Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Cleveland. UK - 2008 [Archive]

IanF

Saturday 5th January 2008, 21:06

The threads with sightings for the last couple of years can be found here -

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Cleveland. UK - 2006 (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=48573)
Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Cleveland. UK - 2007 (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=74765)

Bird List 2008

1. Dunnock
2. Bullfinch
3. Blackbird
4. Song Thrush
5. Wren
6. Magpie
7. Wood Pigeon
8. Collared Dove
9. Common Gull
10. Yellowhammer
11. Tree Sparrow
12. Chaffinch
13. Greenfinch
14. Goldfinch
15. Coal Tit
16. Great Tit
17. Blue Tit
18. Long-tailed Tit
19. Siskin
20. Kestrel
21. Carrion Crow
22. Grey Heron
23. Robin
24. Great Crested Grebe (18/07/08)
25. Linnet
26. Grey Wagtail
27. Pied Wagtail
28. Mallard
29. Tufted Duck
30. Coot
31. Moorhen
32. Little Grebe
33. Scaup
34. Goldeneye
35. Gadwall
36. Pochard
37. Mistle Thrush
38. Mute Swan
39. Reed Bunting
40. Redwing
Updated 05/01/2008

Additional species - 12/01/2008
41. Water Rail
42. Little Egret
43. Sparrowhawk
44. Lesser Redpoll
45. Curlew
46. Lapwing
47. Fieldfare

Additional species - 02/02/2008
48. Goldcrest
49. Woodcock
50. Redshank
51. GBB Gull
52. LBB Gull
53. Herring Gull
54. Little Gull

Additional species - 09/02/2008
55. Grey Partridge

Additional species - 12/02/2008
56. Blackcap
57. Skylark

Additional species - 15/02/2008
58. Nuthatch

Additional species 23/02/2008
59. Canada Goose

Additional species 26/02/2008
60. Rook

Additional species 29/02/2008
61. Cormorant
62. Shelduck
63. Stonechat

Additional species 30/03/2008
64. Chiffchaff

Additional species 08/04/2008
65. Willow Warbler
66. Kingfisher

Additional species 12/04/2008
67. Meadow Pipit

Additional species 24/04/2008
68. Sedge Warbler
69. Common Whitethroat
70. Grasshopper Warbler
71. House Martin
72. Sand Martin
73. Swallow

Additional species 15/05/2008
74. Cuckoo
75. Garden Warbler

Additional species 16/05/2008
76. Marsh Harrier

Additional species 09/06/2008
77. Common Tern

Additional species 14/06/2008
78. Little Owl

Additional species 20/09/2008
79. Hobby

Additional species 29/09/2008
80. House Sparrow
81. Common Buzzard
82. Jay
83. Black-headed Gull (missed off the list)
84. Spotted Flycatcher
85. Pheasant
86. Greylag Goose

Additonal species 01/10/2008
87. Barnacle Goose

88. Common Redpoll
89. Osprey
90. Pink-footed Goose
91. Brent Goose

IanF

Saturday 5th January 2008, 21:10

Today was my first visit of the year.

The morning was bright starting off but soon clouded over threatening rain, but it remained fine after all. Temperatures were too bad at around 5°C though the wind was gusty at times 20-25 mph.

Entering from the west corner by the A1185 the first birds encountered were Blackbird, Dunnock, Wren, Collared Dove, Song Thrush and Bullfinch x6. Following the gravel track alongside the road to the car park there wasn't much else to see apart from Magpie, Crow, Mistle Thrush and Woodpigeon. Plenty of gulls overhead gliding on the winds.

The hedge in the car park was packed full of birds as usual - Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Blackbird. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the taller trees behind.

The small ponds held Mute Swan x3, Mallard x2 and Moorhen 7+. A Heron was on the furthest pond. The Carrion Crow with white primaries x2 were on the grass by the Activity Centre and several Magpie dotted around.

Following the hedge line up to the railway - Wren x2, Bullfinch x2 and Long-tailed Tit x3.

The main pond was pretty quiet in terms of bird numbers but still a good selection of species - Scaup x2, Little Grebe x2, Gadwall x7, Mallard 20+, Coot c.12, Moorhen c.7, Mute Swan x2, Black-headed Gull c.40, Little Gull x1, Goldeneye x5 (1m 4f), Tufted Duck c.12, Pochard c.7.

The bushes around the pond held Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Wren and on the west side Siskin 60+ were moving around in a large flock. The trees by the railway held Linnet c.7.

Faith Wood was pretty quiet as well - Kestrel x1, Long-tailed Tit x7, Redwing x1, Grey Wagtail x3, Wren x2, Reed Bunting x2, Blackbird 12+.

The sewage works by the boardwalk held Pied Wagtail x2.

I spent about 30 minutes at the feeding station noting - Yellowhammer c.10, Tree Sparrow 20+, Chaffinch c.7, Great Tit c.6, Blue Tit c.8, Dunnock x2, Robin x2, Wren x1, Coal Tit x2, Greenfinch x6. Siskin, Bullfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker passed through in the trees above.

geordie graham

Sunday 6th January 2008, 18:52

Hi Ian I was at the park yesterday for only the second time and went to the feeding station
for the first time.A little boggy underfoot but very natural looking and very pleased to see so many yellowhammers.Will start to use the park and surrounding areas a lot more when I move back to Billingham.

Graham

IanF

Saturday 12th January 2008, 19:49

What promised to be a bright morning starting off turned out to be pretty dull and cloudy though it did remain fine. We'd had quite a frost overnight so the usual soggy ground was quite firm and most of the water even in the larger ponds frozen over.

Having been dropped off at the car park I entered the park via the main drive. The small ponds were just about totally frozen over. The two adult Mute Swan and signet were present as were Mallard and Moorhen. Crow x7 were scattered around the mown grass including the four with white primaries. The first pond also held a Water Rail which was wandering along the frozen edge before disappearing after 20-30 secs into the reeds never to reappear!

There was little else to see heading over to the main pond apart fom Bullfinch x4. As I reached the pond a Little Egret flew east from the dead tree heading off towards the tip. Almost at the same time a Cormorant took off as well circling several times before leaving. The dead tree on the west side held Grey Heron x3 with another sat on the section of metal fencing/wood/barbed wire. A Sparrowhawk was in the bushes below the Herons. 70% of the surface water was frozen with just the east side ice free for 20-30yds from the bank. There were quite a few gulls stood on the ice with more flying in from the east where earthworks started up disurbing a flock of Lawing and several Curlew that flew over to the hill.

By the first benches the Scaup x2 were feeding along with Goldeneye x5 (fem) and Pochard x5. A Little Grebe was hugging the edge of the island.

In front of the hide screen were another four Goldeneye (2m 2f).

I sat for a while on the second set of benches checking out the gulls. Around 60 were present mostly just Black-headed Gull. No sign of the Med Gull or Little Gull.

Also present were Mute Swan x2, Tufted Duck c.12, Pochard c.5, Mallard c.20, Gadwall x6, Coot and Moorhen. A second Little Grebe was below the west bank.

Whilst sat I met Joe1969 and his two sons who'd come for a look around as well before heading down to Seal Sands. Joe spotted a Kestrel flying over the pond.

As I left Robin, Dunnock and Blue Tit were in the bushes beside me and a pair of Bullfinch in the trees behind.

I made my way back to the car park via Faith Wood only seeing the odd Magpie, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Blackbird. Fieldfare x5 were in the bushes alongside the sewage works and Wren x3 below the trees by the boardwalk which also held a GSW.

The feeding station was pretty quiet with next to no food left. I topped up some of the feeders and then waited a while at the hide screen. Unusually the first bird in was a Yellowhammer but it was soon followed by several Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit x2, Chaffinch, Dunnock and Greenfinch. Only six Tree Sparrow appeared. A Robin and Blackbird x2 also arrived before I moved on.

Following the path west I saw no birds at all the first 1/4 mile until I came across an alder tree with Lesser Redpoll x7 - my first decent view of them here this winter. It was a shame it was too dull for a decent photo. They soon moved on. Just before leaving the park Siskin x3 flew over heading south across the Seal Sands Road and I came across a tree with Goldfinch x12.

IanF

Saturday 19th January 2008, 19:16

A warm fine and sunny morning. Quite A few birds about the Park but well spread out and in small groups.

Much the same birds seen as my last few visits. The most notable being the Little Gull back on the main pond and some of the Gadwall coming just a tad closer than they usually do. Only a single Scaup seen.

IanF

Tuesday 22nd January 2008, 22:47

Today was the first day it's been dry since Saturday. Following heavy rain yesterday we had a frost overnight which left a few frozen puddles and some hoar frost but mostly it was just dull and cool this morning. Most of the streams were very full and there was quite a lot of standing water forming small ponds in Faith Wood.

On entering from the SW corner the Bullfinch were present again, just 3-4 today in what seems to be their favoured corner. There wasn't a great lot more to see until I reached the main pond where a flock of 60-80 Siskins were in the alder trees behind the first benches. Every now and again they dropped to the path to take a drink from the partly frozen puddles.

The main pond was ice free but birds were scarce though the usual suspects were present including Goldeneye x5. Only BH Gulls about today.

The trek back to the car park was pretty fruitless as well with just a few Blue Tit and Great Tit seen.

In the car park entrance a Yellowhammer was on the ground picking up spilt seed in front of the tool container. Whilst there was a fair bit of food in the feeding station it wasn't that busy. Eventually around 20 Yellowhammer arrived as did a similar number of Treesparrow but mostly it was just a few Chafifnch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, a single Coal Tit, a single Wren and two Robin. Just as I left a few Goldfinch were overhead and a pair of Bullfinch passed through.

A couple of people have mentioned seeing Short-eared Owl over the last few days mostly by the hill and railway lines. No sign of any today though I did come across one later on Seaton Common.

IanF

Tuesday 22nd January 2008, 22:50

A few more photos from today.

IanF

Friday 25th January 2008, 12:58

It was sunny yesterday morning but pretty wild and windy with gusts around 35mph.

It was pretty quiet for birds in most areas with birds mostly either around the main pond or in the area of the feeding station.

The most notable birds seen were Yellowhammer x5 by the main pond in the bushes between the two sets of benches and half a dozen Linnet in the trees the other side of the path by the railway.

In the feeding station the usual Treesparrow and Yellowhammer were present not to mention the tits but not as numerous as they have been. A pair of GSW spent several minutes in the trees and bushes in and around the feeders calling and chasing each other around.

The western edge of the reserve held around half a dozen Bullfinch.

IanF

Saturday 2nd February 2008, 14:02

Brightly overcast this morning following overnight temperatures of -4°C. Puddles were frozen solid as was the muddy ground and small ponds but little of the main lake was frozen.

Having been dropped off at the car park the first birds seen were Bullfinches x3 sat in the bushes by the gate to the feeding station. They were soon followed by Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow flying into the car park bushes.

The ponds by the car park held Mute Swan x3, Mallard and Moorhen. Magpie and Crow were on the cut grass.

I headed up the track to the Activity Centre and then across to the path to the railway line following the hedge line picking up Dunnock, Song Thrush, Robin, Blackbird and a small flock of Long-tailed Tit. Several Great Tit and Blue Tit were in the alders.

The main pond held quite a few gulls including some of the larger gulls from the tip come for a bathe. Around 100 BH Gull and Little Gullx1 plus LBB Gull, GBB Gull, Herring Gull and Common Gull. The dead tree on the far side held four Heron with another two perched on fencing nearby. Whilst watching them a Sparrowhawk flew by them.

On the water were Little Grebe x2, Cormorant x2, Gadwall x6, Pochard x7, Tufted Duck c.30, Shoveler x5, Goldeneye c.8 (2m), Scaupx1, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen.

After settling on one of the twin benches Mallard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye and even a Pochard came for a feed as did the Robin which was happy feeding from the next bench along. Quite a few BH Gulls came for a feed as did the Little Gull. The Goldeneye were getting quite frisky with the female approaching the male laid supine on the water several times and then mating with him as he grabbed her by the back of the head and mounted just about drowning her!

Continuing around pond Reed Bunting x3 were sat in the bushes on the first corner and a Kestrel was hovering over the hill. Reaching the corner by the hide a Goldcrest was playing hard to get in the alders and hawthorns. Also present here were Blue Tit, Dunnock, Wren and Robin.

Heading to the new bridge behind the hill a Redshank - an unusual sighting here - flew off the beck and headed upstream towards the cycleway and several Curlew flew over also heading west.

There was little else to see until reaching the boardwalk apart from a Kestrel perched on one of the silver birches posing nicely for photos.

From the hump-backed bridge a Grey Wagtail was feeding downstream eventually flying under the bridge up to the ford and then on through the sewage works. Also present were two Grey Heron. Following the boardwalk I came across Wren x3, Dunnock, Blackbird and Robin.

On reaching the car park Great Spotted Woodpecker were calling from alongside the A1185. In fact there were three of them all in one tree.

Instead of vsiting the feeding station I crossed the road and returned home via the south side wood not seeing a great deal until I reached the cemetery. A Mistle Thrush was in the hedge along with Robin and several Blackbirds. Best find of the day though and most unusual was a Woodcock which flew across the trees tops south to north 20 yds in front of me being followed by a brown Sparrowhawk 20' behind! When the Sparrowhawk spotted me it veered off leaving the Woodcock to fly away free towards the gas works compound. A few minutes later I met a guy with two black dogs and a brown retriever. It was the retiriever that had put up the woodcock from the wood near the road.

Nothing else of note was seen before leaving the park.

IanF

Wednesday 6th February 2008, 22:04

A pleasant sunny morning though a bit of a chilly north-westerly breeze still.

Not a great deal to see still away from the car park/feeding station and the main pond though I did come across half a dozen Siskin and a couple of LTT in the alders near the Activity Center.

On reaching the main pond I met BF member sbroth and we had a wander around. Nothing new to see. Still quite a few Goldeneye and Gadwall and the Scaup was still present. No sign of the Little Gull though there weren't many gulls at all today.

It was fits and starts at the feeding station with mostly very few birds and then 40+ all of a sudden. The usual crowd turned up with Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Blackbird. Goldfinch were in the trees overhead as were a few Siskin. GSW were close by and drumming for quite a while and a scolding Wren was somewhere around. Best sighting was a male Bullfinch sat in the bushes behind the feeders.

A male Blackcap has been seen in the feeding station a few times now, but not by me. Likewise Treecreeper.

IanF

Thursday 7th February 2008, 21:50

I called in at just he feeidng station for 30 mins this afternoon.

Still fits and starts going from 0 to 40+ every few minutes. I suspect the reason being a Sparrowhawk as one of the brown juvies came in twice making a kill on the second visit - a Dunnock I think. I was surprised at the umber of visits from GSW. Both male and female came in with the female making 8 visits in 30 minutes. LTT's were pesent most of the time I was there. Others were Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Yellowhammer, Robin, Blackbird, Tree Saprrow, Wren and a rat!

IanF

Thursday 7th February 2008, 21:51

A few more from today

IanF

Friday 8th February 2008, 19:04

Another visit to the feeding station today at lunchtime for an hour on a bright and occasionally sunny morning. Very little food out for the birds when I arrived though.

Fits and starts again for birds with very quiet periods interspersed with very active ones with around 50-60 birds in together.

Most notable bird of the visit was the female Great Spotted Woodpecker which hardly left the feeding station whilst I was there and even when it did, it wasn't for very long. I'd squashed a few fat balls into various crevices and holes which it checked out as well as feeding on peanuts.

Other birds present - Long-tailed Tit x2, Dunnock x2, Wren, Chaffinch c.7, Yellowhammer c.7, Reed Bunting x3, Tree Sparrow c.25 with 21 on one table on one occasion, Greenfinch x5, Coal Tit x1, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin and Blackbird.

IanF

Saturday 9th February 2008, 19:38

A bright sunny day. I spent the morning wandering around the Park.

Not a great deal of change with most areas being pretty quiet. Even the main pond was quiet. Nine Goldeneye present today with 2 males and 7 females. Also 9 Gadwall. Others Scaup x2, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Pochard, Little Grebe x1, BH Gull x4, Mute Swan x4 - the two resident adults plus two juveniles flew in until chased off by the adults.

Very few birds in the trees and bushes. Reed Bunting x2, Magpie x1 and a Robin were in the bushes by the benches on the main pond. A Sparrowhawk chased the roosting pigeons by the dead tree. Most notable was a Grey Partridge flying over and into Faith Wood.

Feeding station had no food out whatsoever - hence very few birds until I put some out. Usual ones present again. GSW female visited twice but not for long.

Best find of the day was a single Lesser Redpoll in silver birches by the wooden bridge on the north side in the centre of that section. On the northern edge a flock of Goldfinch c.40 were in the trees haivng been disturbed by shooting

sborth

Monday 11th February 2008, 21:46

IanF

Monday 11th February 2008, 21:52

Hi Ian
sborth here,
I went back to CBWP on Fri, finally got the photo of the GSW i was after also managed to see Blackcap. which wood is faith wood? is it the one just over the hump bridge?
thanks
Steve

Hi Steve,

Congrats on the GSW and the Blackcap. I'm still struggling for the latter though I saw some today in Norton.

Yep! Faith Wood is the area the other side of the hump bridge. It actually extends up to the cycleway which is usually a better area for winter birds but due to the pipeline work you can't walk there unless you go up the cycleway and come back the same way. It can still hold quite a few birds like LTT, Siskin, Redpoll, Bullfinch, Kestrel and Blackcap along the sewage works fence line where you usually get the Redwing as well but some days any bird can be hard to find there. Once Spring arrives it will be full of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.

IanF

Tuesday 12th February 2008, 23:53

A very foggy start to the day again but it cleared mid-morning to leave it bright and sunny and even quite warm despite an overnight frost.

Walking over to the park from home and entering from the SW corner the most notable birds was a flock of Goldfinch 40-50 in the alders with Siskin x3 and two GSW nearby chasing each other among the young trees.

Despite plenty of food in the feeding station there were very few birds to see though I got my first view of the Blackcap that's been around. As I moved up to the viewing port on the side the Blackcap was in the bush immediately below and shot of across to the denser undergrowth. At least I've seen it now.

My normal route along the board walk and through Faith Wood revealed just a few Blackbirds and tits plus another GSW.

It was good to see a decent number of gulls back on the main pond. I counted 110 though there were constant comings and goings. It was also good to see the Little Gull back. It was first bird on the scene when I sat on the benches and started to throw out some bread. It made several passes picking up the bread before the Mallard and Tufted Duck appeared and then the BH Gulls.

Also present were Little Grebe, Goldeneye x5 (2m), Gadwall x7, Moorhen, Shoveler, Pochard and Coot. Also a Skylark was in the field by the railway line, first one I've seen this year.

Heading back to the car park there was nothing else new.

IanF

Thursday 14th February 2008, 20:59

A short visit this afternoon just to the feeding station. The morning had been very dull with heavy overcast skies and fine fret but the sky brightened for a while this afternoon.

Still the same in the feeding station with a glut of birds one minute and then none at all the next, but they soon start returning again. Loads of peanuts in the hanging feeders today but no seed at all so I out some out and squashed a couple of fat balls into the crevices and logs with drilled holes. Shortly after I arrived Steve turned up as well.

Very good views of the male Blackcap today. I was there for an hour and a half and it was present fo at least around an hour mostly sat in the bushes behind the feeders and every now and again landing on one of the tables or on the ground to feed.

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker spent quite a while in the station as well. It seemed to appreciate the fat balls in the drilled log as it spent a solid five or six minutes clinging to that feeder.

Another good sight was a Wren that was present most of the time I was there feeding in front of the hide screen.

Also present were Long-tailed Tit, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Tree Sparrow and Reed Bunting. Goldfinch were in the trees overhead and a male Bullfinch pooped in for a while. It was the first visit in quite a while without a rat being present!

sborth

Friday 15th February 2008, 19:43

IanF

Friday 15th February 2008, 20:00

hi Ian
went back to feeding station briefly today
all the usual but with one exception a Nuthatch, a first for me, it was a bit too far away for a decent photo (must invest in a bigger lens) but i got a couple of average shots. im not sure how to put a thumbnail on the reply to show you but i sent a pic to TBC
regards
steve

Great find Steve :t:

Nuthatch were around in 2005 but I've not seen one since. I half thought I heard one when we were there yesterday going 'peep' but dismissed it as there were only a couple of calls - hopefully it will stick around.

sborth

Friday 15th February 2008, 20:46

thanks Ian
hopefullt this will work
again sorry about the quality but it's a start
regards
steve

IanF

Friday 15th February 2008, 20:53

Don't worry about the quality, it looks fine to me, especially for a new species for the list.

IanF

Saturday 16th February 2008, 22:54

Nothing much new to see around the reserve this morning. The smaller ponds were frozen but the large one was ice free.

GSW in the feeding station again as was the male Blackcap.

5.50pm though a Short-eared Owl crosssed north to south over the A1185 by the entrance to the reserve heading towards Cowpen Bewley.

IanF

Saturday 23rd February 2008, 22:52

It was fine this morning so I paid my weekly Sat morning visit. The weather was fine but the sky was heavy with cloud making it quite dull. At least the strong winds of the last few days had abated and the rain held off.

The walk to and from the main pond produce little in the way of birds. Around a dozen Yellowhammer were in the long hedge by Activity Centre and a few Great Tit and Blue Tit. Three of the white winged Carrion Crow were dotted about the cut grass and four Mallard and three Mute Swan were on the small ponds by the car park.

The main pond was pretty quiet as well with only around a dozen gulls present. All of the Black-headed. As I reached the pond Canada Goose x2 flew over and circled as if they were going to land but in the end continued on north. Goldeneye x7 present though only one male seen. Gadwall c.12 were dotted about in pairs. Little Grebe x2 though both at opposite ends of the pond. Others present Shoveler x6, Tufted Duck c.12, Moorhen, Coot, Pochard c.12 and the ubiquitous Mallard.

Heading back towards the car park via Faith Wood I came across a Kestrel and Long-tailed Tit x3. The grey Wagtail was once again flitting up and down the stream by the wooden hump back bridge and a couple of Wren and Reed Bunting were alongside the Boardwalk. A GSW was in the trees there.

I called in at the feeding station which as late was full of birds 40+ one second and devoid of any the next second. I suspected a Sparrowhawk being around but I never saw it. A GSW female made frequent visits but there was no prolonged stay. Birds present included - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit x1, Yellowhammer c.10, Tree Sparrow c.20, Blackbird x3, Robin x2, Reed Bunting c.5, Dunnock and Wren.

IanF

Tuesday 26th February 2008, 20:02

A wild windy day but fine and temperatures not bad at around 10°C.

I got dropped off at the car park around 9.00pm and headed up the drive. Mallard and Mute Swan were on the smaller ponds. The long hedge by the Activity Centre held Yellowhammer c.12, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Great Tit and Blackbird.

On reaching the railway line I thought it was a pigeon that took off from the hedge heading north but was blown back south by the strong winds. As it passed overhead I saw it was a Sparrowhawk.

The main pond was quite choppy and the ducks were mostly taking shelter along the west edge - Tufted Duck, Mallard, Pochard, Shoveler and Little Grebe. Gadwall, Coot and Goldeneye seemed unafftected as they were spread over the pond. At least seven Goldeneye were present including two males. Very few gulls around. One Common Gull on the water when I arrived and shortly afterwards a couple of Herring Gull and LBB Gull arrived with Black-headed Gull c.12. Another Sparrowhawk was sat by the dead tree preeening.

I didn't see much else apart from Long-tailed Tit as I headed back to the car park and feeding station.

The feeding station was very active at times with 60+ birds coming in - though nothing out of the ordinary. Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Blackbird, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Wren and a Bullfinch.

Following the path behind the feeding station to the next group of ponds I came across another three Goldeneye - two males and a female. The 'white-winged' Crows x4 were sat together in a hedge sheltering from the wind along with two normal ones. Whilst watching them Rook x6 flew over.

IanF

Friday 29th February 2008, 01:35

I had a quick wander around yesterday afternoon. Bright and sunny starting off but overcast and getting pretty windy by the time I left.

Not a great deal away from the main pond. On the way to the pond just a few Goldfinch c.8 in the alders by the railway lines and a Stonechat on the fence line.

A Cormorant was on the pond which has been there on and off a few times this year even if missed off the species list! A few more Tufted Duck than of late as well. Everything else was pretty much the same. Around 50 BH Gull present but no sign of the Little Gull today. Goldeneye x7 incl. two males still present.

It's not often I have a wander up the hill but I did this afternoon. On the north side I came across an owl pellet likely from a Short-eared Owl though Barn Owl is possible. A coule of people have mentioned seeing a Little Owl around as well but I've not connected with it yet.

A Skylark was on the north slope as well with a few Bullfinch and Yellowhammer at the bottom of the hill. The beck there held Shelduck x5 as well as several Mallard, Moorhen and Coot.

Walking through Faith Wood the ony birds in sight were Goldfinch c.6, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren and Reed Bunting though a possible Willow Tit by one of the bridges. A GSW flew overhead towards the car park.

No food left in the feeding station though plenty of birds still coming in to feed including a GSW.

IanF

Monday 3rd March 2008, 08:11

Yesterday morning as part of a Durham Bird Club ID workshop we had a look around the Park. It was a sunny morning but the strong winds had driven us from the Dormans Pool area.

Looks like the Park staff have stopped providing food in the feeding station as there wasn't a scrap of food on the tables and not one peanut in the feeders - hence no birds at all when we arrived. After putting out a few sunflower hearts and some peanuts a few birds appeared including Great Tit, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow and Long-tailed Tit.

On checking the small ponds by the car park we saw a flock around a dozen birds on the ground picking up seed comprising Tree Sparow and Reed Bunting. Crow x4 with white primaries were on the grass nearby and a pair of Mallard on the ponds.

Following the path by the hedge and then the railway line there was little to see apart from the odd Yellowhammer and a Stonechat.

There were quite a few birds on the main pond - Tufted Duck, Goldeneye c.6 incl. 2 males, Pochard c.8, Shoveler x4, Little Grebe x2, Gadwall c.6, Mallard, Coot and Moorhen. A Kestrel was over the hill. Around 20 gulls were present virtually all Black-headed, but no Little Gull. The bushes on the west side held Magpie and pigeon.

Nothing else new seen on the way back to the car park.

IanF

Saturday 8th March 2008, 22:21

A better morning than forecast. Still pretty windy and cloudy but at least some sun occasionally and the temperatures weren't too bad.

From entering the park in the western corner the first birds seen were Bullfinch x4. Little else was seen at all before reaching the main pond apart from of note the Mute Swan on the small pool by the car park were sitting on it's new nest - likewise the ones on the main pond.

Around 20 BH Gull present. Goldeneye numbers unchanged with 2 drake and 7 females. Gadwall numbers seem to have increased with 12 present and slightly more Tufted Duck than my last visit. Just one pair of Shoveler today. The only other noteworthy spectacle was a make Kestrel flying over the pond end to end 6-8' above the water before climbing up to land on a pylon at the south side where I later saw a sparse nest has been built.

Following the path around the pond behind the hill and over the footbridge I saw a Little Grebe by the half submerged wheelbarrow. A pair of Grey Wagtail were busy feeding on the muddy banks.

It was a little blustery making my way back to the car park with the strong southerly winds. Not a scrap of food in the feeding station again. On putting out some sunflower hearts, fat balls and peanuts it wasn't long before the usual suspects arrived. A pair of Song Thrush were chasing each opther around in the wood behind the screen in between calling. It was good to see a pair of Coal Tit present rather than just the one I've usually seen.

IanF

Wednesday 12th March 2008, 01:56

A fine but chilly blustery morning.

The Park was pretty quiet on the whole with very little to see between the car park and the main pond apart from the Mallard and Mute Swan on the car park ponds.

Nothing had changed on the main ponds the Goldeneye are still present as are the Gadwall.

Not a scrap of food in the feeding station though the car park bushes were full of birds. Within minutes of putting out some sunflower hearts and peanuts the Blackbirds, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock and Yellowhammer flew in for a feed. Shortly after the Coal Tit x2 appeared as well as a Wren and Goldfinch x5.

Best sighting though was a Bank Vole that was present the whole hour I was there. It was mostly under the first slice of tree trunk to the left of the viewing screen though it also popped out in the brishwood pile immediately on the right below the screen and a point halfway between the two - obviously there's a tunnel run there.

IanF

Saturday 15th March 2008, 17:04

A miserable chilly morning with wall to walll cloud cover giving an even dull greyness to the day. A little on the chilly side as well at 8°F with a light northerly but disctintcly chilly wind.

Not a lot to report on between the car park and the main pond. Just a few tits and Reed Bunting seen.

The pond looked pretty quiet too. 9:2 relates to the Goldeneye - they're just about all gone - only two females remaining today. I dare say they've made use of the strong south-westerlies the last few days. Only noteworthy sightings were three Little Grebe, two of whcih were nest building in the hide corner. Also several Coot gathering nesting material.

The walk back to the car park was pretty uneventful as well. Near the activity centre several Yellowhammer were belting out their song from the top of the hedge and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker in the young alders were creating quite a racket.

In the rushes by the car park ponds Reed Bunting were feeding and 'singing', also A Blue Tit was demolishing the head of a rush. A pair of Wren were flitting about by the bridge one of them singing it's heart out.

After putting out some food in the feeding station the tits were taking food before I'd even left the tables. As soon as I reached the viewing slit the Reed Bunting, Robin and Dunnock were there as well shortly followed by Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer. Not as busy as it has bene but 30-40 birds still coming in. Goldfinch and Bullfinch were in the trees over head and a Wren singing from the brushwood piles beside the screen.

IanF

Tuesday 18th March 2008, 21:08

With a few Sand Martin, Wheatear and Chiffchaff being reported nearby I was hoping I might connect with a migrant this morning but no joy.

It was a bit of a grey day with blanket cloud and a cold NW wind keeping temperatures down to around 8°C.

Having been dropped at the car park I headed along the board walk. Wren, Dunnock and Great Tit were in the bushes and a Reed Bunting singing behind the filter bed. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the trees before the hump bridge. A pair of Grey Wagtail were just up from the bridge where a Wren was also foraging.

Heading over to the sewage works fence it was nice to come across a Treecreeper in the first hawthorn of the hedge - they're been few and far between this winter. There was little along the hedge apart from Balckbird, pigeons and a pair of Chaffinch. On crossing the duck boards a pair of Magpie were sat in an alder perring down where I saw one of the brown Sparrowhawk on the ground. On seeing me it was up and off over Faith Wood towards the beck. With the new pipepline section over the stream just being finalised hopefully it won't be too long before the path through Faith Wood is re-opened. The latest Park newsletter arrived today saying the end of March beginning of April.

A check of the alders trees yielded just Goldfinch around 20 of them by the beck and a few tits.

The main pond was very quiet. Most numerous species were the Coot x24. Gadwall x8, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard and Moorhen. No sign of any Goldeneye at all today. Black-headed Gull x20 arrived from the tip and landed on the water.

Following the path alongside the railway line towards the road several Yellowhammer were in the bushes singing heartily and male Stonechat was on the fence near the start of the hedge.

The pair of Mute Swan were on the ponds by the car park and the white winged Crow on the grass and in the bushes nearby.

No food in the feeding station again - despite the newsletter advising people to continue feeding until at least May! Great Tit, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch appeared as soon as I put some out. Shortly followed by Dunnock, Tree Sparrow, Blue Tit, Coal Tit and Robin. Goldfinch were in the bushes overhead and a Wren was singing to the right of the screen. A single Greenfinch eventually appeared.

IanF

Wednesday 26th March 2008, 22:07

A lovely Spring morning for a wander around the Park. Overcast but bright feeling quite mild and next to no wind.

Plenty of birds singing today - mostly Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Goldfinch and Yellowhammer.

I got dropped off at the car park. Three new small feeding tables between the tyres and the hedge and even quite a bit of food on them as well as in the feeding station. Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow were taking advantage. In the feeding station it was mostly Tits and Tree Sparrow. First rat of the month present as well - I thought they'd all gone. It was nice to see a Treecreeper in the trees by the gate.

Some work was ongoing by the wooden hump bridge so not a bird in sight along the stream. The sewage works fence line held numerous Dunnock, Blackbird and Yellowhammer all singing away plus a few Long-tail Tit. The far end of the fence in the blackthorn bushes were Bullfinch x4. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the hedge as well which flew off north. Not a great deal else between here and the main pond just a few tits, Goldfinch and a Kestrel.

The main pond was about average. Only one pair of Gadwall left but it was nice to see a drake Goldeneye still present though no females. Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck and Mallard were in normal numbers. A pair of Little Grebe present though at opposite ends of the pond. Several Coot were nest building though only one appeared complete. The Mute Swan pair were present with the female mostly sat on it's nest whilst the male spent every minute chasing a Canada Goose. Usually a pair of Canada Goose appear and nest or at least try to, but only one bird today.

The Robin was by the top benches waiting for a feed.

At least three pair of Pheasant around today.

There was nothing else of note to see.

IanF

Sunday 30th March 2008, 14:53

A cloudy start to the morning but brightening as the cloud cover broke up. Winds quite strong and gusty at times.

Not a great deal new to see this morning. Most notable were the return of Chiffchaff with three in Faith Wood area. Even the main pond was pretty quiet though the Canada Goose was still present and still being chased by the Mute Swan.

IanF

Tuesday 8th April 2008, 14:55

A lovely bright sunny morning, quite mild too!

Having been dropped at the car park the first bird heard singing was a Wren to the right of the cinder track on a dead tree. Next bird heard was a Willow Warbler just as I reached the boardwalk, sat in the hawthorn hedge - the first of eight seen and heard this morning - they must have just arrived as they were drifting through the trees rather than holding territory, unlike the Chiffchaff. Five Chiffchaff seen in Faith Wood all holding their ground.

Above the weir from the hump bridge was a pair of Gadwall - the only ones seen today. Also a Grey Wagtail.

30yds downstream from Cloff Bridge a Kingfisher was sat perched in some willow scrub. It headed off upstream. First one I've seen here this year.

The main pond held only 53 ducks. Mute Swan still present but no sign of the Canada Goose or any Goldeneye. Birds seen - Mallard, Pochard, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen and Tufted Duck. A Grey Heron was sat in the dead tree.

Plenty of Dunnock, Yellowhammer, Robin and Wren singing today as well. No birds of prey at all.

Bullfinch seen at three different locations around the park. Grey Partridge x2 in the SW corner by the A1185.

IanF

Saturday 12th April 2008, 15:05

A bright but partly cloudy morning and feeling distinctly chilly though okay out of the wind.

Having been dropped off at the car park there wasn't a great deal to see until I reached the wooden hump bridge at the end of the boardwalk. Two pairs of gadwall and a pair of Mallard were on the stream above the weir. Great Spotted Woodpecker x4 were creating a racket in the trees by the sewage works fence chasing each other around.

On entering Faith Wood the Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff were obvious by their 'singing'. In total Willow Warbler x9 and Chffchaff x5 located. Also Dunnock, Wren, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Bullfinch and Greenfinch. On the wood edge by the grassed area a female Blackcap appeared in a willow bush right beside me. I was stood waiting for a Willow Warbler to show itself better when the Blackcap appeared.

The main pond was quiet as well. Nothing new from my last visit though as I was leaving a pair of Shelduck flew in. Reed Bunting, Robin and Long-tailed Tit were in the pond side bushes. The Long-tailed Tits were collecting food and taking it to their nest.

On the north side of the pond a group of Crows were creating a racket. It transpired that a Sparrowhawk was sat in a tree. When sixth and then seventh Crow joined in the mobbing the Sparrowhawk high-tailed it away taking refuge in one of the trees overhanging the pond.

Heading alongside the railway line towards the roadbridge a Stonechat was calling but I couldn't spot it. The Yellowhammers perched in the tree tops were far easier to see and hear as were the Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. The long hedge by the Activity Centre held several Bullfinch, Goldfinch and Dunnock.

Back at the car park the usual Mute Swans were nesting with Moorhen, Mallard and Coot on the pond. A male Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the young willows by the car park. I didn't notice at the time but it's a ringed bird - possibly the one ringed by a local ringer a few weeks ago believed of Continental origin.

IanF

Saturday 19th April 2008, 16:54

A pretty quiet morning again - not too surprising with the cold easterlies we've been having for the last week keeping the temperatures down to around 8°C!

Nothing much new seen today other than a pair of Canada Geese on the small pond between the car park and the sewage works. A Kestrel was sat on the sewage works fence overlooking the boardwalk. Long-tailed Tit x2 were in the small trees in the middle of the car park and two of the white winged Crow were on the cut grass area.

Overall Willow Warbler were doubled in numbers since last week but Chiffchaff were about the same. Bullfinch were seen along the sewage works fence line of Faith Wood where also a pair of Grey Partridge burst from beside the path and over the fence.

Wren, Dunnock and Yellowhammer were dotted around singing still but no Blackcap seen today. Goldfinch were just about everywhere c.30 seen today in small groups of 3-4 birds.

The main pond was quiet as well. No sign of any chicks around yet The Swans are still nesting as were Coot. A pair of Sparrowhawk few across the pond from east to west 6' above the water surface.

Reed Bunting were in the bushes by the east side of the pond as were Magpie and two Linnet.

IanF

Thursday 24th April 2008, 20:45

Quite a few warblers had returned this morning to Dormans Pool - Greatham Creek so I paid a quick visit to the park this afternoon.

Sedge Warblers, Common Whitethroat and a Grasshopper Warbler back along the stream running north-south through the middle of the park. Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow on the main pond.

Jonathan Hare

Sunday 4th May 2008, 20:02

Some very nice pics there Ian. I keep meaning to have a wander along there, one of these days I will.

Jonathan Hare

Tuesday 6th May 2008, 00:53

I had a pop over this afternoon for a look. Saw a few Bullfinches, Chaffinces, Wrens, Warblers, Tits (too far off to tell), Sparrows. Also a few Swans (pictured) and a variety of ducks.

Hope to return again with a bit more time.

IanF

Thursday 15th May 2008, 23:24

I paid my first visit of the month to the park this morning. It was pretty overcast starting off which meant back to wearing a coat but half way round the cloud broke up letting through some sun and warming things up.

As expected there were loads of singing birds this visit. Whitethroat numbers seme to be way up on usual far outnumbering the Willow Warblers. Likewise Blackcap were well represented. Sedge Warbler were restricted to the main north to south beck and around the main pond. Yellowhammer were in several places but mostly along the cycleway.

Goldfinch were well spread around as were Long-tailed Tit.

The main pond was very quiet with just Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Grey Heron and one Little Grebe. None in great numbers. Swift x3 were overhead.

Most notable birds were a Cuckoo which seemed to fly in along the cycleway from Greatham and visited Faith Wood for a while before moving west of the cycleway - though it was still pretty close from the calls. A really good find was a Garden Warbler moving between the hedge and wood by the Visitor Centre - first one I've seen here.

No sign of the Grasshopper Warbler today nor Bullfinch.

IanF

Saturday 17th May 2008, 10:18

Yesterday morning c.10:00am - Marsh Harrier - first seen 08.55-09.25 over Dorman's Pool/Saltholme Pond east after which it headed off west. Picked up again at Cowpen Bewley where it then followed the park north before disappearing from view heading over towards Greatham Creek/Cowpen Marsh/Greenabella Marsh.

Photo was taken over Saltholme Ponds.

IanF

Thursday 22nd May 2008, 20:15

I did the first part of this years BTO BBS on Wednesday -

Summary for a visit-
BBS Grid Square: NZ4825
Early visit, 20 May 2008
Grey Heron 2, Mute Swan 4, Mallard 17, Kestrel 1, Grey Partridge 4, Pheasant 4, Moorhen 4, Coot 5, Lapwing 4, Black-headed Gull 5, Lesser Black-backed Gull 3, Woodpigeon 10, Cuckoo 1, Swift 3, Skylark 1, Swallow 4, Pied/White Wagtail 3, Wren 5, Dunnock 3, Robin 4, Blackbird 4,Song Thrush 1, Grasshopper Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 12, Whitethroat 12, Blackcap 3, Willow Warbler 14, Blue Tit 4, Great Tit 4, Magpie 5, Carrion Crow 5, Chaffinch 6, Greenfinch 3, Yellowhammer 3, Reed Bunting 6, Linnet 2, Pochard 3, Goldfinch 5. Number of species - 38.

Species number about the same as last year on the same date but no Bullfinch or Common Tern this time - though no Cuckoo even heard last year.

IanF

Thursday 22nd May 2008, 20:50

I revisited today - more for the butterflies than the birds.

Small Tortoiseshell, Wall Brown, Small Copper, Orange Tip, Green-veined White, Large White, Speckled Wood, Peacock and one Common Blue.

A Tawny Mining Bee was an unusual find - in that I've not seen one before.

IanF

Sunday 1st June 2008, 19:04

A wander around yesterday morning produced nothing really of note. Still it was a lovely sunny morning with blue skies and little in the way of wind - a real rarity so far this year.

Still singing were several Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff x2, Yellowhammer, Linnet , Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Wren, Robin but just one Blackcap. Very few tits seen. Sounds a lot but nothing like the numbers of birds singing on my last visit. Along the steams were several Reed Warbler. Only four Sedge Warbler heard this visit two of which were around the edge of the main pond.

No Grasshopper Warbler heard.

Birds feeding young - Tree Sparrow, Wren, Linnet, Whitethroat and Yellowhammer.

The main pond was very quiet indeed with very few ducks at all. Around a dozen Mallard, half a dozen Tufted Duck, Coot x2, Moorhen x1, Mute Swan x2. Swallow x2 and Sand Martin x2 were over the water.

Other birds seen - Kestrel x1, Grey Patridge x2.

Butterflies - Orange Tip, Wall, Small Copper, Common Blue, Speckled Wood.
Other insects - Four-spot Chaser x1, several small damsel flies.

IanF

Tuesday 10th June 2008, 13:56

On Sunday 8th we had a real scorcher - brilliant sunshine and no wind at all.

In the morning I had a wander around the Park. Bird wise there were still plenty singing though it's even tougher now to spot them with the greenery being so lush. Birds seen heard - Willow Warbler x6, Sedge Warbler x4, Reed Warbler x4, Whitethroat x10, Blackcap x3, Wren x5, Yellowhammer x5 and Treesparrow x4. Plenty of Dunnocks around as well.

The main pond remains pretty quiet with nothing new from my last visit.

The Swans by the car park seem to have just two cygnets this year - this was the frsit day I'd seen them out of the nest.

Most notable sightings of the day were insects and Common Tern with a half dozen flying west over the Park. On the main pond in the corner by the old hide I came across Broad-bodied Chaser x2 moving between the reeds and shallow scrape alongside also a Four-spot Chaser. Another two were by the footbridge beside the hill.

Quite a few smaller ones around as well.

A return visit next day and not one Chaser was seen.

Ray_S

Tuesday 10th June 2008, 16:15

I too was there on Sunday, popped across to the Bus Stop hide for the first time too, saw the Avocets and 4 chicks. Anyway back to CBWP... heard a lot saw little, a few goldfinch, dunnock, a really noisy song thrush and the two cygnets.... parent was not too impressed with me approaching, I wouldnt care but a family had just passed them a lot closer and they didnt bother, I can only assume it was either the camera/tripod or the fact that I came between them and the pond. Noticed an increase in insect life too, should be more one the meadows start pushing more flowers through.

Just a question: is the hide ever open?

IanF

Tuesday 10th June 2008, 18:36

IanF

Tuesday 10th June 2008, 21:19

Another visit this morning to take advantage of the sunny weather whilst it lasts. Still quite windy but in sheltered areas it felt quite balmy.

Most notable sightings of the day had to be the Chasers once again with even more of them around today. Four-spot Chaser were well spread out with a couple on the ponds by the car, more where the streams meet by the wooden bridge beside the hill and even more on the shallow scrapes by the hide on the main pond. A female was ovipositing in the middle scrape as well. Two male Broad-bodied Chaser were in the scrapes as well.

Also by the same bridge whilst sat watching the Reed Warblers what looked to be a Harvest Mouse clambering about in tops of the grasses - first one I've seen here.

Most numerours butterflies were Speckled Wood, seen along just about every path through the wooded areas. Orange Tip were quite numerous as well though quite active. Others seen - Green-veined White, Cabbage White, Wall, Common Blue, Small Skipper and Red Admiral.

Bird wise Blackcap were the most notable with over half a dozen seen and heard whilst walking through the wooded areas as were several Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and the odd Willow Warbler and Wren.

Along the reed lined streams the vociferous Reed Warblers were making their presence heard. Sedge Warbler x3 seen though few singing now. Kestrel seen by the pylons and an overhead Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Crows.

The cycleway hedges towards Greatham held Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Linnet and Wren. The Tree Sparrows were still feeding young in the nest tree though now fledged.

Several Common Tern again heading west keeping quite low over the open grassed areas.

IanF

Tuesday 10th June 2008, 21:21

A few more photos from today.

IanF

Saturday 14th June 2008, 22:09

I wasn't expecting to see too much on my walk around the Park this morning. It was fairly cool with a northerly wind and 'changable' conditions with quite a bit of cloud around and frequent light showers. It was fairly quiet in parts but in the end I came across a new patch tick - Little Owl.

Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler were all calling around the car park when I arrived. Mallard and Moorhen were on the small ponds but no sign of the Mute Swan with their cygnets.

I followed the hedgeline passing by the Activity Centre. Several Whitethroat and a few Blue Tit and Great Tit were collecting food. No sign of any butterflies or damselflies. By the railway line were more Whitethroat, a Yellowhammer and a small flock of Goldfinch.

The pond itself was very quiet. The highlight was a Grey Heron - that's how quiet it was ;) Just a handful of Mallard, a Moorhen and one Coot. Mind you 80% of the surface was covered in thick weed. It seems to get worse each year.

A Kestrel was hunting over the hill. By the hide a Blackcap was calling plus Wren, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff. Only a few small dragonflies on the scrapes though by now the sun was breaking through.

I followed the path to the left of the hill and crossed the footbridge. The Reed Warblers - looked like at least two families as there were 7-8 of them were busily feeding. Mallard with young and a Moorhen were on the stream which looked as if it must have been close on low tide - the wheelbarrow was well exposed! Seeing the wheelbarrow always reminds me of Kingfisher which sometimes perch there.

Yellowhammer and Sedge Warbler were in the stream side bushes singing well.

Around 30yds prior to the new pipeline I peered over the bankside to check another Kingfisher perch and there it was! Actually two!!! One was an adult and the other a youngster. Of course as soon as I saw them they saw me and took flight heading upstream. There was no further sign by the time I'd reached Cloff Bridge.

By the bridge a Yellowhammer was sat singing on it's usual bush. My eye caught sight of an Orange Tip which flew up and as it did so I saw a brown blob peering down at me. At first I thought it was a Mistle Thrush but then I realised it was a little Owl - a brand new patch tick for me :bounce:

It took of heading along the cycleway so I followed. A couple of trees along it had landed and there was not one but two of them! They then proceeded to fly along the cycleway tree to tree. One then flew to the streamside bushes whilst the other carried straight ahead. One reaching the manure heap one was on the ground feeding but it flew into the Tree Sparrow tree causing a right commotion with several of them surrounding it. After a couple of minutes it took flight passing over my head back towards Cloff Bridge. I retraced my steps as well seeing them again before they both flew into the streamside trees from where they began calling.

I then headed back to the car park via Faith Wood where I came across a very large flock of Long-tailed Tit - at least 30 strong. Most of them were juveniles and appeared to be feeding on greenfly in the willows. The stream by the boardwalk held Mallard x9, Moorhen x1, Gadwall pair and Black-headed Gull x4.

All in all a pretty good visit.

IanF

Saturday 14th June 2008, 22:13

A few more of the star of the day.

IanF

Tuesday 17th June 2008, 00:49

A revisit this morning. Nice and sunny with a cool breeze.

Today I just covered from car park to Faith Wood and the cycleway.

Most notable were Little Owl x1 in same tree as last time on the exact same perch. Quite a few splash marks on the grass beneath. Red-legged Partridge x1 on the cycleway. Garden Warbler 'singing' by Activity Centre.

Other birds - Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Wren, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. The Kestrel nesting in the pylon by the new pipeline over the beck has young. They were quite noisy today with frequent food deliveries from the parents.

Four-spot Chaser x2 in the scrapes by the hide.

IanF

Tuesday 17th June 2008, 22:55

A little cloudier and cooler this morning but still quite pleasant.

Little Owl seen again but only a very brief glimpse. Nothing much else of note other than that there are actually two Kestrels nesting on the pylons. Both lots actively hunting. Sedge Warbler still doing display flight by boardwalk.

Forgot to mention Bullfinch yesterday and also again today - both times by the end of the boardwalk and on entering Faith Wood. Long-tailed Tit c.12 in Faith Wood again.

Very few insects seen apart from several Speckled Wood, a few Small White and the first Small Heath of the year. Only damsels were a few small blue ones on the scrapes by the hide.

IanF

Tuesday 24th June 2008, 22:33

A little overcast starting off this morning with a cool breeze but it soon brightened up with a bit of sunshine every now and again.

Garden Warbler in the overhanging bushes on the cycleway 40 yds from Cloff Bridge with 5-6 second snatches of song as it fed. Little Owl 100 yds north of the bridge that flew into the beckside trees as soon as it saw me coming - from it's vantage point it has a view of around 100yds each direction!

Grasshopper Warbler reeling by end of boardwalk on the east side of the hedge - I must have been within 5-6 yds but still couldn't see it. Interestingly there was one in the same spot back when they first arrived but then went quiet for several weeks - not sure if it's the same one. Sedge Warbler still singing and display flight close by.

Dozens of fledglings being fed - Whitethroat, Blackcap, Wren, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Yellowhammer, Great Tit, Blue Tit.

Other birds with young - Long-tailed Tit, Tree Sparrow c.15, Kestrel x3, Sparrowhawk juv.

Main pond very quiet still. Coot are nesting again.

First of the year for Ringlet and Meadow Brown butterflies plus Small Heath, Common Blue, Wall Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White.

Only damsels seen - Common Blue and Blue-tailed.

IanF

Tuesday 24th June 2008, 22:35

A few butterflies

Ray_S

Wednesday 25th June 2008, 22:19

IanF

Wednesday 25th June 2008, 22:59

Nice start this morning, went up boardwalk, through faith wood and back along the cycleway, no sign of the owl or kingfishers, though in my defence there were two workmen in bright yellow jackets working on the bridge scaring most of the wildlife into hiding. Then big dark clouds started to drift over, my cue to go and have a cuppa. Thought I had spotted the same butterfly as you Ian, but many years experience in the 'spot the difference' arena allowed me to notice the difference was a spot!

Lol! Certainly another Ringlet though with all spots in tact. Last year I came across a few 'spotless' ones just the other side of Cloff Bridge.

Interesting that they've started working on the bridge already. When I was there the other day I saw notices around the place giving advance notice of the bridleway closure from 7th July onwards - cyclists and pedestrian access isn't affected. Unless they were doing some preliminary work today.

Most visits a Little Owl has been sat in the first ash tree about 100yds north of Cloff Bridge. The tree is right beside a rusty metal framed gate. Most times though as soon as the tree comes into view along the cycleway it flies off to the left to a large sycamore tree on the side of the beck. If you check the ground in front of the gate on the left side you'll see 'splash marks' in the grass and on the perch it uses directly overhead.

I've only seen the Kingfisher a couple of times this year. They're very hit and miss. I had hoped with having young they may be around a bit more but not for the last week or so.

Great photos of the Whitethroat :t:

IanF

Saturday 28th June 2008, 22:12

A little dull and overcast this morning with a few light rain showers but still not too bad for a wander around. Not the same numbers of birds seen as my last visit though still plenty around and plnety singing including Chiffchaff x7, Willow Warbler x8, Blackcap x5, Whitethroat 15+, Sedge Warbler x5, Reed Warbler just one!

In between hunting both sets of Kestrel were still sat on the pylons.

Best find of the day was the Little Owls with three seen one a juvenile so they must have bred after all. Despite scanning the usual tree thoroughly I still missed one adult that didn't move until I was directly below the tree - must try harder next time! It flew towards the others along the beck side trees. The others were sat in a sycamore on the beck side 100 yds away with heads poking through the leaf canopy.

Others seen included Yellowhammer x7, Sparrowhawk x1, Wren x5. Moorhen, Mute Swan, Mallard and Coot were along the streams and on the main pond. Coot appear to be nesting yet again.

The main pond was pretty quiet still. The addition of barley straw seems to have helped greatly with the algae problem which is down to around 40% cover from around 70%.

IanF

Tuesday 1st July 2008, 23:46

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - am - bright and sunny with clear blue skies. A light cool breeze nicely took the edge off the heat.

Plenty of birds around this morning mostly youngsters of Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit and Great Tit. Several Yellwohammer along the cycleway. No sign of the Little Owls this morning and maybe a half dozen Sedge Warbler scattered around. Likewise Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow.

The insects really stole the show today though with an abundance of dragonflies - Four-spot Chaser c.20, Broad-bodied Chaser m&f, Emperor Dragonfly x2, Common Darter and numerous smaller species. Also possibly a Hawker. Best concentration in the scrapes by the main pond and in the weed covered bay in front of the old hide.

I was treated to an amazing spectale when a pair of Four-spot Chaser mated in mid air over the scrapes no more than 6' in front of me. Almost immediately afterwards the female dropped to the water surface to deposit eggs. A few minutes later a Broad-bodied Chaser appeared also to deposit eggs. Numerous others smaller ones in 'pin'.

The tadpoles in the scrapes better developed now with several now small frogs with tails.

Ray_S

Wednesday 2nd July 2008, 22:05

Bright warm morning, plenty of activity along cycleway and into faith wood, mostly hidden though. Coming out of the wood at the beck along the path were dozens of butterflys, mainly ringlets with one orange tip. Along the scrapes there were many many blue damsels. Just as I was leaving 2 buses turned up full of school children wielding fishing nets, quite possibly the tadpoles are doomed!!!!

IanF

Monday 7th July 2008, 16:56

A quick walk around yesterday morning on a very overcast day with light showery rain.

Still quite a few birds singing most notably Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler with the odd Blackcap.

Only one Little Owl seen. Even that wouldn't have been seen if it hadn't been for a pair of Magpies berrating it for so long and so loudly. It flew from the usual tree by the cycleway into the trees along the beck towards Cloff Bridge.

A good find was four Bullfinch 30 yds south of Cloff Bridge on the cycleway - an adult pair and two juveniles.

Only other noteworthy sightings were Oystercatcher and Redshank with several flyovers and brownish juvenile Sparrowhawk.

Also a dead Harvest Mouse on the path by the hill in the same area as a live one seen in ealry June.

MalR

Tuesday 8th July 2008, 21:21

cracking yellowhammer pic, Ian. I love the way it's framed by the out-of-focus foliage. Gives the impression we're having a private peek into its world. Superb.:t:

Malcolm

Ray_S

Wednesday 9th July 2008, 15:29

Fairly sunny and warm morning, broken cloud.
Walked up the cycleway and found a dozen or more long tailed tit flitting from hawthorn to hawthorn, unfortunately as soon as one moved - they all moved!
Plenty of Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit, a single Robin and some singing Blackbirds. The meadows are really filling with butterflys now, mostly Ringlets and Tortoiseshell, with the occasional Orange Tip, did see a moth type zip past with a vivid red body (not sure what that could have been). Scrapes still have plenty of Common Blue Damsel.
Yet again there were bus loads of schoolkids by the pond near the car park frantically trying to scoop up swans, etc. in their fishing nets, as long as they put them back I dont mind! ;)
Dont know what the last pic is but it was really small......

IanF

Wednesday 9th July 2008, 18:07

Hi Ray,

I wonder if the red bug was a Burnet Moth - they have rather striking red markings though it's blotches on the wings rather than the body. In flight the body does look as if it's red as well.

The last photo is a juvenile Robin. They're strange looking things not at all like the adults. I've only seen a couple around so far.

IanF

Thursday 10th July 2008, 22:08

I had a quick wander around this afternoon basically just across to the main pond and back as I didn't get there on my last visit. Whilst it was bright and mostly sunny the winds were pretty strong (25-30 mph) and pretty cold.

I never find afternoons very satisfying for birds this time of the year as most have stopped singing even if they were inclined to do so in mid-July. Still Blackcap x3 were singing and a single Yellowhammer. Over the main pond House Martin x7 were feeding including a few young ones. On the pond were the usual Mallard, Moorhen and Coot. It was nice to see Pochard x3 as well.

Not that many insects seen just a few Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Skipper and Small Heath butterflies. Only Common Blue Damselfly seen.

IanF

Saturday 12th July 2008, 20:55

A revisit this morning. Bright on and off but mostly overcast with occasional showers.

Plenty of the usual species in the usual places. Most notable were the Little Owls with two of them showing very well along the cycleway. One was perched in the fourth tree after the metal gate north side of Cloff Bridge and the other was hunting from the fence posts of the electrified fence. The horses seemed intrigued by the owls.

The main pond held an Emperor Dragonfly - almost managed a decent photo before the rain returned. Juvenile Sparrowhawk sat on the usual post breeding dead tree on the side of the pond. They bred again this year but I don't know how many chicks. The second nest nearby failed so I'm told.

IanF

Wednesday 16th July 2008, 22:37

I went for a wander around with a friend this evening to see the Sparrowhawks. A little too dull and overcast for decent photos but the Sparrowhawks put on a good show. Actually four chicks this year still small and fluffy - three female and a male. They were ringed last Sunday.

The one I saw my last visit is actually the female a very brown coloured bird possibly one hatched last year. The male was sat in the dense wood 30yds away.

Ray_S

Thursday 17th July 2008, 09:50

IanF

Thursday 17th July 2008, 19:31

A revisit this afternoon. Drizzly rain but a little brighter than last night. One of the Sparrowhawk youngsters was scrambling around in a bush several yards from the nest. It's deceptive seeing these photos as the wing feathers are very well developed.

IanF

Thursday 17th July 2008, 22:15

I was there too yesterday, but didnt see the Sparrowhawks, typically a creature of habit I tend to stick to the same paths so my guess is that they are not on my route.
Oh, and the red flying thing I mentioned before... you were right it was a Burnet Moth, saw it again yesterday but got a better look this time, thanks for that.

From the benches on the railway line side of the main pond look across to the far side straight west towards the pylons (not south-west towards Seal Sands Road) and you'll see a dead tree in a corner with some old tree trunks rising from the water and a bit of rusty fence. The Pigeons, Herons and Little Egret sometimes roost there in winter. It's the same dead tree the Sparrowhawks will likely be using for the next few weeks. At present early morning and late evening the adults roost there. There's a path that leads around to the start of the nature conservation area - the fence there is where the photos of the adult were taken.

IanF

Friday 18th July 2008, 22:17

Another brief visit this afternoon. Still overcast skies and light showers.

Heading along the boardwalk from the car park a Great Spotted Woodpecker passed by overhead disappearing into the willow trees by the boardwalk. Sedge Warbler x2 were singing on and off one from the reeds and one from the hawthorn hedege. House Martin c.35 were busy feeding over the boardwalk with several adults passing food to the young.

Downstream viewing from the hump bridge were Grey Wagtail x1, Mute Swan x3 (2 cygnets) Mallard x9. Upstream were Moorhen and more Mallard.

Not a great deal else seen between there and reaching Claxton Beck where a Great Crested Grebe juvenile (year tick) was by the outfall with several Mallard. Too dull for photos by then. Reed Warbler began singing on and off and likewise a Sedge Warbler from the raspberry patch by the wooden bridge.

The then rain began in earnest so I headed on home.

IanF

Saturday 19th July 2008, 21:40

Back again this morning. The weather was much brighter on and off but also much wetter with several heavy showers.

The House Martins still were around the end of the boardwalk but views nothing like so obliging as yesterday. Grey Wagtail on the beck and several young Blue Tit, Great Tit, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Wren feeding wither side of the beck. Mute Swan with two cygnets still present along with Mallard c.12 and Moorhen also with young.

Not a great deal seen in Faith Wood - just pigeons and a Blackcap singing.

On arrival at the main pond the female Sapprowhawk was sat on the dead tree with a fledgling on the next branch. It was regularly flying along the tree line over the water and landing in trees and bushes though always returning to the dead tree. Another nestling looks almost ready to leave as well.

Claxton Beck/Cowbridge Beck - Mallard family, Tufted Duck x2, Moorhen x3 (2 juv) plus Little Grebe with Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler with young feeding in the reeds overhanging the water. A Grey Wagtail was scooting over the water catching flies and landing on the wheelbarrow handle.

On the concrete weir towards the cycleway a Kingfisher was sat on the middle step in the middle of the weir. It headed off downstream on seeing me.

Little Owl x2 sat out in the open. One in it's usual sycamore tree with damaged bark on it's trunk over the beck and the other sat on the fence posts by the horse enclosure. It was hunting but also struggling to stay awake as it was constantly yawning!

Yellowhammer, Linnet, Wren, Whitethroat and Tree Sparrow along the cycleway. A few Swifts and Swallows feeding over the fields.

Butterflies - quite a few Ringlet and Meadow Brown plus a few Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Small Heath and Speckled Wood. A single Common Blue and what looked to be a Brimstone though only in flight.

Dragonflies - Common Darter, Common Blue Damselfly.

Mammals - Rabbit x3, Hare, Weasel.

Ray_S

Sunday 20th July 2008, 17:15

Lots of activity this morning, presumably the wldlife knew there was a summer fete on ;)
Normal run of the mill stuff, lots of warblers, yellowhammer, goldfinch, long tailed tit.
Key finds today were a kingfisher and finally found the sparrowhawk, though this wasnt until after lunch. Also another first for me was some pictures of several Burnet Moths (at last)
Typically, because I didnt want to impale someone on the tripod this afternoon, I just took a smaller lens and handheld the camera. Otherwise quite a good day for me.

Ray_S

Sunday 20th July 2008, 17:19

I ony spotted one fledgling in the nest this afternoon, no sign of the others but the parent was sat on perch watching.
Apologies for the blurry kingfisher, I was leaning over the beck with my right foot sliding down the bank into the water when I took it, only managed two shots before the splash spooked it!

IanF

Sunday 20th July 2008, 18:15

IanF

Tuesday 22nd July 2008, 09:48

I paid a quick visit to see the Sparrowhawks yesterday afternoon as it was the first time we've had sunshine and blue skies.

They proved to be pretty obliging again with the mother sat on the dead tree and the one that's fledged sat behind here - though not in a position that could be viewed clearly. The other three younsters were sat in the nest tree. Two in the nest and one clambering about the branches.

Kingfisher was back on it's wooden perch again - but I only managed a blurred photo as it took off on seeing me. A wander up the beck located probably the same one sat on the concrete weir - this one headed downstream as soon as I saw it.

Several smaller damselflies seen but no larger ones.

IanF

Tuesday 22nd July 2008, 21:31

A late afternoon visit produced a Four-spot Chaser and a mating pair of Broad-bodied Chaser on the scrapes by the main pond. Also a male Emperor Dragonfly was present over the scarpes for around ten minutes before heading off towards the hill.

Also present - Emerald Damselfly, Common Dater, Ruddy Darter, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfy, Azure Damselfly.

Sparrowhawks still present. Kingfisher on the beck sat on the rusty circular cattle feeder in the stream bed. 37 Swallow sat along the fence in the Little Owl field but no sign of the Little Owls themselves.

IanF

Wednesday 23rd July 2008, 20:52

It was mid-afternoon before the sun got out today so I figured I'd pop back for another try for the Kingfishers.

It proved a good move as one was sat on one of their regular perches and stayed in place just long enough for me to grab a few photos before heading off upstream. Ten yards downstream another one was sat over the beck just up from the old pipeline.

The nesting Kestrels from the pylons were still hanging around the nest site.

Definitely two Sparrowhawks fledged now and roving further afield with two being in the bushes by the hide/shed. Two still in the nest.

No sign of the Little Owl again - perhaps aftenoons aren't the best time at present.

Still on the scrapes - Broad-bodied Chaser x1, Four-spot Chaser x2, Emerald Damselfly, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-taield Damselfly. Best find though was a Common Hawker - likely the large dragonfly I saw yesterday thinking it was an Emperor. Every 20-25 minutes it landed for a rest in the same place before continuing it's dancing flight.

Butterflies - Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Comma x2, Speckled Wood x1 and possibly a Brimstone - second time I've seen a large yellow butterfly in flight but not got close enough to check it's not a similar coloured moth.

IanF

Thursday 24th July 2008, 22:19

A late morning visit proved quite fruitful today.

Two Sedge Warbler were singing and in display flight within 40 yds of the car park. Also several Whitethroat and Goldfinch.

From the hump bridge at the end of the boardwalk at Grey Wagtail juvenile was stood on a reed being bounced by the passing beck water catching flies off the water surface and just by reaching out and plucking them from above the water - it's soon learned an easy way to feed!

Nothing at all of note in Faith Wood and no sign of any Kingfisher this morning.

Next good find was at least three Little Owl roosting in the nest tree. Whilst still 100yds away a cyclist passed beneath the tree and two flew out - one down onto the fence behind the hedge and another flew across to the beck side trees. On reaching the nest tree another one flew out over towards the beck. I was kicking myself as I reached the first gap after the tree as walking boldly on I saw one sat on a fence post no more than six yards away - just at the same time it saw me and took flight to the next tree. Try as I might I couldn't find it again. A wander as far as the Tree Sparrow nest tree revealed nothing other than Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Tree Sparrow. Around a dozen Swallow were sat along the fence in the horse field.

Backtracking to the Little Owl nest tree I noticed a juvenile peering down at me. It flew over to the beck where one was sat in the sycamore they seem to favour and another in a willow tree. I moved a little closer getting a few photos though as I did so another took off from above me - making me wonder if there are two juveniles after all.

Nothing else of any note as I headed back to the car park via the main pond. The Sparrowhawks were still around and much the same dragonflies as yesterday.

IanF

Saturday 26th July 2008, 21:52

Mid-afternoon on a sunny Saturday probably isn't the best time to go birding but I had a look around anyway - seeing more birds than I expected but fewer dragonflies.

Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Goldfinch were all by the car park. A single Grey Wagtail juv. was below the hump bridge again with Mallard x15 above the weir.

Not a great deal seen until reaching the scrapes by the main pond apart from loads of Meadow Brown butterfly and a few Ringlet. A few tatty Speckled Wood still around.

A Broad-bodied Chaser male was quite active over the scrapes and also a Common Hawker. A few Common Darter, a Ruddy Darter and also several Damselfly -Common Blue, Emerald, Azure and Blue Tailed. A swarm of blue ones was over the bay of the main pond. Also in the small hawthorn trees a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker. No sign of the Sparrowhawks now - presumably they've all fledged and earlier disturbed.

It was nice to meet Ray there and Francis one of the voluntary wardens.

No Kingfisher seen though loads of kids along the beck and no Little Owl either.

Ray_S

Saturday 26th July 2008, 22:39

Yes Ian it was good to meet you again, next time its your turn for the ice-creams :)
Mainly went today for bugs, etc. as I was testing out an extension tube. Found a spider having lunch!
Never managed to get that elusive dragonfly to land so gave up eventually.
I too went back via the beck and spotted the group of kids having fun jumping into the beck from the concrete weir.
There was a yellowhammer in the Hawthorn by the bridge over the beck making lots of noise.
I have included a pic of the caterpilars I was talking about, the week before there were hundreds of them all over the yellow flowers, now only a few,the closest I can get to an ID is for the Cinnabar moth, I think I have seen a few of these and I mistook them for Burnet moths at the time but I now see they are slightly different. Back to moth hunting next time!

IanF

Sunday 27th July 2008, 15:06

A little late getting up this morning so I settled for another wander around the Park.

Sedge Warbler x2 still singing by the car park and a Grey Wagtail juv. still by the hump bridge. A Grey Heron seems to like the area 100yds down stream from the bridge as I've seen one here a few times now. Today it was stood in the beck rather than on the bank.

Sparrowhawks were back in place as well with the mother sat on the dead tree. For a while she seemed to be choking badly until she eventually coughed up a large pellet finally throwing it out as she took off. The young were in the bushes by the dead tree.

Also in that corner was a Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile again which was joined by an adult.

The scrapes held two Common Hawker again - both females and were battling on several occasions. Several Common Darter and loads of smaller dragonflies.

No sign of the Kingfishers but as mentioned before it's seldom I see them in the morning.

On reaching the cycleway I met another birder and we wandered along to see the Little Owl. One took off from the nest tree as we approached flying across to the beck side trees. We carried on along the cycleway seeing Yellowhammer and Whitethroat and on reaching the tree favoured by the Tree Sparrow another one flew out also heading over to the beck.

Retracing our steps my companion spotted another Little Owl sat near the top of the first tree we came to. It proved very obliging for photos and views.

Nothing else new seen on the way back to the car park.

Ray_S

Sunday 27th July 2008, 17:48

IanF

Monday 28th July 2008, 00:41

Fleeting visit over lunchtime as it was blazing sunshine again, burnt yesterday so learning my lesson today :(
Mainly after bugs again.
Went straight across to the meadow and found common blue and painted lady, then by the pylon could hear and eventually found a grasshopper.
Plenty of darters at the scrapes, not sure if one of them is a yellow winged darter or not!

Lol! I leant that too! Hence the floppy hat I wear now ;)

Great macro shots. Not sure about the darter seeing it from that angle. Yellow-winged would be unusual - a large area of yellow on the wings themseleves would clinch it though. My gut feeling though is Common Darter especially wwith the yellow leg markings.

Ray_S

Monday 28th July 2008, 09:57

IanF

Monday 28th July 2008, 10:45

Yeah, I wasnt sure about the darter either, but it was the first one I had seen that had a yellow cast to the wing centres, it looks very similar to the BDS image:

www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/photos/syflam1.jpg (http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/photos/syflam1.jpg)

The Common Darter has a small area of yellow on the wing centres as well but on the YW it's much larger. I'm still trying to pick up the intricacies of the ID features as well. I'll probably just start to get the hang of them when they all disappear again ;)

IanF

Tuesday 29th July 2008, 15:41

Very dull and misty this morning but still quite warm.

Not a great deal seen between the car park and the main pond. The pond held the usual Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Mute Swan pair. No sign of the Sparrowhawks on the dead tree but as I walked around towards the hide corner one of the juveniles was sat on the 'Car Park 615m' finger board. It flew off to the right. Reed Wablers were calling in the corner of the pond plus a Robin and a Wren.

Claxton Beck was pretty quiet as well with the most noteworthy sightings being a pair of young Grey Wagtail perched on the new pipe.

I reached the cycleway at the same time as a couple of TBC members who'd come to see the Little Owl so we wandered along the track together. One was sat in the tree by the gate so we got a good look at it before moving closer. Eventually it flew off to one of the other trees. We then came across another one a juvenile this time that gave even better views from a much closer distance. It moved between the trees but never flew off.

Yellowhammer, Linnet and Whitethroat were in the hedges.

I then headed along the path towards Greatham a couple of hundred yards to check on the Tree Sparrows. A more remarkable sight though were four Kestrel sat amongst the stubble of the recently harvested field. One was sat on a post by the plastic wrapped haystacks and the others on the laid straw piles. Presumeably the youngsters from the nests nearby practicing their hunting.

Also in the same field was a large flock of Lapwing number 300+. Overhead several flights of Greylag Goose - in groups of 3, 5 and one group around 25.

Much the same seen heading back over with the Little Owl juv. still giving good views. Also several House Martin, Swallow and a few Swift overhead as the skies brightened.

Walking back alongside Claxton Beck a juvenile Great Spotted woodpecker passed overhead going upstream and nearing the wooden bridge and adult GSW flew into the trees on the side of the hill.

By the time I got back to the main pond the sun had broken through. Several Common Darter and one Common Hawker were over the scrapes. Another Common Hawker was around the bench at the end of the wood heading onto the open field.

IanF

Tuesday 29th July 2008, 22:17

With the sun coming out at lunch time I figured I'd have a quick look back this afternoon hoping for Kingfisher and Common Hawker.

The Sparrowhawks were creating a racket by the main pond and one of the juveniles by the old hide/shed appeared to be chasing a mixed flock of Long-tailed Tit c.12, Blue Tit and Great Tit. They all landed in the tree beside me and stayed put!

Kingfisher was on it's usual perch again.

Common Hawker x2 over the scrapes plus two Ruddy Darter and several Common Darter and smaller dragonflies. A lovely emerald green coloured female Emperor Dragonfly was flying backward and forwards over the path by the pond - but never settled.

Quite a few tiny frogs and toads by the scrapes and what appeared to be a small lizard c.10cm long - never seen one here before.

IanF

Wednesday 30th July 2008, 23:00

A late evening visit tonight.

At 8:30pm three Little Owl were sat along the electrified fence posts in the horse field. The juvenile moved onto the fence behind the cycleway hedge whilst the two adults remained on the posts. Meanwhile a pair of Grey Partridge sauntered out of the long grass and were feeding on the ground between the owls.

Heading back to Cloff Bridge three pheasant were crossing the cycleway on the park side of the bridge. A young fox was checking out a family of Mallard on the beck by the new pipeline but ran off on seeing me.

IanF

Saturday 2nd August 2008, 19:03

Not too bad this morning after all the rain. Bright skies with plenty of sunshine between the broken cloud. A little windy and on the cool side starting off but by mid-morning it was quite warm.

From the car park to the sewage works - Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Goldfinch - still singing but not much. Common Blue Damselfly, Common Darter and Ruddy Darter on the scrape.

Boardwalk - Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Wren, Willow Warbler and Bullfinch. Mute Swan x4 on the beck with Moorhen, Mallard and a Grey Heron.

Both tracks between the beck and wood were flooded quite deeply and the grass inbetween soggy. The path through the wood though was remarkably dry in comparison. Quite a few birds flitting about but difficult to see but included at least Bullfinch, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Robin.

Nothing much else through Faith Wood and along the beckside until reaching the cycleway where more Bullfinch and Yellowhammer on it's usual bush by the bridge. Several Goldfinch were in the hawthorns.

The 'owl trees' were empty but the beckside trees held two adults sat in the sun. Three weasels and a mouse ran across the cycleway as I headed north. Swallow x3, Swift x4, House Martin x6, Sand Martin x3 were feeding over the fields. Yellowhammer, Linnet, Whitethroat and Wren were in the track side bushes.

The recently harvested barley field with the trailer held four Kestrels sat around on various rolls of straw. The first roll though had what appeared to be three Little Owl juveniles sat at it's base. They rooted around a while before seeing me and heading off towards the cycleway with two flying north and one south. Must be a population explosion! On checking the trees again I saw one adult in the tees by the farm and one juvenile back in it's usual tree.

I headed back down the cycleway and down the beck to the main pond seeing nothing fresh apart from Grey Wagtail x3 by the confluence of Claxton Beck which was in flood and Cowbridge Beck which was quite low and with clear water. A male Bullfinch was in the bush by the bridge.

The scrapes were pretty quiet with just a few small damselflies and Common Darter.

Three Sparrowhawk were in their usual corner with one sat on the fence and two others in the trees overhead. Also what sounded like an owl bark three times in the densest piece of wood between the track and the pond. I've heard it a few times the last couple of weeks but until today never got a glimpse. It's too dense to go into without creating a racket but I'm pretty much sure it was a Long-eared Owl from the glimpse I got but still not 100% sure.

Another Sparrowhawk juvenile was sat in the bushes in the north corner by the railway line.

Nothing unusual on the Pond itself - Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck. Mute Swan, Little Grebe.

On arriving back at the pond by the sewage works/car park - two Common Hawker were chasing each other about. Shortly aftwerwards the thunder and rain arrived and I departed!

IanF

Sunday 3rd August 2008, 22:15

A revisit this morning. I had intended heading west to Bishop Middleham first thing but there's been so much to see here that I just went for anothe wander around here instead.

Much the same as yesterday for weather but perhaps a little brighter though a little windier too!

Straight along the cycleway towards the owls starting off with nothing much of note along the cycleway.

One Little Owl took of from the usual line of trees and headed over to the beck trees. Two juveniles were were sat at the base of the same straw rolls as yesterday. They must like it there - though not for much longer as the farmer was picking up the bales and carting them away starting from the far end of the field. Just three Kestrels sat on the bales today.

I had a look further along the cycleway past the farm but not more owls seen. Plenty of Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Linnet, Yellowhammer and Whitethroat. Numbers of hirundines was up as well with around 40 Swift, Swallow and House Martin overhead - though mostly Swallow.

Heading back down the cycleway I met ColinSev who'd located a pair of young Little Owl sat together in the beck bushes. Another juevnile was sat in the third tree along from the gate - almost obliging for photos as it remained in view but sidled behind some leaves all the time peering down at us.

Back along to Cloff Bridge and down alongside the beck. I was stood by the flooded weir when a Kingfisher came gliding upstream over the middle of the weir and contined out of view. Great views from just a few yards clear enough to see it was the female again.

Nothing much else before reaching the scrapes by the main pond apart from two Common Darter which also appeared over the scrapes but didn't hang around for long in the windy conditions. Ruddy Darter, Common Darter and several damselflies were present.

A quick check on the Sparrowhawks showed three sat around in the bushes - but non obliging for photos.

Nothing else new as I headed back to the car park.

Shaggy2070

Sunday 3rd August 2008, 23:27

what appeared to be a small lizard c.10cm long - never seen one here before.
I'm pretty sure it's a female Smooth Newt.

You seem to be seeing lots of things there Ian, I'll have to find time for a ride down soon.

IanF

Sunday 3rd August 2008, 23:32

I'm pretty sure it's a female Smooth Newt.

You seem to be seeing lots of things there Ian, I'll have to find time for a ride down soon.

Thanks for that. I'm sure it is as well now. Great Crested Newt I see often enough but I've never seen a common newt here before - at least out of the water.

It's certainly been a good place to visit this summer when things have been quiet elsewhere. I forgot to mention above another weasel seen today surrying across the cycleway.

geordie graham

Monday 4th August 2008, 21:11

IanF

Tuesday 5th August 2008, 16:26

I have to say Ian that your photo`s of the little owls are brilliant.The wife and I look forward to seeing them evertime we log on too the site.We are going to try and have a look around the park soon.

Graham

A shame it wasn't today you were visiting. A real owl-fest this morning with five of them posing very well. As I approached their location in the distance I saw the five of them fly up to the trees from the recently harvested barley field. The bales of straw have all been collected but there are still several rows of barley straw. There's another field full yet to be harvested. The owls had been hunting in amongst the rows of straw but were disturbed by the farmer in his tractor as he turned over the straw to help it dry. By the time I reached the trees one juvenile had moved to the beck side trees but the adults and other youngsters remained - all posing well in the sun. After a while the adults moved onto the fence posts in the horse field to sit in the sun.

IanF

Tuesday 5th August 2008, 17:19

A fuller report of my visit this morning follows -

It was bright starting off with a fair amount of hazy sunshine though it wasn't long before the cloud cover built up making things decidedly dull.

A real turnabout with the birding today as well. In the kilometre between the car park and Claxton Beck other than in the beck itself I saw/heard precisely two birds - a distant Yellowhammer and a closer Chaffinch. Last visit there were dozens of birds about. I've no idea for the sudden change. Only two cars in the car park and no one seen in the first 30 minutes so it wasn't down to disturbance.

Cowbridge Beck from the board walk held the usual Mallard, Moorhen and Black-headed Gull.

On reaching Claxton Beck there were a few Blue Tit, Great Tit, Yellowhammer and Whitethroat in the bushes.

Even the cycleway bushes were pretty quiet with just the odd Yellowhammer and Whitethroat however the Little Owls saved the day giving some of the best views I've had of them so far.

On heading back down the cycleway a Stoat came scampering along the path towards me. I see at least one most visits but usually they're dashing straight across the tarmac rather than running along the cycleway. It approached to within 15yds before stopping and even then I think it was movement in the grass that caught it's attention rather than me as it stood peering into the long grass for several seconds - enabling a few photos - before disapearing into the grass.

A few Swallow and House Martin were also over head.

Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Large Skipper, Common Blue and Comma butterflies were along the path.

Afterwards I headed back along to Cloff Bridge and down the beck to the main pond not seeing a great deal more.

The area around the scrapes by the pond held six or seven Common Hawker dragonflies with some flying high others low and others having battles every few minutes. Also present were Common Darter, Ruddy Darter and several smaller damselflies. Apart from the dragonflies the other noteworthy sighting were newts with seven Great Crested Newt in just one small scrape and two Smooth Newt in another all visible just below the surface. Presumably adults and young as there was quite a range in sizes.

The Sparrowhawks were in good voice with the mother sat on the dead tree surrounded by at least three of the juveniles all in the denser foliage of the surrounding trees. Only occasionally they sit in the open but never for very long. Every few minutes the young were calling.

Not much change on the pond itself. Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck, Pochard, a Cormorant and an overfly of a Heron.

The straw bales the far side of the railway line held a strange sight - three Grey Partridge sat on top of them for some reason.

The scrape by the sewage works also held a few Smooth Newt and several Great Crested Newt.

IanF

Tuesday 5th August 2008, 17:27

A few more photos from today.

barnstormer

Tuesday 5th August 2008, 19:33

IanF

Tuesday 5th August 2008, 19:53

I was thinking of paying a visit to cowpen soon but i'm not sure of the location as regards the village itself, drove thru it the other day but didn't see any sign of the reserve.By the way what kit do you use for your birdie pics ?.

You're right it's not well signposted from the village itself. Better directions and access are - off the A1185 Seal Sands Road two kilometres east of the A689 Wolviston Roundabout junction on the north side of Billingham where the road goes over a bridge over a railway line. See map below.

The Little Owl are located under the 'To' of 'To Greatham and Hartlepool' which is on the cycle route on the first map and just off the top of the second map above Cloff Bridge.

At present I'm using a five years old Canon 20D together with a Canon 400mm f5,6 or a Canon 100-400mm f4,5-f5,6. Today I had the 400mm f5,6 but mostly of late I've been using the zoom lens as it's better suited for close up photos of dragonflies and butterflies.

barnstormer

Wednesday 6th August 2008, 00:01

Cheers mate for the directions will have a jaunt over in the next few days,if it's fine i'll take my macro lens....

IanF

Thursday 7th August 2008, 20:21

A brief visit this afternoon.

Usually when I visit on an afternoon no owls are around however at 2:00pm today three were in the trees by the cycleway. One of the adults was sat right over the path staring down at me - at least until a horse rider came along and scared them all off.

Kingsfisher was sat on it's usual perch - but again not long enough for photos.

Sparrowhawk x3 in the usual corner. One juvenile landed in a tree right above me.

No large dragonflies at all in the scarpes by the main pond however what looked to be a Brown Hawker was in the wooded area over the dry scrape.

At least three hawkers over the scrapes by the car park. One possibly a Migrant Hawker and the other two Common Hawker. Several Common Darter and Ruddy Darter as well.

IanF

Saturday 16th August 2008, 22:58

A look around this morning 9:00am-10:30am wasn't that productive.

Very little seen between the car park and Cloff Bridge - just a young Kestrel on a pylon by Faith Wood, a few Magpie and a fly over by a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Only one Little Owl along the cycleway and Yellowhammer x2, Tree Sparrow x5, Whitethroat x1, Wren x1.

Bullfinch x6, Whitethroat x3, Great Tit x2 50 yds south from Cloff Bridge.

The main pond was pretty quiet still. The bushes round the edges held a few Goldfinch and two Yellowhammer. I could hear a young Sparrowhawk in the area of the dead tree but no sight of one today.

By the Activity Centre the first Migrant Hawker I've seen this year. Loads of Common Darter just about everywhere. Also a new lot of Speckled Wood, Small Copper and a few Small White and a Comma.

In the west corner leaving the park by the A1185 a flock of Long-tailed Tit c.20.

IanF

Thursday 21st August 2008, 14:58

Not too good regards birds this morning but loads of dragonflies around most areas of the Park with Migrant Hawker 20+, Southern Hawker x2, Common Hawker x3, Common Darter 20+, Ruddy Darter x2, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly.

Car park along cycleway to Cloff Bridge - Chaffinch, Wren, Bullfinch.

No sign of any Little Owl this morning. Yellowhammer x2 in that area.

Little else to see bird wise between there the main pond aprt from Kestrel x2.

Main pond held Heron x2, Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe. Kingfisher x1 on the sticks by the dead tree. Sparrowhawk x1 behind the dead tree. Great Spotted Woodpecker in same area. Curlew x2 passed over heading south.

Butterflies - Speckled Wood, Comma, Small Tortosieshell, Small Skipper, Red Admiral, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Small White, Small Heath, Common Blue, Wall Brown.

MalR

Friday 22nd August 2008, 17:11

Hi Ian,

Inspired by your post of yesterday, I made my first ever visit here today, just a couple of hours from 10.00 until midday. It was rather overcast and breezy to start with and birds and insects seemed to be keeping a low profile. I hadn't a clue where to go, so I decided to follow the nature trail. Didn't see a great deal, but as I say, I think the weather was probably responsible for that. Later I followed the path through Faith Wood, as far as the beck, before retracing my steps. Is that a good circuit or are there better routes which are more productive? There seemed to be paths stretching off in all directions.

Anyway, the weather brightened for the second half of my visit and I saw a few more butterflies and dragonflies. The former I'm OK with, but I haven't a clue about the latter. I must get myself a decent field guide. In the meantime, I wonder if you (or anyone else reading this) could help me with the ID of the two shown in the attached pics. Many thanks.

Malcolm

Ray_S

Friday 22nd August 2008, 18:03

MalR

Friday 22nd August 2008, 20:53

Malcolm,

My guess would be a female Ruddy Darter, I'm still learning too so apologies if incorrrect. I usually find most of the Dragon/Damsel flies by the scrapes near the Hide at the north end of the lake, there are always lots of common blue damsels on the west (railway) side of the lake too, from here the walk back to the visitor centre takes you over a mound which has a meadow on one side and I have most success with butterflies/moths. On the 'On Location' section of my website I recently posted a Word document map of the Park with gridlines, my plan is to document species population in each grid sector. The scrapes are at H3, lake edge at H4.

Thanks for that, Ray.:t: Am I to take it from your reply that the two pics I posted are of the same species? If that is the case, I really have a lot to learn. They looked like separate species to me. But, as I said, I haven't a clue when it comes to dragonflies/damselflies. Both of these pics were taken on the boardwalk as you head from the car park towards Faith Wood.

All the best,

Malcolm

IanF

Friday 22nd August 2008, 20:54

I think they're Common Darter - red one is a male and the other a female - if you look closely you can see the narrow yellow stripes along the length of the sides of the legs. On Ruddy Darter the legs are all black, the body has a narrow waist and the insect overall is slightly smaller. I'm still learning too, but beginning to pick up one or two ID features.

I think it was probably the weather that kept things quiet. Bright sunny days are definitely best there.

I generally vary my route quite a lot depending on what I've seen on my previous trip. Bird wise things have gone very quiet the last week or so.

One of my usual routes is from the car park along the board walk over the hump bridge and through Faith Wood to the beck - which sounds like the route you did. Instead of retracing my steps though I either turn left and follow the beck to the cycleway and then turn right for 200yds as that's where the Little Owl have been plus Tree Sparrow and Yellowhammer, Whitethroat etc. The path by the beck and the cycleway is good for butterflies. I then retrace my steps back down the beck to another footbridge and after crossing it turn right to the main pond. There's some scrapes by the disused hide which as Ray says are very good for insects. The Pond can be good for birds but there's not many a present.

You've then a couple of choices for getting back to the car park from the railway lines side of the pond - either following the main cart track or veering off following the railway through the wood towards the A1185 and then turning right follwowing the path alongside the hedge past the visitor centre. That path is good in winter and spring but hit and miss in summer.

I should mention the scrape to the lef tof the path between the car park and boardwalk - looks like a puddle but it's been very good for dragonflies the last month or so as well.

Opposite the car park entrance there's a gate that leads around another area of the park as well in a circular route if you keep taking right turns. That area though I find is generally better for birds in winter.

MalR

Friday 22nd August 2008, 21:58

Ray_S

Saturday 23rd August 2008, 18:17

IanF

Saturday 23rd August 2008, 22:17

The cloud completely cleared at about 10am, so boots on and off we went!
Carpark bush had well over 15 long tailed tits (LTTs), which moved off as we arrived, we worked our way up to and behind the visitor centre and found the LTTs again. The place was awash with Dragon/Damsel flies today, a lot of them on the nice warm paths! Surprisingly the scrapes near the old hide were very quiet except for a very nosey willow warbler which was hopping about a nearby tree, too close for a picture (within 4 ft). Back via the boardwalk where it was good to see Ian again, on the scrape towards the car park spotted a hawker (that landed eventually!). Clouds had really come over by then and I hadnt been fed for hours so succumbed to a KFC suggestion.

Good to meet you and Lisa as well Ray :t:

Definitely a dragonfly day again.

After you left I hung around that scrape trying for some flight photos of the Common Hawker but it wouldn't oblige - only managed a distant one. I saw the other large hawker a couple of times - possibly a Brown Hawker as the wings were very bronze coloured all over, but it didn't hang around for long.

Through the gate and along the path beside the hedge towards the Activity Centre were 5-6 Migrant Hawker. Also loads of Ruddy Darter in amongst the Common Darter. Butterflies here - Small Copper, Wall Brown, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Comma, Small White. Bird wise a male Bullfinch passed overhead. Several Great Tit and Blue Tit, a few Goldfinch and a single Willow Warbler.

The main pond itself held little of note - just a pair of Cormorant. The scrapes by the old hide must have picked up as they held another Common Hawker plus unexpectedly a male Broad-bodied Chaser. Several more Ruddy Darter which I think outnumbered the Common Darter. Several damselflies as well. The wooded paths here also held several Migrant Hawker. Speckled Wood again there as well.

No sign of any Little Owl on the cycleway again. Swallow 20+ still hanging around also a mixed flock of House Sparrow and Tree Sparrow - probably the ones that are usually along by the farm. Yellowhammer x2.

By then the skies were well and truly clouded over so I headed back to the car park not seeing anything new.

Back at the car park a Kestrel was hovering over the field by the Centre and landing on the gable as well. When I moved closer I walked over to the metal dragonfly sculpture and disturbed a Little Owl which must have been sat in the hedge there. It grunted a couple of times before I saw it fly over the road - another sign I think that they're dispersing from the nesting area.

Ray_S

Saturday 23rd August 2008, 22:36

Lisa spotted the Cormorants too, but we were on the railway side of the lake at the time so too far off for a pic. she also found a strange caterpillar, the best I have managed so far is the White Ermine Moth, any thoughts?

IanF

Saturday 23rd August 2008, 22:49

IanF

Thursday 28th August 2008, 23:04

Overcast and very blustery this morning which was possibly the reason for so few birds seen and those that were about were all in sheltered areas.

No birds at all seen on entering the Park from the west corner from the A1185. Between the road and the cycleway only creatures seen were Speckled Wood x2, Migrant Hawker x1!

The cycleway was quite active 50 yards prior to Cloff Bridge with Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet a couple of Wrens and a Yellowhammer.

Several Migrant Hawker, Common Darter and Ruddy Darter just the other side of the bridge. Also Common Blue, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Small Copper, Large White butterflies.

No sign of any LO. Yellowhammer, Willow Warbler, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Kestrel x2 and quite a large flock of Swallow c.30 and Swift x2.

Back tracking to the bridge and down Claxton Beck nothing of note until reaching the scrapes by the main pond. A single Common Hawker over the scrapes and a few Darter.

Cormorant x3 resting on the stone island and a Sparrowhawk juvie in the bushes by the nature reserve.

Other birds on the pond - Tufted Duck c.20, Mallard c.30, Little Grebe x2, Mute Swan x2, Gadwall x4.

The path along side the hedge by the Activity Centre held loads of birds chirping away but few showing themselves. Only ones actually seen were Bullfinch x2, Blackcap x2. Again quie a few butterflies and hawker in the sheltered area.

Nothing else of note heading back home.

IanF

Saturday 30th August 2008, 22:30

Overall a pretty good visit this morning despite the overcast skies. Certainly a lot more birds around today both on the woods and on the main pond.

The bushes beside the car park held around half a dozen Whitethroat and a dozen Goldfinch. Also in the reeds a pair of Reed Bunting. Two Common Hawker over the ponds and several Common Darter.

At least a dozen Migrant Hawker and numerous Common Dater and Ruddy Darter along the path by the hedge to the railway lines. On reaching the railway lines a Little Owl barked several tmes from the bushes but I never actually saw it.

The bushes between the main pond and the railway lines held a very mobile flock of smal birds 30+ strong comprising Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit and two Garden Warbler. Possibly mobile due to a juvie Sparrowhawk that was hopping bush to bush following them. I was sat on the twin benches when it flew right in front of me to the next bush. Of course as soon as I moved it was off again :C

The pond held a few more birds as well. Tufted Duck have increased with 23 counted, Coot x12, Mallard 20+, Little Grebe x1. It was good to see Shoveller x1 and Gadwall x1 having returned. Only one Cormorant today.

The scrapes by the old hide held Common Hawker x2 and a few Migrant Hawker. Red Admiral, Wall Brown, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood.

A GSW kept flying into the fir trees by the scrapes.

Also good to meet up with JBee ann several TBC members. Two Spotted Flycatcher had been seen along the Cycleway 50yds short of Cloff Bridge though I didn't get along to see them today.

JBee

Sunday 31st August 2008, 11:38

Also good to meet up with JBee
Sorry you had to walk around the park several times before finding me lurking in the trees ;)
Hawker was a migrant by the way - disappointing.
L-R
Artichoke gall, Silk button gall, Mucilago crustacea (Slime mould), Pestle puffball, Unknown fungi

Ray_S

Sunday 31st August 2008, 16:43

IanF

Sunday 31st August 2008, 17:46

Paid a quick visit this morning via the Zinc works road, first time I had been down there! It looked like the start of a major bird war!, on the left as I drove in there were 50+ Goldfinch on the electricity wires, and all along the spiked fence on the opposite side were those in picture 1 (Sparrows???), just as I was leaving #2 landed on the fence post (redstart???). Cowpen was busy, darters and hawkers over the bushes on the right en route to the visitor centre, path to lake lots of goldfinch, blue tit, and something a lot smaller (3 off), no sign of the cormorant. scrapes 2 migrant hawkers having a battle. From the bridge over the beck a heron, a lot more butterflies than I am used to. Oh, and last night on our Blackcurrant bush an Angle Shades (I think) moth!

Great minds think alike! ;)

I must have just missed you this morning. I was at Zinc Works Road late morning. Just a few Goldinch when I was there but not too surprising with a pair of Kestrel sat on the telegraph poles. The first one is a Meadow Pipit - there's just a few left now with most having headed south on migration. The red ones are Stonechat - at least one family of them with three youngsters mostly at the top of the road down to the second layby. Usually there's another pair at the bottom of the road but I haven't seen them since early summer.

As I pulled into the car park at Cowpen Bewley a heavy shower arrived so I just headed on home instead.

Ray_S

Sunday 31st August 2008, 18:46

IanF

Sunday 31st August 2008, 19:15

oddly enough I thought I saw a kestrel as i pulled out of the north gare access road, it was on the fence around the rubbish tip but i couldnt stop at that point, it was all light brown but i didnt get a really good look.
oh, and another camera question, do you use flash, i notice on many of yours there is a distinct catchlight in the eyes?
and we must have only been minutes apart, as i was approaching billingham it started to rain!

I do sometimes use flash though rarely. If you can get the sun behind you then a catch light is almost guaranteed. Even a bright sky will give one.

The main problem with using flash on birds is that the feathers act like little mirrors which looks unsightly and artificial. It can be an effective technique but you have to be spot on with exposure in order to get natural looking results.

Jonathan Hare

Monday 1st September 2008, 01:41

oddly enough I thought I saw a kestrel as i pulled out of the north gare access road, it was on the fence around the rubbish tip but i couldnt stop at that point, it was all light brown but i didnt get a really good look.

Yes there are a number of Kestrels in the area there. On Friday as I was coming along the North Gare access road. There is a pond with a mound to the side of, on your left (as you are going out). What looked to be a speices of Owl, light brown with white specks, wingspan must of been about 4-5 feet. It wasn't a Kestrel as it never hovered like one. They were a number of Kestrels hunting in the area. Must have a wander down there more often. :-)

IanF

Monday 1st September 2008, 08:35

There's been two Short-eared Owls at Seaton Common for about a week now - check out the Durham Birding (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=33013&page=215) thread. One's been hanging around Zinc Works Road and the other the North Gare access road. There's usually at least one around late afternoon/evening.

IanF

Tuesday 2nd September 2008, 18:46

A pretty good visit this morning. Bright and sunny and not too windy.

On being dropped off in the car park I bumped into JBee and Scuzz almost sraight away. The pair of them were knelt down of the cinder track a few yards from the gate. It turned out they'd found a Great Crested Newt wandering across the path from the scrapes.

After a bit of a chat I headed over to the main pond hoping to find a few more ducks around. There were but not that many more. Shoveler today numbered 5, Cormorant x3 with about the same of Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Moorhen and Coot. The Shoveler were a little more obliging today. Usually they are a good distance away but today one swam by the screen and then all five flew up to do a loop around the pond right in front of me before landing again.

The bushes by the benches and behind by the railway lines held quite a few birds comprising Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. Also a pair of Bullfinch flew though.

Whilst sat on the twin benches a Sparrowhawk flew out of the trees by the dead tree opposite me. It spent a good 10-15 minutes chasing after Wood Pigeon and circling back and forth above the trees along the sides of the pond. At one point it looked like it was coming over to me but turned round to circle back towards the old hide and beyond. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew from behind the hill towards the car park.

Heading around to the old hide again there were lots of birds in the trees overhead. Apart from a flock of Long-tailed Tit ther were Robin, Willow Warbler, Dunnock and Chaffinch. Best find of the day was a Spotted Flycatcher in the trees behind the screen unfortunately only viewable from 35-40 yds away - too far for decent photos.

Nothing at all of note on the scrapes.

Heading up the path along side Claxton Beck I bumped into JBee and Scuzz again who'd been busy taking macro photos. After another chat I headed off up to the cycleway. No sign of any Owls again. A few Yellowhammer and Whitethroat a dozen or so Tree Sparrow were in the hedges. 20-30 Barn Swallow and House Martin x5 were feding over the fields.

Heading back down the cycleway and over Cloff Bridge I came across the usual flock of Bullfinch - very nervy birds. I've yet yo get a decent photo of them here. Also a few Dunnock and Chaffinch in the bushes. A pair of Grey Partridge were in the stubble field behind.

Nothing else seen heading back to the car park.

Only Migrant Hawker seen today and quite a few Common Darter and Ruddy Darter and a few damselflies. Still plenty of butterlfies about with perhaps Speckled Wood about the most numerous. Also Red Admiral, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Wall Brown and a single Comma.

IanF

Tuesday 2nd September 2008, 18:54

A few more from today -

JBee

Tuesday 2nd September 2008, 20:15

A very pleasant day at the park until the rain came.
A few common hawkers flying around the scrapes offered limited opportunity (and large crops) with the Tamron 90 (scuzz may have faired better with his 400)
Speckled wood and wall brown in decent numbers as Ian said.
Some nice shaggy inkcaps in the wooded area too.

Scuzz

Tuesday 2nd September 2008, 22:09

A few macro shots from today. Enjoyed the day and nice to meet IanF again.
I think more or less everything of Interest has ben coverd by Ian and JBee.

JBee: I managed about 1/2 doz reasonable flight shots with the 400 and 2 with the 180. The first of the Common flight shots below was with the 180.

Scuzz

Tuesday 2nd September 2008, 22:11

A few more from today.

Ray_S

Sunday 7th September 2008, 22:32

The rain finally stopped and the afternoon turned quite warm, so a visit was in order. Fairly quiet all round as far as birds go, walkway was covered in darters, as was the grass area just beyond, scrapes had 2 common hawkers battling again, and the cormorants * 3 were on the lake.

IanF

Saturday 20th September 2008, 19:46

We've just returned from two weeks holiday in Mallorca so I missed most of the passage migrants of the last week or so.

A visit this afternoon though brought a new patch tick - Hobby. A juvenile was hawking dragonflies around the areas of the main pond, the hill and Faith Wood. It gave excellent close views at times.

Also Sparrowhawk x2 and Kestrel.

Loads of dragonflies today as well with Migrant Hawker, Common Hawker, Southern Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter and Black Darter. Also loads of Speckled Wood and several Red Admiral butterflies.

seggs

Saturday 20th September 2008, 20:32

Nice bird to come home to Ian! Great thread.

IanF

Sunday 21st September 2008, 20:55

Nothing like so many birds and insects around today in the cooler overcast conditions towards lunch time.

Very few birds between the car park and main pond though a Kingfisher flew up Claxton Beck and a Jay was seen several times between the beck and around the margins of Faith Wood.

Several Speckled Wood still around and a few dragonflies. Southern Hawker x2 as well as Common Hawker and Migrant Hawker were on the scrapes by the old hide. Also present were several Common Darter and Ruddy Darter plus a few Black Darter - whenever they landed the Ruddy Darter were chasing them away.

Whilst at the scrapes three Lesser Redpoll flew overhead towards the car park area.

Nothing further of note seen.

IanF

Thursday 25th September 2008, 21:59

A quick walk around early afternoon when the sun came out. Not many birds obviously around as away from the main pond I only came across - Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Jay, Robin, Kestrel, Crow, Reed Bunting and a flock of Long-tailed Tit and one of Goldfinch.

I was mainly after the dragonflies though and wasn't disappointed with Common Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Emerald Damselfy and Blue-taield Damselfly and in particular Black Darter which I was hoping for in order to take some photos.

IanF

Friday 26th September 2008, 23:26

Another brief visit just after lunchtime. Birds pretty scarce once again. Nothing at all seen between the car park and the main pond walking via the Activity Centre hedge to railway lines.

Main pond pretty much as usual - Cormorant x2, Shoveler x4, Little Grebe x2, Tufted Duck c.12, Coot c.12, Mallard and Moorhen. Small Goldfinch flock in bushes by the hill where a Kestrel engaged a Crow shortly followed by a Sparrowhawk having a go at the Crow as well. Robin by the old hide again and a small flock of Long-tailed Tit. A Chiffchaff calling and feeding in the larches 50m south of the scrapes.

Dragonflies - Common Darter, Ruddy Darter and around twenty Migrant Hawker.

Jonathan Hare

Saturday 27th September 2008, 00:20

You must of been there the same time as me for getting that Kestral. I was on top of the hill and was watching it hunt. It had a go at a Magpie in the rough on the otherside of the railway line. Later it was being chased by a seagull? While getting some shots of the trains. I am surprised at how quiet bird wise it has been yesterday and today when I popped by.

Saw the LTT's about 20 of them in the same place yesterday.

Today there were Dunnocks, Blue and Great Tits feeding on the bird tables in the car park, wonder how my feed goes down which I left today.

Will sort the pics out shortly.

IanF

Saturday 27th September 2008, 21:39

Today was the best day's birding here I've had by far for several months.

Loads of birds starting off first thing wandering along the cycleway from the car park at around 9:00am. Dunnock, Wren, Goldfinch, House Sparrow (an uncommon species here), Magpie and Kestrel within the first 100 yds. Even by then I was wishing I'd brought my notebook with me. I haven't bothered the last few visits with it being so quiet.

A flock of Curlew x9 in the stubble field by the end of the sewage works. Whilst watching them an old dog fox came wandering aross the stubble towards the rough ground left around the pylon. A few minutes after entering no less than 15 grey Partridge shot out not to mention any number of Linnet and Goldfinch. Whilst awaiting the fox to reappear a pair of Jay passed directly over head into Faith Wood. Next a flock of around 15 Redwing flew over heading west.

Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Wren and Yellowhammer were in the bushes just short of Claxton Beck.

Following the cycleway a Little Owl was perched in the trees by the beck opposite the metal gate. Something disturbed it as it flew along the tree line before perching again. Several Swallow were overhead. Walking further along the cycleway another two groups of Grey partridge 7 a piece took off from the stubble - making 29 in total. A Kestrel and Sparrowhawk were over head.

Approaching the Tree Sparrow tree several flights of geese totalling 150+ passed by from Greatham towards Saltholme ponds comprising Greylag, Canada and Pink-foot x7. Chaffinch x5 and Reed Bunting x2 were in the hedge.

Walking back to Claxton Beck and turning left alongside the stream an alder tree on the far bank was full of birds - Goldcrest x5, Blackcap x2 and a Willow Warbler.

On reaching the main pond I could hear geese calling and sure enough Canada Goose x71 were present all herded into one corner by the two Mute Swan. A Kingfisher was perched on the sticks in the south-east corner. Also present Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Cormorant x2, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler and Mallard.

Whilst sat watching the geese what appeared to be a Kestrel was being mobbed by two Crow and then another Kestrel over the hill. Late inspection of the photos showed it to be another juvenile Hobby. A different one from last week - this one having a much browner back.

On arriving back at the car park a Great Spotted Woodpecker passed over heading south west. I'd heard one earlier in Fatih Wood but not seen it.

Around two dozen Speckled Wood still present. Loads of Migrant Hawker and a few Common Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Black Darter and damselflies.

All in all a pretty good morning.

IanF

Saturday 27th September 2008, 21:50

A revisit in the afternoon was just as good especially with an Osprey flying through. It first headed west and then turned back around heading east towards Saltholme Ponds - unfortunately looking into the sun from my position on the hill.

The Hobby was still around as well. It was mostly over the ploughed field to the west of the hill and north side of Claxton Beck. Every 20-30 minutes it landed on the mostly easterly of the twin pylons on the north side of the beck by the first lot of wire connections. Swallow x6 were around constantly as were fly overs of Linnet and Goldcrest.

Jonathan Hare

Sunday 28th September 2008, 01:57

Here are some shots from the Hill watching the Kestrel hunt on Friday. I love the shot of the Kestrel in full flight in front of the steelworks.

Jonathan Hare

Sunday 28th September 2008, 02:10

Here are some shots from Friday.

Swan on the main lake. Part of the flock of approx 100 Lapwings heading for Saltholme Reserve. Robin and Great Tit on the bird tables in the carpark.

Ray_S

Sunday 28th September 2008, 21:56

A quick visit to the Zinc works road on my way had a kestrel? on one of the posts, it paid no attention until I got out of the car then off it went.
Moving on to CBWP, fairly cold and initially overcast. Cycleway had Goldfinch (some looking very scruffy - perhaps juveniles?), Great Tit, and Yellowhammer. As I followed the beck from the bridge and approached the small pipebridge a Kingfisher went past skimming the water.
Presumably too cold for Dragonflies as I only saw one, in the usual place by the scrapes. Coming back past the visitor centre there was a flock of long tailed tit in the trees by the tarmac path.

Scuzz

Sunday 28th September 2008, 22:42

Called at Cowpen Bewley this afternoon in the company of JBee.

I went with the intention of photographing the Black Darter and Shovlers. Stood at the pond edge for a while but the shovlers were to far away, but while I was there I saw he hobby being mobbed by a gull over to the West of the pond. Eventually I ended up on the scrapes to the West of the pond where JBee was photographing hawkers.
I wasn't there long when JBee spotted a black darter, which we managed a few shots of. The highlight of the day was when I was busy photographing the darter, JBee turned to see the Hobby swoop down and accross the small pond behind us, we couldn't have asked for better views. It flew over the scrapes another twice before we left.
Also saw two buzzards from the view point on top of the hill and fly over of grey heron.
Well worth the visit, enjoyed the afternoon and the company :t:.

Thanks Ian, for the info regarding the Darter etc :t:, and you were right about the shovlers position, could hardly see them let alone photograph them.

JBee

Monday 29th September 2008, 10:50

The highlight of the day was when I was busy photographing the darter, JBee turned to see the Hobby swoop down and across the small pond behind us, we couldn't have asked for better views. It flew over the scrapes another twice before we left.

Absolutely incredible views on at least three occasions as it flew down to ground level, first a few feet above the smallest of the ponds in the scrapes literally 10 yards behind us, and then the vegetation to the left of the scrapes.
The speed and the magnificence of the bird was breath taking.
I deleted every shot bar 2 simply because the bird was so close that the speed at which ir passed us was impossible to follow (especially as I can no longer hand hold)
On at least one occasion it flew over us so close even in the 300mm lens I could see that the whole bird wasn't in frame.
A memory to savour.

Ray_S

Monday 29th September 2008, 15:10

JBee,

Has something happened to your website, was going to show someone it earlier and it was er, missing?

regards

Ray

JBee

Monday 29th September 2008, 20:08

JBee,

Has something happened to your website, was going to show someone it earlier and it was er, missing?

regards

Ray

I think we must have had a power cut or something tripped the electrics while I have been out today as both PC and server were off.
I don't have them set to auto boot in such circumstances.
But everything up and running again now.

IanF

Monday 29th September 2008, 21:30

No such good weather today. Cooler, windier and the odd light shower though it did brighten with some sun mid-afternoon.

Very few dragonflies around today. Several Common Darter scattered about with the odd hawker. A Ruddy Darter and a Black Darter on the scrapes by the main pond.

Very brief views of the Hobby alongside the pond towards the railway. made up for though by views of a Common Buzzard to the west of the hill ciricling north as it soared above the pylons. 9-10 Swallow. A Little Egret over the pond heading SE towards Saltholme. Greylag Goose x9 heading SE towards Saltholme.

On the pond most notable were the Canada Goose x81, several Shoveler and Teal. A flock of Long-tailed Tit were in the trees by the hide.

Whilst stood on top the hill a Grey Wagtail flew overhead NE to SW.

IanF

Wednesday 1st October 2008, 22:25

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park this afternoon - Very close views of Buzzard over ploughed field on north side of Claxton Beck. It certainly gave a shock to two Crows and a Sparrowhawk they were berrating as they all shot out of the tree as it passed. It headed west and then north towards Greatham works.

Also Barnacle Goose x4 over the same area following Claxton Beck west towards Wynyard - a year tick if not a patch tick.

Very few other birds seen away from the main pond and car park hedges where Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting and Tree Sparrow were making use of the table feeders. Also Magpie and Wren in the hedge.

Quite a few dragonflies around in sheltered areas with Migrant Hawker 12+, Ruddy Darter c.10, Common Darter c.8 all in the brambles in the NW corner of the pond. Speckled Wood 20+ around as well.

IanF

Thursday 2nd October 2008, 10:29

A couple more photos from yesterday.

Ray_S

Sunday 5th October 2008, 18:32

Two visits today, early this morning, still overcast and fairly cold, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit along cycleway, really quiet by the beck, Robin by the lake. This afternoon much warmer, brought out the last of the Dragonflies, finally got sight of the Black darter and at long last a Hawker had landed for me, plenty of other darters on the path back to the boardwalk bridge.

IanF

Sunday 5th October 2008, 20:49

It's a wonder I didn't bump into you Ray. I had a wander around for a couple of hours this afternoon but only over to the main pond and back.

I was suprised at the number of dragonflies still around considering the cold wet and windy weather the last few days - Common Darter c.6, Black Darter x1, Ruddy Darter x1 and Migrant Hawker x8.

Quite a few butterflies as well - Speckled Wood c.15, Red Admiral x1, Comma x1 and Small Tortoisehell x1.

Birds in the hedges and bushes included - Wren, Goldfinch, Song Thrush, Magpie, Blackbird, Reed Bunting, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit and House Sparrow. A Curlew and Greylag Geese x7 passed high over the pond heading west.

On the pond itself - Gadwall x2, Little Grebe x2, Canada Goose x48, Shoveler x3, Cormorant x2, Teal x1, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen and Mallard. A Pair of Grey Wagtail were on the muddy edges on the east side.

Sparrowhawk and Kestrel

IanF

Monday 13th October 2008, 21:37

A short visit this afternoon. Bright, warm and sunny with blue skies but a gusty winds still.

Not a lot between the car park and main pond. Just a few Long-tailed Tits and Goldfinch. The pond itself was back to normal with just Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Gadwall, Mute Swan pair Teal and Pochard. No geese at all.

Two Kestrel were over the hill and possibly the Hobby again briefly. A BOP flew south down the railway line, engaged one of the Kestrels before heading back north.

Goldfinch, Blackbird, Robin and Great Tit in the pond side bushes.

Quite a few dragonflies around still - Migrant Hawker x3 and Common Darter c.12. Also Red Admiral, Comma, Peacock and a Small Tortoiseshell.

IanF

Thursday 16th October 2008, 20:27

An hour or so spent wandering around this afternoon. Nice and sunny but a cold NW wind.

Plenty of small birds in the bushes by the old hide on the main pond - Robin, Pheasant, Treecreeper, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Blackbird, Bullfinch, Golldfinch and Wren. Plus a flock of LTT c.15.

Common Darter x8 on the scrapes and Migrant Hawker x1. Also Comma and Red Admiral.

Pond itself was pretty quiet with Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler, Gadwall and Pochard.

By the bridge over Cowbridge Beck/Claxton Beck - Goldcrest, LTT, Robin and Blackbird plus Treecreeper x2.

Nothing much following Claxton Beck to the cycleway and back to the car park other than tits, Wren and Goldfinch.

Magpie, gulls and Crow pretty much eveywhere.

IanF

Friday 17th October 2008, 21:39

There again early afternoon. Bright but overcast today.

LTT flock c.15 in the bushes in the car park Great Tit, Blue Tit and Robin. Two Wren were having a right ding dong anround and under a private car before disappearing into the reed bed. Also a few LTT in the trees between the car park and the water treatment works.

Very little in the bushes around the main pond - a few tits and a Robin. However three Redwing and a Fieldfare passed over heading southwards.

A few more Shoveler today with nine males and three females. A Little Grebe gave the best views I've had of one here as it swam along the edge of the bank and stopped to preen right in front of the bench I was sat at.

Nothing else of note seen.

Ray_S

Friday 17th October 2008, 22:06

I was there too for a short while later this afternoon, timed it wrong though, just as I got there the clouds all started to build suggesting rain on the way. Had a quick trip to the pond and spotted the LTTs on the way, robin by the lake, blue and great tit in the bushes by the old hide, no dragonflies though. Did see something in the elderberry bush by the lake I dont think I had seen before, when it saw me it climbed down the bush and went into hiding by the lakeside, er, not sure what it is (picture 2). The place was awash with 'dog emptiers' as another forumite puts it!

Geoff Pain

Friday 17th October 2008, 22:20

Looks like a Moorhen.

IanF

Friday 17th October 2008, 23:20

Great capture of the LTT Ray. It is a juvie Moorhen in the bush. They do seem to like having a climb around sometimes.

I saw a couple of Common Darters again today but nothing like the number as yesterday. It was mostly cloudy when I was there as well. Whilst sat at the pond a patch of blue sky passed over but it didn't last long.

IanF

Saturday 18th October 2008, 16:06

A pretty hectic morning for bird sightings.

08:50 Redwing c.150 plus Fieldfare c.12 from west passing over at electricity pylon height. Thereafter numerous small groups of Redwing 5-15 passing over and circling. One group c.35 landed to rest/feed on hawthorn bushes on south side of the pond.

11:30 Redwing c.50 heading east.

Scaup arrived sometime over night and giving very close views from the twin benches. The Shoveler x9 still present. Snipe flew over pond heading west.

Goldcrest c.15 in bushes around pond. Also numerous Blackbird and LTT c.20.

Little Egret x2 feeding east side of railway line from hill.

Long-tailed Tit were pretty much everywhere with 50+ seen during three hour visit.

Linnet flock 200+ on west side of cycleway. A few Goldfinch and Greenfinch with them.

Feeding station is cleared out and ready to go. Whilst still putting out some food a Blue Tit was already feeding. Within a few minutes it was joined by another and several great Tit. Thereafter Robin, Wren, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock. A flock of LTT c.10 came through the trees with several checking out the tables. Treecreeper was on the centre tree. Goldcrest x3 in the bushes behind the tables and the viewing screen.

IanF

Monday 20th October 2008, 20:00

A brief revisit this afternoon. A very windy day. The morning was pretty dull with heavy cloud cover but after lunch the skies brightened for a couple of hours before the clouds rolled in again.

Needless to say with the winds gusting 25-30 mph the trees and bushes were taking a hammering so few birds seen. Best spot was around the old hide on the main pond where it was teeming with birds - LTT c.20, Goldcrest x3, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper x2.

The pond was pretty quiet as well - only two Shoveler seen, Tufted Duck c.30, Coot c.30, Mallard c.30, Little Grebe x1, Mute Swan x2, Teal x2, Gadwall x4, Cormorant x1. Kestrel east over the pond struggling against the winds.

On reaching the pond I thought I'd spotted the Scaup by the end of the grassy island but when I moved closer after feeding the ducks I couldn't see it any more. May have been a tuftie else it was hiding ;)

IanF

Tuesday 21st October 2008, 22:02

A bright sunny day. Not too windy but distinctly cold now.

An early morning visit. Not a great deal seen before reaching the main pond. Even the pond was pretty much the same as my last visit. What looked to be two hybridised Pochard were giving close views with the tufties and Mallard.

The trees by the hide held the most birds again with Goldcrest x5, Goldfinch, Treecreeper, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Bullfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Robin and a male Blackcap.

Nothing else of note heading back to the car park.

Feeding station - Coal Tit x2, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Wren, Robin, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird.

Common Darter x6 still around.

IanF

Friday 24th October 2008, 22:08

I called in this afternoon for an hour or so. Bright and sunny with clear blue skies but also a stiff cold NW wind - though it did ease off.

I spent around half an hour in the feeding station with - Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit 8-10, Long-tailed Tit x2, Robin, Wren, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chaffinch. Brief views of Treecreeper as well.

Reed Bunting x2 and Greenfinch x2 were on the tables in the car park.

No birds at all seen in the bushes around the main pond - though Bullfinch x2 flew over as I left.

On the pond - Shoveler x10, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Gadwall, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pochard + hybridised x2. Grey Wagtail x2 flew over heading west towards car park area.

IanF

Tuesday 28th October 2008, 21:27

Bright and sunny starting off today but pretty chilly at 3°C with frost and iced puddles.

Car park feeders - the vandals have visited - only one out of three tables left standing. Greenfinch x5, Reed Bunting x3, Coal Tit x2. In the bushes - Tree Sparrow x3, House Sparrow x2, Blackbird, Song Thrush x1, Yellowhammer x3, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Robin, Goldcrest, Blue Tit and Great Tit.

Heading along the boardwalk a Redshank passed overhead going east. Kestrel x2 circling as they soared by the pylons. Also Redwing/Fieldfare x51 passing over heading west - seemed about a 50/50 split in numbers. Also Canada Goose x16 in 'V' formation heading SE.

Nothing much else seen until reaching Claxton Beck. Great Spotted Woodpecker x1, Long-tailed Tit 20+, Blackbird and Robin. Only Moorhen on the beck itself.

Bushes by the hide held Treecreeper x1, Blackcap male again, Goldcrest x3, Wren x2.

Pond - much the same as last time only Little Grebe x3 and Shoveler x9.

Feeding station - same as last visit - notable being GSW again but not going to feeders. Tree Sparrow x3, Reed Bunting x3 and Yellowhammer x3 - all new since last time. Goldcrest passing through again.

Ray_S

Wednesday 29th October 2008, 16:55

First visit for a while, Clear Blue sky, still a lot of frost in the shade. Car said 1 degree!

My 100-400 lens is away at the lens doctors so had to use a 55-250, miss the reach!

A lot of the side paths had long webs spanning the paths, in some cases 10 ft across!, despite this (and carrying my macro lens) didnt see any insect life, too cold I guess,

Blue Tits and Sparrows (~6) at the car Park, swans by the car park ponds, found treecrepper in the area previously roped off where they seem to be building a wood hut of some kind along with 2* greenfinch and a wren.

Lots of gulls on the lake along with 2 cormorants. Long tailed Tit *4, Coal Tit *2, Goldfinch *12, Robin, Wren *3 by the old hide. Traumatised yet again by a Pigeon taking flight from a bush about a foot from my head! (NO, I didnt see it first!)

A hawk circling over the large hill, too far to ID.

IanF

Thursday 30th October 2008, 21:03

A little bit dull and overcast this afternoon but a little warmer as well.

Main pond - Scaup x2 one in middle with Shoveler x6 and the other by the hide structure in the corner. Little Grebe x2, Teal x2, Pochard x3, Cormorant, Tufted Duck c.20, Wigeon x2, Gadwall x2.

Fieldfare x3 and Redwing x3, Song Thrush x5, Blackbird c.10 in bushes by main pond. Coldcrest c.5.

Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over west to north-east landing on tree by the bench near the hide corner.

Bushes by railway line/A1185 - Treecreeper x3 one of which went into hiding/shelter huddled in a crevice of a silver birch c.40cm above ground level. Bullfinch x6, Yellowhammer and Wren. Greylag/Canada Goose c.300 in stubble fields by railway.

Table feeders in car park repaired attracting Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin and Dunnock.

Ray the wooden hut construction was well under way today with loads of little hands to help out. It's the replacement medaevil roundhouse for the one that collapsed last year.

IanF

Friday 31st October 2008, 22:12

A very brief visit this morning. Fine and sunny when I arrived but 40 mins later pouring with rain.

Main reason for visit was to see the Scaup in better light conditions. I only saw one today though the other could have been present. The birds were well spread out around the pond though fewer than yesterday - only two Shoveler today.

Other birds - Redwing c.30, Fieldfare c.6, Blackbird 20+, Song Thrush x6.
Goldcrest x5, Robin, Dunnock in bushes around old hide. Flyover of GSW again to same place as yesterday.

Car park feeding tables quite active again.

IanF

Saturday 1st November 2008, 20:34

A bit of a mixed morning with a bit of sunshine following heavy cloud cover to start off the day.

Wandering over to the park from home there was little to see before reaching the car park where I bumped into Seggs and Dougie. A small flock of Redwings passed overhead as we left the car park but little else seen between there and the pond apart from a few Bullfinch, Robin, Wren Goldfinch and some calling LTT.

A racket was coming from the pond as we approached which turned out to be the adult Mute Swans busy chasing two juveniles about the pond. One eventually flew off and the other landed on the path. The pond was about average. A few more Shoveler about again. Also a Scaup though staying pretty distant. Also Tufties, Mallard, Pochard, Moorhen, Coot, Teal, a Cormorant and Little Grebe. A Sparrowhawk passed over from behind us towards the far bank. We also met Dave there - Dave with the poorly leg from when I met him at Seaton Snook last week when he slipped ona rock and gashed his leg - 23 stitches later and he back out again!

We lingered a while around the pond and then th bushes but few birds were about. Likewise following Claxton Beck to the cycleway. On reaching the cycleway a few Fieldfare took of from the ploughed field and a few Redwing passed over. Dougie spotted a male Sparrowhawk sat in the bottom of a hawthorn bush about 150m away. It was peering around as if looking for prey but stayed sat despite us lingering again. We checked for Little Owl and Treesparrow along the cycelway but no luck and so headed back down to the car park.

No food at all left in the feeding station. A few sunflower hearts soon brought in the birds - Robin, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Yellowhammer, Wren, Coal Tit x3 with at least one grey/blue backed continental. A Treecrepe eventually came but didn't stay for very long. A GSW called a few times but never showed itself.

Someone else arrived with some peanuts which attracted Great Tit an Coal Tit as soon as they were put out.

All in all a pleasant wander around but little to show for it.

seggs

Sunday 2nd November 2008, 20:15

IanF

Sunday 2nd November 2008, 21:18

Many thanks Ian for the guided tour of your local patch, me and Dougie enjoyed your company and the site.
It was our first visit but will not be the last.:t:
Hope you caught up with the Waxwings later on in the day.

A shame there weren't a few more birds about for your visit especially with the weather being so good, but that's the way it goes I guess. Great find with the Waxings. I stopped off at Greatham Creek car park on my way home last night but no sign of them by then.

seggs

Sunday 2nd November 2008, 21:53

A shame there weren't a few more birds about for your visit especially with the weather being so good, but that's the way it goes I guess. Great find with the Waxings. I stopped off at Greatham Creek car park on my way home last night but no sign of them by then.
Credit goes to another birder Ian, we were busy feeding our face,s here and it was not until we got out the car (hunger satisfied) when we were pointed towards the 2 birds, we passed by on our return home and a small group had gathered around 4pm.

IanF

Saturday 8th November 2008, 22:00

A very late start this morning. I didn't set off until 11:00am following the wet start to the day. I would have set off an hour earlier though if I'd known it was going to brighten so well. Still quite windy as well today.

Entering from the western corner from the A1185 and following the path east to the cycleway there was little to see apart from Bullfinch x3 and the odd Great Tit and Blue Tit right at the start of the path. Also a small flock of LTT c.8. Likewise after turning left and following the cycleway north towards Cloff Bridge there was little to see. 150m from the bridge at the end of the water treatment works fence the hawthorns and blackthorns were full of birds c.150! with Redwing c.40, Goldfinch, Linnet, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Treesparrow all chirping away. Even a GSW with them.

Next to nothing along the path by Claxton Beck until reaching the bridge at the bottom of the hill where Dunnock, Goldfinch, Redwing and a Fieldfare in the hawthorns.

Nothing around the hide bushes.

I thought the pond looked a bit empty of birds at first but really there were quite a few present. Cormorant x3 was the highest I've seen here together likewise Shoveler x17. A pair of Goldeneye (m&f) staying distant and a pair of Little Grebe. Several Redwing overhead moving north to south to the berry bushes by the pond. Also Grey Wagtail seen several times flitting back and fourth. Yellowhammer were pretty regular passing over as well. I could hear several Goldcrest calling but didn't actually see any at all.

An unusual sight was a Greylag Goose - unusual only in respect of the pair of Mute Swan not chasing it at all though as soon as a juv. Mute Swan landed they had it's life not leavng it alone until it eventually clambered onto one of the islands. The Greylag looks to have a broken left wing and can't leave which may have been caused by the Swans.

The only other birds of note heading back to the car park were half a dozen Fieldfare in the stubble field east of the railway line.

echo24

Sunday 9th November 2008, 21:07

Ray_S

Wednesday 12th November 2008, 21:53

Good visit today, initially thought that the cloud cover would never go, but had clear blue skies from about 9:30.
Visited the feeding station first, plenty of Great Tit, Blue Tit, 2 * Coal Tit, 7 * Chaffinch, 2 * Greenfinch, a Robin and a Treecreeper.
Cormorants on the main pond, little to show by the railway line, Goldfinch and more blue Tits by the old hide, with the Wren on the side path round the lake.
Faith Wood was holding a dog walkers convention so was unfortunately quiet. More Goldfinch back at the car park near the feeders. Met someone testing his new Nikon lens at the pond, showed me picture of Cormorant with large fish, hope he posts it, apologies that by the time I got home I couldnt remember his forum name (early onset memory loss!).
BTW not sure what picture 4 is, ok, I know I focused on the leaf!

deansmith

Friday 14th November 2008, 21:17

my ever first visit here today since i began an interest in birds

seen my first ever shoveler (6 in fact 2m 4f) also >

male reed bunting
greenfinch - 6
goldfinch - 10-12
cormorant - 4
tufted duck male 2 fem - 4
grey wagtail
goldeneye - 2
mute swan - 2
little grebe - 2
greylag - 1

large amount of coot and mallard on pond also

walking around woods seen

long tailed tit x2
robin x3
great tit x2
blue tit x1

alot of magpies and blackbirds flittering about also, and heard a wren sing not to far from where i was stood

really enjoyed my visit its a shame its a little hard for me to get too not being a driver but hopefully will be back soon with a little more time or may be able to get droppped off

IanF

Saturday 15th November 2008, 21:40

A couple of hours spent at the park this morning. Bright and sunny with just a bit of cloud and next to no wind.

Goldcrest, Reed Bunting and Bullfinch in the hedge beside the Activity Centre to the railway lines but nothing else until reaching the pond. A few Redwing and Blackbirds eating the hawthorn berries in the hedge alongside the pond and a Robin and a few Goldfinch in the bushes by the railway.

The pond itself was very quiet. The Goldeneye pair were still there and the Greylag with the injured wing. Also four Cormorants today. Six Shoveler and two Little Grebe plus a few Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, Pochard and Mallard.

A Treecreeper with several Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch and Chaffinch were in the bushes by the hide. A Kestrel was perched on the monument on the hill. A Sparrowhawk nearby as well.

Little else seen heading back to the car park.

No food at all in the feeding station but loads of birds arrived soon after putting out some peanuts and sunflower hearts and a couple of fat balls.

Birds included - Chaffinch c.12, Coal Tit x3, Treecreeper, GSW x3 - two female and one male of which one female was ringed, Wren x1, Robin x2, Yellowhammer x1, Greenfinch c.6, Treesparrow x4, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Reed Bunting. Also passing through a flock of Long-tailed Tit c.10.

IanF

Wednesday 19th November 2008, 20:54

About an hour spent at the feeding station this morning. Fits an starts with loads of birds one minute and just a few the next. Good to meet Ray again as well :t:

Main feature was a Treecreeper coming to the peanut feeder several times but spending quite a lot of time in the trees and bushes in the feeding station. It seemed strange to watch it take peanuts and sunflower hearts but it came back several times for more. Also GSW came a couple of times.

Other birds - Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin and Reed Bunting.

LTT were calling a couple of times but never came in. Ringing was ongoing today by the visitor centre. Whilst I was there LTT x8, Great Tit x1, Blue Tit x2 and Blackbird were caught. LTT x2 and GT were re-traps of birds ringed last year. Another Treecreeper almost made it into the nets as well as several other Great Tit and LTT.

IanF

Friday 21st November 2008, 00:38

A quick look back again this morning. Skies were a little dull to hang around for long.

Not a great deal of change though it was nice to see another female Goldeneye on the main pond with the other pair. Magpie, Robin, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and several Blackbird in the hawthorns. Also around a dozen Redwing and Fieldfare. Just one Kestrel seen.

Feeding station very quiet again. Just a couple of Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Robin, Chaffinch and a brief appearance by a Wren. Main feature was the Treecreeper that spent quite a while in the bushes and trees and taking sunflower hearts from the centre feeder. A GSW and several LTT were in the trees over head.

Ray_S

Saturday 22nd November 2008, 17:51

A fleeting visit to the feeding stations this morning so Lisa could see Treecreeper and GSW. They didnt let us down. Good to find Ian there again for our question time :t:

Treecreeper made several visits, along with not one but two Woodpeckers. Lots of Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, and a few Long Tailed Tit, a Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting, and a few Robins.

It was fairly cold so we made a hasty retreat back to the coffee machine!

IanF

Saturday 22nd November 2008, 22:12

I think the Woodpecker must have been doing a bit of pruning when it was hammering at that branch - yours is before and mine's after ;)

All in all quite active today with plenty of birds coming in.

deansmith

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 13:28

IanF

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 13:53

im guessing looking at the pictures others have i missed the feeding station on my first visit here last week, i only seen the area around the tyres near the car park

i never looked near the visitor center (what im guessing is the visitir center looks like a log looking building ?)

is this where the feeding station is ? hoping to get back there soon

DS

I must admit it's not well sign posted. It's no where near the visitor centre.

Directly opposite the vehicle entrance to the car park there's a narrow metal gate in the chain link fence. Go through the gate and follow the wooden board fence around to the left to the viewing slits.

Now the leaves are off the trees you can see into the feeding station through the fence itself though that tends to disturb any birds on the feeders.

deansmith

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 15:58

thanks ian il be sure to have a look next time i have a willing driver and car to ferry me about last time was a bit of a rush i got there around 1.30 with it getting dark before 4 now i had to hurry round

DS

Jonathan Hare

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 21:19

Had a pop by this afternoon to the tables in the car park.

Tree Sparrows, Siskins, Robins, Greenfinches, Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Wrens, Great Tits.

Also something (a number) that looked like a Sparrow/ Finch, but I don't think it was a Tree Sparrow.

Here are some pictures of it.

Jonathan Hare

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 21:23

Some more of todays sightings.

IanF

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 21:27

They're Reed Bunting. They look quite different in winter from the breeding plumage with more barred head markings. These are about half way there. At least one pair are usually in the feeding station but numbers normally increase once the colder weather hits.

The hedge in the car park by the tables always holds a good number of birds.

I called in about lunch time to put out some food in the feeding station as there wasn't even a peanut left from yesterday! Not that I had much wiith me today.

Jonathan Hare

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 21:33

Some more

Jonathan Hare

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 21:44

IanF

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 22:47

Thanks Ian.

I was wondering if it was something to do with winter plumage.

I was there at 1225-1310.
It was nice to get some decent shots. May have a pop along again during the week as Im off work for a week and a half.

I must have passed you on the road. I left at 12.20 to go home for my lunch!

I find the feeding station is best between about 11:00am - 1:00pm for the light for photos and the car park feeders mornings through to mid-afternoon. There's the rest of the park to wander around as well though birds can be hit and miss away from the main pond as they're mostly grouped in mixed flocks.

Ray_S

Sunday 23rd November 2008, 23:28

I must have missed both of you, I went this morning primarily for some winter shots of the park, did the loop around the main lake. Goldfinch by the railway line, a very tame robin by the pond, kept landing more or less at my feet, inside the minimum distance of my lens!. I did notice that in one of my landscape shots of the entire lake there was right on the far side, to the left of the hide a Heron sat in a tree. Didnt see it until I got home an was inspecting the images. Called into the feeders on the way back to the car, same old Tits, Finches, and several Reed Bunting, 3 * Tree Sparrows, Wren *2 (one of which landed on the bush by the screen about 2 ft from me) typically, I have wedged the lens through the screen!. A Robin and a Yellowhammer. As I exited the gate, in the tall tree above there were about 8 * more Yellowhammer. A lovely morning as a lot of the time the skies were clear blue. Incidentally, the Blue Tit and Great Tit images were taken at ISO 1600 (Thought I would try the high ISO settings for a change)

Jonathan Hare

Monday 24th November 2008, 00:35

What an absolute smashing shot of the Robin you have there Ray.

I have been a few times and have had a good walk around the Park, but today I just couldn't be bothered walking around so just stayed for a little bit. Now if they had been more snow on the ground that may of been a different matter. |=)||=)||=)|

Ray_S

Monday 24th November 2008, 08:43

Jonathan

I posted the rest of the Robin pictures on my website

www.rayskinner.co.uk

As I said it was really tame and probably thought I had food!

Ray_S

Wednesday 3rd December 2008, 15:33

A quick visit this morning as I had been ordered to do some Christmas shopping!!! It was COLD!!!!, the car park was just a sheet of ice and far too dangerous to be walking across with a camera.
Feeders fairly quiet, most of the seed was frozen to the trays so I added some fresh, the peanut feeders were empty so I restocked them, that still didnt attract too much attention, general mix of Robin, Great & Blue Tit & Chaffinch. Moved on to the lake avoiding the black iced paths!
14 * Goldfinch by lake, Cormorant came in from east and landed on far side.
Friendly Robin re-appeared, came within 12 inches of seed in hand but just wouldnt make the final leap, no problem picking seed from around my feet though!

IanF

Thursday 4th December 2008, 00:30

I didn't get there until early afternoon today - bright and sunny but very cold.

Only 30 minutes spent in the feeding staton as it was too cold to hang around for long - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Tree Sparrow, Reed Bunting, Robin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Dunnock.

Main pond - Tufted Duck c.12, Coot c.15., Moorhen x2, Mallard c.20, Goldeneye x2 pair, Little Grebe x2, Gadwall x2, Shoveler x12.

Bushes around pond - Redwing 100+, Robin, Song Thrush x3, Blackbird c.12, Blue Tit, Great Tit, GSW, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch. Fly through by male Sparrowhawk. BH Gull c.30.

Bumped into the warden - he'd seen Water Rail on the ponds by the car park last week. Also reports today of Redpoll x100 and a flock of Brambling. Long-eared Owl has been seen as well.

IanF

Saturday 6th December 2008, 21:59

Bright and sunny this morning, no wind and not too cold either. Just a few icy patches left following the snow we had yesterday.

400m west of feeding station I came across a small flock of birds - Common Redpoll x5 and Siskin x6 with a Goldfinch and a Treecreeper nearby. First Siskin and Redpoll I've seen this winter. I thought some were Lesser Redpoll at the time but they all look to be Common on the photos. Also Bullfinch x4 and Goldfinch x6 in same area.

Feeding station - No food at all not even a peanut left! Within seconds of putting out some food LTT x10 and Treecreeper x2 arrived though only one went to the feeders for sunflower hearts. GSW flew through as did one of the young Sparrowhawks which landed on top of the gate facing the car park. Also present Coal Tit, Tree Sparrow, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Dunnock.

Cycleway 100m from Cloff Bridge - Sparrowhawk x2 chasing each other around but also watching a large flock of finches c.250 in patch of stubble west side of cycelway comprising mostly Linnet but also Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer.

Main pond - Goldeneye x5, Cormorant x3, Dabchick x2, Gadwall x2. Redwing c.100 and Fieldfare x20 in hawthorn bushes with quite a few Blackbird and Song Thrush. Mistle Thrush x2. Also Sparrowhawk sat sunning itself in a hawthorn overlooking the Cormorant island.

All in all a pretty productive visit.

deansmith

Sunday 7th December 2008, 17:53

MalR

Sunday 7th December 2008, 20:12

IanF

Sunday 7th December 2008, 20:19

Spent a couple of hours here this morning. Got off to a great start when just as I got out of my car I heard a waxwing call. Looked up and a party of eight were flying over, heading south. Unfortunately they didn't land.

Most of the pond was frozen, but there was still a good selection of birds, including 30+ shoveller, a pair of goldeneye (with the male giving occasional bursts of display) and two pairs of gadwall.

Decent numbers of redwing around, although fairly scattered. I saw mainly single birds, or very small groups (fewer than 10). Didn't see any fieldfares.

A quick look in at the feeding station. No sign of the treecreeper, but several tree sparrows put in an appearance among the regular tits, finches etc.

Malcolm

There's a chance the Waxwing were heading towards the cemetery on the south side of the road. Several were there in the Spring and there's a good berry supply still. I checked first thing this morning but no sign then.

Treecreeper was in the feeding station c.12 o'clock but it comes and goes usually accompanied by a flock of Long-tailed Tit. No sign of any Redpoll this visit but half a dozen Siskin were in the same alders as yesterday plus a flock of Long-tailed Tit. Around a dozen each of Greenfinch and Goldfinch were in the same area.

Scuzz

Sunday 7th December 2008, 22:52

Called at Cowpen Bewley today with the missus:

Nice meeting Ray-S :t:, yet another face put to a name.

Plenty of the regulars on the pond with at least 6 Golden Eye and good number of shovelers grouped in the centre of the pond.
In the surroundind trees/bushes were greenfinch, chaffinch, blue, great, coal and LT tits, dunnock and a good flock of goldfinch.

The feeding station was very busy with blue, great, coal & lt tits, greenfinch, chaffinch, dunnock, yellow hammer, gs woodpecker, tree sparrow, blackbird and tree creeper.

IanF

Tuesday 9th December 2008, 23:02

A wander around this morning in bright and sunny conditions. A little frosty as well with the smaller ponds totally frozen and most of the main pond. Just the area in front of the lower bench by the railway line was free of ice.

Good to meet Scuzz as well :t:

Water Rail wandering over the frosty grass by the car park ponds when I arrived.

Quite a few birds visiting the tables in tha car park as well - Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch etc. No food at all in the feeding station again.

Tree Sparrow, Redwing and Reed Bunting in the hedge up to the railway line. Redwing quite widespread feeding in the hawthorns just about everywhere.

Scuzz was at the main pond already when I got there. With just a smallish area free of ice the birds were closer than normal with Gadwall, Shoveler, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Moorhen and Mallard. A Robin was flitting about looking for food.

A flock of geese flew over the hill east to west. At the time I thought they were Canada Goose but the photos show Brent Goose x48! A Sparrowhawk flew north-south over the west side of the pond.

Heron, Song Thrush, Blackbird and tits in the pond side bushes. Cormorant flew over but didn't land. A Teal female landed but not for long.

Not a great deal else seen along Claxton Beck to the cycleway apart from Kestrel x2. By Cloff Bridge the large flock of finches/bunting c.250 were scattered about the trees else feeding in the stubble patch. A Sparrowhawk flew through plus two Kestrel perched on the pylon over the stubble.

No sign of any Siskin or Redpoll today but loads of Goldfinch feeding in the alders plus a flock of Greenfinch c.12.

Feeding Station pretty quiet with not much food there.A little put out by me. Treecreeper, LTT x8, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Robin and Tree Sparrow came in. GSW calling but not seen.

Scuzz

Wednesday 10th December 2008, 11:00

A few from around Cowpen Bewley main pond yesterday:

Nice meeting IanF again :t:.

I went mainly, to try for descent pics of the shovelers and wasn't dissapointed, as Ian mentioned, the birds were a bit closer due to the rest of the pond being frozen, giving us good views of the normally shy shovelers.

Scuzz

Wednesday 10th December 2008, 11:06

And a few from the feeding station.

Stood a while at the feeding station waiting for the tree creeper, which paid a fleeting visit, only managed one shot before I had to leave due to hyperthermia setting in ;)

IanF

Friday 12th December 2008, 00:47

A lovely sunny afternoon for a wander around. Not too cold either though still a little chilly.

Most notable sight were of Waxwing with 50-60 in total. Around 20 in NE corner of main pond feeding on hawthorn berries, 12 in ash tree above old hide, 17 flying over visitor centre and c.12 perched in trees on side of A1185 at entrance to Park as I left.

Only half the main pond frozen today so more room for the birds to stay distant from the bank. Nothing new on the water. A Heron was roosting in the trees on the west side.

Linnet x2 and a dozen or so Redwing in the trees by the hide.

Feeding station much as usual - Treecreeper, GSW, Yellowhammer, Tree Sparrow plus other regulars in feeding station.

JimMorris

Friday 12th December 2008, 09:34

IanF

Friday 12th December 2008, 10:06

I know you won't mind an outsider looking in on your thread. I often pop in and have a read. Just had to say I envy you lot with Cowpen on the doorstep. I must make an effort to visit your neck of the woods. The other reason I look at the thread is the photos. Superb pics, keep them coming folk.
Happy Birding.
Jim.

Hi Jim,

Well if you're up this way again then let me know and we could always meet up and I'll show you around. There's a few areas locally that are well worth a visit.

Dave.Farrant

Friday 12th December 2008, 11:49

IanF

Friday 12th December 2008, 13:30

Hi Ian

Just a quick question as I've had a poke about here too.

What is the status of the 'old hide' - I guess it's the one on the far side of the lake? Is it locked because it's unsafe or restricted to staff-monitored parties or what?

Dave

Hi Dave,

It's a bit of a misnomer really calling it a hide. It was constructed by one of the voluntary wardens and his brother many years ago. It was used as a hide for a while but for the last few years following problems with youths it's just been used for storage of a couple of tools. It's never used as a hide nowadays. It's a good solid construction but not very well situated as few birds come into that corner.

Ideally we could do with one on the SW side but vandalism would always be a problem. The hide screen now had a few holes in it as well.

IanF

Saturday 13th December 2008, 14:06

A short visit yesterday morning but nice to meet JWTodd, Denbee and Russ1610 in the car park.

A pretty dull and dreary morning weather wise.

I was hoping the Waxwing were still around but no sign. The main pond was even more frozen than the previous afternoon with no sign of any Goldeneye or Gadwall.

A quick look in the feeding station - Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit plus the usual suspects.

Photos taken at ISO1000 so a little grainy even after processing!

June Atkinson

Saturday 13th December 2008, 14:13

IanF

Sunday 14th December 2008, 19:21

I had a wander across to the main pond this afternoon to get a bit of fresh air and stretch my legs. It was fine but still pretty dull with wall to wall heavy cloud cover.

All the ice was gone and the Goldeneye x5 have returned but no sign of the Gadwall. Shoveler c.12 and Cormorant x3 plus the usuals.

Quite a few Redwing around and about a dozen Fiedfare all flying over and around the pond. The friendly little Robin was by the benches and the Song Thrush in it's berry bush.

Something must have been in the air today as one of the male Goldeneye was getting a bit frisky with a totally disinterested female which kept flying away from him and a Coot seemed a little confused about when to start nest building!

IanF

Tuesday 16th December 2008, 23:00

An hour or so spent wandering around this morning. Overcast-sun-heavily overcast was the way of things.

Much the same as the last few visits seen. Additions were a cock Pheasant by the scrapes by the old hide and Lesser Redpoll x9 400m west of the feeding station - just as the skies turned gloomy. They headed across to the south side of the A1185 so I'll have to have a wander around that area one day.

Around 20 Tree Saprrow in the feeding station. The Treecreeper was present for 15-20 minutes continuously checking just about every tree and branch plus visiting the feeders. A very brief visit from a GSW. LTT x9 spent longer periods and another group x3.

Finch flock still present along the cycleway.

Ray_S

Wednesday 17th December 2008, 19:29

Long overdue a visit so as the sun was out!

Feeding station really quiet, most of the feeders were already topped up and as I arrived a group of 6 peeps left with bird watching kit so maybe they tired the birds out!

A fair number of Redwing by the scrapes and along the North East edge of the pond, by my, aren't they skittish, couldnt get within a 100yds of them.

2 Cormorants on 'Cormorant Island' and 6 GoldenEye

Clouded over and as it was getting towards lunchtime, headed home.

Spotted IanF on way down 1185 adorned in green wellies :eek!:, he can spot a wren at 40km but didnt see me waving like a nutta as I drove past the field entrance he was parked in. Hope you had better luck than I did Ian.

IanF

Wednesday 17th December 2008, 20:10

Lol!

Not a great deal for me either today.

When you spotted me I'd stopped off to check for Redpoll after being around the Park. That's where the Lesser Redpoll and Jay were yesterday but only a pair of Goldfinch today.

Other than that pretty much the same again.

It's a wonder I didn't bump into you somewhere along the line. You managed to get a lot closer to the Redwing than me!

IanF

Friday 19th December 2008, 00:31

A revisit this morning - mostly to hunt for Redpoll again. It paid off as I came across a group of six with two Siskin though it needed the flashgun.

The main pond was pretty quiet. Two Cormorant, two Goldeneye and a Pochard in adition to all the Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck etc. Quite a few Redwing and Fieldfare flitting aorund though not that many hawthorn berries left now.

The finch flock were sat in the bushes all along the cycleway heading back to the car park. Quite a spectacle and quite noisy with it.

I got to the feeding station around 11:30 am. The only food in the feeders were half a dozen peanuts left in just one feeder despite me putting out loads of peanuts and sunflower hearts yesterday. I suspect no food put out at all by the staff today.

Within two minutes of putting some out 50+ birds arrived. I didn't know which way to look! The Treecreeper arrived along with at least nine LTT. Two GSW came in, a male and a female plus loads of Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch with a few Great Tit, Blue Tit and Coal Tit. A couple of Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, a Robin, a Wren and a Blackbird.

The light was pretty dire by then for photos.

IanF

Saturday 20th December 2008, 19:34

Around 17 Siskin this morning in a flock with Goldfinch x3. Very active and very mobile moving frequently between alders over a 100m diameter circle. They were located 400m west of the feeding station. Goldcrest x2 in the same area.

The feeding station was pretty quiet overall but still some nice birds coming in. Treecreeper made several visits but only for a second or two. LTT c.25 There seemed to be at least three different groups of them. Tree Sparrow numbers varied but 25 was about the maximum. Regular visits from Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird and Robin. Loads of Chaffinch and Greenfinch again. GSW x2 kept coming in but never long enough to take any food.

Best sighting though was a Goldcrest that flew onto the ledge of the viewing screen right besde me. It looked around and then headed off again.

Ray_S

Monday 22nd December 2008, 19:09

On arrival, visited the feeding station, no treecreeper while we were there but lots of other activity; Chaffinch * 7, Goldfinch * 3, Greenfinch * 3, Robin, Wren, Dunnock * 4, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, LTT c.18, Reed Bunting * 4, Yellowhammer, Sparrows c.20. In fact at one point the floor was alive!

As we (myself and my good lady) were leaving the feeding station we met Scuzz and his good lady, hope you had better luck Ray.

Then had a quick visit to the lake; Shoveler * 2 pairs, Tufted Duck * 4, Mallard, Cormorant * 2, Gulls * many, Goldeneye * 2 and Pochard, and Friendly Robin followed us all the way from the single bench to the double benches waiting to be fed, took some live mealworms this time but it was still too cautious to be hand fed, it did land on other end of the bench we were sat on though as the mealworms were making a bid for freedom.

In the Hawthorn at the north of the lake were Blackbird, Magpie, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch and about 6 Redwing.

IanF

Monday 22nd December 2008, 22:02

I did get there for a visit today but a quick visit Sunday lunchtime yielded the usual range of birds though noticably low in numbers away from the feeding station.

Quite a few birders visiting as well. It was good to meet MalR in the car park as I arrived.

Most notable sightings were -

- A Sparrowhawk enjoying the windy weather soaring round and round between the main pond and south side of the hill quite high up.

- A Pheasant which had been sat in the top of the hawthorn hedge by the shallow scrapes near the hide. A male Kestrel I disturbed by accident from devouring a Lapwing which looked as if it had collided with the over head electricity wires. Looked a very fresh kill!

- Main pond - Cormorant x3, Goldeneye x3 (2f 1 m)

In the feeding station the Treecreeper made several visits as did around 25 LTT. They seemed to be in three groups again. GSW x2 made brief visits. Also at least 24 Tree Sparrow. A Wren made several appearances.

MalR

Monday 22nd December 2008, 22:44

Very nice to meet you yesterday, Ian.

After I left Cowpen Bewley, I headed to Jackson's Landing, intending to show my mate the great northern divers, as he hadn't seen one before. Unfortunately, when we got there, there was a sailing club in action with lots of dinghies and a rescue boat. Consequently, not a bird on the water.

Thanks for the directions re the cycleway etc. I'll definitely give that area a try the next time I get the chance to visit.

Malcolm

IanF

Tuesday 23rd December 2008, 22:53

Much the same as usual at this morning. Bright and sunny but a chill in the air - can't complain though as it was great weather for late December.

Nothing of particular note on the main pond. Best sightings - Goldeneye x3 and an increase in Shoveler again to 15-16 though most were asleep along the west edge. Lots of gulls but every one of them BH Gull. A few Redwing about but not in the numbers they have been.

The friendly little Robin was by the benches again. It sat in the bush and almost jumped onto my hand to take some sunflower hearts but bolted at the last second. It came back to take them off the bench though.

Feeding station - Tree Sparrow c.30, Treecreeper, Long-tailed Tit c.20, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer etc. Sveral Goldfinch came in as well but I didn't see them eat anything. A pair of Bullfinch as well in the trees above but didn't come to the tables. GSW calling in the trees above but didn't come in whilst I was there.

Geoff Pain

Wednesday 24th December 2008, 20:26

Okay what have you done with the Blue Tits perch?

IanF

Wednesday 24th December 2008, 21:12

Okay what have you done with the Blue Tits perch?

Lol! I guess it was just showing off - 'look no hands' ;)

I just caught it as it hopped from one branch to the next - too lazy to use it's wings I guess 8-P

IanF

Wednesday 24th December 2008, 21:22

I paid a quick visit to the feeding station this afternoon. Plenty of peanuts out for the birds but I still put out some sunflower hearts as they seem to prefer them. I was still loading up the feeders when a flock of LTT x9 came in, followed by the Treecreeper, Coal Tit and a Blue Tit. They totally ignored me until I moved to the next feeder. The LTT's stayed put but everything else disappeared.

In 45 minutes the Treecreeper returned three times always after sunflower hearts. Also three lots of LTT - you can tell them apart as in one group of around 11 half are ringed, another group of 9 and one of 4-5 are unringed, GSW, loads of Chaffinch and Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Robin.

Best sighting though had to be a weasel that spent several minutes touring the log piles investigating every nook and cranny. Whenever the camera shutter went off it froze in place and peered around but never worked out where the sound was coming from. First time I've seen one in the feeding station in winter - a much better sight than the rats we had last winter which now seem to have departed.

IanF

Wednesday 24th December 2008, 21:29

A few photos of the weasel.

IanF

Thursday 25th December 2008, 23:14

It wouldn't be Xmas without a wander around the Park, especially on such a lovely sunny morning.

No time to linger though today.

Pretty quiet on the whole with nothing new seen since yesterday. Both the main pond and feeding station were quiet. The weasel made a brief appearance again as did the Treecreeper and several LTT, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, Reed Bunting and tits.

It was nice to see quite a few birds away from the feeding station as well. 300m west of the car park there were around 20 birds comprising mostly LTT but with several Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Goldfinch and Wren.

Scuzz

Sunday 28th December 2008, 21:18

the usual on the pond with at least 200 BH gulls, mallard, tufties etc, only 2 shoveler seen and 1 golden eye.
Not much in the surrounding bushes other than robin, blackbirds and small number of LT Tits, nothing else until the cycle track where we saw a flock of around 150 finches, mainly goldfinch which kept flying over to the nearby pylon, also 1 mistle thrush and more blackbirds.

Called in at the feeding station, which was fairly busy with the normal occupants, including a couple of visits from the tree creeper and 1 fleeting glimps of the weasel as it ran accross the station and under the fence, to fast for a photo unfortunately, but there's always another day.