Barnacle Geese at RSPB Saltholme

Glossy Ibis at Billingham

During last week a Glossy Ibis had been seen flying over RSPB Saltholme and was subsequently re-located on the Allotment Pools at the back of the reserve. Yesterday, the bird had flown to a flooded horse's paddock alongside Belasis Avenue in Billingham. Despite, trying yesterday I was unsuccessful and so went back this morning.

The weak sunlight was shinning directly into our eyes, but the bird was showing well, happily feeding along the muddy margins.  

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

During the weekend of 25 - 26th January 2014, the RSPB nationally encourages the population of the UK to count the number birds visiting gardens over a one hour period. I have always taken part in this survey and so here are my results for Saturday 25th January between 12 noon & 1 pm.

Blackbird 1
Blue Tit 2
Chaffinch 1
Coal Tit 2
Dunnock 2
Goldfinch 5
Great Tit 3
Greenfinch 1
House Sparrow 7
Starling 4

As a comparison, I also repeated the survey the next day on Sunday 26th January between 09:26 am and 10:26 am.

Blackbird 2
Dunnock 2
Goldfinch 9
House Sparrow 12
Robin 1
Starling 4
Feral Pigeon 1

Garden Birdwatch - Week Starting 26/1/2014

Feral Pigeon 3
House Sparrow 12
Goldfinch 9
Greenfinch 2
Chaffinch 1
Hedge Sparrow 2
Coal Tit 1
Blue Tit 3
Great Tit 1
Robin 1
Starling 3
Blackbird 2
Woodpigeon 2
Collared Dove 2

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

Mammals: Wood Mouse & Fox