Total Lunar Eclipse

On Tuesday 21st December 2010 they was a total lunar eclipse of the moon. It had been 3 years since the last lunar eclipse and 400 years since it last occured on Winter Solstice. Usually on Teesside we miss out because of cloud or bad weather, but not this time. What an amazing drive to work watching the moon turn from silver to dark red, before disappearing as the morning light grew stronger. I have posted two pictures which unfortunately aren't great, but do record the event. When taking these photographs the temperature was -8C, so after a while it was difficult to control numb fingers and shivers!

Garden Birdwatch Update

Week staring 19/12/10

4 Blue Tit
2 Coal Tit
1 Great Tit
5 Goldfinch
2 Chaffinch
3 Greenfinch
6 House Sparrow
3 Dunnock
1 Robin
2 Blackbird
4 Starling
3 Collared Dove
2 Woodpigeon
1 Jackdaw

Food: Sunflower Hearts, Peanuts, Seed, Fatty Balls & Suet
Water

Mammals: 2 House Mice - cheeky late afternoon visitors picking up bits from under the feeders.

The recent low temperatures (-10C) make you wonder how the birds survive the night outside.

Nosterfield Nature Reserve

Today, I went to Nosterfield Gravel Pits Nature Reserve and the temperature was an icey -2C. The lakes were frozen and so were the local Rabbits who appeared from their burrows. Scanning around from the observation hide / visitor centre I found a Common Buzzard siting on a fence post surveying the area. Over the hedgerow and flock of about 80 Lapwing were feeding amongst the remains of a crop along with loads of Woodpigeon. A cry from overhead was heard and I looked up to see 20 Greylag Geese and 2 Pink-footed Geese. As toes and fingers started to freeze a couple of Curlew flew by and along the bottom of the hedgerows Fieldfare, Song Thrush and Blackbird were feeding.

After leaving the hide, we went to Flask Lake near the village of Nosterfield following a report from a local that a female Ring-necked Duck was present. Two small areas of unfrozen water were all that was available to about 100 birds of various wildlfowl species such as, Coot, Little Grebe, Mallard, Wigeon, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Teal and Goldeneye. In amongst the frenzy of swiming birds was the female Ring-necked Duck - success. The day was finished with a warm by the fire in the pub at Masham.

Garden Birdwatch Update

Week starting 12/12/10

2 Blue Tit
1 Coal Tit
1 Great Tit
6 House Sparrow
3 Dunnock
2 Greenfinch
8 Goldfinch
3 Chaffinch
1 Robin
2 Blackbird
6 Starling
3 Collared Dove
2 Woodpigeon
3 Jackdaw
1 Magpie

Mammals: 1 House Mouse

Food: Sunflower Hearts, Peanuts, Seed, Fat Balls and Scraps.
Water

The temperature dropped to -8.7C in the back garden and this morning the snow had returned.

Garden Birdwatch

Week starting 5/12/2010

3 Blue Tit
1 Coal Tit
1 Great Tit
5 House Sparrow
1 Dunnock
14 Goldfinch
3 Greenfinch
1 Chaffinch
1 Robin
2 Blackbird
2 Starling
3 Collared Dove
2 Woodpigeon
1 Magpie

Food: Peanuts, Sunflower Hearts, Seed, Fats and Scraps
Water

Garden Birdwatch Update

Week Starting 28/11/10

3 Blue Tit
1 Coal Tit
2 Great Tit
5 House Sparrow
2 Dunnock
19 Goldfinch
3 Greenfinch
1 Chaffinch
1 Robin
1 Blackbird
4 Starling
1 Collared Dove
2 Jackdaw

The Goldfinch total was our highest to date.

During the week we had about 30 cm (1 foot) of snow and despite our back garden being quite sheltered surrounded by large trees the temperature did fall to -8.7C.

Food: Sunflower Hearts, Peanuts and Seed.
Water