Tuesday 12th April 2011

The following were of note this afternoon;

Stoneybeck Lake
The single Whooper Swan still present.

Castle Lake
1pair Shoveler, 2f Goosander, 8 but possibly as many as 11 Little Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 15 Stock Dove, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 3 Wheatear.

A1 Flashes
3 Little Ringed Plover, 25 Curlew, 20 Swallow (all conveniently perched on a fence making them easy to count, Little Ringed Plover please take note) and 40+ Fieldfare still present.

One of the two hybrid Geese that's been around for a while now. Probably a cross between Canada and Greylag.

Congratulations to one of the many Mr & Mrs Coot that reside on Castle Lake on the birth of their four baby cootlets, or should that be cootling?

Couldn't resist a picture of one of today's Wheatear, gorgeous birds.

Monday 11th April 2011

Despite a few notable absentees, a healthy 73 species were seen around the village today, with the following of note;

Little Grebe   A pair remain on Stoneybeck Lake in addition to the Castle Lake birds.
Cormorant   Two on Castle Lake.
Whooper Swan   The single adult is still on Stoneybeck Lake.
Shelduck  Three pair together on Stoneybeck Lake this afternoon.
Shoveler   Four pair and one drake on Stoneybeck Lake.
Pochard   Female on Castle Lake.
Goosander   Two females on Castle Lake and a drake flying over heading west.
Common Buzzard   Two near Low Hardwick (picture below).

Peregrine   One with a kill near Stoneybeck Lake before flying off towards Fishburn (poor picture below).

Little Ringed Plover   Five together at Castle Lake and later two at Stoneybeck Lake.
Golden Plover   Four (three in full summer plumage) dropped into Castle Lake this afternoon (two in picture below).

Lesser Black-backed Gull   Three adults at Stoneybeck Lake.
Swallow   Small but increasing numbers particularly near Alan's Pool.
Sand Martin   Many back at the breeding colony in the working quarry, with at least three hundred seen at various locations today.
Yellow Wagtail   Two at Castle Lake.
Wheatear   Four together in the south-west corner of Castle Lake this morning and an additional bird in the stubble field east of Alan's Pool.
Blackcap   At least four singing males at various locations.
Willow Warbler   A major increase now easily out-numbering Chiffchaff with between 25-30 singing males, highest concentrations at the DWT Quarry (one pictured below) and around Fishburn Lake.

Corn Bunting   Two singing east of Alan's Pool (one pictured below) and another near Stoneybeck Lake.

Also today a Fox was seen near Island Farm being 'escorted' by a few Magpie.

Saturday 9th April 2011

Observations today from Joe Hughes, John Olley and myself.

On Stoneybeck Lake was a single Whooper Swan.

Castle Lake produced 1 Cormorant, 2 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Grey Heron, 1pair Shoveler, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Swallow, 20+ Sand Martin, 1 House Martin  and 2 Yellow Wagtail.

At the A1 Flashes were 1pair Shelduck, 2 drake Shoveler, 1 Common Buzzard, 6 Oystercatcher, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 80 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, a very vocal Green Woodpecker, 2 Wheatear and 70 Fieldfare.

Finally a Willow Warbler was singing near Fishburn Lake.

One of the first returning Yellow Wagtail near Castle Lake this morning.

A very bad record picture of a very distant Black-tailed Godwit on the A1 Flashes today.

One of the two Wheatear next to the River Stell.

Monday 4th April 2011

Sightings today from Jimmy Wagner, John Olley and myself.

Castle Lake
1 Cormorant, 1 Pink-footed Goose, drake Pochard, 2 female Goosander, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 20 Sand Martin, Green Woodpecker heard from the Low Hardwick direction, probable Yellow Wagtail seen briefly in flight, 20 Pied Wagtail and a male Reed Bunting.

Over at Low Hardwick were a small number of Greylag & Canada Geese including two presumed hybrid birds.

Single Pink-footed Goose that dropped in mid-afternoon.
Birdguides this morning reported a Great Grey Shrike behind the hide at Castle Lake before flying off towards the village.

A rather distant Wheatear on the A1 Flashes yesterday.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

I'm extremely grateful to E Mortimer for this excellent picture of last Thursdays Osprey over Stoneybeck Lake.

One swallow doesn't make a summer...

...but it's a pleasant reminder that despite the April showers better weather is hopefully that little bit closer.

Highlights of an afternoon visit to Castle Lake were single Ringed Plover, Swallow, House Martin & Wheatear.
Others included 3 Grey Heron, 1pair Shelduck, 2pair Shoveler, drake Pochard, 3 Goosander, 12 Oystercatcher, 1 Dunlin, 1 Snipe, 42 Curlew, 10 Redshank, 2pair Lesser Black-backed Gull, 50 Sand Martin & 14+ Pied Wagtail.

On the A1 Flashes were 2 more Wheatear, while along Foumarts Lane were a pair of Mistle Thrush.

Ringed Plover and Dunlin together at Castle Lake this afternoon.

Saturday 2nd April 2011

Many thanks to Derek Charlton for news of the following today;

Castle Lake- 4 Whooper Swan, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 30+ Sand Martin.

Also belated news courtesy of Ian Forrest/Birdforum of an Osprey seen over Bishop Middleham at 4pm on Thursday 31st March, before flying off east towards Hurworth Burn Reservoir.