Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, Billingham. UK (1 Viewer)

A quick look around this afternoon. Nice and sunny but a little on the chilly side.

Very little bird wise seen or heard anywhere. Nothing at all between the car park and the lake following the cinder track. A few Blue Tits, a Reed Bunting and a Robin in the bushes by the lake plus a pair of Magpie.

Again the lake was quiet, even the Mallard were lacking in numbers. Most notable were Canada Goose x3 and Little Grebe x4 and around a dozen Black-headed Gulls.

Despite the cool temperatures there were still a few insects about with Red Admiral, Speckled Wood and even a Comma seen for butterflies. Dragonflies still quite alot of Common Darter around and several Migrant Hawker along the paths and over the scrape by the hide. Nice to meet Ray there as well :t:

Whilst chatting a Kingfisher flew from the lake to the beck right across in front of us. Shortly afterwards Francis appeared and remarked that a trap had been put out to catch the terrapin by the car park ealier in the week, only they caught a mink instead!

I didn't call in this weekend though passing today a Jay flew over the A1185 near the car park entrance heading south. I've not seen one here for quite a while.

A nice sunny start starting off this morning. By lunchtime though the skies had clouded over again making it a little on the dull side. At least it seems to have warmed up a little.

Starting off from the car park 50m along the cycleway by the first set of gates there was quite a lot of activity with Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Blackbird flitting about the bushes and across the track.

Very little else seen until reaching almost the end of the sewage works fence when a Jay flew south to north towards Cloff Bridge. In the stubble field on the west side of the track was a flock of Geese x26 all Canada bar one Greylag.

The trees on the north side of Cloff Bridge held a flock of Redwing x27, easily counted when a Sparrowhawk flew over scattering them all. They flew off southwards.

Pied Wagtail x4 on the horse paddock.

As I headed down Claxton Beck another flock of around 70 birds flew in from the north, mostly Fieldfare but a few Redwing mixed in with them.

Little else seen until reaching the lake other than a few Speckled Wood, Red Admiral, a Comma and a Migrant Hawker still flitting about.

A single Canada Goose was on the lake but a few more Teal and Wigeon that my last visit. Plenty of Tufted Duck, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler and Gadwall around today plus three Little Grebe.

Whilst sat on a bench another flock of Fieldfare/Redwing flew over from the hill heading south. Shortly afterwards a flcok of around 50 Linnet/Goldfinch flew over the lake from east to west.

I located a few Redwing and a Fieldfare feeding in the south side hawthorn bushes with a few Blackbirds and a Song Thrush.

Nothing else of note seen apart from a Curlew and a fly over by a Heron heading back to the car park. The feeding station was very quiet in the 30 mins I was there - Dunnock x2, Wren x2, LTT x2, Robin x1, Great Tit x2, Blue Tit x2.

A somewhat brief visit yesterday morning - 9.00 am - 10.30 am. Lightly overcast starting off followed by some sun and then back to overcast mid-morning.

First birds of note were a pair of Mistle Thrush on the top of the pylons heading over to the lake. Curlew x2 and Pheasant x7 were in the field the other side of the railway.

A few Redwing and a Fieldfare were feeding in the hawthorns beside the lake but another 70+ flew over heading southwards. Just as I reached the lake itself I turned back towards to visitor centre and was astounded to see the sky to the south a mass of birds flying east-west and then veering south. 10,000-12,000 I'd guess. My first thought was a mass Redwing invasion but closer inspection showed them to be Starlings. We've had a few hundred around our estate for a week or so but nothing on this scale. Quite a lot headed back east eventually towards the tip but the bulk I never saw again.

The lake was pretty quiet as usual though a few more Gadwall 20+ were present plus a Grey Heron and the single Canada Goose. Several flights of geese 60-70 passed over heading SE, most were Canadas and Greylag but some Pink-footed as well. A Kingfisher was in SE corner. Both male and female Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were seen in flight around the lake.

I forgot to mention on my last visit the willow hedge that's been planted where the lower bench used to be. An attempt at halting erosion of the bank - that's the official line anyway. No doubt in 12 months time the lake will be blocked from view in that area. A shame as there's so few spots you can actually see the lake. By the sounds of it plans are afoot to do a similar thing by the twin benches as well.

Nothing much else seen walking up Claxton Beck though a close view of a Jay flying north-south was a nice sight. By the cycleway a few Bullfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch were in the trees.

I spent 20 mins in the feeding station. After putting out a bit of food all that came in were a few Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Wren and a Dunnock. A GSW flew into the top of the tree in the middle but was just heard calling and not seen. Likwewise Bullfinch were close but again not seen.

A few Red Admiral and a few Common Darter seen today but no hawkers.

Pretty dull this morning though it did stay fine.

Not a great deal seen today though two GSW flew over the car park area as I arrived.

A Water Rail was a nice find on the lake. Initially it flew along the north edge from somewhere near the hide and landed in the NE corner where it called a few times disturbing a Snipe which headed off east. A few minutes later the Water Rail flew over the lake diagonally to the SW corner.

Nothing else much seen heading over to the cycleway via Claxton Beck. The stubble field west of Cloff Bridge held around 250 geese. Mostly Greylag but with a few Canada as well. Lots of pigeons flying around.

At the end of the track by the sewage works gates was a flock of around 40 birds. Around 20 were LTT but also a few GT and BT and at least three Bullfinch. Lower in the bushes were Blackbird c.12-15 and a Redwing feeding on hawthorn berries.

Almost as soon as I put out some food in the feeding station a GSW flew onto the post in front of the screen inspecting the the peanuts. As soon as it glanced over it saw me and was off again. It remained a while in the tree tops but didn't come down again. A Magpie, GT and BT came to the feeders today though Wren, Dunnock and Bullfinch were very close by.

Just letting you know Ian, we had the best of the days birding actually on Redcar beach. Got super close to Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin as well as a single Knot and Ringed Plover. And as it got to high tide and they were forced onto the sea wall so gave some great roosting shots too. Something I've not had a chance at getting since I got into photography. Unfortunately the light was pretty dim.

Can't post the shots yet as my monitor is being repaired, doing this from the laptop.

But cheers for looking after us again, rest assured I'll be back up that way some time after I've got my 300mm to play around with. :t:

Jaff said:

Just letting you know Ian, we had the best of the days birding actually on Redcar beach. Got super close to Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin as well as a single Knot and Ringed Plover. And as it got to high tide and they were forced onto the sea wall so gave some great roosting shots too. Something I've not had a chance at getting since I got into photography. Unfortunately the light was pretty dim.

Can't post the shots yet as my monitor is being repaired, doing this from the laptop.

But cheers for looking after us again, rest assured I'll be back up that way some time after I've got my 300mm to play around with. :t:

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Sounds like you still managed a pretty good day. With so much dull weather lately I've found the coast a better place to be for light if not for birds as well.

Just realised I've not posted details of my last visit on Sunday, not that there was a lot to see.

Much the same as usual on the lake and along the cycleway. Even quieter than it has been if anything.

The feeding station had a lot more birds that of late with around 20 birds coming in after putting out some food. Mostly Great Tit and Blue Tit but also a small flock of LTT and several Chaffinch. A pair of Robin, two Dunnock, a Magpie and a GSW. Goldfinch and Bullfinch were in the trees above. Still very gloomy with the trees being so dense and so many leaves left on.

A dull and gloomy day from start to finish. I nearly didn't bother taking the camera with me this morning but I figured I'd be bound to come across something decent if I didn't.

Robin, Wren and Dunnock were singing in the bushes around the car park when I arrived. Plus a flock of Redwing c.40 flew south overhead, the first of several flocks seen this morning. The trees by the gate along from the car park towards the lake held a GSW and several Blue Tits.

I headed straight over towards the lake seeing more flights of Redwing and Fieldfare, probably around 250 in total seen this morning. A few Redwing and Fieldfare were feeding in the hawthorns by the lake plus several groups landed often in the tree tops on the west side.

Nothing especial on the lake though a Water Rail was calling from the reeds on the north side. Also it was nice to see Shoveler and Gadwall giving closer views than usual. Robin, Wren, Blue Tits, Magpie and a Redwing were in the bushes by the twin benches.

Just as I was leaving the lake I met a fellow birdwatcher and we wander around the rest of the park seeing what we could find. Not a great deal along Claxton Beck. No sign of the Little WOl but the hedges there contained Yellowhammer, Wren, Treesparrow, Goldfinch and Chaffinch.

Very little seen heading back along the cycleway towards the car park until passing the sewage works where a couple of Bullfinch and several LTT were feeding.

After parting company I paid a quick visit to the feeding station but all that came in was one Great Tit and one Chaffinch. Around 30 Canada Geese flew over as I was leaving.

Hi Ian

I can see that still had an still an enjoyable trip out. Another fabulous report from yourself. :-O

The thing is it is the enjoyment of what you see ... no matter what time you spend in your specialised patch.

Your pictures are fab, and the one of the LTT goes without saying, Bullie pictures are super too! :-O:-O

Regard
Kathy
x

Peewit said:

Hi Ian

I can see that still had an still an enjoyable trip out. Another fabulous report from yourself. :-O

The thing is it is the enjoyment of what you see ... no matter what time you spend in your specialised patch.

Your pictures are fab, and the one of the LTT goes without saying, Bullie pictures are super too! :-O:-O

Regard
Kathy
x

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Thanks Kathy. As you say it's just as enjoyable getting out and wandering around looking for stuff even if there's no rarities to see. It's good to just be able to see what there is around and where it's at and how that compares to previous visits. Of course it's always nice to come across something different as well. I count myself lucky to live so close to such a nice area.

A visit this morning. Overcast but bright starting off plus a little misty but improving through the morning. Pretty mild still as well.

The table feeders have been put back in the car park. Great Tit, Blue Tit and a Robin were coming to them as I got dropped off. A flock of around a dozen Goldfinch were in the trees in the car park.

Following the gravel track to the lake several Redwing and Fieldfare passed over heading southwards. Not that many really probably Redwing x4 and Fieldfare x8.

On reaching the lake a large flock of finches was feeding in the alders alongside the railway line. Mostly comprising Goldfinch c.40 but at least the Siskin with them and a few Greenfinch and Linnet.

In front of where the lower bench used to be several ducks were feeding close into the bank including Gadwall x8, Shoveler x2, Pochard x1 and a Little Grebe. Of course on seeing me watching they all moved away from the edge. The hawtorn bushes held around 20 Blackbirds and two Robin.

Nothing especial on the lake, just the usual range of birds. Nothing much seen heading along Claxton Beck to the cycleway. A few more Goldfinch were in the trees by Cloff Bridge. Nothing at all in the hedges north of the bridge and very little seen ehading back down the cycleway to the car park until almost past the sewage works. Even then there were jsut a few Redwing and Fieldfare and several more Blackbirds.

The feeding station has been cleared out and a feeder filled with peanuts and a couple of fatballs strung up. Still not a great deal of activity. Birds visiting in 30 mins included Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Chaffinch and a Wren!

A somewhat shorter visit than intended this morning due to the weather. It was fine with some sunshine when I arrived but deteriorated to being hevily overcast with rainy showers by 10.30am.

Lots of activity on the car park feeders when I arrived with Blue Tit, Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, Robin, Dunnock, Reed Bunting and Goldfinch visiting the tables.

Following the hedge by the Activity Centre to the railway yielded a small flock of LTT and several Robin, Wren and Blue Tit. Nearing the railway there was a commotion in the wood as at aleast half a dozen Pheasant broke cover flying into the field. Almost at once a large flock of aruond 60 Goldfinch flew in from the north and circled several times before continuing south.

The lake was pretty quiet again with Gawall c.20 being the most numerous species other than 60+ Black-headed Gulls. Blackbirds were in the berry bushes and several Redwing flew over. Mallard, Mute Swan and Tufted Duck came for food with Pochard, Shoveler and Little Grebe as usual keeping their distance. Roundabout then the rain began so I made my way around to the hide area. More Blackbirds and Redwing in the trees there plus at least two Bullfinch.

Nothing of note seen after that.

A lovely sunny morning for a visit if a little on the chilly side.

On arrival the car park feeders were very busy with mostly Great Tit, Blue Tit, Goldfinch and a Robin.

Not a lot seen heading over to the lake. Goldfinch x9 and a Greenfinch were in the alders between the lake and the railway.

Just the usual selection of ducks on the lake. Most notable again were the Black-headed Gulls with around 70 present. Plus Mute Swan x3 though the interloper didn't hang around for long once the others spotted it!

In the hawthorns above the hide were a couple of Redwing feeding on berries along with several Blackbirds and a Blue Tit.

Cow Bridge Beck/Claxton Beck junction - several Great Tit, Dunnock, Wren and a Robin feeding in the bushes. Coot, Moorhen and a Little Grebe on the beck.

Very little seen heading over to the cycleway and back along to the car park. A few LTT were by the sewage works but not showing themselves.

The feeding station was very quiet despite well stocked with food. A Tree Sparrow and a Yellowhammer did briefly pop in but even the tit numbers were down. Most birds seemed to be sticking with the car park tables with Tree Sparrow x8, Yellowhammer x3 plus the usual selection.

Blue skies and lots of sunshine starting off this morning. A shame it didn't last for long as the cloud cover moved in leaving heavy dull skies from around 9.30am onwards.

A bit of a thrushy start with Redwing, Song Thrush and Blackbird c.10 in the berry bushes in the car park. Bullfinch x2 in the hedge by the feeders. Plus Mistle Thrush x2 in the trees nearby as I headed towards the lake. Lots more Blackbirds around in the hedges.

Chaffinch and a few Goldfinch were in the alders by the railway with Robin, Wren, Blackbird and at least three Redwing in the bushes opposite.

Quite a few birds on the lake. Gadwall x16 were the most numerous species. Tufted Duck and Mallard around a dozen each. I didn't count the Coot and Moorhen though numbers weren't high. Little Grebe x4 with a pair feeding in front of the viewing screen. As I walked down the steps a Water Rail shot out from the reeds below the screen landing in the water in front of the island opposite. It seemed in no hurry as it investigated the reeds and end of the island eventually disappearing from view around the right hand end.

The Gadwall and Little Grebe kept me entertained as they fed in front of the screen with the cheeky Little Grebe's pecking the rear end of the Gadwall every now and again. They were diving for fish and the Gadwall taking advantage of the weed they often brought to the surface.

Not a great deal seen heading around to the hide other than Blackbirds and a few Blue Tit though on reaching the hide Siskin x6 flew from the alders on the west side of the beck heading towards the railway. Also as I crossed the bridge Bullfinch 10-12 flew from the trees by Cow Bridge Back heading SE - the most I've seen in one group here. The alders across the grassy strip held lots of birds - Goldfinch c.30, Blue Tit, Great Tit and at least six Redpoll. Some were pretty red but the light was terrible by then. I think they were just Lesser Redpoll.

With rain threatening I then just headed back to the car park. Tree Sparrow c.12 were on the tables. Keith and Len were in the feeding station where a GSW had visited earlier. As we came away a flock of LTT c.12 moved though the trees as they fed.

As I walked back home along the A1185 a GSW flew over from the west heading towards the feeding station. Yet more Bullfinch were in the bushes by the SW corner of the park. Today was by far the highest count I've had of Bullfinch here - probably around 20-24.

A look back this morning. I was hoping the Redpoll and Bullfinch would be still around but no sign of them when I was there. Several 'Northern Bullfinch' with the heavier bill were reported locally yesterday and I suspect these may have been as well.

Bright again starting off but soon clouded over and a lot more windy today.

After checking for the Redpoll first I wandered around the lake but it was pretty much the same as yesterday. Lots of Gadwall about and up to the same antics with the dabchicks but nothing else of note.

Heading back to the car park via the hedge by the Activity Centre I came across some Goldfinch and Bullfinch but they didn't hang around long enough for a decent look.

The car park tables were very quiet but the feeding station was very active. Same birds as yesterday but most noteworthy was a female GSW that came in a couple of times for peanuts and one one occasion stayed for 15 minutes. A male was in the bushes behind the feeding station a couple of times but didn't come down for any food.

Also of note were the Tree Sparrow with 25 present at one point but always at least a few the whole time I was there.

Another brief visit today just to the feeding station around lunchtime.

Much the same birds as yesterday with c.40 coming to the feeders. LTT and GSW were in the trees above but didn't come down to feed.

Mammals stole the show with a Bank Vole popping out every now and again to feed on peanuts. Very difficult to spot though.

Also really close encounter with two deer. I was leaning against the screen when a lady with a dog came through the gate and two deer came galloping along the back of the screen suddenly veering away when they saw me and headed off west. A strange place to see them as that area is pretty much enclosed by fences. Certainly gave me a shock let alone them.

All in all a pretty good visit today.

Very cold with a heavy frost which froze the puddles and small pools but left the larger ones ice free. Mostly clear blue skies overhead but to the SE a bank of thick cloud kept the sun off the Park until around 9.30am. After that it was wall to wall blue skies for a couple of hours before a dense fog bank rolled in from the east. It was just reaching the car park when I came away around 12.30.

On arrival there was plenty of activity on the car park tables with several Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, tits and quite a few Tree Sparrow.

Song Thrush, Reed Bunting, Robin, Dunnock and tits were in the hedge leading up to the railway lines.

On reaching the trees along the back of the lake a GSW was hopping from tree to tree plus a small flock of around 20 Goldfinch and lots of Blackbirds. A Robin came begging for food dropping straight to the ground when I threw down some peanuts.

Quiet a few ducks on the lake. Most numerous were Gadwall 45+. Quite a few Mallard as well along with the usual Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Swans etc. Also a pair of Teal.

Whilst waiting to see if the Water Rail would appear a flock of Goldfinch c.12 dropped onto the path to feed. Within seconds a very brown backed Sparrowhawk appeared flying straight along the path around 40m just above the ground. It veered away just as it reached the Goldfinch presumably having spotted me watching.

Whilst chatting with another birder a pair of Mistle Thrush briefly flew into a nearby bush.

Not a lot else seen walking around to the hide where I turned left and then right over the wooden bridge. Even stood on the bridge I could see lots of birds feeding in the alders to the left. At least a dozen Redwing and Blackbird were identifiable from a distance but as I moved closer the smaller birds proved to be Goldfinch c.40, Redpoll c.12-15, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Reed Bunting, Great Tit and Blue Tit. Several Robin and Wren were in the lower bushes. All of a sudden they all shifted flying northwards when a couple with two very yappy Yorkshire Terriers sheepishly walked past. Luckily the flock only moved around 50m into more alders. Very difficult viewing them despite the sunny weather due to the density of trees and branches. Whilst watching them a GSW gave very close views as it moved through the copse almost tree to tree.

I then headed along Claxton Beck to the cycleway and turned left back towards the car park. Not a great deal else seen other than several Bullfinch, Reed Bunting and a small flock of LTT.

I thought the feeding station would have been busier considering the cold temperatures. Still plenty of birds coming in but nothing like as many as last weekend. Tree Sparrow c.25 were the most numerous and Yellowhammer x6 were nice to see as were Coal Tit x3 still. Chaffinch numbers were up again with around a dozen though I thought there seemed fewer Great Tit and Blue Tit today.

A large Brown Rat appeared from the wood pile to the left of the viewing screen from below the discarded feeding table. It seemed quite at home feeding out in the open. Once it appeared though almost all the birds stopped coming.

A few more photos from today.

Thanks for the (missing) link Ian. Yes, I forgot all about Cleveland! - I still think in terms of Durham to the north of the Tees and Yorkshire to the south. Cleveland, Tyne and Wear, etc. all not proper counties

Hope you're well, will be down there more often after the year. I joined the TBC and promptly stopped going out!

Steve