Hetton Bogs
No further sign of Wryneck (09:15-10:45)
2 Water Rail heard, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 alba Wagtail over, Heron
4 Shoveller over W, 2 Coot, 5 Mallard, 4 Moorhen, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk
3 Goldcrest, 6+Willow Tit, 12+LTTit, 4 Coal Tit, 9 Great Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 1 GSW, approx 30 Bullfinch, smaller nos of Gold, Green & Chaffinch, 2juv Reed Bunting, vis mig of Meadow Pipits going over
2Willow Warbler, 2Blackcap, 9+Chiffchaff, 40 House Martin, 2 Jay, 1 Stock Dove, 6 Magpie.
(hey John, it looks much drier on your website guide !)
Coal Field Way / Joes Pond
2 Swifts, prGrey Partridge, 3 Willow Tit
Rainton Meadows area
2 Swifts (poss same 2), 4 Sand Martin (1 being a very young juv), <20 each Swallow & House Martin.
6 Sedge Warbler (netted), 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 3Chiffchaff.
Small influx of wildfowl with singles of Wigeon, Shoveller & Pochard fresh in.
Got a surprise seeing a drake Ruddy Duck in winter plumage, 2 Cormorant, 280+mixed geese inc 1 Barnacle. Dabchick with family, 10+Teal, 20 Mallard,
Mute Swan 2pr, 1 with cygnets.
80+ Lapwing loafing, 1 Green Sandpiper & 3 Snipe on shoreline, 3Curlew, 1 Redshank, Frustratingly Whimbrels heard clearly going over, but couldnt pick them up in the breeze...
Several each of Sparrowhawk & Kestrel, with a Peregrine over the escarpment(though this could easily one of the falconers 3 birds...). Further scanning revealed single pairs of Stock & Collared Doves.
One or two each of Yellowhammer, Skylark & Linnet flicked up off paths, with both House Sparrow & Greenfinch today, both good reserve ticks, but strangely no sign of any Song or Mistle Thrushes...