Gateshead Birders

Saltwell Park

[Iain Thompson]

The Park's wildlife population includes owls, bats, woodpeckers, swans, ducks and squirrels. A large formally managed park in the centre of Gateshead with a boating lake, holding some captive wildfowl. There is also an aviary in a "pets corner" which display a variety of caged finches and other species. The lake often holds small numbers of wild duck, and there is an area of old oak woodland which is the best for wild birds. The park can be entered at a variety of access points, the lake is located at grid reference NZ254613.

Female Tufted Duck on Saltwell Park

The park is probably most interesting to the birdwatcher during winter or spring. The lake holds good numbers of Mute Swans, Canada Geese and Tufted Ducks. Teal and Pintail have been noted here. Around the rest of the park can be seen large numbers of Collared Doves, some of which are so tame they will take bread from the hand. Scattered around the park are a variety of typical suburban park species, such as Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Wood Pigeon. In late spring large numbers of Spotted Flycatcher arrive and can be seen feeding around the bowling greens and open areas. Nuthatch is found in the oak woodland below the castle. Occasionally unexpected species might be noted for instance the Red-necked Grebe which was once seen on the lake (in the 1930's), as well as Hawfinch and Tree Sparrow.

SALTWELL PARK – BIRD SPECIES LIST

The following species of bird has been recorded in and over Saltwell Park.

KEY

AMBER - Medium conservation concern; species whose population or range has declined moderately in recent years.

RED - High conservation concern; species whose population or range has declined rapidly in recent years.

BAP - The UK Biodiversity Action Plan; birds included in the targeted action plan for species of the highest concern.

WEBS - The Wetland Bird Survey is the monitoring scheme for non-breeding waterbirds in the UK which aims to provide principle data for conservation of their populations and wetland habitats. This is undertaken by volunteers in a synchronised monthly count.

As the above list shows Saltwell Park is of considerable importance for birds during both the breeding and winter seasons. The total species count both historical and recent is 79, 42 of these are in decline (7 on the RED list and 35 on the AMBER list) making a total of 53% of species in decline.

REFERENCES

Bowey K, Rutherford S & Westerberg S. 1993 Birds of Gateshead.

Kerslake L (Edit). 1998 Red Data Book for Northumberland.

Nat. Hist. Trans. Northumb. Volume 58 Part2.

Turner M. Wetland Bird Survey – Core count Feb 2000 – present

RSPB. / WWT/BTO – The State Of The UK’s Birds 2003

Weston T. August 1997. Saltwell Park Heritage Lottery Fund – Fact finding.

BTO/WWT/RSPB et al The Population Status Of Birds In The UK (Birds of conservation concern: 2002-2007)

Many thanks to M TURNER for supplying the above information about his 'patch'

Most notable records since 2000

NOVEMBER 2005 (Mandarin duck)

DECEMBER 2004 (Waxwing)

SEPTEMBER 2004

NOVEMBER 2002 (Siskin)

DECEMBER 2001 (Pink-footed goose)

JANUARY 2001 (Teal)

FEBRUARY 2001 (Pintail)

OCTOBER 2000 (Coal tit)

AUGUST 2000