January 2025
Picture: American Buff-bellied Pipit at Ross Back Sands, 11th January 2025
1st to 5th January, 2025 – (Patch, Teesside & Northumberland)
First bird for 2025 was Jackdaw, which was seen in our Etherley Moor garden. Best birds at Escomb included Willow Tit (1), Treecreeper (1), Tree Sparrow (2) Siskin (50+) and Gadwall (2).
The following day (2nd), Egyption Goose (2) and Pink-footed Goose (1) were seen at Hurworth Burn on the way to Teesside. Spoonbill (1) was on West Saltholme, Great White Egret (1) was in East Saltholme & Whooper Swan (1) was on the old River Tees at Teesside Park. Red-crested Pochard (1), Ring-necked Parakeet (1) and Goosander (10+) were at Ropner Park in Stockton. No luck with any owls at 5-6 locations before heading home at dusk.
On the 3rd, I decided to go to Northumberland for the day. Best birds here included American Wigeon (1), Hen Harrier (2), Marsh Harrier (1), Short-eared Owl (3) and Grey-headed Lapwing (1). Other birds in ther area that weren't seen by me included Iceland Gull, Lapland Bunting, Twite & Water Pipit.
Made another quick visit to Hurworth Burn on Saturday 4th to see the reported Russian White-fronted Geese (13) that were seen with Pink-footed Goose (6+), Greylag Goose (100+) & Canada Goose (10+). Followed this up with an hour at Low Barns seeing Marsh Tit (1), Siskin (5+), Teal (18) and Goldeneye (2) being the best birds seen during the hour I was there.
Heavy snowfall overnight on Sunday 5th meant my last full day before returning to work resulted in doing a garden birdwatch. Best birds included Mallard (2 over), Lapwing (16 over), Fieldfare (2), Song Thrush (1) and Common Buzzard (1). 23 different species of birds seen during the morning.
6th to 12th January, 2025 – (Patch & Northumberland)
First week back at work so was unable to take the time off to try and see some very good twitchable birds during the week until saturday morning. American Buff-bellied Pipit was seen on saturday morning at Ross Back Sands in Northumberland. Long-tailed Duck (50+), Common Scoter (100+) and Red-breasted Merganser (4) were seen during the walk to and from the saltmarsh. A Smew (redhead) was at Widdrington and a female Ring-necked Duck at Druridge Country Park. Unfortunately, the White-billed Diver flew off 20-30 minuted before I got there and a reported Bittern went out of view when flushed by a jogger. Iceland Gull (1 adult) and American Wigeon were seen at Big Waters before spending the afternoon on South Tyneside. No joy with the Ross’s Gull but did see Green-winged Teal (1 drake), Long-tailed Duck (1), Iceland Gull (2nd winter) and Mediterranean Gull (1).
Low Barns and Escomb were visited on sunday morning. Water Rail (1), Redwing (3) & Song Thrush (1) were the best birds at Low Barns. A single Fieldfare was by the football field at Escomb. A male Sparrowhawk was seen at Etherley.
13th to 19th January, 2025 – (Patch & South Durham)
Two redhead Smew were at Low Barns on tuesday, but due to work commitments I couldn't go myself. Would have been my first patch smew since the one I had at escomb on 19th December 2021 and my first at Low Barns since 9th February 2003. Seven Grey Partridge were in the field at the rear of our house on Etherley Moor. Had a couple of hours at Escomb on friday afternoon with the best birds being Shoveler (1 drake), Gadwall (2) and Little Grebe (3). Lake still almost fully frozen. A single Jack Snipe was seen at Etherley Dene on saturday morning. Approximately fifty Golden Plover were seen soon after leaving home on sunday morning, between Etherley and West Auckland. South Durham proved to be very quiet with Red Grouse (6-7), Grey Partridge (2), Fieldfare (50+), Redwing (20+), Mistle Thrush (5+), etc. being seen on a cold and misty day.
20th to 26th January, 2025 – (Patch)
Storm Eowyn arrived just in time for the weekend, so no birding done on Friday. Checked Escomb on saturday for any birds that might have been blown in. Best birds included Goldeneye (2), Wigeon (4), Gadwall (4), Teal (1), Coot (27), Song Thrush (2) and Woodcock (1). Rained all day sunday.
February 2025
Picture: Long-eared Owl at Hurworth, 9th February 2025
26th January to 2nd February, 2025 – (Patch)
Goosander (2), Goldeneye (3), Teal (7+), Kingfisher (2), Barn Owl (1), Water Rail (2), Siskin (20+) and Willow Tit (1) were best birds seen in two visits to Low Barns. No sign of the two smew that were reported on saturday (despite me being there at the time of the report)? A Barn Owl was seen hunting fields at dusk on Etherley Moor. Little Grebe (2), Goldeneye (2), Goosander (5), Gadwall (1), Marsh Tit (2), etc. at Escomb.
3rd to 9th February, 2025 – (Patch, Hurworth & Teesside)
The Etherley Moor Barn Owl continued to be seen at dusk with a Jack Snipe being flushed early in the week. The weather was very poor at the weekend, so not much birding done. I did manage to see Long-eared Owl (1), Grey Partridge (1), Yellowhammer (7+), etc. at Hurworth and a few of the regulars at Teesside.
10rd to 16th February, 2025 – (Patch)
A Barn Owl continued to be seen on Etherley Moor each evening with two being seen mid-week. I watched a Little Owl catch prey on Friday night with the thermal. Watched a Little Egret struggle with what appeared to be a Chub at Low Barns on Saturday. A Little Owl was heard calling at 3am on saturday night. Black Grouse (50+), Red Grouse (3+) and Fieldfare (20+) were the best birds seen in the dales on sunday.
17th to 23rd February, 2025 – (Patch, Bassenthwaite & Tyneside)
The Barn Owl continued to be seen each evening on Etherley Moor and at least two Song Thrush singing. A drake Mandarin was on a pond close to the place we stayed at when visiting Keswick/Bassenthwaite. Visited North Tyneside on saturday and got good views of Red-necked Grebe at Holywell Pond, Water Pipit at St Mary's Island and Iceland Gull at the Fish Quay. No luck with the Bittern that had been reported at Rainton Meadows over the past 1-2 weeks. Local birds not seen by me included a drake Smew at Bishop Middleham and White-fronted Geese at Lamesley.
24th to 28th February, 2025 – (Patch)
Two Barn Owl continued to be seen each morning & evening on Etherley Moor during the week. Shelduck (2), Shoveller (7), Goldeneye (7), Song Thrush (3), Redwing (3), Willow Tit (1) & Tree Sparrow (3) were at Low Barns on Friday with no sign of the Scaup that had been reported one day earlier. After Low Barns I had a quick walk around Escomb with Goldeneye (4), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Tawny Owl (1 calling) & Barn Owl (1) being the best birds seen.
March 2025
Picture: Jack Snipe at Etherley, 1st March 2025
1st to 9th March, 2025 – (Patch & Weardale)
Green Sandpiper (1), Common Sandpiper (1) and Avocet (33) were seen in Teesside during a visit to Teesside. Jack Snipe (3), Song Thrush (3), Kestrel (1) & Barn Owl (1) were seen on Etherley Moor at the end of the first saturday of the month. Two Crossbill were seen at Pow Hill CP on the 2nd.
Up to three Barn Owls continued to be seen on Etherley Moor throughout the week. One ringed and after reaching out to the ringers, we found that this particular owl had been ringed in the nest close to Skipton on 26th July 2024 (70-80 miles away).
Great Crested Grebe (1), Little Grebe (2), Goldeneye (8), ChiffChaff (4) and Goldcrest (2) were the best birds at Escomb on Saturday. Great White Egret (1), Water Rail (2+), Marsh Harrier (1), Common Buzzard (1), Avocet (30+), Greenshank (1), Bar-tailed Godwit (20+), Cetti's Warbler (4+) & Twite (20+) were seen in Teesside on Sunday. No joy with the reported Bearded Tit at Dormans.
10th to 16th March, 2025 – (Patch)
Up to three Barn Owls continued to hunt the field between Holmes Garage and Etherley Dene during the week. Other birds seen at Etherley during the week included Skylark (1), Kestrel (1), Tree Sparrow (4+), etc. Manderin (5), Goosander (2), Green Woodpecker (1), Grey Wagtail (2), Dipper (2), etc. were at The Batts on Saturday. A Common Snipe showed quite well at Low Barns and a flock of at least 250 Linnets were seen near Gaunless Flats on Sunday.
17th to 23rd March, 2025 – (Patch & Weardale)
The Barn Owls (at least two) continued to be seen at Etherley Dene throughout the week. Great Crested Grebe (2), Mandarin (5), Goldeneye (5), Song Thrush (3) and ChiffChaff (10+) were the best birds at Escomb. Thirty four different species of birds were seen during a 4-5 hour drive through Weardale with Black Grouse (7), Red Grouse (10+), Barn Owl (1), Northern Wheatear (3), Raven (3), Dipper (1), Song Thrush (5+), Mistle Thrush (4), etc. being seen.
24th to 31st March, 2025 – (Patch)
The local Barn Owls weren't seen as much this week. Pairs of Great Crested Grebe and Goldeneye were showing nicely at Escomb. Up to four Mandarin were seen at both Escomb and The Batts. The first Sand Martins on the patch for this year were at Escomb on the 30th.
April 2025
Picture: Willow Warbler at Escomb, 4 th April 2025
1st to 6th April, 2025 – (Patch & Bollihope)
Local Barn Owls still being seen at dusk throughout the week (closer to 19:30 now the clocks have gone forward). Willow Warbler (2) and Tawny Owl (1 calling) were at Escomb on 4th April. Red-legged Partridge (2) were seen as they flew in front of the car near Wolsingham. Red Grouse (10+), Ring Ouzel (2), Northern Wheatear (2), Meadow Pipit (10+) and Dipper (1) were at Bollihope on 6th. Broad-bordered Bee-flies were seen at both Escomb and The Batts. First butterflies of the year included Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Green-veigned White.
7th to 13th April, 2025 – (Patch)
Barn Owls on Etherley Moor not seen this week. ChiffChaff (1) and Tree Sparrow (4+) are back in the hedgerow behind our house. Blue Tits are nest building in one of the gardens new nestboxes. Willow Warbler and ChiffChaff have returned in decent numbers throughout the patch. Other arrivals on the patch include Sand Martin, Swallow & Blackcap. Grey Partridge (2) were nice to see at Escomb. No sign of any redstarts at Bishops Park, but did get decent views of Green Woodpecker (3+).
14th to 20th April, 2025 – (Patch & Teesside)
Grasshopper Warbler (1), Common Whitethroat (1) and Swallow (10+) were at Backhall Rocks before seeing the reported Hooded Crow from Zinc Road on Thursday. Was surprised to see a Jack Snipe at Etherley Dene on Friday. Spotted Redshank was seen with Black-tailed Godwit (10+) on West Saltholme. Still no redstarts for me in Bishops Park.
21st to 27th April, 2025 – Bishop Middleham & Teesside)
At least three Yellow Wagtails were seen at Bishop Middleham before heading to Saltholme for a reported drake Garganey. Cetti's Warbler (4-5), were audible at both Saltholme and Dormans.