Birds in Northumbria

Birds in Northumbria

31^st July.  Well another month ends having provided some very nice highlights (often in the sun) including my only lifer of the year so far, the Bridled Tern on the Farne Islands, a great day a Smardale surrounded by butterflies, probably my best ever Nightjar experience and great evenings at Holywell watching waders and the juvenile Marsh Harrier.

During the past couple of days I’ve been sorting out literature that I have collected over the years from the Natural History Society of Northumbria and I came across an annual report, Birds in Northumbria 1978.  I must have been sent that by the society I think, as I had no link to the bird club until recent years.  It was interesting to note the names of contributors, several who are still around, although a little more mature!  Even more interesting, was to compare some of the comments about species and try and balance the losses and gains.  I’ve noted down some of the comments and sightings below;

Little Egret.  An extremely rare visitor.  It was seen at Holywell on 6^th May and was only the third record for Northumberland.

Whooper Swan.  90 were at Holywell on 1^st January and this declined to 18 by 1^st April.

Goosander.  None reported at Killingworth Lake.  (A regular wintering spot now for a number of years)

Red Kite.  A rare visitor.  One seen at Woolsingham 0n 4^th March and a second bird was at Holywell for three days and then seen at Gosforth Park from 17^th December.  These were 6^th and 7^th records for the county.

Common Buzzard.  A rare breeder and uncommon visitor.  A handful of sightings of single birds.  (I do still occasionally come across folk who are shocked to find Common Buzzards in the east).

Osprey.  A rare visitor.

Purple Sandpiper. Populations of 150-200 and 250-350 early and late in the year.

Mediterranean Gull.  A rare visitor.  Records of single birds only.

Roseate Tern.  17 pairs nested on the Farnes and 29 pairs on Coquet Island.

Nightjar.  A rare summer visitor which breeds irregularly

Hawfinch.  A rare resident breeding species and passage visitor.  Never the less up to 6 reported in Jesmond Dene.   Other breeding season reports from Stocksfield, Morpeth, Corbridge, Hulne Park, Plessey Woods and Meldon.  Winter reports included 10 at Stocksfield on 30^th March and 20 on 11^th October.  Birds were present in Kielder where a juvenile was taken by a Sparrowhawk and 2 were seen on Holy Island on 6^th and 7^th May during passage.

Snow Bunting.  A well represented passage and winter visitor.  Reports included 150 at Hauxley/Druridge, up to 50 at Chevington, 50 at Derwent reservoir, and three flocks of up to 20 were at other coastal sites.  30 were at Killingworth 13^th and 15^th December!

Corn Bunting.  A well represented resident breeder.  The decline in this species was noted, but 30 were reported at Chevington Burn, 21 at Amble and 15 at Druridge.

I’m sure I can pick out many more interesting points, especially amongst the warblers, but I won’t bore you anymore.  I’m passing on my report and several others to someone I know will look after it and find it interesting.

I checked out the lake again today.  The traffic was being held up the whole time I was down there because of Mute Swans crossing the road in Mute Swan time i.e. their own time.  Most drivers if not all, seem to take this with a smile.:-)  I counted 116 Canada Geese and probably missed a few.  I suspect a few local inhabitants will not be pleased as I note that the geese do not understand that they are meant to keep off the grass! :-)  Several Common Terns were active and the lone Goosander remains.

The sun was long gone by the time I was around to the insect patch so there were few butterflies about, although I did see the odd Meadow Brown, Small White and Green Veined White.  Earlier in the day I had seen several white species in the garden including a female Orange Tip.  I had to check on this latter species for dates, but see that there is sometimes a second emergence in July and August.