February 2006

The well watched Sunderland – South Shields patch continued to produce its steady stream of interesting records. Eleven gull species were identified, chiefly from the Trow & Wearmouth roosts; with 4 Mediterranean, 3 Yellow-legged, 3 Iceland, 2 Glaucous & a 1^st winter Little Gull. Passage of Lesser Black-backed Gulls was evident with 2 ad’s on 1^st, then 8 by mid-month & 14 birds on 18^th, an intermedius Lesser Black-backed was seen on 22^nd, which originates in Scandinavia. A wide range of scarce species were logged - Black throated Diver north off the Leas & a sinensis Cormorant at the mouth of the Tyne on 14^th. Others during the month were Red necked Grebe, Hawfinch, Common Redpoll, Long tailed Duck & 'Blue' Fulmar. On 15^th a single Lapland Bunting was at Moor Lane. 

Owls were well reported with Barn Owl again widespread. Unfortunately the A19 claimed another victim & a dead bird on N.Tees marshes, killed by a Peregrine, was found to have originated from Essex! (DC). Short eared Owls were prominent throughout at West Pastures, but numbers seemed to tail off after mid month at Rainton. Numbers were below average on Tees marshes too. A Tawny Owl pair were active & dueting at midday on 3^rd at Waldridge. Several new Little Owl sites were discovered, taking us up to 180 known pairs. Four sites on South Tyneside held Long-eared Owls, unfortunately one roost was disturbed & broken up, but on a positive note a fresh pair were located in Wilson Country. 

Short-eared and Long-eared Owls, South Tyneside (M Newsome)

North Tees area held interest all month, two drake Smew were the stars for many, but a Jay at Cowpen Bewley 4^th was probably more unusual. Haverton Hole had 10 Water Pipits on 10^th & the regular Yellow legged Gull was at Tees Barrage. Four grebe species were on the Rec Pond, 2 Slavonians joining the single Red necked, the 4 Ruddy Duck there were our only over wintering birds recorded.  Other birds in the area included Goosander, 15 Waxwing, 3Ruff & 30 Snow Bunting. 

The drake Green Winged Teal was mobile, turning up at close quarters at Gatesheads Far Pastures Pool, with lucky visitors here being rewarded with Jack Snipe, Water Rail & Otter on the same day ! Others in the borough included a table feeding cock Blackcap at Shibdon while 2 Green Sandpipers remained at Lamesley STW. The Red Kites continued to perform. 

Smew, Saltholme pools (I Forrest) and Green-winged Teal, Far Pasture (S Fryer)

Croxdale Halls Hawfinches continued their appeal, with up to a dozen seen (site record is 14 birds). Other sightings of these scarce woodland finches came from Upper Weardale, with 7 birds, but more surprisingly one turned up at the feeders at Boldon Flats on 9^th, with barely a mature tree in sight. Feeders in gardens at Darlington, Etherley, Malton & Rainton attracted Tree Sparrows. Whilst the feeding station at Dalton Moor came into its own, holding a massive 300 Yellowhammer, 700 Linnet & 110 Reed Bunting. Washington WWT's new woodland hide held masses of woodland species, with up to 20 Bullfinch including an early singing bird on 10^th, with another at Merryoaks on 16^th. 

Bullfinches, Washington WWT (M Newsome)

The Houghton area again held all 5 owls , also Common Redpoll on 12^th, Green Woodpecker at Eppleton on 15^th. The small male Peregrine remained around Rainton Meadows. 

Reports from the Dales were rather thin on the ground but Ravens were prominent with an excellent count of 14 in Teesdale on 11^th, these included some wing tagged birds. At 2 other locations pairs were seen mobbing Buzzard & Red Kite. Hamsterley had a single Goshawk on a mild 4^th.  20 male Black Grouse were nr Langdon Beck on 17^th & 25 at a Weardale site on 31^st.  

Other signs that some species had their minds on spring included 2 pair of Stock Dove singing & in display flights at Hardwick Hall, Wood Pigeon in display at Congburn. Nuthatches started to tune up, piping out their loud whistles & included a songster on 18^th in the unlikeliest of settings – an area of amenity planting at Carvilles front street. The same date saw Oystercatchers return to Houghton Gate. Magpies were noted building nests, but a large communal roost of 100+ were still at Joes Pond.

S.Evans Feb’06