 Tree Sparrow still present

Male Bullfinch at Thornley WC [Ray Wilby]

Thornley WC - Dunnock, Pheasant, Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Willow Tit, Stock Dove, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Robin, Brambling, Nuthatch, Blackbirds, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow and Wren.

Male Sparrowhawk at Thornley [Derek Bilton]

Lamesley reedbeds - 2 Dipper, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Goldcrest and 2 Bullfinch
River Tyne at Dunston/Teams - 102 Dunlin
Shibdon Pond - 1 Gadwall, 6 Goldeneye and 1 Tufted Duck