April 2006

Spring time was here, or was it ? Cold weather came in from north & east and left many wondering if our summer visitors would show up at all…. This was especially true on the coast – many of our early migrants turning up at sheltered locations inland.Nesting was well under way with Long tailed Tits, Dipper, Peregrine, Great Crested Grebe, Tawny Owl all incubating. A pair of Tree Sparrows took to a box in a club members garden. The large Heronry at Washington held 43 active nests. An early Mallard brood numbering a dozen was at Shotton on 17^th, with Greylag goslings at Barmston 3 days later.

Mallards, West Pastures (M Newsome) and Grey Heron, Washington WWT (I Forrest)

As the month progressed songbird activity intensified as our summer visitors joined in adding variety to the dawn chorus. Pied Flycatcher & Redstart were back at Muggleswick by 17^th. The first Cuckoo reported was at Old Quarrington on 22nd with 1 at Tunstall Res next day, although numbers seem to drop each year… The first Common and Arctic Terns also appeared at Whitburn mid-month, slightly earlier than normal. Seawatching stepped up a gear in the last fortnight with regular Manx Shearwaters, a big increase in Gannets and a light spring apssage of Red-throated Divers.

A selection of raptors was on offer, Ospreys went through north at Tunstall Res, Dormans & Edmundbyers. Hobby appeared at 3 sites on 22^nd – coinciding with a surge of hirundines to the area. The Northern Kites continued to entertain & range around the area. Goshawks displayed at 4 well spaced sites, but raptor fieldworkers reported no Hen Harriers at all breeding on our vast tracts of moorland……

Goshawk (M Newsome) and Black-necked Grebes, Herrington CP (N Eustace)

Passage waders came throughout the month, the first of the month saw Avocet at Port Clarence, then 2 at Back Saltholme mid month, Common Sandpiper at Hurworth on 13^th, Ruff & Black-tailed Godwit at Bishop Middleham on 16^th, 3 Whimbrel on Seal Sands on 17^th, Spotted Redshank at Greatham on 19^th, an inland Knot at Houghton Gate on 20^th, Wood Sandpiper at Back Saltholme & Green Sandpiper at Boldon Flats on 25^th. Five summer plumaged Grebe species were on 2 adjacent North Tees sites mid month – quite a collection! Seal Sands had 4 Slavonian’s on 8^th & Black necked Grebes passed through with birds at Hurworth & Herrington CP, where display & calling were seen.

Remnants of the winter included 70 Waxwing at Doxford Park and large Fieldfare flocks in the upper dales. The odd Iceland & Glaucous Gulls remained, with small numbers of wintering eared-owls hanging on too. There was a good show of Whooper Swans with a large herd of  85 on Hurworth Burn and a flight of 70 north over Sunderland/Cleadon on 2^nd. Tree Sparrow remained at feeding stations at Summerhill, Cowpen, Dalton and Fellgate.

Whooper Swans, Hurworth Burn res. (I Forrest) and Waxwing, Doxford Park (M Newsome)

There were some excellent rarities & offbeat records included the Penduline Tits at 3 sites, a Hoopoe reported at Billingham, and the Arctic Redpoll  was an excellent find at Drinkfield Marsh, Darlington. A Mandarin Duck at Far Pasture and Ring necked Parakeets at Gateshead, Seaton Carew & Hartlepool provided a touch of the exotic. Two Common Cranes called as they went south over Hesleden on 24^th. 

As the weather improved & the days lengthened observers visited the uplands with 19 Blackcocks being counted at the Langdon Lek. Nearby Ring Ouzel & Wheatear proclaimed territory. Snipe drummed & Lapwing beat about over the pastures…. Spring had finally arrived.

S.Evans (May '06)