167 entries.
Sunday afternoon highlights from Saltholme:
Warbler numbers are slowly rising, with lots of chiffchaff, several blackcaps, at least one reed warbler (in the Discovery Zone) and a whitethroat or two (one singing along the path to Saltholme Hide). Cetti's warbler was singing by the WWP. 18 avocet, 4 black-tailed godwits, 5 snipe and 2 oystercatcher from the Phil Stead Hide. Several pochard, little grebe, grey heron, little egret and water rail from WWP (marsh harrier seen by others before I arrived). Pintail still present on wet grassland (2) and back Saltholme(1) and 2 goldeneye at Saltholme. Great crested grebes at Paddy's and Saltholme pools. Avocet, oystercatcher, little ringed plover, dunlin, black-tailed godwit, curlew and redshank all observed among at least 40 species seen from Saltholme Hide, plus linnet, white wagtail and others.
a great day out yesterday birding mostly in and through Snarlesworth, redstarts, pied flycatchers, tree pipets, stonechats, green woodpecker, lots of red legged partridges, mistle thrushes, buzzards, meadow pipets and grouse to name but a few...
Sunday afternoon highlights from Saltholme: A dozen avocet on Bottom Tank, along with two black-tailed godwits, which were developing their breeding plumage; a blackcap sang nearby. Cetti's warblers by Bottom and Top Tanks. About 10 pochard from WWP and a male marsh harrier seen flying over. Good numbers of wheatear towards the southern side of the meadow; I counted 8 without trying and others have reported double figures. Great crested grebes nesting at Paddy's but no sign of the Med gull which had been tere until recently; a couple of barnacle geese in the fields below the lambing shed. Large selection of waders on the wet grassland, with dunlin, redshank, lapwing, avocet, black-tailed godwit and a single ruff. Also good numbers of shoveler, shelduck and other waterfowl. Two little ringed plovers visible from the Mike Corner screen, with more close to the hide. Ringed plover, avocet, dunlin, 70+ black-tailed godwit, a single female goldeneye and and a white wagtail were among the other highlights, with about 35 species seen.
Late report; On the afternoon of 11th April we visited Skinningrove and saw a pair of Mandarin Ducks. They were first seen flying away from the rivermouth area. They then circled around, flew along the beach, across the harbour area and then rounded the jetty out of sight towards Cattersty Sands. We could not locate them after that.
First in ten years on garden feeder for me. Male Siskin. Fens Estate Hartlepool
Highlights of a brief high-tide visit this evening to Seaton Snook included large numbers of oystercatcher and dunlin, some with black bellies, plus ringed plover, snaderling, about a dozen knot and a single grey plover. A large group of common scoter were in the estuary (didn't see any velvets with them). Several twite were still close to the bottom of zinc works road, and 3 grey partridge were in a field beside said road.
Swallow in Cowpen Bewley this morning.
2 Swallows over Aldi, Coulby Newham 16:00 on 6th April 2024
Hello Chris
Obviously I respect your knowledge and experience. The fact iam not submitting a formal report reflects my own incredulity at what I believe I saw.
Going upto Newcastle the previous day and on the return journey I had witnessed half a dozen Kestrels . Initially I believed that was what I was looking at. Then I noticed the red underside and the upper parts were darker and the birds ' jizz' was more Merlin than Kestrel. I believe it was a Hobby to the extent iam asking myself was it an escape/ owned by a local enthusiast. But as there have been no other reports I accept I was mistaken. Once again I do very much appreciate you're feedback. Thanks Andrew
Male red throated diver at tees barage this morning
Monday, 18:30: short-eared owl hunting at Seaton Common, viewed from Zinc Works Road (had hoped for some wheatears too, but no joy). 19:00: spoonbill feeding in channels on Cowpen Marsh.
Sunday afternoon highlights from Saltholme:
Mediterranean gull seen from Paddy's: it has a tendency to sit down behind one of the wooden boxes on Paddy's island, which can make it tricky to see. First winter little gull also reported towards closing time by a fellow volunteer. Cetti's warblers heard at both WWP and VC lake.
GC grebes seen at both Paddys and from Saltholme Hide (5 individuals from SH). In total, more than 40 species were recorded from Saltholme Hide, with highlights including the long-staying European white-fronted goose, 3 little ringed plovers, ringed plover, a single bar-tailed godwit, turnstone, goldeneye and water pipit (seen by others). Marsh harriers were spotted near the tanks and over Saltholme pools; a kestrel was seen near Paddy's, and others reported seeing a short-eared owl over the meadow.
Definitely not Little Terns. They do not return to the area until early May. Birds were possibly Black headed Gulls.
I am interested in wildlife and new to identifying birds but I am sure I saw two Little Terns flying over Seaton beach early yesterday and more than 10 flying and two on the beach early today. I think that was what they were as they were the same type as the ones which the beach was fenced off for last year and they made the same noise. Am I correct?
Hi Andrew. No Hobbies in the country let alone Cleveland. Far too early for this species
there were 39 Whooper swans resting up on Lockwood beck this afternoon
Just witnessed what appeared to be a Hobby from East Coast mainline between Seaham and Horden. Small raptor with reddish colouring towards rear underside. Size was correct . Has there been any local sightings.
Sunday afternoon's Saltholme highlights included a European white-fronted goose, which was feeding north of Saltholme East (across the road from the main site entrance) for much of the afternoon. Other notable sightings included a great white egret roosting in the reeds at the back of Bottom Tank; little grebes calling across the tanks and VC lake; a single goldeneye on the VC lake and at least 6 from saltholme Pools Hide (including one male); at least 6 pintail on the wet grassland from Paddy's and another half dozen on Back Saltholme; a single turnstone, 100+ dunlin, 2 ringed plover, 12 black-tailed godwit and a couple of ruff (the ruff were seen by others) from Saltholme Pools Hide, where a couple of linnets also came close to the hide. The only raptor I spotted was a kestrel.
Probable Med Gull on lampost Stockton Road near Rossmere Park Hartlepool.
' Jizz' seemed correct. Unfortunatley I was driving so I didnt get a chance to take a confirmatory look.
This afternoon's highlights from Saltholme included another visit by a great egret to the WWP (it seems to like feeding in the back-right corner of the pool). From Paddy's there were 2 great crested grebes, and lots of activity on the wet grassland, with at least 8 pintail, 16 redshank and 25 dunlin out there. Goldeneye were seen on the VC lake and back Saltholme (where both amle and female were present). A total of 35 species were recorded at Saltholme Hide today, with other highlights including another half dozen pintail, several black-tailed godwits, avocets,dunlin and a single barnacle goose. Marsh harriers and a buzzard were seen by other visitors.