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Thursday 31st March 2011

Rowlands Gill - 1probable Mealy Redpoll visited a garden feeder
Birtley reedbed pools - 8 Swallow

Wednesday 30th March 2011

Ravensworth Fell - 4 Sand Martins at Clockburn Lake and a pair of Goosander on the river at Owlet Hill.
Shibdon Pond - 1 Willow Warbler, 4 Chiffchaff, pair of Bullfinch, 2 Oystercatcher, and 10 Mute Swan.
Lamesley -3 Sand Martin over Swalwell Juniors football club.
Birtley reedbed pools - 1 Swallow

Tuesday 29th March 2011

Birtley - 4 Greenfinch, 4 Goldfinch and a Long-tailed Tit at one garden feeder where a Sparrowhawk took a Blackbird from the centre of the lawn.
Lamesley - 2 Red-legged Partridge, 8 Grey Lag, 2 Oyster Catcher, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Herring Gull, 6 Black-headed Gull, 20 Wood Pigeon, 30 Lapwing, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Jackdaw, 3 Magpie, 40 Teal, 2 Blackbird, 2 Starling. In the hedge behind the hide were 6 House Sparrow.
Winlaton Mill - Tawny Owl incubating

Tawny Owl incubating at Winlaton Mill [Steven Fryer]

Stella - Tree Creeper, Brambling, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Goldfinch, Chiffchaff, House Sparrow
with Lapwing, Redshank, Teal, Shelduck, Curlew and Cormorant on the Tyne.
Stargate - Reed Bunting and Long Tailed Tit
Birtley reedbed pools - 2 Swallow

Monday 28th March 2011

Sunday 27th March 2011

Ryton - Probable Lesser spotted Woodpecker heard on several occasions
Lamesley Water Meadows - 6 Sand Martin, 3 Oystercatcher and a 7 Redshank., plus Woodpigeon 20+, Curlew 27, Greylag Goose 7, Teal 20+, Herring Gull 2, Carion Crow 10+, Grey Heron 2, Lapwing 20+,, Moorhen 3, Coot 6, Black Headed Gull 4, Jackdaw 10+, Pied wagtail 6, Wren 1, Robin 1, Magpies 4, Starling 4, House Sparrow 3, Blackbird 2, Lesser Black Backed Gull 2, Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk 1
Bishop's Pool, Kibblesworth - 2 Redshank
Birtley reedbed pools - Magpies 12+, Sand Martins 10+, Wren 5, Goldfinch 2, Chiffchaff 2, Mallard 6, Moorhen 2, Jackdaw 70+,
Ravensworth Fell - 1 Wheatear

Blaydon Burn - Red Kite, Kestrel, drumming Great Spotted Woodpecker
Stargate - Little Grebe, Mute Swan, 2 Teal, Tufted Duck and Goosander.
Path Head Wood -Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldcrest singing plus Willow Tit and pair of Treecreepers by water mill

Saturday 26th March 2011

Ryton - No sign of male Lesser spotted Woodpecker first thing this morning
Lamesley Water Meadows -1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Oystercatcher and a Redshank on flash pool by bus stop.
Birtley reedbed pools - 2 Grey Partridge
Blaydon Burn - yearling Mute Swan on Herd's House pond, Red Kite and Willow Tit.
Stargate - pair of Mute Swan(one on nest), pair of Teal and Goosander.

Friday 25th March 2011

Ryton -The Lesser spotted Woodpecker again drumming. Also several Chiffchaff, Great spotted Woodpecker, Comma and Small Tortoiseshell and a Tawny Owl calling.

Ravensworth Fell -3-4 Wheatear, the first of the year. Also Red-legged Partridge
Greenside - 60 Waxwing still feeding in Holly by bus stop by the Post Office
Clara vale LNR - Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Wren, Sparrowhawkand a Reed Bunting.

Reed Bunting at Clara Vale [Michael Eccles]

Sunniside - A flock off around 100 Fieldfare in field between here and Marley Hill.
Far Pasture NR - Two Common Buzzards and three Red Kites (including No76 )
Lamesley Water Meadows - 60 Sand Martin
Birtley reedbed pools - 40 Sand Martin

Male Greenfinch at Clara Vale [Michael Ecles]

Thursday 24th March 2011

Ryton - No sign of male Lesser spotted Woodpecker
Greenside - 60 Waxwing feeding in Holly by bus stop, also 2 Brabling
Hookergate - 38 Waxwing
Birtley - 20 Waxwing flew over in evening
Burdon Moor - Huge flocks of Golden Plover. Also large flock of Curlew plus Lapwing, Reed Bunting ,Goldfinch, Skylark, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer, Bullfinch and Chaffinch.

Cormorant at Shibdon Pond [Ray Wilby]

Wednesday 23rd March 2011

Ryton - A male Lesser spotted Woodpecker drumming and seen well. Plus 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap between there and Westfield Pasture. 10 Goosander on the river.

Birtley - 28 Waxwing flew over.
Thornley WC - 1 Chiffchaff (heard), Yellowhammer 6, Chaffinch 12, Great Tit 12+, Stock Dove 2, Woodpigeon 5, Dunnock 2, Blue Tit, Pheasant 1, Mallards 2, Bullfinch 2 ,Robin 2, Coal Tit 4, Magpie 2, Jay 2, 1, Wren 1, Long Tailed Tit 3, Red Kite 2, Carrion Crow 20+, Kestrel 1.
Shibdon Pond - Coot 10+, Moorhen 10+, Mute Swan 11, Canada Geese 20+, Teal 30+, Mallard 30+, Shelduck 5, Herring Gull 20+, Black Headed Gull 30+, Mistle Thrush 1, Greylag Goose 1, Oystercatcher 2, Greenfinch 2, Reed Bunting 1, Magpie 3, Little Grebe 1, Cormorant 2, Grey Heron 1.
Derwent walk CP - 6 Sand Martin, Chiffchaff, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Dipper, 4 Gooseander, 2 Common Buzzard, Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and 4 Grey Wagtails. Chiffchaffs also at Land's Wood and
Sled Lane - 4 Common Buzzard, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Goldfinch, Chiffchaff, Mistle Thrush

Female Goldeneye at Sled Lane Pond [Michael Ecles]

Crawcrook - Red Kite over Crawcrook shopping area
Stargate - Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Chiffchaff.
Lockhaugh - 180 Pink-footed Goose flew over heading NW
Whitemare Pool - 37 Whooper Swans flew N. at 10:00hrs.

Tuesday 22nd March 2011

Low Fell - 1 Red Kite over Kells Lane/Beaconsfield Ave
Thornley WC - 2 Tree Creepers and a Nuthatch. Also a Jay, 2 Magpie, 3 Yellowhammer, Long-tailed Tit, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Pheasant, 2 Dunnock, 4 Bullfinch and 2 Mallard,
Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 Swallow, 2 Lesser Black Back and 2 Herring Gull, 3 Oyster-ctchers, 2 Curlew, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Greylag Geese, 2 Redshank, 2 Jackdaw, Teal, Lapwing, Coot, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrow hawk and a Common Buzzard.
Cowen Road, Blaydon - 1 Chiffchaff

Crawcrook Quarry - 1 Peregrine flew over and 3 Sand Martins seen
Clara Vale LNR - 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Red Kite, 1 singing Chiffchaff. 25 Goldfinch but no sign of Water Rail today. [The white winged gull here on Sunday has been identified as a 1st winter Iceland Gull]
Lockhaugh - 180 Pink-footed Goose flew over heading NW
Whitemare Pool - 37 Whooper Swans flew N. at 10:00hrs.

Monday 21st March 2011

Lamesley water meadows - 1 feral Pink-footed Goose

Birtley Reedbed Pools - 1 Chiffchaff, 24 Sand Martin
Victoria Garesfield - No sign of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker this morning but Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Grey Heron, Song and Mistle Thrush, Long tailed Tit, Wren, Nuthatch plus more common species.
Watergate - 1 Green Woodpecker -very vocal!, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 singing Chiffchaff, 2 Reed bunting, 1 Long Tailed tit carrying nesting material
Shibdon Ponds - 10 Mute Swan, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 2 singing Chiffchaff
Burdon Moor - 1 Chiffchaff
Derwent Walk CP - Influx of Chiffchaff into the park today.

Sunday 20th March 2011

Victoria Garesfield - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker reported early motning but no further sign despite a number of other birders on-site. 2 Green and 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Roe Deer, Long-tailed Tit.
Clara Vale - 1 Iceland Gull flew from a field towards the Tyne
River Tyne - Costco to Timber Beach - 14 Shelduck,
Birtley Reedbed Pools - 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Sand Martin, 1 Dipper, 8 Common Snipe, 2 Red-legged Partridge nearby. .
Shibdon Ponds - 20 Waxwing in trees outside the hide at 2pm today .
Far Pasture NR - 2 Little Grebe, 4 Teal, 4 Canada Goose, 6 Mallard, 4 Red Kite, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel in displaying, 1 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Great, Blue, Willow, Coal & Long tailed Tits, Bullfinch & Chaffinch.
Strother Hills - 4+ Common Buzzard, 6 Red Kite, 3 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel.

Saturday 19th March 2011

Clara Vale LNR - Goshawk flying west along the Tyne this morning and 2 Common Buzzards over.
Kibblesworth - 51 Whooper Swan flew north, they were later seen heading north over the Derwent Walk CP the same day.
Far Pasture NR - 1 Kingfisher and 2 Willow Tit
Sled Lane - 4 Goldeneye (mmff), 1 Little Grebe and several Tufted Duck

Liittle Grebe at Sled Lane [Michael Eccles]

Shibdon Pond -3 Waxwing in trees by the hide. 1 Chiffchaff signing and showing well at motorway end of reserve most of the day.

Stargate Pond - 1 Chiffchaff

Comma

Greenside - 2 Tawny Owl, Grey Partridge, Lapwing, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Chiffchaff
Bradley Fell east side - 3 Common Buzzard together, Red Kite, Jay, Chiffchaff, Stock Dove & Skylark singing, several Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer, Lesser Redpoll, 1-2 Brambling, numerous Goldfinch, several Bullfinch, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tits collecting feathers, pair Tawny Owl heard.
Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 Sand Martin and 1 Kingfisher
Low Fell - 1 Red Kite over Kells Lane/Ravensdale Crescent

Friday 18th March 2011

Clara Vale LNR - 1 Chiffchaff singing this morning
Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 Peregrine and 1 Kingfisher
Shibdon Pond - 2-3 Chiffchaff singing.

River Tyne - Costco to Timber Beach - 2 Goosander on the river
Birtley reedbed Pools - 1 Sand Martin and a Kingfisher

Thursday 17th March 2011

Strother Hills - 4 Red Kite, Yellowhammers, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Long Tailed Tit.
Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 Woodcock, 1 Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Curlew, Redshank, Shelduck, Teal, Lapwing, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, Lesser Black Back Gull, Oyster Catcher, Grey Lag.
Shibdon Pond - 1 Chiffchaff singing by the A1 this morning

Wednesday 16th March 2011

Lintzford -5 Waxwing at Lintzford Road feeding on berries at the bus stop today at around 12pm.
Greenside - 1 Woodcock roding this evening

Tuesday 15th March 2011

Holinhill Lane, Far Pasture - 5 Common Buzzard and 7 Red Kites plus a Peregrine chasing a feral pigeon, 2 Sparrowhawks and a soaring and a distant Tawny Owl could be heard calling. Plus several pairs of Yellowhammers in territory. singing Skylark and Red-legged Partridge.
Cowen Road, Blaydon - Pairs of Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch in a garden
Greenford Road, Lamesley - 2 Red-legged Partridge
Birtley - 50 Waxwing flew over the town centre

Monday 14th March 2011

Ryton Willows - Single Green and Great spotted Woodpecker
Clara Vale LNR - Brambling, Bullfinch, Willow Tit, Water Rail, Long-tailed Tit and Grey Heron.

Brambling at Clara Vale [David Wilson]

QE Hospital - A Red Kite flew over heading towards Wrekenton

Westfield Pasture - 22 Brambling
Birtley sewage Works - 2 Common Buzzard
Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Common Buzzard
Birtley - 3 Common Buzzard

Sunday 13th March 2011

Victoria Garesfield -1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker seen and heard, 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Green Woodpecker, also several Nuthatch
Strother Hills - 1 Red Kite, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Nuthatch, 5 Jay.
Birtley Reedbed Pools - 1 Water Rail
Shibdon Pond - 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Cormornat, 2 Oyser-catcher, 6 Shelduck.
River Tyne at Timber Beach - 1 Oystercatcher, 6 Shelduck
Ravensworth Fell - 550 Golden Plover, 2 Skylark
Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Oystercatcher, 3 Redshank, 45 Teal, 12 Greylag, Common Buzzard and a female Sparrowhawk.

Saturday 12th March 2011

Derwent walk CP - 4 Brambling, 30 Redwing + mixed flock of Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Greenfinch & Goldfinch on edge of Viewpoint Path, Lockhaugh Cutting this am. Siskin singing in Alders by Kite Hill.
Ryton Willows - A Long-eared Owl seen. [The 100th species of the year in the borough]
Peth Lane - Nuthatch, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Wren, Sparrowhawk, Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tits, Oyster Catchers
River Tyne at Costco - Teal, Shelduck, Lapwing, Redshank, 20 Curlew and a flock of Goldfinch.
Dunston (Ace pond area) - 1 Common Buzzard

Friday 11th March 2011

Derwent walk CP - Mixed flock of Mealy and Lesser Redpolls again
Metro Centre - 12+ Waxwing in the Marriott hotel carpark still

Thursday 10th March 2011

Derwent walk CP - 7 Mealy Redpolls with 30+ Lesser Redpolls again
Metro Centre - 12 Waxwing in the Marriott hotel carpark, at 17:30hrs

Redshank at Derwenthaugh [Steven Fryer]

Late news for yesterday - A 2nd Winter Iceland Gull reported at Timber Beach, Sunderland yesterday on Rare Bird Alert and subsequently other sites was in fact seen at Timber Beach on the Tyne at Gateshead.

Wednesday 9th March 2011

Metro Centre - 20 Waxwing in the Marriott hotel carpark, at 12.15.

Tuesday 8th March 2011

Derwent Walk CP - 7 Common Buzzard and 10 Red Kite.
Lamesley Water Meadows - 1 Peregrine, with several Tree Sparrow and 3 Red-legged Partrdige in Greenford Lane.
Birtley reedbed pools - 1 Water Rail and 3 Common Buzzard.
Watergate Lake - 1 Water Rail and a Grey Wagtail

Water Rail at Watergate [Will Cook]

Monday 7th March 2011

Derwent Walk CP - 4 Common Buzzard and at least 6 different Red Kite.
Birtley reedbed pools - 1 Water Rail

Great & Lesser Blackbacked Gulls at Derwenthaugh [George Simpson]

Sunday 6th March 2011

Derwent Walk CP - 1 Goshawk, 7 Common Buzzard, 1 Red Kite
River Tyne around the Tyne Bridge -Several Kittiwakes at nest plus Kestrel, Wren, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird and Goldfinch.

Kittiwakes on the Tyne [Steven Fryer]

Lockhaugh -10 Waxwing
Stargate - A male Great spotted Woodpecker in a garden plus a Green Woodpecker by the Quarry., plus one Kestrel.

Green Woodpecker at Stargate [Ron McHatton]

Addison Wood - Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk
Hedgefield House - 2 Sparrowhawks
Ryton - No sign of Hawfinches at the Grove.
Durham Road - Nearly 100 Waxwing seen at Shipcote
Whickham - 20 Waxwings feeding on berries in a garden at the end off Burnthouse Lane

Cormorant at Derwenthaugh [Steven Fryer]

Saturday 5th March 2011

Thornley WC - 1 Brambling
Gateshead Stadium - An adult Mediterranean Gull with a full black head reported on a lamp-post

Ryton - 2 probable Hawfinch seen by the Grove. There was an unconfirmed report of this species at Victoria Garesfield during the week.

Friday 4th March 2011

Lamesley Water Meadows - Several Oyster-catcher, Curlew, Lapwing, Goldfinch, Grey Lag, Shelduck and Teal
Shibdon Pond -A feral Whooper Swan from Yorkshire present (this bird is the one that has been at Lamesley, Chester-le-Street and Brasside).
Birtley reedbeds -Woodcock, Kingfisher and Reed Bunting.
Clara Vale LNR - Blue, Great, Long Tailed, Coal & Willow Tit, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin & Lesser Redpoll plus Sparrowhawk and Redwing.
Far Pasture NR -Blue, Great, Long Tailed, Coal & Willow Tit, Nuthatch, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin , Kestrel and 2 Bank Vole
Ryton - 3 Whooper Swans, presumed wild, on the river
Derwent walk CP - 5 Common Buzzard and 5 Red Kite in the air together

Chiffchaffs [Steven Fryer [top] and Ron Hindhaugh [lower]]

Thursday 3rd March 2011

Derwent Walk CP - 3 Brambling on Viewpoint path, Lockhaugh Cutting Pair of Goosander on river above Clockburn and a Grey Wagtail the at Cricket Club Bridge.
Shibdon Pond -Goldfinch, Grey Partridges Reed Bunting

Wednesday 2nd March 2011

Dunston Staithes- Overlooking Lintzford/Chopwell -produced at least 11 Red Kite and 5 Common Buzzard (including excellent views of a displaying pair)
Timber Beach -2 Oystercatcher
River Tyne at Costco -A redhead Goosander and a pair of Goldeneye. A scattering of Teal and Shelduck all along the river.

Tuesday 1st March 2011

Lamesley Water Meadows - pair of Mallard, 1 pair of Shelduck, 2 Oyster Catchers, 10 Greylag, 2 Magpie, 12 Coot, 40 Teal, 6 Moorhen, 20 Black headed Gulls . A flock of 80 Lapwing circled. 3 Long Tailed Tit by the hide and a singing Robin.
Ryton -Tawny Owl calling at 0430hrs. Also Blackbird & Robin singing & Curlew calling
Derwent Walk CP - Overlooking Lintzford/Chopwell -produced at least 11 Red Kite and 5 Common Buzzard (including excellent views of a displaying pair)
Rowlands Gill -5 Red Kite and 3 Common Buzzard. A male Reed Bunting visited one garden here.

Stock Dove at Clara Vale LNR [David Wilson]

for previous months bird records see bottom of page