FEEDS
I’m not out as much these days and the feeds shown below will not be as quantitative as it might once was, but you are more than welcome to follow me. Please choose from the following:

FULL REPORTS

19th February, 2012
(Teesside)
First stop was South Gare for the reported Scaup and Snow Buntings. The female Scaup was seen on the Blast Furnace Pool soon after arrival and at least fifty Snow Buntings were seen in the grassy areas of the beech. A Long–tailed Duck was seen amongst Black–headed Gulls (6+) to the east of the gare.

Next was a visit to Hartlepool Headland to see the reported Little Gull, which unfortunately did not shown during my visit. Pick of the birds here included Iceland Gull (1 adult in the fish quay) and Mediterranean Gull (between the piers).

The walk around the headland was good for photography today with Purple Sandpiper (20+), Oystercatcher (50+), Knot (100+), Curlew (6), Bar–tailed Godwit (2) and Ringed Plover (4+) all being pushed up the shoreline from the incoming tide. Red–throated Diver (1), Great Crested Grebe (6+), Guillimot (1), Cormorant (20+) and Mediterranean Gull (1) were seen in the channel. A second Mediterranean Gull was at Newburn Bridge.

The reported Whimbrel was seen at Seal Sands. Bonus birds here included Slavonian Grebe (1), Black–necked Grebe and Brent Goose (5). A selection of other birds seen at Seal Sands & Greenabella include Little Egret (1), Shelduck (15+), Red–breasted Merganser (15+), Grey Plover (10+), Bar–tailed Godwit (10+), Knot (10+), Dunlin (4+), Curlew (1), Common Redshank (10+), Short–eared Owl (1), Stock Dove (10+), Teal (10+), Mallard (6+) and Pintail (1).

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17th February, 2012
(Far Pasture)
I decided to have another go at photographing the Firecrest at Far Pasture, but failed to even see the bird during a short one hour visit (I had the family with me).

Birds seen during this visit to Far Pasture included Grey Heron (1), Mallard (2), Red Kite (1 over), Kestrel (1), Chaffinch (3), Bullfinch (2), Goldfinch (8+), Blue Tit (4+), Great Tit (4+), Coal Tit (2+), Willow Tit (2+), Long–tailed Tit (10+), Dunnock (2), Robin (1), Blackbird (4+), Goldcrest (4+ at any one time), Siskin (10+), Treecreeper (2), Nuthatch (2), Song Thrush (1), Pied Wagtail (10+), Pheasant (1), Jackdaw (10+), Carrion Crow (10+), Rook (30+), Black–headed Gull (10+) and Herring Gull (2+).

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12th February, 2012
(Teesside)
A morning visit to Coatham Stob, Long Newton produced Great Grey Shrike (1) and Short–eared Owl (1). Common Snipe (1 over), Great Spotted Woodpecker (1 over), Green Woodpecker (1 heard), Grey Partridge (2), Blackbird (10+), Robin (1), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (2) and Long–tailed Tit (1) were also seen.

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4th February, 2012
(Teesside)
An adult Iceland Gull was seen amongst the regular gulls at the fish quay.

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29th January, 2012
(Escomb)
A nice walk around the lakes this morning with Mute Swan (1), Tufted Duck (20), Pochard (1), Mallard (4), Coot (20+) and Moorhen (2) being seen on the half frozen Escomb Lake. Goosander (7) and Cormorant (5) were seen flying over the lake.

A Kingfisher was seen flying up the River Wear. Great–spotted Woodpecker (1), Song Thrush (3), Mistle Thrush (1), Blackbird (3+), Robin (1), Dunnock (2), Wren (3+), Great Tit (10+), Blue Tit (10+) were seen in the hedgerows.

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23rd January, 2012
(Far Pasture)
A very frustrating, but enjoyable visit to Far Pasture in Derwentside this morning. Arrived just after 9am and didn't see the Firecrest until after dinner and that was only a 20 – 30 second view. Still a cracking bird to see.

Birds seen whilst waiting to see the Firecrest included Grey Heron (1), Common Teal (4 over), Red Kite (3 over), Sparrowhawk (1 hunting the hedgerows), Chaffinch (3), Greenfinch (2), Goldfinch (4), Bullfinch (4), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (6+), Coal Tit (4+), Willow Tit (2+), Long–tailed Tit (10+), Dunnock (2), Robin (2), Blackbird (4+), Goldcrest (6+ at any one time), Jackdaw (10+), Carrion Crow (10+), Rook (50+), Black–headed Gull (6+) and Herring Gull (2+).

The only birds on the partially frozen water were four Common Teal, which were assumed to be the four birds seen earlier.

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22nd January, 2012
(Etherley Moor)
At least seventy Rooks were in the field behind the feeders, which also contained Magpie (4+), Jackdaw (10+), Starling (30+), Black–headed Gull (4), Woodpigeon (20+) and Pheasant (1). The resident Magpies continue to visit the feeding station, which is reducing the amount of more welcome visitors. Tree Sparrow (2), House Sparrow (10+), Dunnock (2), Robin (1) and Blackbird (2) have been the only visitors seen on and around the feeders for two days.

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20th January, 2012
(Escomb)
A quiet visit to Escomb Lake this morning. Highlights included Goosander (6), Willow Tit (1) and Tree Sparrow (4+).

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19th January, 2012
(Teesside)
Twenty Bar–tailed Godwits were at Greenabella / Seal Sands. Other birds here included Red–throated Diver (2), Mute Swan (5), Grey Heron (1), Shelduck (2), Shoveller (10+), Mallard (20+), Teal (40+), Red–breasted Merganser (10+), Common Scoter (1), Stock Dove (6+), Woodpigeon (2) and Common Redshank (10+). No sign of any Twite or Short–eared Owls during my visit.

Eighteen White–fronted Geese were seen in the field north of Zinc Road. The Black Redstart and regular Mediterranean Gull were seen at Newburn Bridge. High tide had pushed the waders in giving us good views of Oystercatcher (10+), Common Redshank (10+), Knot (50+), Purple Sandpiper (1) and Dunlin (10+).

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15th January, 2012
(Bishops Park)
A mid–morning walk around a very cold & frosty Bishops Park and The Batts proved worthwhile with most of the usual birds found in a 2 hour visit.

Two Dipper and a Grey Wagtail were on the Gaunless. Blackbird (10+), Redwing (10+), Mistle Thrush (2), Chaffinch (10+), Great Tit (6+), Blue Tit (4+), Coal Tit (2+), Long–tailed Tit (6+), Dunnock (1), Robin (1), Treecreeper (2) and Goldcrest (2) were also seen.

Three Grey Heron, two Moorhen, three Pheasant, several Black–headed Gull, a Great Black–backed Gull, six Jackdaw, two Carrion Crow and two Woodpigeon were seen whilst walking along the River Wear.

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14th January, 2012
(Low Barns)
The hard frost meant that most of the water was frozen with the only exception being a small section of Marston Lake, which held Mute Swan (2), Tufted Duck (20+), Goldeneye (3), Teal (5), Mallard (20+) and Coot (10+).

The feeding station was quite busy with Nuthatch (1), Chaffinch (20+), Goldfinch (5), Robin (2+), Dunnock (2+), Great Tit (4+), Blue Tit (10+), Coal Tit (2), Willow Tit (1), Marsh Tit (2), Long–tailed Tit (7+), Goldcrest (2+), Treecreeper (1), Jay (1), Jackdaw (5+), Carrion Crow (2), Pheasant (2) and Reed Bunting (2+) seen during a 45 minute observation. Bank Vole (1) and Grey Squirrel (1) were also seen.

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11th January, 2012
(Etherley Moor)
A Grey Partridge was heard calling from the field behind the feeding station early morning.

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8th January, 2012
(Escomb)
A mid–morning visit to Escomb was enjoyed, as it was the first time I have been out in some bright light this year.

Greylag Goose (7+ over), Cormorant (4), Goosander (3), Mallard (2), Coot (10+), Herring Gull (7), Common Gull (5+) and Black–headed Gull (20+) were on Escomb Lake.

Woodside lake was very quiet with only three Tufted Ducks on the water. The removal of hedgerows, re–routing of the water feed and building of a dam to raise the level of the water may be to blame for this? Hopefully, the hedgerows and natural cover will be allowed to return to what it once was as thia was a hotspot for passage and feeding birds. Blackbird (10+), Redwing (3), Mistle Thrush (1), Great Tit (4), Blue Tit (10+), Long–tailed Tit (7+), Chaffinch (1), Bullfinch (2), Goldfinch (5), Wren (1), Dunnock (4), Robin (2), House Sparrow (4), Woodpigeon (1), Magpie (4) and Carrion Crow (1) were seen whilst walking around Escomb Lake.

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7th January, 2012
(Teesside)
A mid–morning visit to Ward Jackson Park produced Ring–necked Parakeets and two Great–spotted Woodpeckers.

The first winter Glaucous Gull was still in the fishing quay at Hartlepool Headland, but there was no sign of the Black–throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe that were seen during last weeks visit. Great–crested Grebe (2), Red–throated Diver (10+), Mediterranean Gull (1), Black–headed Gull (10+), Herring Gull (20+), Great Black–backed Gull (20+), Knot (10+), Purple Sandpiper (10+), Ringed Plover (1), Turnstone (10+), Oystercatcher (20+), Curlew (2), Starling (10+), House Sparrow (10+), Pied Wagtail (1) and Rock Pipit (1) were the other birds seen during a quick walk around the headland.

The pick of the birds at RSPB Saltholme included Water Rail (1), Tundra Bean Goose (2), Barnacle Goose (10+) and Pintail (2+). No sign of any Twite at Dormans whilst I was there.

Decided to return home via Hurworth Burn, where the reported Smew was seen in very windy conditions. A Short–eared Owl was seen on the outskirts of Coxhoe and a Barn Owl was seen outside of Bishop Auckland.

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2nd January, 2012
(Etherley Moor)
An early morning fifteen minute scan of the feeding station and the surrounding fields / hedgerows produced Tree Sparrow (4), House Sparrow (10), Dunnock (1), Robin (2), Blue Tit (4), Mistle Thrush (1), Blackbird (3+), Pheasant (3), Woodpigeon (2), Stock Dove (10+), Starling (20+), Carrion Crow (4+), Jackdaw (10+), Magpie (2) and Herring Gull (5).

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1st January, 2012
(Gaunless Flats)
A Short–eared Owl was seen hunting at dusk.

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1st January, 2012
(Teesside)
A Black Redstart was seen soon after arriving at Newburn Bridge. Red–throated Diver (3), Great Crested Grebe (1), Oystercatcher (20+), Common Redshank (10+), Knot (20+), Purple Sandpiper (10+) and Merlin (1) were also there.

A Glaucous Gull, a Black–throated Diver and at least five Red–throated Diver were amongst the usual birds at the fish quay. Other birds seen at Hartlepool Headland included a Slavonian Grebe, a Velvet Scoter and at least thirty Common Scoter.

A second stop at Newburn Bridge produced a Mediterranean Gull, but there was no further sign of the Black Redstart.

Eighteen White–fronted Geese were seen in the field north of Zinc Road and a Stonechat was at Greenabella. Little Egret (1), Pintail (1) and Sparrowhawk (1) were seen at Dormans. At least twenty Barnacle Geese were seen at Back Saltholme and a drake Ring–necked Duck was at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park.

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1st January, 2012
(Etherley Moor)
First birds of 2012 were five Jackdaws.

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