[Jonathan Hare]

Over the weekend I visited Ward Jackson Park, Hartlepool.

I saw 5x Ring Neck Parakeets, 4x Tree Creepers, 12x Blackbirds, 2x Chaffinch, 4x Dunnocks, 2x Wrens, House Sparrows plus others that were darting about to quick before I had time to focus on them plus numerous pigeons. One thing that shocked me was how many Seagulls are now starting to take over the Park pond & scrapes (that just been added). It was the one place in town that you could go to get away from seagulls, but now there are dozens there.

On the water I spotted this pair colourful of Ducks, which changed colour depending at what angle in the light you saw them. The colours changed from greens to blues to purples. Are these Mallards, or are they another spiecies?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31848041@N08/6919842098/

[knotsbirder]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Hare

Over the weekend I visited Ward Jackson Park, Hartlepool.

I saw 5x Ring Neck Parakeets, 4x Tree Creepers, 12x Blackbirds, 2x Chaffinch, 4x Dunnocks, 2x Wrens, House Sparrows plus others that were darting about to quick before I had time to focus on them plus numerous pigeons. One thing that shocked me was how many Seagulls are now starting to take over the Park pond & scrapes (that just been added). It was the one place in town that you could go to get away from seagulls, but now there are dozens there.

On the water I spotted this pair colourful of Ducks, which changed colour depending at what angle in the light you saw them. The colours changed from greens to blues to purples. Are these Mallards, or are they another spiecies?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31848041@N08/6919842098/

Hi Jonathan,

They're what are affectionately named "Yuck Ducks" - ie farmyard Mallard breeds that have found their way into the wild.

Sam

[IanF]

RSPB Saltholme - am - Saltholme Hide - Whooper Swan x4, Black Swan x1, Ringed Plover x1, Goldeneye x2, Redshank x3. Brent Geese x2 on wet grassland opposite Paddy's Pool.

Seaton Common - pm - Wheatear x7 on the mounds by the entrance to North Gare access road.

Dormans Pool - pm - Green-winged Teal, Pintail x6, Ringed Plover x2 on the causeway along with Greylag pair with newly hatched goslings x6 - there were seven but a fox wandered out onto the causeway with one in it's mouth as the rest paddled across to the far side of the pool. Water Rail x2 in front of hide. Stonechat pair by car park.

[Michael A]

Popped out for an hour today at lunchtime and lucky enough to snap a few shots between showers,Wheatears back on Muggleswick common also Black Grouse (very uncommon in this area) x1 Swallow, Common Buzzard no sign yet of Redstart or Pied Flycatcher but they should start to show very soon.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/
http://www.durhamwt.co.uk/
http://www.northeast-butterflies.org.uk/
http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/

[IanF]

RSPB Saltholme - am - fire station field 8.30-9.00am Water Pipit x2, Snipe x3, Redshank x3, Black-tailed Godwit x1, Pied Wagtail x2 - then disturbed by fox runnning around the field.

Seaton Common - Wheatear x1 at bottom of Zinc Works Road. Peregrine on power station roof. Redshank x9 huddled together in one group.

[Ray.Scott]

Couple of Hours at Teesside today.
Little grebe, 2 little egrets, male pochard, goldfinch, wren and grey heron from the Phil Stead hide.
3 little egrets on the Fire Station pond, but no sign of the water pipit.
Avocets, redshank, oyster catcher and lapwing on the Saline lagoon.
Avocets seemed to be well spread out over greatham creek, also the West side of the main road.

[IanF]

Had a trip over to the dales today. Goshawk, Peregrine, Red Kite, Buzzard giving good views though distant. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker & tagged Red Kite seen by others seen by others in Hamsterley area.

Several Redpoll & Siskin at Lunton Hill. Lots of Willow Warbler and Meadow Pipit on the small tree tops around the viewpoint. Must have just arrived from the number/concentration.

Bolliehope - 10+ Ring Ouzel, mainly males with three singing. Two females, one paired up and nesting. Mistle Thrush. Grey Wagtail and Dipper along the beck. Lots of Curlew, Wheatear, Oystercatcher, Red Grouse plus a few Golden Plover and two SEO on Eggleston Common.

Hooded Crow reported on Seaton Common this afternoon, but no sign early evening. 40+ Golden Plover present.

[June Atkinson]

tagged Red Kite seen by others seen by others in Hamsterly area.

Following your report, Ian, could I ask anyone who has seen the tagged kite or any other kite activity in the Hamsterley Forest area to get in touch either via BF , with me or through our Friends of Red Kites mailbox on http://www.friendsofredkites.org.uk/page20.htm

There is also a Sighting sheet here: http://www.friendsofredkites.org.uk/page6.htm


To have red kites breeding in Hamsterley Forest would be a great encouragement, especially after we lost them in Teesdale.

[IanF]

The tags were blue but no other details were seen. Apparently two are seen regularly here.

I saw one at Bolliehope Common but it was too high/distant to tell if it was tagged.

[June Atkinson]

Originally Posted by IanF

The tags were blue but no other details were seen. Apparently two are seen regularly here.

I saw one at Bolliehope Common but it was too high/distant to tell if it was tagged.

Thank you for your swift reply, Ian.

Blue tags denote 2010 release red kites. I'll pass this on to Ken Sanderson.
We are getting more reports of dispersed kites this year, which is encouraging, provided that they don't fall prey to persecution.

The Tag colours can be found here: http://www.friendsofredkites.org.uk/page11.htm

[IanF]

Seaton Common - pm - Hooded Crow still present. A well marked bird. Only distant views though of it over the tip. Also Peregrine perched on the power station roof. Later seen chasing a flock of Golden Plover c.40.

Dormans Pool - Green-winged Teal.

RSPB Saltholme - west pond from roadside at 4.00pm - House Martin x15, Sand Martin x2. This evening an influx of Swallow with eight over the east and west pond. No sign of the House Martins this evening but still three Sand Martin.

[IanF]

A few more photos from RSPB Saltholme today.

[June Atkinson]

Thanks to everyone who sent in reports of the kites in Hamsterley Forest.

Ken Sanderson is very grateful and will follow up these sightings.

[Andyclose]

Originally Posted by IanF

Had a trip over to the dales today. Goshawk, Peregrine, Red Kite, Buzzard giving good views though distant. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker & tagged Red Kite seen by others seen by others in Hamsterley area.

Several Redpoll & Siskin at Lunton Hill. Lots of Willow Warbler and Meadow Pipit on the small tree tops around the viewpoint. Must have just arrived from the number/concentration.

Bolliehope - 10+ Ring Ouzel, mainly males with three singing. Two females, one paired up and nesting. Mistle Thrush. Grey Wagtail and Dipper along the beck. Lots of Curlew, Wheatear, Oystercatcher, Red Grouse plus a few Golden Plover and two SEO on Eggleston Common.

Hooded Crow reported on Seaton Common this afternoon, but no sign early evening. 40+ Golden Plover present.

###

Fabulous shot of the RO, Ian. They are usually such shy birds, too.

[degsy_safc]

Had a ride up into Weardale with the intention of spending a couple of hours photographing Dippers and then moving onto something else. However the Dippers put on such a good show and i was nice and comfy hunched down on a boulder the couple of hours turned into 7 hours. What devoted parents, the two birds never stopped once

Few pics from today:

[Michael A]

Originally Posted by degsy_safc

Had a ride up into Weardale with the intention of spending a couple of hours photographing Dippers and then moving onto something else. However the Dippers put on such a good show and i was nice and comfy hunched down on a boulder the couple of hours turned into 7 hours. What devoted parents, the two birds never stopped once

Few pics from today:

Cracking shots Derek,
even with this changeable weather wildlife has just got to get on with it.

[degsy_safc]

Originally Posted by Michael A

Cracking shots Derek,
even with this changeable weather wildlife has just got to get on with it.

Thanks Michael - yep, sun, rain, snow & wind repeated through the day - but the Dippers kept up their constant foraging for food.

[Michael A]

Only two Ring Ouzel seen today after the weekend bikers all over the place.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

[IanF]

Dormans Pool - am - Reed Warbler x2 by screen 30m towards hide. Also Linnet x6, Chiffchaff x2, Willow Warbler x1, Blackcap x1.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - am - Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff well settled in with 12+ of each around park, mainly Faith Wood area for the Willow Warbler. Blackcap x3. Sparrowhawk x1. Bullfinch x4, GSW x1.

[pete seaman]

Managed to creep up the Dale and out of Yorkshire today and spent an hour at the top of the Stang,(nobody on border control !!) and had great views of Crossbill down to a few feet and Lesser Redpoll as well as three displaying Buzzard,great area to waste the odd hour or two

[camper9110]

Arrived at work Monday morning to find Swallows sat on razor wire at Deerbolt prison, Barnard Castle, not in bad shape either considering the journey, more seen also while walking at Stapleton, Darlington. First this year for me. Two handsome Yellow Hammers flushed from green pasture field while crossing on footpath.

[joespy]

Originally Posted by degsy_safc

Had a ride up into Weardale with the intention of spending a couple of hours photographing Dippers and then moving onto something else. However the Dippers put on such a good show and i was nice and comfy hunched down on a boulder the couple of hours turned into 7 hours. What devoted parents, the two birds never stopped once

Few pics from today:

Stunning pics lad, I reckon that was 7 hrs WELL spent..
Joe

[degsy_safc]

Originally Posted by joespy

Stunning pics lad, I reckon that was 7 hrs WELL spent..
Joe

Thanks Joe - very kind

[Michael A]

Forest in Teesdale today 100+ Fieldfare, another 15 at Blancheland.
Only saw x2 Ring Ouzel around Bollihope.

[IanF]

Seaton Common - Hooded Crow showing well still. Ruff x1, Redshank x5.

RSPB Saltholme - Phil Stead Hide - Glossy Ibis giving very close views at times.

Dormans Pool - male Marsh Harrier until 3.00pm when it flew off west onto RSPB Saltholme over Sabic and the Fire Station.