Grey Phalarope at Hartlepool Headland

Today, I went to Hartlepool Headland following reports of a Grey Phalarope and a Little Auk near the Harbour. There was no sign of the Little Auk, but the Grey Phalarope was closeby the Pilot Pier.

Sleddale - Sunday 2nd November 2014

Despite, the calender saying that today is November 2nd the day was mild between 12C to 15C. For a few hours this afternoon I went to Sleddale to look for Rough-legged Buzzards. The North York Moors look stunning and beautiful in the perfect light. After waiting a few minutes, a bird could be seen on the horizon and I waited until I could see the characteristics identification features of a Rough legged Buzzard before I claimed another bird year tick.

Before the sunset, up to 3 Rough legged Buzzards were seen.

The photos below are from the usual viewpoint.

St Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay

On Saturday 1st November 2014, I went for a walk around St. Mary's Island near Whitley Bay. After parking the car and walking towards the wetlands area the sky was filled with calls of Golden Plover slowly coasting into land in the nearby fields.

I was looking for migrants and in particular a Yellow browed Warbler after one was spotted the previous day by a fellow birder. Scanning the trees, I found Goldfinch, Wren, Blue Tit, Robin and Blackbird, but there was no sign of the warbler.

After taking some photos and looking at the birds on the shoreline, I returned to the trees for another search. After hearing a number of high-pitched calls I headed down a path towards a cluster of empty bird tables. Waiting and scanning, paid dividends when out of the corner of my eye a small warbler was working along the hedge beside me. For a moment it stopped and rested on a branch, allowing me to have a good look at a Yellow browed Warbler.

Along the shoreline, there were a good numbers of Turnstone, Dunlin, Redshank, Sanderling, Purple Sandpiper and Ringed Plover.

In the wetland, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Teal, Mallard and Gadwall were all feeding.

Garden Birdwatch - Week starting 19th & 26th October 2014

Dunnock 2
House Sparrow 8
Feral Pigeon 4
Goldfinch 7
Blue Tit 3
Coal Tit 2
Great Tit 1
Blackbird 2
Starling 3
Jackdaw 3
Robin 1
Chaffinch 1
Greenfinch 2
Collared Dove 1
Woodpigeon 1
Wren 1

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


Week starting 26th October 2014

Jackdaw 4
House Sparrow 8
Dunnock 2
Goldfinch 10
Greenfinch 2
Chaffinch 1
Blackbird 2
Coal Tit 2
Blue Tit 4
Great Tit 2
Starling 4
Feral Pigeon 6
Robin 1
Collared Dove 2
Woodpigeon 2
Wren 1
Magpie 1
Carrion Crow 2

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

Garden Birdwatch - Weeks starting 5th & 12th October 2014

Feral Pigeon 2
House Sparrow 6
Goldfinch 7
Blue Tit 2
Coal Tit 1
Great Tit 2
Blackbird 2
Starling 18
Jackdaw 1
Robin 1
Dunnock 2
Chaffinch 1
Magpie 1
Collared Dove 1

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

Insects: Common Carder Bumblebee


Week starting 12th October 2014

Dunnock 2
House Sparrow 10
Feral Pigeon 4
Goldfinch 5
Blue Tit 2
Coal Tit 2
Great Tit 1
Blackbird 2
Starling 4
Jackdaw 3
Robin 1
Greenfinch 1
Collared Dove 3
Woodpigeon 1
Wren 1

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

Garden Moth Update - Friday 3rd October 2014

998 Light Brown Apple Moth 4
1764 Common Marbled Carpet 2
2240 Blair's Shoulder-knot 1
2267 Beaded Chestnut

Blair's Shoulder-knot

Beaded Chestnut

Garden Birdwatch - Week starting 28th September 2014

Feral Pigeon 3
House Sparrow 6
Goldfinch 5
Greenfinch 1
Blue Tit 2
Coal Tit 1
Great Tit 2
Blackbird 4
Starling 8
Jackdaw 3
Robin 1
Dunnock 3
Magpie 1
Collared Dove 1

Food; Sunflower Hearts, Seed, Peanuts and Fat Balls
Water

Amphibians: Common Frog

Butterflies
28/9/2014 - 1 Small Tortoiseshell & 1 Small White
29/9/2014 - 2 Small Tortoiseshell & 1 Red Admiral
2/10/2014 - 1 Red Admiral, 2 Small White & 1 Small Tortoiseshell
3/10/2014 - 1 Small Tortoiseshell