Back to Patch

It's been some time since I had a proper visit to Holywell, its been getting a bit neglected, but I managed to get some time to head down there today, and I'm pleased I did! 

Walking down towards the Members Hide I was pleased to find at least 10 Tree Sparrows between the hedgerow and the feeding station, hopefully when we get some more boxes up, last summers success will be repeated and a new colony will be formed.

Opening the shutters in the hide it was great to see an increase in wildfowl, the best its looked for a while now including 21 Tufted Ducks (16 males), a pair of Wigeon, 41 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Pochard (3 males), 1 Shelduck, pair of Mute Swan, 3 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 3 Teal (2 males) and a female Scaup, with a supporting cast of Herring, Black Headed, Common Gull, 100+ Lapwing, 20 Starling, 70+ Woodpigeon, 5 Pink-Footed Geese overhead, a single Jay and a couple of cock Pheasants in the min meadow.

A single (presumed female) Short-Eared Owl was hunting in the East Meadow, with 120 Greylag, 23 Curlew and 2 Shelduck between the Eastern Pools and the North Pool. The Common Buzzard put in an appearance being pursued by a male Kestrel over the North Wood.

Heading out to the Cattle Fields in search of anymore Owls the single bird followed me over, and began quartering the area. The flooded potato field by the Obelisk held the majority of the Pink-Footed Goose flock with over 300 birds, joined by good numbers of Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Woodpigeon and Rooks, also 6 Linnets.

3 Grey Partridge flushed as I headed for the dene, where the feeding station was, as usual, busy, with the regulars, plus 3 stunning Bullfinches feeding on Bramble seed.

A good afternoon wander round the patch.

BTO Nest Record Scheme

This morning my BTO Nest Record Scheme pack arrived, I'd been inspired through the work of Kane and Gillian. Taking a break from my final project I headed over to Red House Farm, mainly to check the bird boxes (courtesy of Wellfield Middle School) I had put up over the winter, in an attempt to hold the visiting Tree Sparrows.


Unfortunately the Tree Sparrows haven't used the boxes, although at least one bird is still present, calling from within the Hawthorns. Thankfully 2 out of 3 boxes are in use, both by Tit species. Both Blue Tit and Great Tit were calling in the vicinity. Box RHF Box 2 contained a half built nest, and RHF Box 3 had just recently begun gaining nesting material.

The area holds a huge number of breeding Wood Pigeons, although most are inaccessible. After searching some of the lower Hawthorns I eventually found this nest with 2 eggs. 

And for anyone interested, the post mortem for the Buzzard I found February 2011 in Cliburn Moss (near Penrith) was sent through today. Glad to see it hadn't been poisoned or shot. (double click for larger view)

Past couple of nights on patch...

A text through the week from BD and a Facebook message from Jack notified me of an Egyptian Goose amongst the regulars at Holywell, at Uni until Thursday I couldn't get down for a look till Friday evening.


Walking down to the pond at about 16:00, a westerly breeze pushed some low cloud over towards the coast, the West Field held a reasonable amount of geese, although no Egyptian, 97 Greylag, 9 Pink-Footed, 1 European White-Fronted, 7 Canada and 1 CanadaXGreylag were present. Moving on to the pond, past the now common sound of Tree Sparrows, 6 Shelduck, 7 Mallard, 3 pair Gadwall, Pochard (2 female, 3 male), Tufted Duck (3 male, 3 female), and 2 Mute Swan were on the water.


Leaving the hide at about 16:20 I had a quick scan of the geese again, straight away I picked out the Egyptian Goose, must of snook in behind me! Good views were had as it ventured closer to the hedge-line, before flying West into the next field with the majority of the Greylags. On towards the Dene I was pleased to find the Kestrels back at their nest site.

Today I've been down St Mary's with Jack, doing some filming for my Uni project. Reasonable numbers of waders were pushed into the North Bay as the tide came in, including 1 Purple Sandpiper. Once we'd finished for the day I headed out to Holywell, the 7 Canada, CanadaXGreylag, and 2 Pink-Footed Geese were present in the West Field, with much the same as yesterday on the pond, but also 6 Wigeon. Last stop was Red House Farm where at least 6 Tree Sparrows are still present, hopefully they may use the boxes I put up. Had great views of Long-Tailed Tits, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, and a Moorhen chasing a Brown Rat whilst I was there.

East to West

The day began on patch with the highlights of Tree Sparrow, 2 Woodcock, a few Pink-Footed Geese in the West field and a small party of Goldcrest.


The Tree Sparrows were proving to be difficult to photograph off of the feeders, with a branch or two always being in the way. Here's the best I managed, hopefully they'll hang around so I can try again.

A late afternoon visit to Seghill Pond held Mallard, Mute Swan and Moorhen. A nice little site worth visiting. 

Tonight I'm back over in Penrith, the town was shrouded in fog on arrival, but I headed up to the Pennines with  Ciara. As we approached Hartside Pass we broke out of the fog, and it revealed clear skies. Only the distant roar of the M6 could be heard. 

Back to patch

I awoke this morning to the sound of Pink-Footed Geese, the first skein was of about 100 birds, followed by a further two skeins with about 70 birds in each. This had been the most Pinkies I'd heard moving through so far this year.


There was a few jobs which needed to be done in the morning, so I didn't get down to Holywell till mid-afternoon. Heading down the track a lot of movement could be seen in the top feeding station, I lifted my bins to find a male Tree Sparrow on the feeder, this was a first for me in the area of the pond. They winter in the fields surrounding the dene, but rarely come into the feeding station. Checking the board in the hide, up to four have been seen.


The sun shining on the North wood was making the most of the Autumnal colours, covering the reeds in a golden glow.

70 Pink-Footed Geese flew overhead and landed in the east fields, hopefully this is the start of more to come. The pond seems to be devoid of wildfowl with only the Mute Swan family, 10 Teal, 8 Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 7 Moorhen and 1 male Tufted Duck. 2 Grey Heron stalked the shallow waters to the west, and a large number of Gulls bathed on the pond. the female Sparrowhawk put in an appearance flushing 100+ Lapwing from the Public Hide, as sending the Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Coal Tit, and Great Tit into cover.


As I left a Common Buzzard flew into a Hawthorn to the West and a female Great Spotted Woodpecker fed on the nut feeder.


Good to be back on patch.

Looks like its going to be a good year...

Red House Farm does it again.


Today started with my sister and I meeting SW at the back track, heading to Holywell. There wasn't a great deal of life on the walk to the pond, apart from 13 Curlew at the Brierdene Farm and 300+ mixed flock of Pink-Footed and Greylag Geese feeding in the fields adjacent to Crow Hall Farm.


The pond itself is thawing although still fully frozen, therefore there is still a ghostly lack of wildfowl, thankfully the feeding station is still busy. A dapper male Brambling and a female were showing well, 12+ Greenfinch, 8+Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, 3 Pheasant, 1 Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Dunnock, Robin and 5 Moorhen. A male Kestrel was sitting on the Obelisk, 1 Common Buzzard flew the length of the North Wood (East to West), a Nuthatch could be heard calling and 8 Carrion Crows were savaging on the ice. As we walked past the public hide a large flock of 30+ Greenfinch was a pleasant sight.


As we walked back I reminded SW about the Tree Sparrows at RHF, this was our next stop. As we entered the estate we picked up a couple of Siskins in some young Alders, a first for the patch. The 30 Mallard on the pond has now dropped to 13 and a large number of passerines were in the adjacent hedge, mainly Chaffinch although Great Tit and Blue Tit were also present. At first the Tree Sparrows were not to be found, then I heard one, then saw one, in the end 14 birds were present, although it was very difficult to gain views, before they skulked into the Hawthorn. As we tried to get some better views I heard a trill, for the second time I didn't believe my ears, I immediately stopped and listened again, another trill, and another, then 9 Waxwings flew overhead, another first for the patch and a lifer for both SW and my sister, only a shame we couldn't relocate them.


Just shows you, the smallest patch can still throw in surprises.

An Unbelievable Patch Tick

Ever since I have lived in West Monkseaton, and ever since my mother would let me out her sight, the surrounding areas have been a great resource and influence in the development of both myself and my passion. As I grew, so did the area, one by one, the close to home wild spots, places which I believe, were vital to my love for nature, but also the respect and understanding of nature by other kids in the street, were developed. We used to build fires, dens, catch grasshoppers, climb tree's, play fox and hounds, as all kids of my generation and older generations did.

Eventually our street, once the last line of houses before vast agricultural land, became surrounded, although one area in particular still remained free. This area was the new bungalow development, North of Sainsbury's, which is now Red House Farm. I can remember as a kid, following older kids (without permission from my mother) to catch frogs in its small pond, from then on the small woods of the area became my home, with the pond being at its centre. I knew every tree, every rock, every nook and cranny, and every bit wildlife intimately. Countless hours were spent, in what seemed to be a huge woodland, it was my wood.

As I began to get more involved in Bird Watching it became my first 'Patch' and its threw up some interesting things over the years. One of the earliest I can remember is a Red-Crested Pochard on the pond, if you've ever visited the pond you wouldn't believe this to be possible. In later years a female Kingfisher wintered for a couple of years on and off, and my photograph made Brian's article in the Newcastle RSPB Newsletter. Other birds of the sites interest included a steady increase in Great Spotted Woodpecker sightings, as well as Warbler activity, winter visits from Tawny Owls, and in these recent winters the addition of Woodcocks to the patch.

But today, a species which I had never dreamed of seeing so close to home, as I followed the small footpath along the side of the pond I heard a call, a call which my head told me I shouldn't be hearing, and sure enough my eyes confirmed it, there was at least 8 Tree Sparrows in the Hawthorn. There is nothing better than finding a new species on the patch.

On the pond there was over 30 Mallard, presumably from the frozen Holywell Pond, and also a large number of Woodpigeon were building in the woods, over 200 coming in to roost.

14/09/09 and 15/09/09

On Monday 14th I fixed my bike, so a check of the patch edges was to follow. I headed for West Holywell and Backworth Pond, which was quiet, my aim for coming to this area was to catch up with the flock of Tree Sparrows which SP had found, not far along the track heading North along the side of Seghill Tip, the distinctive Tree Sparrow call could be heard in an adjacent hedge line, I stopped to find over 12 birds present, the flock must be dispersing because this is a slice of the original 40+ birds present. The flock consisted of mainly Juvenile birds. There was also a male Kestrel hunting in the fields near by.



Next was the Dene, I continued along the path along the edge of the tip, coming out closer to the Seghill Pond end of the dene, and the Canyon (the name given to the bike jumps in this area). It was at the canyon where I picked up a Dragonfly, I think it's a Southern Hawker but I could do with some help.

I watched it hawk around in small area between some jumps, patrolling a small territory, taking all the same turns, and now and again landing on the leaves above. It didn't stay long enough and near enough to get a decent photo.

As I was leaving the Canyon, a Wagtail caught my eye, I moved back to get into a better position and found an adult Male Grey Wagtail, in stunning plumage, this bird was immaculate. Just as it began to move off upstream, a small flock, of what at first I thought was just Blue Tits and Great Tits, pasted through, I knew from past experiences to check these flocks for other species such as Blackcaps, Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, and other Warbler species. Although none of these species were present I did pick up a lone Coal Tit, which began to bathe in the burn, some Long- Tailed Tits, and 2 Treecreepers which I had missed this year until now. I think it was at this point when a thought 'nature has a way of coming together', if I hadn't been watching the Dragonfly for 5 minutes, I would have possibly missed the Grey Wagtail, which would have in turn not led me to the flock of Tits/Treecreepers which passed through quite rapidly, I've been through situations like this before and they always make me wonder if a trail has already been left in front of us we just need to understand how to follow it.

Riding along the dene, I picked up a Female Sparrowhawk and a Grey Heron, I moved on, to the Pond. 10 Wigeon, 9 Teal, 2 Female/Juv Ruddy Duck, Pair Mute Swan, 13 Little Grebe + 2 small young, 1 Female Shoveler, 4 Moorhen + 2 medium young, 15 Coot + 1 medium young, 20 Tufted, 1 Female Pochard, 18 Mallard, 1 Grey Heron, Large No. Gulls mainly Black Headed with Herring and 2 Common Gull, due to East field being ploughed, also large no. Jackdaws. A Peacock Butterfly seemed to be beginning to hibernate inside the hide behind the central shutter.

15/09/09 10:30 Sunny with NNE wind

Back on the bike, although the plan was to pass the Beehive, then pond, then head through East fields to pick the dene back up at the sluice, check Rocky Island, then head for St Mary's, Briardene and back home. Well that's exactly what happened.

First crossing the carboot I noticed 8 Common Gulls amongst the regular Herirng Gull and Jackdaws. Beehive flash was quite productive, 34 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, Lapwing made up the waders, with a Grey Heron, 4 Mallard, and 20+ Linnet also present. There was a large number of Corvids throughout my travels today, feeding in the cut and ploughed fields.

At the pond I just stopped off at the public hide, and noted 57 Canada Geese, 10 Greylag and 4 Common Gull. Off towards the sluice, I flushed a single Grey Partridge from the footpath, as I approached the dene there was a large flock of Goldfinch and a single Speckled Wood.

Rocky Island was pretty bare, 1 Juvenile Gannet was diving just off shore, along with Eiders, 4 Sandwich tern joined a large group of Oystercatchers on the rocks. The wind was quite strong at this point, the Herring Gulls used the opportunity to hang in the lift given off by the cliffs. As I was leaving Rocky Island a Shrew ran across the path in front of me, which I was pleased to see, as normally only when they are killed you come across them. Due to the odour they give off when attacked, enough to put the predator off them even in death.

Only bird of note at St Mary's was a single Juvenile Stonechat, the Med Gull was yet again not present at the Briardene when I arrived.

I stayed clear of Holywell today as Natural England were due to perform some survey work regarding the aquatic plants on the reserve, will be interesting to see the results, instead I went to look at a job with dad, at Rothbury.