Gateshead Birders

Thursday 30th December 2004

Shibdon - 60 Waxwing on the old reclaimed tip this morning.

Blaydon - Still 30 in the Cowpen Road area in the morning and 200 nearby at the shopping centre carpark later.

Stella - 60 Teal was a good count for this site.

Clara Vale - Several Waxwing flew over in the afternoon and a Barn Owl was heard calling again at dusk.

Shibdon Pond - 5 Shoveler and 2 Shelduck on the pond.

Watergate - Report of a White Stork in fields above the lake.

Shibdon Pond - 30 Waxwing flew west over the pond at 14:50.

Barlow Fell - 104 Golden Plover in fields and 6 Red Kites still in area.

Blaydon - Still 25 Waxwing in the Shopping Precinct.

Stella - 7 Grey Partridge, a Woodcock, 2 Snipe, 113 Curlew and a Common Seal present.

Blaydon - 12 Waxwing present at 09:00, by the garage near the mail sorting office.

Blaydon cemetery - 1 Brambling feeding on the ground in the cemetery.

Thornley Woodland centre - 2 Brambling heard in the trees.

Tuesday 21st December 2004

Rose Street - 30 Waxwing present at 09:30.

Burdon Moor - A Little Owl and a pair of Stonechat seen.

Swalwell visitor centre - The juvenile Whooper Swan flew NW overhead at 15:50

Scotswood Bridge area - 19 Waxwing, next to K.F.C. near the skiff pub at 11.30 am.

Low Fell- 15 Waxwing, in the grounds of the dentist, at the bottom of Beacon Lough Road.

Goodshields Lake, Derwent Walk - 6 Little Grebe present and 6 (5 male, 1 female) Bullfinch.

Town centre - 80 Waxwing in West Jackson Street.

Clara Vale - Female Blackcap at the feeding station

Westfield Pasture - 2 Willow Tit and a Woodcock present.

Felling - 30 Wawing flew over.

Whickham - 43 Waxwing at the end of Bideford Grove, Whickham between 1 and 3pm.

Thornley - Mottled Umber (moth) photographed.

Blaydon - At least 100 Waxwing still present this morning.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Goosander, 3 Shelduck and 2 Shoveler.

Timber beach - A Common Seal and 44 Golden Plover.

Stella -Presumably the same Common Seal seen here early morning. Also 2 Goosander and 49 Curlew.

Blaydon -Still 200 Waxwing still present this morning.

Shibdon Pond - 16 Lesser Redpoll, 229 Lapwing, 4 Redshank, 1 Water Rail, 3 Shelduck, 71 Teal. 38 Waxwing flew over, heading west.

Blaydon -The 300 Waxwing still present this morning.

Blaydon -The 300 Waxwing still present this morning.

Shibdon Pond - 30 Waxwing by the football pit.

Blaydon -Still 300 Waxwing between the Sorting Officer in Cowpen Road and the Chain Bridge Road flyover. 70 were seen flying over the St. Thomas Moore School at 15:30.

Blaydon - 200-300 Waxwing between the Sorting Officer in Cowpen Road and the Chain Bridge Road flyover.

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Greylag and a Willow Tit in the hedge

Blaydon - 200 Waxwing in Cowpen road, by the Chain Bridge Road flyover.

Derwent Walk CP - 8 Red Kites there today.

Blaydon - 300 Waxwing in the carpark of the Blaydon Shopping centre. Late they were all in Cowpen road, by the Chain Bridge Road flyover.

Shibdon Pond - 3 Shelduck.

Stargate - 99 more Waxwing seen here later in the day.

Sled Lane Pond - A Juvenile Whooper Swan and 2 drake Goosander on the pond.

Burdon Moor - A Short-eared Owl and a Stonechat seen.

Thornley Woodland Centre - 20 Grey Geese, probably Grey Lag flew over and a Marsh Tit present.

Far Pasture NR - 4 Red Kite over the nature reserve where a Kingfisher, 10 Goldcrest and a Water Rail were seen during conservation work by the Young Volunteers and the Phoenix Group.

Stargate Quarry - A Jack Snipe was flushed

Rowlands Gill - 4 Red Kite over the village for much of the day.

Barlow Fell - A Woodcock seen and a Fieldfare found dead.

Birtley - A flock of 25 Long-tailed Tit at the Komatsu Factory, contained a warbler sp.

Clara Vale - A Barn Owl was heard calling in the early evening. It is the first recorded at this site for very many years.

Shibdon Pond - 4 Shelduck.

Clara Vale - The Kingfisher on new pond again and a Green woodpecker on the reserve.

Crawcrook - 10 Waxwings near Jet Garage at 12:30

Birtley - 9 Waxwing early morning by the BP Garage.

Blaydon - 52 Waxwing in the carpark of the Blaydon Shopping centre with other flying over the nearby Chainbridge Road. 21 Grey Geese, probably Grey Lag flew over the car park, heading west.

Timber beach - A male Wigeon on the river.

Ravensworth Fell - 30+ Fieldfare and a Little Owl.

Shibdon Pond - Many Lapwings, Redshanks and Gulls plus a Sheld duck and a male Goosander all spooked by a bird of prey to fast to indentify.

Derwent Walk - In the reedbed at Goodshied's Haugh there were 20 to 30 Longtailed Tits and a Dipper near The Golden Lion pub.

Shibdon Pond - A report of a GREAT GREY SHRIKE early afternoon but sign since despite searching.

Clara Vale - 2 Tree Sparrows in the feeding station today (up from 1 earlier in the week, so maybe the flock we used to have is going to return!) Also a Willow Tit using feeder regularly.

Blaydon - No sign of any Waxwing in the Blaydon Shopping centre area today.

Clara Vale- Tree Sparrow present

Blaydon - Waxwing have now rising to 100 in the Blaydon Shopping centre.

Blaydon - Now 53 Waxwing in Blaydon Shopping centre car park, occassionally in nearby Cowpen Road.

Chopwell Woods - Still no Crossbills but 110 Siskin, 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Goosander flew over.

Timber beach - A Goosander flew up river and 27 Dunlin on the mud.

Barlow Fell - 3+ Red Kite still in area.

Blaydon - Still 20+ Waxwing in Blaydon Shopping centre car park this morning.

Barlow Fell - A Peregrine, thought to be a young female was seen to catch and behead a Starling. 5+ Red Kite still in area.

Blaydon - 24 Waxwing in Blaydon Shopping centre car park this morning.

Redheugh area - 50 Waxwing by Tyneview Primary School, Rose Street.

Rowlands Gill - Still 21 Waxwings feeding late morning by roadside opposite Vale of Derwent
Social Club car park.

Rowlands Gill - 26 Waxwings feeding late morning by roadside opposite Vale of Derwent
Social Club car park.

Shibdon Pond - 1 Kingfisher and 35 Redwing. A redhead Goosander flew over early morning.

Watergate Park - The female Wood Duck of unknown origin, it is fully winged and unrung.

Stella - A Common Seal present again on the river.

Swalwell - Still 30 Waxwing in the Cricket Ground area.

Belated news for late October - Green Sandpiper at Blaydon Quarry, 2 Common Buzzard over High Spen and a flock of 6 Woodcock reportedly flushed from Reely Mires.

Watergate Pond - A Wood Duck female reported.

Swalwell - 30 Waxwing by the Cricket Ground.

Westfield Pasture - 58 Waxwing present.

Crawcrook Quarry - A Green Sandpiper was seen

Greenside - 6 Red Kite.

Rowlands Gill - 14 Waxwing overhead this
morning.

Also 30 Waxwing by the "Health centre in Gateshead"

Barlow - 3 Red Kite - all untagged - See Kite Page.

Clara Vale - A raptor, though to be a probable Marsh Harrier in heavy moult flew over.

Whickham - 30 Waxwing again at Fellside, by the Primary School.

Tuesday 9th November 2004

Whickham - 20 Waxwing.

Monday 8th November 2004

Blaydon - 20 Waxwing at the top of Blaydon Bank by the cricket Club at 11:00.

Barlow - 4 Red Kite

Whickham - Now 68 Waxwing on Parkway, near Tindale Drive on the Fellside Estate despite the attentions of a local sparrow-hawk.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Common Shelduck and 4 Shoveler on the pond. 7 Lesser redpoll and 2 Siskin in the marsh behind.

River Tyne at Dunston Staithes - 700 Golden Plover on the mud and a Little Grebe on the river.

Timber beach - A Kingfisher and a Snipe were seen.

Ravensworth Fell - 82 Fieldfare and 2 Stonechat on Burdon Moor.

Whickham - Upto 50 Waxwing on Parkway, near Tindale Drive.

Shibdon Pond - 3 Common Shelduck and 3 Shoveler on the pond.

Lamesley Water Meadows - 50 Curlew in the field east of the meadows.

Riding Lane. - 10 Tree Sparrow and 20 Grey Partridge along the lane and on the river Team, a female Goosander, one Kingfisher and 2 Dipper.

Birtley - A flock of 90 Pink-footed Geese flew over, heading south.

Ryton - 4 Waxwing by Safeway supermarket.

Axwell Park - A Tawny Owl calling.

Greenside - 6 Red Kite still in the Greenside area (Reely Mires/Ricklees Farm) at 11:00.

Shibdon Pond - 3 Roe Deer, 2 Shelduck, 2 Shoveler, 31 Cormorant and 60+ Redwing.

River Derwent (Swalwell area) - 3 Goosander, 1 Dipper, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Oystercatcher. A Sparrowhawk nearly took one observer's head off along the path by the river as it brushed past him from behind in pursuit of its prey.

Sunday 31st October 2004

Ravensworth Grange - 3 Tree Sparrow with House Sparrow.

Shibdon Pond - 20 each of Redwing & Fieldfare, 30 Lesser Redpoll, 6 Shoveler and 2 Shelduck. A late Common Darter on the marsh.

Team valley - A flock of 50 Pink-footed Geese over A1, heding NNW.

Timber Beach - 1,000 Golden Plover, 170 Redshank and 34 Dunlin on the mud. A pair of Mute Swan on the river.

Greenside - 6 Red Kites

Whickham - 1 Waxwing over Oakfield Road at 13:00hrs.

Whickham - 5 waxwings over Oakfield Road at first light.

Shibdon Pond - 100+ Redwing, 6 Siskin and 3 Brambling.

Clara Vale LNR - 2 Red Admiral this afternoon.

Shibdon Pond - About 8-30am flock of about 50 Fieldfares visited Shibdon pond but did not stay long and flew off in the direction of Axwell Park.

Birtley - A Barn Owl seen by the A1 at 21:55 hrs.

Clara Vale - Large colony of Geastrum Triplex (Collared Earthstar - a fungus) found at Clara Golf Course today. Lots of Redwings and a
few Fieldfares around village and 2 Tawny Owls calling this evening.

Crawcrook Quarry - 6 Snipe and a Grey Heron

Burdon Moor - Still 1 Stonechat and the large flock of 1,000 Golden Plover.

Shibdon Pond - a Jack Snipe plus 3 Common Darter and a Migrant Hawker seen in the afternoon.

Clara Vale - No sign of the Red-breasted Merganser today. 3 Noctules over the river near Clara 4.30 pm.

Burdon Moor - 6 Stonechat, 2 Short-esred Owls and possibly as many as 1,000 Golden Plover. Many flocks of Fieldfare flying over.

Clara Vale -A redhead Red-breasted Merganser on the new pond, Kingfisher still preseny and a Green Woodpecker seen. 50 Pink-footed Geese flew over.

Clara Vale - Kingfisher still at Clara Vale LNR and 1-2 Tree SParrows showing well.

Clara Vale - Kingfisher still at Clara Vale LNR.

Red Kites - A single Red Kite just before
3pm today from the north end of Rowlands Gill. The first in the valley this month. 5 Red Kite observed in exactly the same place as yesterday (right hand side of road when travelling from the Spen towards Barlow, from High Spen Excelsior). Later in the day, four were in two groups, one group on road on the approach to Greenside and the other two above Blaydon Burn near Barlow.

Shibdon Pond - A Migrant Hawker and still 4+ Wigeon present.

Red Kites - 2 Red Kite seen from the road between High Spen and Barlow. Birds crossing over the road repeatedly. Both ended up down in the wooded valley which runs along towards the land fill site.

Axwell Park - 2 Whiskered Bat were seen at dusk

Clara Vale- single Red Admiral and Comma seen.

Shibdon Pond - 85 Canada Geese and 2 Barnacle Geese, all feral flew off at dawn. 20 Shoveler and 2+ Wigeon still present. A Goldeneye arrived in the afternoon.

Blaydon Burn Meadows - 8 Curlews

Path Head Quarry - A Green Woodpecker

Bewes Hills - Another Green Woodpecker

Derwent valley - A dipper with blue above pink-left and white above red- right rings, seemed to be adult bird.

Blaydon - A flock of 30 Pink-footed Geese flew over.

Clara Vale- The first Fieldfares of the Autumn flew over, flying west.

Stella - Lots of thrushes and a Brambling present.

Hedgefield Pasture - 1 Tawny Owl

Clara Vale LNR - Singing chiffchaff & male blackcap, 1 red admiral

Westfield Pasture - 2 Redwing and a Blackcap on the reserve

** Many observers have commented on the lack of Red Kites. It appears that they have all gone from the Derwent valley but some remain in Gateshead in the Barlow Fell/Greenside area. See Kite News for more details. **

Winlaton - A Red Admiral was seen.

Derwent Walk - Green Woodpecker foraging in horse grazing field.

Far Pasture NR - 3-4 Chiffchaffs, pair of bullfinches, goldcrest and 4-5 House Martins present. Also a Migrant Hawker and up to a dozen Common Darter.

Rowlands Gill - A Red Admiral

Blaydon Burn - 2 Comma

Clara Vale - 3 commas, 6 red admirals, 1 southern hawker, 1 common darter and a Green woodpecker

Shibdon Pond - 2 redhead Goosander on the pond, with 16 Snipe, 33 Redshank, 3 Dunlin, a juvenile Shelduck, 16 Shoveler and 4 Wigeon. A Comma in the Clinic carpark and a flock of 75 House Martin was feeding over the football pitch.

Timber beach - The Common Seal seen again.

Thornley Woodland centre - A Hobby flew over heading west.

Clara Vale LNR - Kingfisher again in the morning on the new pond for at least an hour.

Shibdon Pond - The first Redwing of the year was on the reserve together with 1-2 Chiffchaff and Blackcap. 2 Dunlin, 12 Lapwing and 5 Snipe were on the pond.

Near Birtley - A Hobby seen near the Washington boundary was perhaps the bird at Shibdon a couple of weeks ago. 15 House Martins, apparently still feeding young over the town.

Barlow Fell - 17 Golden Plovers and 9 Lapwings.

Blaydon Cemetry - Redwing 3, Nuthatch 1, Trecreeper 1

Shibdon Pond - A HOOPOE was seen flying over the A1 and over the western side of Shibdon Pond by a very lucky observer. It has been extensively looked for without success but may well be lurking in some local garden. Also a Reed Warbler was still in the phragmites bed and was seen by 2 seperate observers, 20 Barnacle Geese flew west overhead and a flock of 15 Mistle Thrush was seen

Shibdon Pond - 18 Wigeon, 67 Redshank and 21 Shoveler, 13 Snipe and a Common
Whitethroat.

Westfield Pasture - Blackcap 4, Chiffchaff 7, Song thrush 15, Blackbird 21.

Clara Vale - A skien of Pink footed Goose flew west.

Clara Vale - Noted in a back garden - Painted Lady 1, Comma 2, Red Admiral 6, Large
White 1

Rowlands Gill - Chiffchaff singing close by from trees between the houses and 7 swallows heading south at speed. Single Red Kite circling high, just north of the estate and slowly heading towards the river.

Clara Vale LNR - Kingfisher "showing well" for about an hour from the new hide today and
yesterday in the morning: today round 9am yesterday around 10.
Also a singing Chiffchaff and Willow Tit today + 2 red admirals.

Shibdon Pond - A Kingfisher seen briefly, 28 Shoveler, 1 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Ruddy Duck and 2 Migrant Hawker.

Derwent Walk - A Dipper by the Cricket Club bridge bore a red above white plastic ring on its left leg and a red above a metal ring on its right. This bird was a female that bred at Swalwell earlier this year and had not been seen since June. If you see a colour rung Dipper please let us know and we'll tell you were the bird was rung and it's movements since.

Shibdon Pond - 3 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon and 24 Redshank.

Clara Vale - Red squirrel in a garden, the first for at least 2 years.

Shibdon Pond - 20 Barnacle Geese flew west.

Clara Vale LNR - Singing Chiffchaff and a juvenile Green Woodpecker plus 2
Commas.

Far Pasture - A Common Buzzard flew over towards Thornley.

Stargate Ponds - Little Grebe feeding chick. The chick is now more independent and is diving. Also a Willow Tit

Blaydon Burn - One Comma.

Blaydon Burn Meadows - Still only one Curlew.

Derwent Walk - An Osprey seen seen again at the Weir.

Derwent Walk - An Osprey seen between Far Pasture and the Weir.

Shibdon Pond - 2 feral Barnacle Geese still with the 65 Canada Geese, 7 Wigeon, 100 Teal, 17 Shoveler and a Chiffchaff. Still several Swallow, 60+ House Martin and a Swift flew over. A Chiffchaff present and singing occasionally by the main hide. A Migrant Hawker also by the hide.

Ravensworth Fell - 80 Golden Plover and 4 Wheatear. Up to 3 Sparrow-Hawks present.

Lamesley Water Meadows - A Red Kite mobbed by a Sparrow-Hawk.

Far Pasture - Sparrow-Hawk, Chiffchaff and Blackcap still present and 2 Sand Martin with the Swallows and House Martins over the pond.

Stargate - Little Grebe feeding just one chick Green Woodpecker heard.

Path Head Quarry - Green Woodpecker observed. Also Willow Tit and Red Admiral here.

Blaydon Burn - Red Admiral

Blaydon Quarry - Grey Partridge, 2 Green Sandpipers

Blaydon Burn Meadows - Curlew

Beech House ( opposite Blaydon Burn ) - Nuthatch

Far Pasture NR - An Otter was seen on the reserve.

Thornley woodland centre - A Brimstone Butterfly was seen today. As it is a long lived butterfly compared with others in the U. K. it can be found during nearly any month of the year in the rest of Britain. It is the only ‘white’ in the U. K. to overwinter in the butterfly stage.

Stargate Quarry - 1 Black Darter

Shibdon Pond - 3+ Migrant Hawker

Far Pasture - 57 Teal

Winlaton - Small Copper in housing estate

Blaydon Burn - Painted Lady

Westfield Pasture & Shibdon Pond - A notable increase in the numbers of both Song Thrush and Blackbirds today.

Clara Vale LNR - Kingfisher + 8 red admirals & 1 comma all from the new hide. Red admirals
feeding on rotten apples. 1 Painted lady in main reserve.

Clara Vale- A Tree Sparrow in the village

Shibdon Pond - An early Goldeneye on the pond together with 12 Shoveler and several Shelduck and 100 Teal but the Garganey appear to have gone.

Blaydon Burn - A male Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Willow Tit.

Far Pasture - One Kingfisher

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey, 2 feral Barnacle Geese have returned with the 65 Canada Geese, 7 Wigeon and a Shelduck.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present together with 12 Shoveler, 6 Wigeon, 2 Ruddy Duck, 61 Canada Goose, 10 Snipe, 16 Mistle Thrush, 2 Sand Martin and 3 Chiffchaff. A juvenile Hobby flew west over the pond at 08:40.

Axwell Park - One Green Woodpecker in one of the gardens on the estate and a Pipistrelle Bat sp. also present.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present together with 12 Shoveler and 6Wigeon.

Stella - One Whinchat was the first of the year in the borough. A Sparrow-hawk was seen to catch a juvenile Green Woodpecker.

Crawcrook Quarry - 1 Green Sandpiper

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present and a Kingfisher was seen. Now 8 Shoveler with 5 Wigeon. 2 Migrant Hawkers still present.

Blaydon Burn - about 100 Swallows overhead this evening.

Stella - 150+ Meadow Pipit.

Clara Vale - 2 Common Swift, probably the borough's last of the year.

Crawcrook Quarry - 4 Sand Martin still present.

Derwent Walk Country Park - A Spotted Flycatcher was seen.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present together with 10 Snipe, now 7 Shoveler and 5 Wigeon.

Stargate - Little Grebe feeding 3 chicks and Mute Swan and Willow Tit here.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present together with 4 Shoveler, 4 Little Grebe and 4 Wigeon.

River Tyne at Costco - A singing Chiffchaff and 2 Common Blues.

Winlaton Mill - 2 Common Buzzard with the Red Kites again.

Urpeth Bottoms - 1 Common Buzzard

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present.

Lamesley - 60+ Snipe on the water meadows.

Far Pasture - 1 Blackcap

Team valley - A Peregrine was seen and initially reminded the observer of a Saker!

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present

Derwent valley - 1 possible Marsh Harrier.

Stella - Heath Cudweed discovered, the first record since the 1980s.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present.

Burdon Moor - One Common Whitethroat, 5 Grey Partridge and a Stock Dove.

Blaydon Quarry - 2 Little Grebe, Grey Partridge, 4 Lapwing, 2 Green Sandpiper, Small Copper

Summerhill - 2 Small Copper

Stargate Ponds - Little Grebe feeding 3 chicks, 2 Painted Ladies, Common Blue

River Tyne ( Blaydon ) - Red Admiral

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present and about 20 Migrant Hawkers and a couple of Ruddy Darters around the pond. A Clouded Yellow flew over.

Burdon Moor - Black Darter, 4 Common Snipe and a Green Sandpiper.

Westfield Pasture - Willow Tit 3, Southern Hawker 1,Sparrow hawk 1, Wall 2.

Shibdon Pond - Migrant Hawker 9 at least possible emergence from successful
breeding?. Ruddy Darter 2, Southern Hawker 1, Garganey 2, Small Copper 1.

Westfield Pasture - A Spotted Flycatcher with Chiffchaff's, Blackcaps and a Garden Warbler. 5 Red Admirals feeding on sap.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present, together with 3 Shoveler. Painted Lady and Comma amongst the butterflies still on the wing in the meadow. A Southern Hawker and a Migrant or Common Hawker also seen.

Clara Vale - A noticeable passage of Swallows flew over.-

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present.

Stargate Ponds - Many Common Darter with good numbers egg-laying on the main pit. Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat and Chiffchaff all feeding on Elders/Rose hips.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey still present, together with 3 Shoveler. A Chiffchaff still singing by the hide.

Burdon Moor - 1 Black Darter with many Common Darters and Blue-tailed Damselflies. 5 Common Snipe were flushed from the pools.

Timber Beach - 1 Greenshank on the mud. Common Blue, Small Copper and Painted Lady amongst the butterflies still on the wing.

River Tyne at Derwenthaugh Staithes - 1 juvenile Goosander on the river.

Far Pasture NR - Willow Tit, Tree-creeper, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff all in the hedge by the car park.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Garganey found late morning and present for the rest of the day. Chiffchaff still singing.

Coalburns Plantation - 6 Spotted Flycatcher, Little Owl, Tree Sparrow all present together with the commoner breeding warblers.

Sunday 29th August 2004

Stargate Ponds - Little Grebe still feeding 3 chicks. Also 2 Swifts, Willow Tit, Small Heath and Small Copper seen here.

Blaydon Burn Meadows - 85 Curlews, very high count for this time of year.

Blaydon Quarry - 1 Green Sandpiper

Derwent valley - An Osprey flew south up the valley at 11:15.

Shibdon Pond - 1 Common Swift flew over.

Clara Vale - Moth trap ran. One Southern Hawker seen. See photos opposite and on Dragonflies page

Timber beach- 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Painted Lady nearby at Dunston Staithes still.

Ryton Willows - Up to 3 Kingfishers continue to show well and a Southern Hawker seen.

Red Kites continue to show well

Clara Vale - 1 Common Swift

Stella - 1 Common Sandpiper.

Stargate - 2 Willow Tit and Little Grebe feeding 3 chicks on small fish. One chick observed diving.

Far Pasture NR - 1 Grasshopper Warbler still singing.

Stargate - 1 Willow Tit

Ryton Willows - A Ruddy Darter was seen, the first for this site. Also a family party of Weasels.

Low Horseshoe Wood, Derwent Walk - Southern Hawker Dragonfly

Birtley - 1 Painted Lady.

Shibdon Pond - 7 species of Warbler including 4 Garden Warbler and 1-2 Reed WArbler in the scrub together with Willow Tit, Nuthatch and 9 Lesser Redpoll.

Burdon Moor - One Common Hawker, Willow Tit and a Golden Plover flew over.

Thornley Woodland centre - Purple Hairstreaks on show again.

Sunniside Park - 5 Red Kites (see below) and a Greenshank flew over.

Stargate - 1 Greenshank, Little Grebe feeding 2 small chicks, 1 or 2 Willow Tits and a Red Fox.

Stella - 2 Stoats

Blaydon Quarry - A Green Sandpiper

Blaydon Burn - 3 Treecreepers

Red Kites now spreading- See details

Stella - 4 Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper seen.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Common Sandpiper

Stella - 39 Common Snipe on the mud seen from the N. side of the river. These birds then came to roost on the Newcastle side as the tide came in.

Bradley Nursery Gardens, Sled Lane - Another Holly Blue seen. It was seen for a long period nectaring on a geranium in the gardens. Many Small Coppers and good numbers of Peacocks and Commas also present. as was a Migrant Hawker.

Gibside - Gibside - 3+ Red Kites overhead (11:45). See Kite page for a new good spot to see them from.

Blaydon Burn - Stoat this evening

Blaydon Quarry - Sparrowhawk, Green Sandpiper and Oystercatcher. Also numerous Sand Martins and Swallows skimming low over water here.

Brockwell - 500+ Jackdaws at regular roost .

Clara Vale - Emerald Damselfly was only the second of the year here. See opposite and Insects page.

Clara Vale - 1 Spotted Flycatcher seen

Crawcrook Quarry - 2 Green Sandpiper.

Blaydon Quarry - 2 Green Sandpiper.

Blaydon Burn Meadows - 25 Curlew was a good count for this site.

Crawcrook Quarry - Single Greenshank and Green Sandpiper and a Wheatear.

Stella - 75 Lapwing included last years returning leucistic bird amongst them.

Timber beach - 16 Oyster-catcher and 2 juvenile Shelduck on the mud.

Derwent valley -2 Common Buzzard were seen with 7-8 Red Kite from Rowlands Gill viaduct but within the borough on 15th. An adult but probably not one of these two birds, was heard calling & behaviour suggested of breeding early in the month. If so, this will be the first breeding record of this species in Gateshead.

Stargate - An Emperor Dragonfly was watched egg-laying and a Ruddy Darter was also seen. A Large Skipper was also seen.

River Tyne at Costco - Common Whitethroat and Willow Warbler in the Sea Buckthorn there.

Dunston Staithes - 4 Common Sandpiper

Kibblesworth flash pool - A Green Sandpiper was on the pool.

Stella - No sign of Black Tern but a Common Seal and a Common Sandpiper was seen.

Shibdon Pond - Garganey on pond in morning but could not be relocated mid-day.

Stargate - A Common Hawker was seen.

Stella -Black Tern and 7 Greenshank on the Tyne. Also 9 Common Sandpiper and 2 Painted Lady.

Shibdon Pond - 5 Common Sandpiper

River Tyne at Costco - Another 5 Common Sandpiper.

Birtley - A Kingfisher was seen inside the Komatsu factory. It perched for a while then flew out of the door.

Ryton Willows - 1 Greenshank and a Green Woodpecker.

Stella - 5 Common Sandpiper

Westfield Pasture - 1 Greenshank on the "Gadwall" pool down Westfield Lane and nearby 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a flock of 150 Greenfinch.

Clara Vale - One Painted Lady was the first since July, and with good numbers at the coast in "fall" conditions was most likely an immigrant

Shibdon Pond - 6 Common Sandpipers on the pond together 2 Shoveler, 30 Teal, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Pochard, 6 Little Grebe and a new (2nd) brood of Tufted Duck.

Clara Vale - The first fine day since Sunday produced 12 Peacock, 3 Red Admiral, 6 Comma, 6 Small Tortoiseshell, 5 Large White and 3 Small White in one garden.

Shibdon Pond - 10 Common Sandpipers on the pond in the evening.

Blaydon Quarry - A Green Sandpiper was seen.

Axwell Park - A Holly Blue, only the second record for Gateshead, was seen.

Thornley woodland centre - A single Purple Hairstreak showed this lunchtime in carpark.

River Tyne - 3 Greenshank on the mud by CostCo at low tide.

Burdon Moor - A juvenile Stonechat

Shibdon Pond - Kingfisher on the pond again.

Birtley - More Bee Orchids reported

Shibdon Pond - Kingfisher on the pond and a Grasshopper Warbler singing behind the baths.

Thornley woodland centre - Several Purple Hairstreak showing in carpark.

Timber beach - A Greenshank and 40 Curlew on the mud. (See photo)

Shibdon Pond - Kingfisher on the pond and a Willow Tit was also seen.

Winlaton - 3 Commas seen in Winlaton garden.

Derwent Walk - Banded Demoiselle again at Goodshields Lake.

Shibdon Pond - Common Hawker seen over the meadow.

Clara Vale - Small Scabious found here and at Swalwell.

Crawcrook Quarry - 2 Oyster-catcher seen.

Shibdon Pond - Ruddy Darter and Southern Hawker both at Shibdon.

Stargate - One Little Grebe.

Ryton - 1 Wall Brown

Clara Vale -The Moth trap was again ran overnight

Blaydon Quarry - 3 adult Oystercatchers.

Stargate - 2 Grey Partridge, the very regular Green Woodpecker and a Willow Tit.

Lockhaugh - One Roe buck

Clara Vale - Moth trap ran overnight and caught 187 moths of 39 species.

Lamesley Water Meadows -2 Green Sandpiper and a single Sand Martin.

Shibdon Pond - 3 female Ruddy Duck and a brood of 3 young still present.

Watergate Park - No sign of the Black-necked Grebe today, it is presumed gone .It has come to light that it was first seen on the 22nd!

Stella Haugh - Great-crested Grebe still present but no sign of any Greenshank. 7 Grey Partridge there.

Watergate Park - The juvenile Black-necked Grebe still there. together with a Ruddy Duck drake.

Shibdon Pond - Single Greenshank and Kingfisher on the pond. A Green Sandpiper was there in the evening.

Clara Vale - Dog Stinkhorn Fungi found ( see photo opposite & flora page)

Stella to Blaydon -Birds on the river/mud still all there but now 3 Common Sandpipers. Also the first 2nd generation Wall Butterfly of the year seen.

Purple Hairstreak found at a 2nd but unfortunately, private site in the borough with at least 6 in one oak tree.

Watergate Park - The juvenile Black-necked Grebe is still present. [Note: The Garden Festival will be on this weekend and the bird may get disturbed]

Stella to Blaydon - Riverside mud there very attractive to waders, hosting Curlew, Redshank, Lapwing, Common Sandpiper and 3 Greenshank. The Great crested Grebe still on the river there.

Common Wintergreen (Pyrola minor) now in flower.

Watergate Park - The juvenile Black-necked Grebe still on the lake.

Clara Vale - Red Admiral and Comma present in gardens in the village.

Watergate Park - The juvenile Black-necked Grebe still on the lake.

Barlow Fell - 2 Little Owls seen.

Watergate Park - Juvenile Black-necked Grebe found on the lake at 14:20hrs.

Blaydon Quarry - 2 Oystercatchers and 3 Grey Partridge.

Path Head Quarry - Blackcap and 2 Garden Warblers seen.

Thornley - Several Purple Hairstreaks seen well in the carpark at the Woodland centre. They are in the oaks behind the hut.

Gibside - 7 Red Kite in the air together this morning

Stella - Great Crested Grebe presnt this morning on the Tyne. Also 2 Common Sandpiper, 9 Goosander and 7 Grey Heron.

Watergate - A bird that may have been a Red-backed Shrijke was seen briefly before disappearing in scrub to the north and could not be refound.

Crawcrook Quarry - 2 Little Owl and 10 Grey Partridge seen.

Stargate and Stella - Probable Hobby seen in the evening at both sites, fighting with a Kestrel. Observer cannot be 100% certain of i.d due to poor light. This is the second record this month of a possible Hobby in this area so keep your eyes open.

Shibdon Pond - Oiled Common Tern still present. Broods of Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Willow Warbler. Also 1 Comma.

Stargate - The Emperor Dragonfly still present and showed well.

Far Pasture - Red Kites showing and a Kingfisher in the pool and a Comma in the car park.

Shibdon Pond- A very bedraggled tern seen in poor weather on one of the rafts was thoughtpossibly to be an Arctic Tern but is in fact just an oiled Common Tern. Kingfisher in front of hide.

Whickham - Goshawk reported flyong over Fellside road towards the golf course.

Stargate - The Emperor Dragonfly still present and showed well.

Derwent Walk - Still 1 Banded Demoiselle at Goodshield's Lake and 30+ Small Skipper, 2 Painted Lady and 40 Meadow Brown together with Common Blue and Blue-tailed Damselflies. Two Common Terns feeding there all day. 2 each of Tufted Duck and Little Grebe also present. 2 Red Kite seen from the hill south of here looking towards Gibside.

Stargate - The Emperor Dragonfly (male) seen on the small pool again with possibly a second one seen. 2 Common Tern feeding. Also 2 Comma.

Near Ryton - A possible Hobby was seen briefly in the evening

Shibdon Pond - Butterfly transect produced good numbers of common insects, despite the weathe,r and a ringed Grasshopper Warbler was seen feeding 3 young.

Path Head Wood - 1 Tawny Owl

Far Pasture - Red Kite over Far Pature NR car park.

Stargate - Emperor Dragonfly (male) seen on the small pool. The 12th Dragonfly of the year. Also good numbers of commoner butterflies & dragonflies, a Green Woodpecker and a Snipe.

Gibside - The first 6 Red Kites were released - see Red Kite News

Ravensworth Fell - A Long-eared Owl flew over the fell in bad weather and landed in a nearby tree. Also present were several Emerald Damselflies and a Black Darter (The first of the year).

Blaydon Quarry - 2 Oystercatchers plus juvenile.

Blaydon Burn - Tawny Owl landed on tree and watched observer from a distance of one metre ! Seconds later it flew onto the top of a telegraph pole to observe again from point blank range.

Stargate - 5 Common Terns fishing over Stargate Ponds in the evening. Very high count for this site.

Clara Vale - Common Sandpiper at Wylam Bridge flying downstream. 2 Dipper probably roosting in Wylam Bridge in an old Dipper nest, from this year in Wylam Bridge.

Gibside - 1-2 Woodcock seen frequently over an hour at sunset.

Crawcrook Quarry - 2 juv Little Owls

Birtley - A Southern Hawker present a Komatsu (The first of the year).

Derwent Walk - At least 8 Banded Demoiselles and a Common Hawker present in the Goodshield's Lake area.

Shibdon Pond - Female Shoveler still present. Corn-cockle by the new path.

Timber Beach - 20 Redshank and 10 Curlew.

Ravensworth Fell - 1 Little Owl

Stella - A female Goosander with her brood on young on the river Tyne.

Blaydon Burn - 2 Small Skipper

Shibdon Pond - Female Shoveler on Pond this morning, also Reed Warbler seen and another heard, and a Sparrowhawk mobbed by about a dozen Terns.

River Derwent - From the bridge at Swalwell roundabout to Derwenthaugh Park produced up to five Juv. Grey Wagtails and four adults, and a female Goosander with single Juv. Also three Banded Demoiselles at various points. A single Spotted Flycatcher was observed at the start of the path from Derwenthaugh Park to Paddock Hill Wood.

Chopwell - Another small colony of Bee Orchid found.

Shibdon Pond - Chiffchaff giving an unusual song around the board walk from the willows/alders where the board walk starts. In between bouts of preening it sang an odd tri-syllabic song.

River Derwent - 3 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly at Goodshield Haugh.

Westfield Lane - 1 Red Admiral

Chopwell Woods - A single Green Woodpecker and a Roe Deer.

Late, surpressed news - Spotted Flycatcher at Paddock Hill and Crossbill flew into Gibside last week (see News & Gossip).

Bewes Hill - 1+ Cuckoo repeatedly flushed.

Stargate - Lots of Butterflies present including a ragged Dingy Skipper, 4 Damselflies including Emerald Damsel and a Common Darter. An injured Oyster-catcher by the fishermen.

Stella - Common Blue and Small Heath.

Shibdon Pond - Reed Warbler and Water Rail singing/calling and a 4-Spotted Chaser Dragonfly noted in front of the main hide.

Blaydon Burn - Red Admiral and a Nuthatch. The latter may be only the second record for the site.

Clara Vale - A roosting Elephant Hawk Moth seen.

Bewes Hill - 1 Cuckoo.

Lintzford - Pair of Spotted Flycatchers, catching insects over the river and perching both sides by the stone bridge marking the path to Priestfield Woods at NZ149572.

Blaydon Burn Meadows - Tawny Owl present in the evening

An unusual warbler seen at Westfield Pasture today. It may have been the possible Icterine Warbler that was singing there on the 7th June. It is in the bare scrub halfway up the bank. If anyone is in the area it is worth checking it out.

Stella - The Common Seal present again.

Blaydon Burn - Kingfisher seen near the Black Bull public house.

Shibdon Pond - Water Rail and 3 Reed Warblers seen. 40 sand Martin were counted.

Many young birds around throughout the borough. It appears to have been a good breeding season, particularly for Sylvia Warblers such as Common Whitethroat, Blackcap and Garden Warbler and also for Chiffchaffs.

Far Pastrue/Lockhaugh - Cuckoo both male and female calling, also 3 Oystercatcher there.

Shibdon Pond - A female Teal with 2 very young ducklings at Shibdon Pond

Maryside Hill, Clara Vale - 1 Red Admiral

Blaydon Burn - 1 Meadow Brown

Thornley Feeding Station - A Red Squirrel present this morning.

Stargate - The first Common Darter and a Narrow-bordered Burnet Moth together the the usual butterflies and damselflies.

Barlow Fell - The Cuckoo is still present near Lilley Crook Hill.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Painted Lady on boundary path/tip and a Kingfisher giving excellent views perched on small branch right in front of hide. Other butterflies including Large Skipper, Wall, Orange Tip, Common Blue (opposite) and the first Meadow Brown of the year out together with Shaded Broad-bar, Yellow Shell and Silver Y moths flying.

West of borough - Little Ringed Plover confirmed breeding with possibly a second pair.

Stella - Common Seal present eating a very large Salmon. 10 Shelduck and a pair of Ringed Plover with young also seen.

Owlet Hill - pair of Banded Demoiselles

Shibdon Pond - 46 Common Tern, 13 Shelduck and a Kingfisher on Shibdon Pond this afternoon. The female Mute Swan and her cygnets disappeared for 2 days on the 10th/11th June leaving the male alone. She returned today with her youngsters but their whereabouts for those two days is a mystery.

Crawcrook Quarry - Colony of Dingy Skipper found and a Little Owl present.

Clara Vale LNR - A Red Admiral seen in the afternoon.

Reely Mires - 1 Red Admiral

Summerhill - 1 Red Admiral

Birtley - 1 Painted Lady

Blaydon Quarry - Pair of Oystercatchers with 2 chicks

The First Red Kites have arrived

(see Kite News)

Near Shibdon - Hoary Plantain, Bee Orchid, Orange-Tips, 3 Painted Lady, Dingy and Large Skippers.

Westfield Pasture - Lots of Small Coppers, plus a Painted Lady, Orange-tip and many Chimney Sweeper Moths.

Ravensworth Fell - Common Quail reported heard near Tanfield Railway last night at NZ2157, opposite a large stone cottage that is being built and still has no windows [Paul Hindness]

Burdon Moor - A Corn Bunting was heard at the entrance, opposite the Tanfield Railway car park [Paul Hindness]

*** Both birds new for Gateshead this year! ***

Westfield Pasture- A possible Icterine Warbler was heard singing briefly but could not be relocated. [B. Pollinger]

Birtley - Painted Lady by a garage in the main street.

Bradley Gardens - The first Painted Lady of the year.

Winlaton - Another Painted Lady

Clara Vale LNR - Dingy skipper present this afternoon.

Lamesley Pasture - Banded Demoiselle found here today.

Stargate - 1 Common Tern feeding, together with Lesser Whitethroat and Garden warbler present. A Green Woodpecker flew over. Good numbers of butterfly including Small Heath, Large Skipper, Small Copper, Wall Brown and Common Blue. Also Common Blue and Azure Damselflies

Timber beach - 1 Redshank on the mud and Small Heath, Large Skipper, Wall Brown and Brimstone Moth present on the adjacent rough ground.

Barlow Fell - a nice colony of Quaking grass and the rare fungi White Spindle found (see picture).

Shibdon Pond -First brood of Ruddy Duck (8) hatched today. Also 1 Large Skipper

Timber Beach - 9 Shelduck on the river mud.

Derwent Walk - The first Large Skippers of the year seen.

Shibdon Pond - Still 6+ Ruddy Duck on the pond.

Timber Beach - 9 Shelduck on the river mud.

Shibdon Pond - Still 10+ Ruddy Duck present with one pair at least settling down to nest. 11 Lesser Black-backed Gull also on the pond.

Stargate Quarry/Bewes Hills - 5 new colonies of Dingy Skipper and the first Small Heath of the year discovered.

Sunday 30th May 2004

Crawcrook Quarry - A Little Ringed Plover seen.

Ravensworth Fell - Spotted Flycatcher still present together with a Garden Warbler. A Barn Owl reported to be showing well in the evening there.

Lintzford - Green Woodpecker, Garden Warbler and many Large Red Damselflies and Silver-ground Carpet Moths.

Maryside - Spikled Sedge found

Shibdon Pond - 1 female Shoveler, many Ruddy Duck and 31 Common Tern present.

Stella - Oyster-catcher with young present.

Timber beach - 5 Oyster-catcher and a Kittiwake on the old Jetty. Brimstone Moth on Downy Birch.

Ravensworth Fell - Spotted Flycatcher still present in the wood opposite High Park Wood on the S. side of Pennyfine road (NZ227577)

Clara Vale - 1 Cuckoo

High Spen - 1 Cuckoo

Dunston - Dingy Skipper present, a new site for the species.

Lamesley Water Meadows - One Ringed Plover but no sign of any Little Ringed.

Ravensworth Fell - 2 Spotted Flycatcher

Shibdon Pond - 1 Common Sandpiper

Winlaton - 2 Grey Partridge and a Cuckoo calling. The Cuckoo flew off north. Probably the same bird was heard calling from Stargate area until 2200hrs.

River Tyne at Blaydon - A Common Seal, Kittiwake and a pair of Shelduck.

Barlow Fell - A Cuckoo calling.

Blaydon Quarry - Lots of Dingy Skippers, Small Coppers and Wall Browns.

Clara Vale - 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing.

Ryton Willows - 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing.

Barmoor - 1 Cuckoo

Woodside, Ryton - 1 Lesser Whitethroat singing.

For results of Tawny Owl & Tree Sparrow breeding see Bird News

Lamesley Water Meadows - A Little Ringed Plover still present.

Axwell Park - A Long-eared Owl was heard calling in the evening.

Clara Vale - The first Azure Damselfly of the year was noted. (see photo)

Lamesley Water Meadows - Still one Little Ringed Plover showing well.

Far Pasture - Cuckoo heard and a Swallow with Swiss ring was trapped. This is possibly first ever in Britain. No records prior to 2001. not sure since. Also on the ringing front. It is believed that the Black-tailed Godwit at Dunston bearing a colour ring had it fitted at Farlington marshes in Hampshire.

Derwent Walk- 1 Cuckoo calling by lake.

Clara Vale - The first Large Red Damselfly of the year was noted.

Clara Vale - 1 Cuckoo calling at 06:00hrs [Kate Hilton] and on the Keelman's Way from Clara to the Gateshead western boundary good numbers of butterfly including Small Copper and Comma

Stargate- 2 Cuckoo, singing Garden Warbler, 2 Small Coppers and several Wall Browns

Barlow Fell - Sedge Warbler singing in field of oilseed rape.

Blaydon Quarry - Green Woodpecker and Small Copper.

Shibdon Pond - 8 Ruddy Duck(6m 2f), 35 Common Tern, 1 Green Woodopecker, 2 singing Reed warbler and 2+ Dingy Skipper.

Lamesley Water Meadows - One Little Ringed Plover still showing very well in front of Ravensworth Arms. A Common Sandpiper there late afternoon only.

Green Hairstreak rediscovered in the borough today.

No sign of the Little Egret today.

Stella - Little Ringed Plover present.

Lamesley Water Meadows - A pair of Little Ringed Plover showing very well in front of Ravensworth Arms, close to the road.

Clara Vale - Common BLue Damselfly, the first of the year.

Clara Vale - Little Egret present early evening at Clara Vale Quarry until 18:30 and flew towards Wylam bridge at 18:59. Refound on the river Tyne at Clara just below the golf course, still present 19:40. It may have been present since at least mid afternoon. [Gordon, Brian & Tom Pollinger]. Flew off down river at 18:50.

Derwenthaugh Pasture - Blue-tailed Damselfly, Wall Brown and Field Madder noted.

Shibdon Pond - Wall Brown butterflies present.

Derwenthaugh - An Otter running up the weir next to the far wall opposite the new tennis courts at Derwenthaugh Park.

Shibdon Pond - Mute Swan with at least 6 cygnets this morning (first young for
three years) also two Grasshopper Warbler singing.

Lockhaugh - A pair of Roe Deer seen

Clara Vale - Still 2 Tree Sparrow being seen here.

Strother Hills - The first Wood Warbler of the year in the borough singing.

Swalwell - Common Sandpiper present.

Pathhead Quarry - The first Wall Brown butterfly of the year seen.

Shibdon Pond - No sign of Garganey but first Reed Warbler of the year and influx of Garden & Sedge warblers, Common Whitethroat and at least 15 Common Tern. Still 2 Barnacle Geese and 4 Ruddy Duck on the pond. Common Sanpiper present late morning.

Timber beach - No sign of Great Crested Grebe. 5 Shelduck and 1 Redshank on the mud.

Burdon Moor - 3 Wheatear and a Brown Hare. Also Medium Winter-cress (Barbarea intermedia) found, the first record for about 20 years.

Lamesley - 1 Lesser Whitethroat

Ravensworth Fell - 1 Garden Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher reported.

Far Pasture NR - 1 Garden Warbler

Pathhead Quarry - Annual Knawel (Scleranthus Annuus Annuus) the first record in recent times. Stoat also seen there.

Shibdon Pond - 2 male Garganey found on the pond at 10:40, still present late evening.

Timber beach - An adult Great Crested Grebe in summer plumage on the river Tyne

Whickham - A boost to a local birder's garden list was a Lesser Whitethroat which sang for a short while this morning on Oakfield Road in Whickham.
It was not appreciated by the blue tits and greenfinches who moved it on. [D.Archer]

Lamesley Water Meadows - Little Ringed Plover present in evening

Stargate - Cuckoo calling [JT Riley].

River Tyne - 3 Shelduck but no waders present.

Blaydon Burn - Garden Warbler seen singing from bush. This is the third consecutive summer that this bird has held territory here.

Path Head Quarry - Lesser Whitethroat heard. Fox observed.

Sunniside - Woodcock roding over the Potter's Wheel pub in the evening.

River Tyne - 8 Black-tailed Godwit on the river mud between Costco and Timber beach from 12:15 to 13:00 when they flew downriver. One of the birds was colour ringed. See photo opposite and here. No other waders were present!

Blaydon Burn - 1 Common Blue Buttefly, the first of the year (see insect news)

Shibdon Pond - Now 2 Barnacle Geese of unknown origin on the pond. One Common Tern, 1 Sedge Warbler 3 Ruddy Duck (mmm) also present. A male Blackcap with an unusual scratchy song was seen well in the marsh.

Chopwell Woods - The Tree Pipit still singing at the usual spot.

Far Pasture - Numerous Swifts and hirundines, singing Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Common Whitethroat by the road, female Goosander flying over.

Derwent Walk - 3 Goosander on River Derwent just south of viaduct (all females).

Rowlands Gill - The Tree Sparrow still visiting a back garden

Crawcrook Quarry - Pair of Little Ringed Plover present early morning.

Stella - Garden Warbler singing and 2 Stoat were seen to swim across the river.

Blaydon - A Cuckoo was heard calling south of Shibdon Bank.

Blaydon Quarry - Shelduck, pair of Oystercatchers and 150 Sand Martins

Stargate - 1 singing Sedge Warbler.

Shibdon Pond - One Common Tern on the breeding rafts. Also 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Common Swift, 3 Ruddy Duck (mmf) and a Common Sandpiper together with good numbers of common breeding summer migrants and butterflies.

Lamesley Water Meadows - The hybrid goose, 4 Grey Lag, 2 Teal all still present. Also a Shelduck and Common Swift.

Burdon Moor - 2 Wheatear, 2 Common Whitethroat and a drumming Snipe seen.

Rowlands Gill - The Tree Sparrow still visiting a back garden, gathering grass cuttings, so presumably nesting close by.

Stargate - 1 Lesser Whitethroat seen [JT Riley].

High Spen - 1 Common Buzzard seen.

Clara Vale - Green Sandpiper on the river.

Stella - 3 Little Ringed Plover present all morning. At least one Wheater and a Oyster Catcher also still there.

Far Pasture - Common Swift, singing Grasshopper Warbler and Common Whitethroat present.

Shibdon Pond - Pair of Oyster Catcher still on the pond. Still no Reed or Sedge Warblers have been seen in the borough.

Lamesley Water Meadows - The hybrid goose, 4 Grey Lag and 2 Teal present.

Burdon Moor - Male Wheatear present together with several Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Small White and Orange-tip Butterflies.

Clara Vale - 3 Swifts were present in the early afternoon, followed by 30 in the evening further east along the Tyne at Shibdon Pond.

Axwell Park - A Grey Squirrel ran across the road.

Rowlands Gill - The Tree Sparrow still visiting a back garden but generally things very quiet at the moment.

Axwell Park - Both Pipestrelle and Noctule Bats seen.

Rowlands Gill - A single Tree Sparrow feeding on a back lawn late this afternoon.

Shibdon Pond - Ruddy Duck still present and showing well. Green Woodpwecker by the baths.

Burdon Moor - Singing Grasshopper Warbler

Far Pasture NR - Willow Tit seen

Shibdon Pond - Lesser Whitethroat present in the evening. The first of the year.

Barlow Fell - Pair of Wheatear noted.

Shibdon Pond - Grasshopper Warbler and Common Whitethroat present all day. At 12:10, an Osprey flew over the pond and headed west. It was seen a little later flying west over Newburn Business Park [Alan Mould]. Plenty of Butterflies of 6 species present.

Far Pasture NR - Good views of a Grasshopper Warbler reeling from a bush in the field opposite the car park.

Derwent Walk - 2 Green Woodpecker.

Stella - 2 Little Ringed Plover seen in flight as they flew over towards Newburn.

Birtley - 1 Green-veined White

Sunniside - A Common Buzzard being mobbed by corvids in field next to the Potter's Wheel in late afternoon.

Shibdon Pond - Black-tailed Godwit and Common Whitethroat present.

Shibdon Pond - Garden Warbler, first of the year [Darren Archer], and Grasshopper Warbler singing at Shibdon this morning (and Blackcap). Also St George's Mushroom (Tricholoma Georgii) noted.

Clara Vale - One Orange-tip butterfly, the first of the year.

Heather Fields, Winlaton - 1 Common Whitethroat, again the first of the year.

Stella - Pair of Wheatear present.

Far Pasture NR - 1 House Martin with 10 Swallows and 30 Sand Martin.

Shibdon Pond - Now 4 Ruddy Duck as a female has joined the 3 males. All 3 hirundines present. Water Rail calling in the marsh.

Birtley CTW - Yellow, Grey, White and Pied Wagtails all present, together with a Wheatear. Also nearly 100 hirundines of 3 species.

Chopwell Woods - 1 Tree Pipit singing in heavy rain.

Stella - Wheatear 4, Grey Partridge pair, Nuthatch 1 (1st site record), Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff all singing.

Blaydon - Common Sandpiper, the first of the year on the River Tyne.

Chopwell Woods - The first Tree Pipits (2) of the year reported.

Stella - Wheatear pr, Oystercatcher 4, Lapwing 4, Snipe 2

Crawcrook Quarry - Redpoll 33, Lapwing 9

Birtley - A Pipistrelle Bat seen near the front street and a Tawny Owl mobbed by small birds present early am.

Clara Vale - 11 Lesser Repoll but no sign of any Brambling.

Shibdon Pond - 3 Ruddy Duck still present.

Rowland's Gill - A Marsh Harrier (female) gliding at height and speed from the direction of the Derwent Valley overhead Rowlands Gill in a N-NW direction at approx. 2.30pm [Alan Mould].

Shibdon Pond - Again both escaped geese, 14 Goldeneye and a Ruddy Duck still present. Also 11 Shelduck and 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull.

Derwent Walk - 2 Green Woodpecker, 17 singing Chiffchaff. 7 Small Tortoiseshell and single Red Admiral and Peacock butterflies.

Far Pasture - 1 Swallow

Shibdon Pond- Both escaped geese and the Ruddy Ducks still present.

Rowlands Gill - 2 Otter showed well

Clara Vale area - 4 Tree Sparrow, Little Owl and Jack Snipe seen

Ryton Willows - Kingfisher seen again

Blaydon Quarry - 2 Small Tortoiseshell butterfly and a Green Tiger Beetle.

Derwent Walk - Noctule bat in the evening over Goodshields and both Comma and Small Tortoiseshell seen.

Shibdon Pond- Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler still on the reserve and 45 Pink-footed Geese flw west up the Tyne valley.

Stella - Ringed Plover and Wheatear present.

Burdon Moor - Jack Snipe, 5 Wheatear (mmmff), 30 Golden Plover and 10 Fieldfare.

Kibblesworth brick Pool - 2 Oyster-catcher

Stargate Quarry - Jack Snipe flushed.

Birtley STW - An unconfirmed record of a Yellow Wagtail

Shibdon Pond- Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler on the reserve. 3 Ruddy Duck present in afternoon only. Male Goosander flew over.

Thornley Woodland centre - Both Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker and Tree-creeper showing. Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler all singing.

Derwent walk - Tawny Owl and 2 Dipper present.

Clara Vale - 1 Brambling

Stella - Ringed Plover still present.

Far Pasture - One Shoveler

Stella - 2 Wheatear present today.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Willow Warbler singing in Scrub. Only the escaped Pink-foot present, together with 4 Shelduck, 3 Pochard and new today, 3 drake Ruddy Duck, the first of the year. In the afternoon, the young, dark Peregrine flew over towards the River Tyne.

Ryton - Tawny Owl roosting in the beech wood and a Kingfisher present.

Clara Vale - Little Owl seen and several Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap singing. 5 (1m4f) Brambling at the feeding station. 2 Willow Tit seen nearby.

Stella - A male Wheatear and a Ringed Plover.

Far Pasture - The Roe Deer still present

Shibdon Pond - Willow Warbler singing in Scrub. Both the escaped Goose present, together with 14 Shelduck, the drake Shoveler and 3 Pochard.

Ravensworth Fell - 2 Red-legged Partridge still present[D. Archer]

Tyne Bridge - First Kittiwakes have returned

Far Pasture - 1 young buck Roe Deer

Shibdon Pond - 10 Redshank and 6 Shelduck

Blaydon tennis club - 2 singing Willow Warbler [D. Archer]

Shibdon Pond - 1 or 2 Swallow with 21+ Sand Martin. Both the tame Barnacle and Pink-footed Goose still there and 4+ Chiffchaff, 1 Shoveler, 5 Goldeneye and 2 Pochard.

Ravensworth Fell - The Red-legged Partridge reported to be still present by the farmer. One Brown Hare seen.

Lamesley Water Meadows - A White Stork, bearing a ring from Harewood House in Yorkshire present in the morning before flying off to the south. This bird was the same as seen at East Boldon last month and is the regular wandering individual. One of the locals reports it being present since 19:00hrs yesterday. Also present the hybrid goose, 4 Teal and 2 Grey Lag. A Woodcock flew over just as the Stork was flying off.

Birtley Sewage Farm - 3 Sand Martin

Stella - The Wheatear still present and what may have been a small lark in a flock of Skylarks but the bird could not be relocated.

Stanley Burn - A Blackcap on the Gateshead side of the burn was the first of the year.

Far Pasture - 1 Jack Snipe

Late News - Reports that a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was seen and heard this morning AND an Osprey over Thornley Woodland centre! (See News & Gossip).

Shibdon Pond - 1 Swallow. Both the tame Barnacle and Pink-footed Goose there and 5 Chiffchaff on the reserve. A drake Shoveler, Oystercatcher, 8 Goldeneye, and 30+ Sand Martin also present.

Swalwell Visitor centre - The first Willow Warbler of the year singing.

Derwent valley - 1 House Martin, the first of the year in the borough and a Swallow also seen.

Ravensworth Fell - 30 Golden Plover

Lamesley Water Meadows - What was thought to be a Barnacle Goose, but now thought most likely to be Canada Goose x White -fronted Goose hybrid and obviously an escape still present with a Grey Lag and 10 Teal. What do you think it is? If you have an opionion please email Doctor.Gadwall@gatesheadbirders.co.uk and let us know.

Clara Vale - 1 Brambling still present at the feeding station

Shibdon Pond - 2 Water Rail noted together with 30+ Sand Martin and 3 Snipe.

Lamesley Water Meadows - A Barnacle Goose, but not the presumably escaped Shibdon Bird was present.

Stella - A Wheatear there in the afternoon

Shibdon Pond - 7 Chiffchaff and the escape Pink-footed and Barnacle Goose both present. Kingfisher flushed from tree by hide. Also the Grey Squirrel seen again.

Clara Vale - 2 male Brambling at the feeding station and 17 Fieldfare + 1 Redwing passed through. [G.Pollinger]

Stella - The first Little Ringed Plover of the year and 4 Ringed Plover present. [G.Waugh]

Clara Vale - 1 Brambling at the feeding station. 4 Chiffchaff singing in the area. Also single Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies out in the sunshine.

Birtley - 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Peacock seen at the Komatsu factory.

Winlaton - 1 Comma Butterfly seen at the Heather Fields. The first of the year.

Lamesley Water Meadows- Only a fewTeal and a single Grey Lag Goose present.

Paddock Hill - 4 Comma butterflies.

Lamesley Water Meadows - No sign of Pintail again but a Grey Lag and 25 Teal there. A group of 3 Grey Lag and a Pink-footed Goose flew over heading south. Later they were seen over Stella/Newburn and then flew to Shibdon Pond.

Shibdon Pond - A Kingfisher (seen several times), 3 Sand Martin and 2 Common Shelduck and 2 Grey Lag on the pond. Another 3 Grey Lag and a Pink-footed Goose arrived (see above) and fed on the adjacent grass. The birds, like the Barnacle Goose still present, were very approachable and presumed to be escapes

Blaydon Railway Station - 1 Chiffchaff singing.

Stella - 2 Oyster-catcher

Clara Vale - One Peacock Butterfly

Ravensworth Fell - 2 Red-legged Partridge still present on the top.

Shibdon Pond - 22 Waxwing flew over. Earlier they had been seen flying over Winlaton. At least 1 Chiffchaff still singing at Shibdon and a Green Woodpecker present early morning.

Derwent Valley - 1 Peacock Butterfly, the first of the year.

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2 Pintail still present.

Ravensworth Fell - A Long-eared Owl flushed.

Shibdon Pond - Another (or the same) Woodcock flushed today.

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2(pr) Pintail present again, the first sighting since 15th

Woodside, Ryton - The Peregrine seen again

Shibdon Pond - 7 Sand Martin present

Stella - 1 Ringed Plover

River Tyne opposite Newburn - The adult Iceland Gull on the Tyne at Newburn Haugh at 15:25

Shibdon Pond - 1 Sand Martin. 2-3 Chiffchaff. 5 Shelduck. 8 Goldeneye and 12 Canada Goose present. A Woodcock flushed from near the tip.

Far Pasture - 5 Sand Martin. 1 Chiffchaff and a female Stonechat present.

Ravensworth Fell - 2 Red-legged Partridge with 1 Wheatear on nearby Burdon Moor.

Victoria Garesfield - Green Woodpecker calling and a Red Fox seen well.

Stella - 3 Wheatear present this morning

Far Pasture - 3 Sand Martin present at 11:00.

Shibdon Pond - 3 Sand Martin and 3 Chiffchaff. 1 Barnacle Goose, 6 COmmon Shelduck and 20 Goldeneye.

Clara Vale - 1 Woodcock

Shibdon Pond - 6-7 Chiffchaff singing. (Report today of a Bittern on Monday and a report of a possible Night Heron over nearby Axwell Park this evening However see News & Gossip)

Clara Vale - 3 Chiffchaff singing

Shibdon Pond - 2 Oyster-catcher , 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Sand Martin, 11 Goldeneye, 2 Pochardand the Barnacle Goose still present. A RECORD COUNT FOR GATESHEAD OF 14 Shelduck.

Lamesley Water Meadows - A few Teal present but little else. Pintail appear to have gone.

Burdon Moor - Several hundred Golden Plover, 600 Starling and an Oyster-catcher. Frog spawn in the pools

Watergate Park - Single Stonechat, Chiffchaff and Wheatear present in the morning.

Victoria Garesfield GC - 2 male Common Crossbills reported.

Shibdon Pond - At least 4 Sand Martins and 1 Barnacle Goose (RG Waugh). Also 5 Pochard and 10 Shelduck

River Tyne opposite Newburn - An Iceland Gull reported.

Shibdon Pond - Kingfisher, Orange Underwing and the first Common Toads of the year noted.

Shibdon Pond - The staff told the warden at Shibdon that a Bittern hit the window of the adjacent Baths and sat stunned for 90 minutes before a dog chased it off. It flew away strongly. However see News & Gossip. Also 4 Pochard, 2 Oyster-catcher and 6 Shelduck.

Birtley - The same or another Small Tortoiseshell at the Komatsu Factory again.

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2(pr) Pintail still present.

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2(pr) Pintail, 3 Grey Lag but just 4 Teal.

Shibdon Pond - 6 Shelduck, 35 Redshank, 2 Oyster-catcher and the first Shoveler (a male) of the year.

Stella - 1 immature Peregrine circled overhead before flying off west.

Birtley - 1 Angle Shades moth found in a house in early morning.

Ravensworth Fell - 1 Stoat

Lamesley Water Meadows - 2(pr) Pintail, 7 Grey Lag, 2 Canada Geese and 81 Teal.

Shibdon Pond - 13 Shelduck - Was A RECORD COUNT FOR GATESHEAD

Axwell - 1 Marsh Tit in a garden near baths

Sunniside - 1 Tawny Owl

Hollinhill Lane, Rowlands Gill - 1 Short Eared Owl (RB)

Far Pasture - 1 drake Common Pochard

Lamesley Water Meadows - 40+ Teal, 2 Mute Swan and an Oyster-catcher

Shibdon Pond- 10 Waxwing reported in the log book.

Shibdon Pond - 11 Shelduck

Lamesley Water Meadows- 45 Teal

Lintzford - An Otter present on 6th.

Rowlands Gill - No sign of the Waxwings today

Rowlands Gill - 20 Waxwing in same area around Thornley Junction

Rowlands Gill - 30 Waxwing still at the junction of the A694 and Thornley Junction.

Rowlands Gill - 31 Waxwing at Lockhaugh early morning and 21 at the junction of the A694 and Thornley Junction at 15:35.

Birtley - Small Tortoiseshell at the Komatsu Factory.

Sunday 29th February 2004

Shibdon Pond - 2 Shelduck still on the pond and 2 Siskin by the tip. Woodcock seen later in the day.

Watergate Park - A Jack Snipe showed very well on the lake on the north side off the stream 30 metres upstream from the big bridge. 32 Tufted Duck, 2 each Grey Lag, Canada Goose, Little Grebe and Grey Heron and a Dipper also present.

Lintzford - 3 Green Woodpecker

Byermoor - A single Stonechat seen at mid-day.

Rowlands Gill - 31 Waxwing on Thornley Lane.

Derwenthaugh - A female present on 29th.

Saturday 28th February 2004

Shibdon Pond - No sign of the Iceland Gull but an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull there.

Rowlands Gill - 20 Waxwing on Thornley Lane.

Thursday 26th February 2004

Shibdon Pond - An adult Iceland Gull present on the pond for a short period in the afternoon before flying off towards the Tyne[BP].

Ryton, Woodside - a juvenile Peregrine seen [RB]

Costco, River Tyne - Teal 86, Redshank 34, Shelduck 2, Curlew 4

Timber beach - 600+ Black-headed Gulls

Wednesday 25th February 2004

Lintzford - a Merlin seen from a car [SW]

Sled Lane - Goosander 2m 1f, Pochard 1m 1f, Cormorant 1, Tufted Duck 2m 3f, Black-Headed Gull 34, Common Gull 5.

Tuesday 24th February 2004

Blaydon Burn - A Dipper reported by Keith Smith, possibly 1st ever record for the site. See Dipper Identification

Monday 23rd February 2004

Stella - Both Oyster-catcher and Ringed Plover present on the site of the old power station

Near Ryton - Woodcock again flushed from a meadow where scrub clearance work is currently being carried out.

Shibdon Pond - 3 Pochard were still present, together with 7 Shelduck. The adult Mediterranean Gull, again was seen.

River Tyne - An Otter was seen swimming up river opposite Costco with a large fish in its mouth.

SOCIAL EVENING - The Gateshead Birders social evening was held in Crawcrook. See news & gossip for details of the gathering.

Tawny Owl on the way home for one lucky birder (or should this be Sat 21st?).

Shibdon Pond - The adult Mediterranean Gull, again was seen and still upto 7 Shelduck on the pond.

Thursday 19th February 2004

Near Ryton - A woodcock was flushed from a meadow where scrub clearance work is currently being carried out.

Shibdon Pond -The adult Mediterranean Gull, was reported in the Shibdon logbook.

Shibdon Pond - 2 Wigeon were found on the pond in the early morning together with 7 Shelduck.

Thornley Woods - A Common Buzzard flew over SW

Burdon Moor -A Short-eared Owl was again flushed in the rough grass .

Shibdon Pond - An adult Mediterranean Gull, coming into summer plumage and feeding on bread at the duck feeding station was found midmorning and stayed until early afternoon. No sign of any Pochard in the morning but 3 present again in the afternoon. The 2 Shelduck were still present and a Woodcock was flushed from the Tip.

Ryton - 2 flocks of geese thought to be Grey Lags & Canada Geese flew over but neither flock specifically identified.

Shibdon Pond - 3 female Pochards and 2 Shelduck still present.

Stella - An Otter was seen first thing on the Tyne.

Clinty Wood - 3 Woodcock were flushed, the first of the year.

Timber Beach - 25 Goldeneye, 12 Tufted Duck, 20 Dunlin and a few Golden Plover.

Burdon Moor -A Short-eared Owl was flushed in rough grass and landed again quickly in the very strong wind [BP/AMc.]

Shibdon Pond - 1 female Pochard and 2 Shelduck still present.

Peregrine seen at River Tyne, Costco (RB) but no further sign late ron despite searching.

Report of an immature Peregrine at Dunston.

Ravensworth Fell - 14 Grey Patridge

Timber Beach - 19 Goldeneye(10m 9f), 206 Dunlin, 58 Redshank, 250 Lapwing and 2 Reed Bunting.

Thornley - Kingfisher observed catching 5 fish

Blaydon -GP found a Chiffchaff feeding on fat balls at Pet Warehouse, Blaydon

Ryton -In RL's garden - Mistle Thrush 3, Fieldfare 2, Blackbird 19 feeding on apples.

Ryton -In RL's garden - Mistle Thursh 2, Fieldfare 3, Song Thush 1, Blackbird 14, all feeding on apples plus Goldfinch 20+.

Sled Lane - Goosander (1m), Goldeneye (1m1f)

Sled Lane Pond - 9 Tufted Duck present

Watergate Lake -No sign of the Mediterranean Gull but a drake Pochard present. The adult Mute Swans have now started to chase last years offspring from the pond.

Shibdon Pond - Only 2 Common Goldeneye and no Pochard were seen. 2 Shelduck still present.

Rowlands Gill - c100 Pink-footed Geese flew SW over Rowlands Gill on 25th.

Shibdon Pond - 23 Common Goldeneye and 2 Pochard still present

Watergate Lake - A Mediterranean Gull was seen by one lucky observer but no subsequent sightings.

Shibdon Pond - 22 Common Goldeneye and 2 Pochard present.

Far Pasture - 1 on Derwent Walk.

Late news of a Black-throated Diver on the River Tyne opposite Newburn in November. News came via the Tyneside Bird Club bulletin. None of the Gateshead birders knew anything about it!

Dead Otter juv. found at Gibside on 22nd (long dead).

Report of Otter hounds on Derwent at Derwenthaugh.

Thornley Feeding Station - 1 Willow Tit present well as the usual Marsh Tit.

Ryton - 7+ Tree Sparrow seen

Lamesley Water Meadows - 3 Grey Lag still present on the pools

Metrocentre - Waxwings reported from behind IKEA

Far Pastures - A Water Rail and 2 Kingfishers noted

Ryton -4 Kingfisher at the Curling Pond

Metrocentre -6 Waxwing present

Lamesley Water Meadows - 3 Grey Lag still present and a Jack Snipe was seen (see News & Gossip)

Lamesley Water Meadows - 3 Grey Lag by the pools

Watergate - 2 Grey Lag present

Wednesday 7th January 2004

Paddock Hill Wood - 10 Siskin.

Sunday 4th January 2004

Things still very quiet.

Thursday 1st January 2004

Very quiet with no-one's yearlist breaking the 60 mark.

Little Owl showed to one lucky observer. 2 Grey Lag flew over Dunston

Wigeon - 2 at Sled Lane Pond on 1st.