January 2026
Picture: Great Northern Diver at Hartlepool Headland, 16th January 2026.
1st to 4th January, 2026 – (Patch & Pow Hill)
First bird for 2026 was Blue Tit (4), closely followed by Jackdaw (1) and Great Tit (1). Visited Pow Hill on the 2nd and eventually got a quick view of Crossbill (1). Whilst waiting for crossbills, up to four Red Squirrel showed very well, sometimes coming so close I could almost touch them. Willow Tit (2), Little Grebe (3), Goldeneye (5), etc. at Escomb.
5th to 11th January, 2026 – (Patch)
No birding away from home this week with Tree Sparrow (1) and Mallard (2 over) being seen from our house on Etherley Moor. Some interesting birds that I could have gone for included Black-throated Diver at Hartlepool, Waxwings at Bowburn and a ringtail Hen Harrier.
12th to 18th January, 2026 – (Teesside)
Visited Hartlepool for the Black-throated Diver that had been reported earlier in the week on friday, which was seen soon after sunrise. Next stop was Hartlepool Headland where I found a Great Northern Diver in the Fish Quay. Shag (1), Guillemot (1), Purple Sandpiper (3), Grey Plover (2) and Snow Bunting (1) were also seen. At least fifty Great Crested Grebe were on the sea at Seaton Carew. Marsh Harrier (1) was seen at Saltholme and Great White Egret (1) was near Cowpen Bewely. Dipped Water Pipit, Waxwing & Spoonbill. Tiaga Bean Goose (5), Russian White-fronted Goose (3) and Pink-footed Goose (1) were with Greylag Goose (c200) at Woodland on saturday. Managed to get decent views of the Water Pipit at Saltholme on Sunday.
19th to 25th January, 2026 – (Teesside)
Had a quick look into Ward Jackson Park on the way to Hartlepool Headland for Ring-necked Parakeet (2 seen). Best bird at the headland was a Little Gull flying into the wind between the two breakwaters. Very cold day so didn't stay too long.
26th January to 1st February, 2026 – (Patch)
Best birds on the patch this week included Red Kite (1) and Pink-footed Goose (14) heading south on sunday morning.
February 2026
Picture: Starling at Etherley Moor, 1st February 2026.
2nd to 8th February, 2026 – (Patch)
Approximately seventy Goldfinch have been seen going to roost in one of the neighbours holly tree over the past few days. Two Jack Snipe were accidentally flushed in nearby fields. Elsewhere in the county there were two White-billed Divers (Whitburn to Tynemouth) and Slavonian Grebe (Hurworth Burn) that I'd have liked to see, but no vehicle to do so.
9th to 15th February, 2026 – (Patch)
A Lesser Redpoll and at least six Greenfinch were visiting feeders in a Bishop Auckland garden on saturday. Grey Partridge (11), Willow Tit (1), Marsh Tit (1), Little Grebe (3), Goldeneye (2), Nuthatch (2) and Treecreeper (1) were best birds at Escomb later in the day. On sunday, a Barn Owl was seen hunting the field next to our house on Etherley Moor. Elsewhere in the county a White-billed Diver was at Seaham and the Slavonian Grebe was staill at Hurworth Burn.
16th to 22nd February, 2026 – (Patch)
A Barn Owl has been seen hunting the field to the south of our house on Etherley Moor in the twilight hours morning and evening. Common Buzzard (1) and Mallard (6) were also seen. At least seventy Goldfinch are still roosting in the neighbours holly tree.
23rd February to 1st March, 2026 – (Patch)
Jack Snipe (10), Common Buzzard (1), Siskin (2) and Tree Sparrow (2) were the best birds seen on patch this week. Goldfinch are still roosting in the neighbours holly tree.
March 2026
Picture: Siskin at Etherley Moor, 27th March 2026.
2nd to 8th March, 2026 – (Patch)
My first ChiffChaff of the year was heard and then seen during a walk around Etherley Moor on saturday. Jack Snipe (3), Curlew (1 heard), Common Buzzard (2), Skylark (1) Treecreeper (1) and Tree Sparrow (2) were also seen. Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Lapwing (7), Shoveller (1) and Oystercatcher (1) were seen from the car at Gaunless Flats on sunday.
9th to 15th March, 2026 – (Patch)
Mandarin (3) were at The Batts. Egyption Goose (2) were in the field opposite the entrance to Low Barns. Lesser Redpoll (1), Siskin (5+) and Greenfinch (5+) were visiting feeders in central Bishop Auckland. Elsewhere in the county there was a Long-eared Owl at Saltholme and a Tundra Bean Goose near Bowburn.
16th to 22nd March, 2026 – (Patch)
Whooper Swan (6) and Mandarin (1) were best birds during a quick visit to Low Barns. ChiffChaff (2) and Skylark (5 displaying) were best out of 29 different species seen during a decent walk around Etherley. Teal (2) were at Gaunless Flats.
23rd to 29th March, 2026 – (Patch)
Siskin (2) and Tree Sparrow (1) have been visiting our feeders on Etherley Moor. Lesser Black-backed Gull (2), Great Crested Grebe (1), Little Grebe (1), Mandarin (2), Siskin (1+) and Tree Sparrow (2) were the best birds seen during a two hour walk to Escomb on Friday morning.
April 2026
Picture: Tawny Owl at Escomb, 9th April 2026
30th March to 5th April, 2026 – (Patch)
The local farmer ploughed the field where Skylarks had been displaying 1-2 weeks ago. At least one Tree Sparrow continued to visit our Etherley Moor feeders. A single Whooper Swan circled over Etherley Moor 3-4 times on the 2nd April and a Pied Wagtail was seen briefly in the ploughed field on the same day. Blackcap (2), Great Crested Grebe (2), Marsh Tit (2) and Goldeneye (5f) were best at Escomb.
6th to 12th April, 2026 – (Weardale & Patch)
Northern Wheatear (3), Black Grouse (3), Red Grouse (10+), Sand Martin (10+) and a possible Ring Ouzel were seen during a drive through Weardale on 7th. ChiffChaff (15+), Blackcap (5+), Willow Warbler (5+), Whitethroat (1), Great Crested Grebe (1), Tawny Owl (1), Meadow Pipit (1), Sand Martin (10+), Oystercatcher (1) and Lesser Black-backed Gull (3) were the best birds out of 49 different species seen in 2-3hrs at Escomb on the 9th. Nice surprise first thing on friday morning when a Northern Wheatear was seen on the top of our neighbours tree (a first for me on Etherley Moor). A Common Redstart and at least one yaffling Green Woodpecker were the best of 34 different species at Bishops Park later on the same morning. Ventured off the patch on saturday for the reported Marsh Sandpiper at Boldon Flats, which showed well but at a distance. Little Ringed Plover (2), Avocet (4) and Swallow (1) were also added to my year list. Other interestig birds in the county that I chose not to go for this week included a Great Grey Shrike in Teesdale and a probable Iberian ChiffChaff at Hardwick Park.
13th to 19th April, 2026 – (Patch & Hardwick)
A Little Owl was seen in our neighbours tree on monday evening (Etherley Moor). I decided to go and see the Iberian ChiffChaff at Hardwick Park after work on tuesday which showed and called very well in the fifteen minutes I was there. A pair of Mandarin landed behind the neighbours tree on wednesday morning (in a tree that looked suitable for them to nest in).
Decided to go and see something different and twitched the long staying Great-tailed Grackle at Speke in Lancashire on Friday. Unlikely to go on the British list, but nice to see/hear. Stopped off at Leighton Moss for 2-3 hours on the return journey seeing Peregrine Falcon (2), Raven (3), Bittern (1 with 3 booming), Marsh Harrier (1), Common Buzzard (2), Sand Martin (50+), Otter (2), etc. being seen.
Grasshopper Warbler (1), Lesser Whitethroat (1), Swallow (2), Blackcap (1), ChiffChaff (2), Stonechat (1), Greenfinch (1), etc. were seen at Blackhall Rocks on Sunday.
20th to 26th April, 2026 – (Patch & Bishop Middleham)
First Holly Blue (3) butterflies of the year were seen in Etherley Dene/Moor towards the back end of the week. Reed Warbler (2), Common Sandpiper (2), Mandarin (1) & Otter (1) were at Escomb on Friday evening. Little Egret (2), Common Sandpiper (2), Dunlin (1), Little-ringed Plover (2), Yellow Wagtail (5+), House Martin (1), Sand Martin (150+), etc. were at Bishop Middleham on Saturday morning. Mandarin (4), Common Whitethroat (1), Sand Martin (30+) & Common Sandpiper (1) were at The Batts on Saturday afternoon.