Teesmouth Bird Club Newsletter

Issue 34. Summer 2006

IN THIS ISSUE: at Hemlington Lake. Two Bitterns were on Coatham Marsh from 7th and a Bearded Tit MONTHLY SUMMARY...... 1 was at the same location on 9th. The adult LOCAL OUTINGS - AUTUMN 2006...... 6 Yellow-legged Gull remained at the Tees NEWS UPDATE FROM THE barrage and a first winter Iceland Gull was at COMMITTEE...... 6 Back Saltholme on 10th. An Avocet at MEMBERS ADVERT...... 9 Newburn Bridge on 12th was an unusual CLEVELAND BREEDING BIRD SURVEY location, as it roosted with Oystercatchers. Nearby, a Little Egret was occasionally seen ...... 11 roosting in Rossmere Park. Four Common MEMBERS ADVERT...... 11 Cranes flew over Coatham Marsh on 15th and CLEVELAND WATER BODY SURVEY. 12 2 Whooper Swans at Scaling Dam from 15th WHERE TO WATCH BUTTERFLIES were well received in what was a poor winter AND DRAGONFLIES IN CLEVELAND 14 for wild swans in Cleveland. THE 2006 BIRD RACE – NO SLEEP ‘TIL LONGNEWTON...... 17 PROFILE – RUSSELL McANDREW ..... 21 CLEVELAND BIRDING SITES - PORTRACK MARSH...... 22 RSPB SALTHOLME – A BRIEF HISTORY ...... 25 WETLAND BIRD SURVEY TEESMOUTH SPRING 2006 SUMMARY...... 26

MONTHLY SUMMARY DRAKE SMEW, SALTHOLME Ian Forrest Chris Sharp summarises the birding highlights of the spring and early summer. Photographs have been kindly supplied by Chris Bell, Geoff Iceton, Ian Forrest, Tom Francis, John Money, Stewart Hinley and Mike Watson.

March 2006

Long-staying birds from the winter months still present in early March included the two female Ring-necked Ducks on Coatham Marsh and the Cetti’s Warbler at Dorman’s Pool, though the latter remained elusive. Several flocks of Waxwings were reported, FEMALE SMEW, SALTHOLME Ian Forrest including 23 in Hemlington and 33 at Nunthorpe. Red-necked Grebes were on Coatham Marsh and a long-stayer was on the Reclamation Pond. It, or another, was also seen at Haverton Hole. Up to 5 Slavonian Grebes were on Seal Sands in what was another good winter for this species. A pair of Smew was at Saltholme and several adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen, including one - 1 -

KINGFISHER, COWPEN BEWLEY Steve Keightley RED-NECKED GREBE, HAVERTON HOLE Geoff Iceton

The first Little Ringed Plover, Wheatear and Sand Martin were all reported on 26th and a male Black Redstart sang in the Jewish Cemetery, Hartlepool on 28th and 29th. A Marsh Harrier was over the Reclamation Pond on the latter date. Several Ring Ouzels, Chiffchaffs and White Wagtails were at the coast late in the month and a Coues’s Arctic Redpoll was a brief visitor to fields at Cowbar on 30th. An Osprey over Portrack Marsh on

STONECHAT, SEATON COMMON Steve Keightley 31st was the first of a good spring for this species and an Avocet was on the Calor Gas An influx of Stonechats on 16th included 8 at Pool the same day. Boulby and 5 at Cowbar and a Lapland Bunting was at the latter location on this April 2006 date. In addition, several Stonechats and Kingfishers could be seen on the North Tees An Osprey was seen over Sleddale on 1st and Marshes. A Great Northern Diver at 3 Ravens in the same area from 2nd were a Jackson’s Landing from 17th stayed into May, welcome addition to many a County List but though was often elusive amongst the required luck and often many hours of moorings. The highlight of the month, patience to see them. The first Garganey of however, was undoubtedly 2 Penduline Tits the spring was on Saltholme on 3rd, with a found on Portrack Marsh on 23rd, which Whooper Swan also present. A second stayed for a fortnight and, though elusive at Osprey was in Sleddale on 6th, with 2 first, they subsequently gave superb views. Garganeys on Coatham Marsh the following These were only the 3rd record for Cleveland. day. The 8th saw Ospreys over Dorman’s Two Long-eared Owls also showed well at Pool and Cowpen Marsh and 2 were reported Portrack at this time. A Spotted Redshank from Lockwood Beck. A first-winter Glaucous was on Back Saltholme on 23rd and good Gull was at Dorman’s Pool on 9th and a numbers of Water Pipits were present, with 9 Common Buzzard was over Dorman’s Pool on on Cowpen Marsh and up to 11 at Haverton 12th. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker near Hole. Yarm from 13th was a good find of this increasingly difficult species to see in Cleveland and, next day, 2 Avocets were on Back Saltholme, along with the first Yellow Wagtails at South Gare. Mid-month saw all five Grebe species on Dormans Pool and the Reclamation Pond, in resplendent summer plumage and up to 9 Lesser Redpolls and 2 pairs of Crossbills showed extremely well at the Lockwood Beck car park. On 17th, Raven-watchers at Sleddale found Red Kite, Common Buzzard and Hen Harrier on 17th.

PENDULINE TIT, PORTRACK MARSH Stewart Hinley - 2 -

AVOCET, CALOR GAS POOL Ian Forrest

WHITE WAGTAIL, SCALING DAM John Money

Good numbers of waders passed through the North Tees Marshes late in the month, with up to 75 Black-tailed Godwits, Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank and several Spotted Redshanks. A Hoopoe at Billingham Beck on 26th unfortunately showed only to the finder and a Shore Lark flew over South Gare next day. Three Mandarin Ducks on a small lake at Yarm at the month’s end were of questionable origin but, nevertheless, were a splendid sight, as they included 2 drakes.

BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL, SEATON COMMON Chris Bell Warm weather in the third week saw many of the summer visitors arriving, with Garden, Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers all being seen by 20th and a Common Tern was at Saltholme on 18th. Swift and Reed Warbler were seen on 21st and several Marsh Harriers passed through. Hobbies were over Seaton Common and Haverton Hole on 22nd and Garganey increased to 5 on Back Saltholme the following day, with at least 15 White Wagtails also present. Red Kites were seen LITTLE GULL, SALTHOLME Geoff Iceton near Middlesbrough on 24th and 2 were over Marske on the same day. A large influx of Yellow Wagtails took place at this time, with ca 30 on Seaton Common, including at least 7 stunning Blue-headed Wagtails. A Wood Warbler was an unusual visitor to Haverton Hole on 25th.

LESSER REDPOLL, LOCKWOOD BECK John Money

COMMON CROSSBILL, LOCKWOOD John Money - 3 -

May 2006

Good numbers of White Wagtails were around Saltholme early in the month and 2nd saw the first ever twitchable White Stork in Cleveland. Amazingly, news didn’t break of it’s presence until 10.30 pm. It was on a flooded field at Belasis Hall Technology Park and a constant stream of admirers was arriving well into the early hours, as the bird was clearly visible under the nearby street WHITE STORK, BILLINGHAM Mike Watson and factory lighting. It remained until the next morning, when it flew off high. Although ringed, the type of ring was compatible with those used on wild White Stork ringing schemes. The following day, a male Spotted Crake was trapped at Haverton Hole and was heard singing in the evening. The 6th saw a Little Stint at Saltholme, a Shore Lark briefly at Dormans Pool, an Osprey at Lockwood Beck and a Wryneck at nearby Margrove Ponds. The next day, another Wryneck was at South Gare, along with a Short-toed Lark, which stayed for 2 days.

SPOTTED CRAKE, HAVERTON HOLE Tom Francis A Caspian Tern was reported from South Gare on 8th and 2 Roseate Terns flew north at Hartlepool the same day. On the evening of 9th, 2 adult Gull-billed Terns flew north at the same location and were tracked northwards at various sea watching points as far as Northumberland. A Spoonbill on Saltholme Pools on 9th stayed for 5 days and a Black-necked Grebe was here, remaining and until the month’s end. A Temminck’s Stint was at Bowesfield Marsh on 13th, with another at Saltholme the same day, along with 4 little Stints. Heavy rain on 15th produced a fall of common migrants at the coastal stations, including several Whinchats, Spotted Flycatcher and Lesser and Common Whitethroats. An adult Hobby was at WRYENCK, SOUTH GARE Mike Watson Nunthorpe on 16th. Temminck’s Stints increased to 2 at Saltholme and up to 6 Little Gulls were here at this time. A Bluethroat at South Gare on 23rd and 24th proved to be extremely elusive and was seen by only several observers. An Osprey was over the Long Drag on 25th and another was at Scaling Dam the same day, the latter remaining for well over a week.

SPOONBILL, SALTHOLME Geoff Iceton - 4 - June 2006

A Honey Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier flew over Dorman’s Pool on 3rd and 2 Marsh Harriers were at Scaling Dam on the same day. A Purple Heron flew in off the sea at the Jewish Cemetery, Hartlepool and flew towards Seaton Carew but unfortunately was not seen again. Osprey, Marsh Harrier and Raven were at Scaling Dam on 6th and a Bean Goose was an unseasonable visitor to Salltholme Pools on 6th. A first-summer

WHINCHAT, SEATON COMMON Steve Keightley Montagu’s Harrier was at the latter location from 9th-10th, along with 2 Black Terns and a Black Swan, which stood out among the good numbers of Mute Swans present at the time. The run of good birds at Saltholme continued on 11th when a Pectoral Sandpiper appeared, remaining until 15th and, at times, was accompanied by 3 Curlew Sandpipers, a Wood Sandpiper and a Little Stint. Potentially the rarest bird of the month was an adult Lesser White-fronted Goose at Saltholme, which was found on 15th. It was in pristine condition, wary and unringed. Although June is not a month one would

SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, LOCKWOOD BECK Steve Keightley associate with rare geese, the presence of a several Pink-feet, a Bean Goose and up to 7

Barnacle Geese in the same area earlier in the month may enhance its credentials.

PEREGRINE, SALTHOLME Ian Forrest

PECTORAL SANDPIPER, SALTHOLME Tom Francis

SEDGE WARBLER, DORMANS POOL Stewart Hinley

LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE,SALTHOLME Geoff Iceton

- 5 - Up to 5 Quails were at Dalton Piercy from and Wood Sandpiper. A fine summer- 20th. The last week of the month was plumaged Black-necked Grebe on Saltholme generally quiet, with just a few waders on 30th brought this excellent period to an passing through the North Tees Marshes. end. Included amongst these were Greenshank

LOCAL OUTINGS - AUTUMN 2006

The following local outings have been arranged for members for the autumn period 2006:

Saturday 23rd September Portrack Marsh: Meet at the ‘Talpore Hotel’ car park next to the Tees Barrage at 11.00am. A chance to visit this rapidly emerging reserve, which held 2 Penduline Tits earlier in the year. Leader, Gary Sharples .

Friday 13th October Hartlepool Headland: Meet by the Heugh Lighthouse/Heugh Gun Battery at 9.00am for sea birds and a walk around the gardens to look for migrants. Leader, Mike Gee .

Sunday 26th November Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park: Meet in the car park at the reserve at 9.30am. This excellent local reserve has a well-stocked bird feeding station, where you can get close views of Tree Sparrow and Willow Tit, and a lake, which attracts duck species, including Goosander. Leader, Chris Sharp.

Friday 15th December Hartlepool Headland: Meet by the Heugh Lighthouse at 10.00am. A chance to look for sea duck, such as scoter and eider, as well as divers, grebes and winter gulls. Leader, John Fletcher.

All of these outings will be of about 2 hours’ duration. For further details, please contact Chris Sharp (Tel: 01429 865163).

NEWS UPDATE FROM THE COMMITTEE

Impetus Reclamation Limited has offered to CLUB OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE send a representative to the next meeting of FOR 2006-07 the Reclamation Pond Working Party in order to provide an update on the current position, discuss the possible transfer of Dormans Pool At the Club’s April 2006 AGM, the following to a conservation body and to outline the officers and Committee members were confirmed current proposals for Port Clarence Pool, one for the year 2006-07: of the two compensatory sites that have to be created in advance of any infilling. Our Chairman Ted Parker request for further information from Vice-Chairman John Fletcher Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in March Hon Secretary Chris Sharp this year has, typically, met with no Hon Treasurer Mark Askew response. Being brought into the communication loop by Impetus is a good COMMITTEE: step forward for the Club and we will do what Ordinary Members: Brian Hague, Eric James, we can to influence a positive outcome, Julie Mason, Peter Smith, Linda whatever this may be. Watson. Co-opted Members: Vic Fairbrother, John Sharp, HARTLEPOOL OBSERVATORY Richard Taylor.

The Brief for a Feasibility Study was issued to RECLAMATION POND 3 selected architectural consultants with track records in similar projects on 19th May and

- 6 - tenders were received back on 12th June. been removed at the request of Verrill’s. The Committee has considered these and, Some members have commented that the before proceeding, decided to have area resembles a “sea of concrete” at preliminary discussions with Hartlepool present. It is an intricate scheme, however, Borough Council to seek their broad approval with many changes of level, and the hard on Planning grounds and to explore works are being undertaken at the time of appropriate sources of funding for the Study. going to press. Once the tree and shrub It was also decided to set up at Project planting have been completed in the Team, once these preliminary matters have forthcoming winter period, the whole effect been resolved. It is imperative that the will be much ‘softer’ and, hopefully, the Study is carried out, as it will include outline gardens will, hopefully, continue to be designs/plans showing, in broad terms, the attractive to migrant birds. external appearance and internal layout of the building; the costs of design and construction; and suggestions for funding sources. The Committee is determined to press ahead with this major project.

NORTHERN GATEWAY CONTAINER TERMINAL, TEESPORT

A Planning Application and Environmental Statement (ES) for this huge project have been lodged by PD Teesport with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council. Following receipt of the ES, the Conservation Sub Committee prepared the Club’s response, which was issued to the Council in late June and can be viewed on the Club’s website. The ES was very professional, comprehensive, of high quality and identified all the key environmental impacts well. We were pleased to note that, following our comments on the Scoping Report earlier this year, Bran Sands Lagoon and the former Leathers Chemicals area (both important ornithologically) have been omitted from the sites identified for the deposition of dredged waste. Our key concerns regarding the ES are the possible loss of the Bran Sands Lagoon at some future stage, the over- reliance on WeBS data to assess ornithological importance of sites within the development area and the general lack of mitigation and enhancement proposals. We have identified areas of further research. PD Teesport has requested a meeting to discuss our concerns. Due to the omission of Bran Sands Lagoon and Leathers Chemicals site from the development proposals, the Club has not lodged an objection to the Planning Application, though we would review this stance should the situation change. VISUALISATIONS OF HEADLAND TOWN SQUARE Courtesy of Fergsuon McIlveen LLP HARTLEPOOL HEADLAND NEW TOWN SQUARE WEBSITE Following an important archaeological find on the site, work eventually resumed on this Our Website continues to be nationally major scheme for the Borough Hall Gardens acclaimed and received a very favourable and the famous ‘Fish Shop Trees’ have finally review in the May edition of ‘British Birds’ - 7 - magazine. Jamie Duffie has now COPIES OF OLD CLEVELAND BIRD permanently taken over the Website from REPORTS Rob Little and has built on the excellent work achieved by Rob. The site has been Our Sales and Publications Officer, John significantly improved, with the additions of Fletcher, has completed his inventory of Members’ Sightings and a Photo Gallery (past Cleveland Bird Reports and found that we are and present). Recent additions include the perilously low on some back issues. If Club’s formal responses to and comments on anyone has any old reports that they don’t key developments around the Tees Estuary want and would be willing to offer these for for members to read if they wish. Our thanks re-sale, please could they contact John on go to Jamie and Eric James for their tel: 01642 818825; email: continued hard work. [email protected] ).

NEDL CABLES, DORMANS POOL MEMBER’S PACK

NEDL have now indicated that they intend to We have now omitted the word ’ New’ from divert the lethal electricity cables across the title of this pack because it is useful to Dormans Pool. They will need to seek both new and existing members. It contains approval from English Nature and we have a mine of information about the Club. It requested to be kept in the communication includes a copy of the Chairman’s Report for loop to ensure a satisfactory outcome. At the previous year; information about the Club present, we do not know the timescale for and its activities; details of Club officers and the implementation of the works. officials; a copy of the Constitution and

Rules; how the Club is organised (including

an organisation chart); a copy of the Five-

Year Plan; Notes for Contributors to the SHARING BIRD INFORMATION ‘Cleveland Bird Report’ ; a large section on birding sites in Cleveland; a copy of the Members are requested to put all their official Cleveland List for personal use; and a significant sightings onto the Pager Services, price list of Club publications. The Pack is as follows: free to new members and, at only £2.00, plus postage, it is extremely good value to Rare Bird Alert existing members. To order your copy, 08707 622622 please contact Chris Sharp (tel: 01429 Birdnet 865163; email: 01623 511679 [email protected] ).

Please submit your sightings to Eric James for inclusion on the Website :- tel: 01642 310103; email: [email protected] or enter them directly onto the Website via the ‘Members’ Sightings’ section.

Following analysis of the Members’ Questionnaire Survey, a significant number of respondents requested to be informed of scarce or rare birds in the area. Unfortunately, some did not put their names or contact details on their returns! We, therefore, invite all members who wish to be involved in an information system to register their interest with Chris Sharp (tel: 01429 865163; email: [email protected] ). Those who register must be prepared to help operate whatever system is introduced and be willing to inform others as part of a network, which will most probably be telephone-based.

- 8 - REPORTING POACHING AND OTHER WILDLIFE CRIME

We have now completed our guidelines for reporting wildlife crime, which were produced jointly with Cleveland Police. The Police are keen that all crime/suspected crime is reported, otherwise no appropriate action can be taken. The guidelines are included with this Newsletter. Please carry these with you when out birding and report all suspicious activities or incidents of actual crime to the relevant police authority. The guidelines can also be downloaded off the Club’s website, www.teesmouthbc.com

LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Barn Owl next boxes are currently being produced for erection at suitable sites around the area, particularly farms where there are known to be owls present. If anyone has a EXTRACTS FROM THE MEMBER’S PACK site in mind for a nest box, or has seen any Barn Owls, please could you Vic Fairbrother (tel:01287 633744).

MEMBERS ADVERT

- 9 -

GUIDE TO REPORTING INCIDENTS OF POACHING AND OTHER SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES

THESE GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP BY THE TEESMOUTH BIRD CLUB AND CLEVELAND POLICE AND ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WITH REPORTING INCIDENTS OF ACTUAL OR SUSPECTED WILDLIFE CRIME.

WHAT YOU SHOULD REPORT

THE POLICE ARE KEEN THAT PEOPLE REPORT ANY INCIDENT , WHETHER THEY INVOLVE GUNS, DOGS OR PEOPLE ACTING IN A SUSPICIOUS MANNER. SUCH INCIDENTS MAY INCLUDE:

• PEOPLE IN COMBAT/CAMOUFLAGE GEAR WITH GUNS AND/OR DOGS (PARTICULARLY ‘LONG’ DOGS, SUCH AS LURCHERS OR GREYHOUNDS).

• PEOPLE CARRYING BAGS AND SPADES (WITH OR WITHOUT GUNS AND DOGS).

• PEOPLE SEEN IN AREAS WHERE YOU KNOW THEY SHOULDN’T BE AND WHO ARE ACTING SUSPICIOUSLY.

• TAKE DETAILS OF THE LOCATION, AND TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE SEX AND APPROXIMATE AGE OF THE PERSON(S) CONCERNED, THEIR PERSONAL DETAILS (HAIR COLOUR, BUILD, CLOTHING, ETC), DETAILS OF ANY DOGS PRESENT AND VEHICLE DETAILS (REGISTRATION, MAKE, MODEL, BODY TYPE, COLOUR AND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL).

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

THE POLICE TAKE ALL INCIDENTS SERIOUSLY. THE INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED MAY BE COMMITTING MORE THAN ONE OFFENCE AND THEY URGE THE FOLLOWING ACTION BE TAKEN:

• IF FIREARMS ARE BEING DISCHARGED, CALL 999.

• PHONE THE POLICE STRAIGHT AWAY ON THEIR MAIN CONTROL TELEPHPONE NUMBERS, IE. CLEVELAND POLICE : 01642 326326; NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE : 01723 509403; DURHAM POLICE: 0845 6060365.

WHAT THE POLICE WILL DO

• TAKE DETAILS OF THE INCIDENT AND THE CALL WILL BE LOGGED AND GIVEN A PRIORITY RATING.

• IF THE SUSPECTED CRIME IS SUFFICIENTLY SERIOUS (EG INVOLVING FIREARMS), OR IS ONGOING, OFFICERS WILL BE SENT TO THE SCENE IMMEDIATELY.

• IF THE CRIME IS OF LOWER PRIORITY, OFFICERS WILL BE SENT TO THE SCENE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, DEPENDING ON RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

• FOR SOME INCIDENTS, THERE WILL BE NO POLICE PRESENCE ON SITE.

ALL CRIMES SHOULD BE REPORTED AS THEY WILL BE LOGGED AND GO INTO THE POLICE INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM TO ESTABLISH ANY PATTERNS OR TRENDS. A TASKING GROUP WILL THEN DECIDE WHAT RESOURCES WILL BE ALLOCATED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS ON AN AREA-SPECIFIC BASIS.

FOR SAFETY REASONS, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC APPROACH ANY INDIVIDUALS.

FOR FURTHER ADVICE AND INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ROB KING (Wildlife Crime Co-ordinator ) Tel: 01642 302267; EMAIL: [email protected]

- 10 - CLEVELAND BREEDING BIRD SURVEY

Fieldwork on the last remaining tetrads in some of our members. Our members have Cleveland has now been completed. The key also been willing to dip their hands into their task of the Breeding Bird Survey Project pockets and, to date, have sponsored over 50 Team is now to input all the data collected species (at £25.00 per time), raising over onto spreadsheets and to start producing the £1,250.00. We do need considerably more distribution maps, using DMAP, in readiness corporate and members’ sponsorship, for writing the individual species accounts. however, to reach our publication target of Sample accounts have already been produced £25,000, so please help if you can by for several species to act as a ‘template’ for sponsoring a species. Your ‘reward’ will be to other writers to follow. If there is sufficient see your name immortalised in the book on demand, it is proposed to hold a workshop- the page of the species you have sponsored. type meeting later this year for those who Please contact Ted Parker (tel: 01642 feel they would benefit from a little more 275369; email: [email protected] ), who guidance. It I expected that writing of th has a list of the species still available, and species’ accounts will commence in the late help to make this project become a reality. autumn. Over half of the sketches for the Atlas have been completed to an amazingly Ted Parker high standard and we are grateful to those artists who have given so freely of their time. MEMBERS ADVERT Despite the extensive fieldwork, there is still a significant amount of information held by members concerning breeding records of scarce or declining birds - records that have not been submitted for the ‘Cleveland Bird Report’ . We would, therefore, be most grateful if you could submit these for the period 1999-2006 inclusive as soon as possible to the Project Team Chairman, Graeme Joynt at 3 Brigandine Close, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, TS25 1ES (email: [email protected] ). The main species we are interested in are Red Grouse, Grey Partridge, Great Crested and Little Grebes, all birds of prey, Redshank, Curlew, Snipe, Stock Dove, all owls, Swift, all woodpeckers, Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Song Thrush, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Long- tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Rook, Tree Sparrow, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Crossbill, Bullfinch, Hawfinch, Reed Bunting and Corn Bunting . Please could you ensure that you provide a four-figure grid reference for the kilometre square in which your records are located, otherwise we will not be able to use them. If in doubt about whether to submit a record or not, please send it in.

The corporate sponsorship drive for the publication of the Atlas is going well, with generous donations having already been received from PD Teesport, English Nature, Huntsman Tioxide, RSPB, Hartlepool Borough Council, Durham Bird Club, North York Moors National Park and individual donations from - 11 -

CLEVELAND WATER BODY SURVEY

The Conservation Sub Committee is planning a of these, or, failing that, at any time Water Body Survey during the forthcoming during the month; autumn and winter periods. The survey will start in September 2006 and run until the end • complete the proforma as well as you can of March 2007 and its aim is to try and assess and submit these by post at the end of more accurately the numbers of wildfowl, each month to Chris Sharp, 20 Aukland waders and other wetland species wintering in Way, Hartlepool or by email to: Cleveland. The inclusion of new sites will [email protected] supplement the monthly WeBS counts and it is and, hoped they will provide a more complete picture. • record all species in the following groups: swans (eg Mute Swan), ducks (such as A list of water bodies in Cleveland has been Mallard, Tufted Duck and Pochard), rails prepared by Graham Megson and it is (notably Moorhen and Coot), waders (such intended to ask members to count just one of as Common Snipe, Redshank, these each month, close to where they live. Oystercatcher and Common Sandpiper), The sites include small ponds and park lakes, herons (eg Grey Heron) and Kingfisher. A which often hold significant numbers of full list is contained on the proforma . wetland birds, and the counts shouldn’t take more than an hour. You don’t need to be an The dates for the official WeBS wildfowl expert to take part and we are hoping that counts are as follows: some of our newer members will become involved – only a basic skill in identifying the Sunday 17th September 2006 commoner wetland species, such as Mute Sunday 8th October 2006 Swan, Coot, Mallard and Tufted Duck, is Sunday 19th November 2006 required. We are working on the basis that Sunday 17th December 2006 any additional information is better than none. Sunday 21st January 2007 If you need help on your first visit, this could Sunday 18th February 2007 Sunday 18th March 2007 be arranged on request. A simple proforma has been prepared for observers to complete during each visit and submit on a monthly I hope that as many members as possible will basis to the Count Co-ordinator, Chris Sharp, help with this important project. Your help and this is included in the Newsletter. It can will be greatly appreciated. This project also be downloaded off the Club’s website at provides an ideal opportunity for those who www.teesmouthbc.com are just starting out on their birding ‘carrers’ to develop their identification skills If anyone The survey will require you to: experiences any difficulties during the survey period, help is always available from Ted • visit your allocated site once per month Parker, Graham Megson or Chris Sharp. between September and March inclusive. Expect a call soon! The visits should ideally be timed to coincide with the official WeBS counts or, Ted Parker (Chairman – Conservation if this is not possible, one week either side Sub Committee)

- 12 - TEESMOUTH BIRD CLUB WATER BODY SURVEY

NAME: ADDRESS:

TELEPHONE: EMAIL ADDRESS:

SITE (WITH GRID REF IF POSSIBLE)

DATE OF VISIT: TIME OF VISIT:

WEATHER (Please circle) Sunny Cloudy Windy Raining Warm Cold Ice

LEVEL OF HUMAN DISTURBANCE [please circle] Low Medium High

SPECIES NUMBER SPECIES NUMBER Little Grebe Smew Great Crested Grebe Red-breasted Merganser Cormorant Goosander Grey Heron Ruddy Duck Mute Swan Water rail Bewick's Swan Coot Whooper Swan Moorhen Bean Goose Oystercatcher Pink-footed Goose Ringed Plover White-fronted Goose Golden Plover Greylag Goose Grey Plover Canada Goose Lapwing Barnacle Goose Dunlin Brent Goose Ruff Shelduck Jack Snipe Mandarin Duck Common Snipe Wigeon Woodcock Gadwall Black-tailed Godwit Teal Bar-tailed Godwit Mallard Whimbrel Pintail Curlew Garganey Redshank Shoveler Greenshank Pochard Green Sandpiper Tufted Duck Common Sandpiper Scaup Wood Sandpiper Goldeneye Kingfisher OTHERS OTHERS

- 13 -

WHERE TO WATCH BUTTERFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES IN CLEVELAND

Following his popular talk in January 2006, Graham Megson describes where to find some of Cleveland’s most interesting butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.

BUTTERFLIES

Dingy Skipper This species is declining in the region but a good site to see it is along the Hart to Haswell Walkway - a Local Nature Reserve PAINTED LADY Graham Megson (LNR) in Hartlepool.

Purple Hairstreak Clouded Yellow The only habitat to seek this insect is oak This is a migrant butterfly which occasionally woodland. Newton Woods, below Roseberry reaches Cleveland, usually in late summer. Topping, is one site but I believe that if you Rank grassy areas are as good as anywhere. check any mature oaks you are in with a Look for them when you hear there is an chance of finding it. The trick is to look in the influx. late afternoon on a hot sunny day, as the day

begins to cool down. Orange-tip

A spring butterfly which is widespread and White-letter Hairstreak easily seen around woodland edges, lanes This butterfly is associated with elms. and parkland. Despite the ravages of Dutch Elm Disease,

there are still plenty of these trees around, Green Hairstreak especially suckers and re-growth. In July, I This is a heathland/ moorland butterfly, often have found them at the Hartlepool border found in areas of bilberry and gorse. I know along the Hart to Haswell LNR, in the woods two sites, around Fen Bog on Eston Moor and at Castle Eden Walkway Country Park and on the valley behind Scaling Dam Reservoir. the edge of Wynyard Estate. A good place is

by the junction of the Upleatham Village road and the A173 Guisborough to Skelton road (NZ 633181). It has also been reported from Errington Woods and some of the East Cleveland woodlands.

Small Copper This species needs acidic grassland, so look for it anywhere grassy on the moors, at South Gare, North Gare, Coatham Marsh, Maze Park or in the Tees Estuary. DINGY SKIPPER Jamie Duffie Northern Brown Argus This is well known from coastal denes in County Durham but Cleveland it has only one or two small colonies around Crimdon Dene and Hart Warren SSSI.

Common Blue This is a butterfly of species-rich grassland. It can be seen at South Gare and around the Dorman’s Pool plateau as well as in other areas of suitable grassland.

GRAYLING Martin Blick Painted Lady This species is a migrant to this country. Some years it can be quite scarce but in - 14 - other years such as this year many habitats. It has been reported from a number thousands may visit Cleveland and it can of localities, including Saltburn Gill, Hazel become one of our commoner butterflies. Grove Saltburn, Skelton Castle, various Stockton sites and the Hart to Haswell LNR in Hartlepool.

Wall Brown This is said to be declining, but still has colonies on the coast and at some inland locations such as the Hart to Haswell LNR. I see it on Saltburn Cliffs and in Saltburn Valley Gardens.

Grayling This is another recent coloniser, which has spread rapidly along the Tees corridor. It is COMMON BLUE Damian Money easily found in late summer on railway sidings and previously developed sites, such as Maze Park Stockton, Port Authority land, between Steel House (Corus) and Coatham Marsh and also on the north side of the river, around the Reclamation Pond.

Ringlet This is widespread in rank grassy areas, such as Flatts Lane Country Park, Godfalter Hill, the Hart to Haswell LNR and Crimdon Dene.

PURPLE HAIRSTREAK Clare Dell

GREEN HAIRSTREAK Graham Megson COMMA Unknown Holly Blue This is widespread and can be found in both suburban and rural areas. It is often found in parks, gardens and cemeteries, where holly and ivy are abundant.

Comma This butterfly has become common and widespread in the last ten years. Search for it in wooded areas, such as the Flatts Lane, Guisborough Branch Walkway and Castle Eden Dene Country Parks, Eston Hills, Hart to WALL BROWN Damian Money Haswell LNR, Saltburn Valley Gardens and even parks and cemeteries.

Speckled Wood This is a recent arrival in the last two to three years, which will no doubt become common and widespread. It is a butterfly of wooded glades and rides, so search for it in those - 15 - has recently expanded its range into the North East. It can be found in the Tees Estuary, as well as in coastal locations when migrating. Many thousands occasionally migrate from the Continent. The Southern Hawker is another stripy dragonfly, similar to the previous two, but can be confidently identified with care. Again it is widespread by water but also occurs in parks, meadows, scrub and woodland. It breeds in small RINGLET Graham Megson ponds, often in woodlands, but also in gardens. Rarer, but easier to identify, is the One species not yet recorded but certainly Brown Hawker . This has a largely brown expanding northwards towards us is the abdomen but the real give-away is the dark Hedge Brown (or Gatekeeper ). It is now wings. The only one that I have seen in well established as close as Ripon and this is Cleveland was a dead one at Guisborough predicted to become our next new species. Branch Walkway.

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES

There are two species of demoiselle, but only one occurs in Cleveland. This is the Banded Demoiselle , which occurs on the River Leven, east of Yarm, where it inhabits slow- flowing water. There is also a small colony at Billingham Beck Country Park.

A common and widespread damsel is the

Emerald Damselfly , which can be found BANDED DEMOISELLE Martin Blick around the edges of many marshy pools, such as Lovell Hill Ponds (viewed from the public footpath at NZ600187) and around the Tees Estuary. The large Red Damselfly is also very common and you should have little trouble locating it around marshy ponds.

There is a group of small, blue damsels and these look very similar. A good view of the second segment back from the head is needed, as this is where the diagnostic markings occur. Look carefully to distinguish BROAD-BODIED CHASER Martin Blick the Azure damsel from the Common Blue Damsel, both of which occur widely throughout Cleveland. The Blue-tailed Damselfly is abundant and is the only blue- tailed species to occur here.

Dragonflies are tied to open water for breeding but, on emerging, the adults leave the wetlands and can travel long distances. They find suitable places to feed and mature, often in woodland glades, before returning to take up breeding duties. There is a group SOUTHERN HAWKER Graham Catley called the hawkers, of which Cleveland has Our largest dragonfly is the Emperor . Look three or four species. for it around well vegetated ponds, such as

at Billingham Beck, Stillington (NZ 377240), The Common Hawker is essentially a Dormans Pool, Cowpen Bewley Woodland species of acidic ponds and breeds in moorland pools but can wander well away Park and the Kirkleatham Business Park from these areas. The Migrant Hawker is pond. There have been one or two claims of a late summer to early autumn species which Lesser Emperor and there is a definite record of a Vagrant Emperor , with a dead - 16 - insect being found on the ICI Wilton site a Darter , which has not been reported for few years ago. some considerable time. Good places to seek out vagrants are along the coast. The golf The Golden-ringed Dragonfly favours course pools and dunes between South Gare moorland streams and I found it along two and Warrenby hold thousands of Common becks on moorland to the south of Lockwood Darters in the late summer. Beck Reservoir in 2005. I suspect that it occurs on a number of other moorland The butterfly and dragonfly season is a long steams within the Cleveland boundary. The one. Although some species have very short Four-spot Chaser is a big species, which is flight times, watchers can record insects from common around Carr Pond on Eston Moor early spring through to late autumn. It is and around Dormans Pool. possible to see the majority of the Cleveland species in one year. Two species that have recently started to occur are the Broad-bodied Chaser and The Butterfly Conservation recorder for the Black-tailed Skimmer . They favour Cleveland is Dave O’Brien, who will be open sites with standing water. delighted to receive butterfly records and can provide a record sheet to be either e-mailed Cleveland has three of the commoner darters or posted to him. His email address is: – the Ruddy Darter , Common Darter and [email protected] Black Darter . The latter is a moorland species and can be seen well at Carr Pond on Unfortunately there isn’t currently a dragonfly Eston Moor. It also occurs, however, at the recording scheme in Cleveland. The nearest pond in Kirkleatham Business Park and at branch of the British Dragonfly Society (see Dormans and other pools in the Tees www.dragonflysoc.org.uk ) is in West Estuary. The two red darters, Common Yorkshire. Darter and Ruddy Darter , occur widely. There are numerous books and web pages Two other species are vagrants, with the dedicated to these fascinating insects and I Red-veined Darter occurring in small hope that this article will enable you to get to numbers in some years and Yellow-winged grips with many of Cleveland’s species.

THE 2006 BIRD RACE – NO SLEEP ‘TIL LONGNEWTON

In this feature, Graeme Joynt reviews the record- team of 1994. Clearly, none of us had aged breaking Bird Race of May 2006 a day and it was obvious that we were all in peak physical condition. At the stroke of midnight on 5th May 2006, 4 crazy/intrepid birders were standing on the It was Mark who pointed out that the clock edge of a reedbed in complete darkness! had just clicked past midnight and that 6th Our goal was a simple one – to see or hear May was underway. We had started out at as many species as possible in Cleveland in a Haverton Hole in the vague hope that a single day. The rules of the game were Spotted Crake, trapped there a couple of straightforward; no tapes allowed and all days previously, would be calling during the birds must be seen or heard by at least 3 of hours of darkness. Predictably, there was the team (the fourth being the appointed not a squeak (or should that be a whiplash?) ‘Recorder’ and hence allowed to miss out due from the Crake, but a noisy Sedge Warbler to the duties of list-keeping). was the first bird of the day. Off and running – just 142 more for the record! The reflected The target for the day was, at the very least, lights of industrial Teesside enabled us to to achieve a top-ten score (130+); the record actually see a few things and the second bird of 142 would be unbelievable; while the ‘Holy was a Ruddy Duck on one of the nearby Grail’ of 150 still seemed unachievable. pools. We added a few more common birds, Ahead of us lay 24 hours of non-stop birding, plus a fly-over Little Ringed Plover and a extreme fatigue and enough burgers and calling Water Rail, before we decided to give chocolate bars to slow even Mark Askew up on the Crake and head off. Thankfully, down – but what would the birding Gods Mark’s car was still where we had left it and throw our way? Apart from Mark, I had also we took a quick drive around the North Tees recruited Geoff Iceton and Stewart Hinley, Marshes, adding a few more birds, though reuniting the near-legendary record holding nothing special.

- 17 - We decided to head over to the Guisborough which was destined to cause us problems all area, stopping en route to check out a Barn day. If Mark has sharp ears, then Geoff has Owl site, where we spent a little while eyes to match and his sudden shout of spotlighting the fields in vain. At this point ‘Osprey!!’ was a real pulse-quickener! This we were stopped by 2 Police Officers (a male superb raptor flew right over our heads, and a female), a guaranteed occurrence heading for Guisborough. Getting both during a Bird Race, but they seemed to Nightjar and Osprey so early boded well and believe our (frankly ridiculous) story and we I think we all felt that this could be our day. were allowed to go on our way, though it Two Siskins were a real bonus and we added transpired that one of the Coppers had seen more species in and below Hutton Village – a Barn Owl nearby quite recently! most notable were Marsh Tit, Spotted Thoroughly gripped, we wondered what a Flycatcher and Sparrowhawk. Mark’s pair of Police Officers must do to pass the amazing hearing came into play again when night shift in Yearby, before moving on to he suddenly announced that he could hear a Margrove Ponds, where a Grasshopper Crossbill calling. Despite the complete Warbler was reeling close to the car. This silence, the rest of us couldn’t hear a thing, was arguably the first ‘good’ bird of the day but, after fully 10 seconds, a Crossbill came and we realised that we could have started ‘chipping’ by - another real extra. Our next out at 3 o’clock and not have lost any port of call was Newton Woods, where Mark ground. Still, hindsight is a wonderful thing had staked out a Redstart for us during the and we had clocked up 25 species in the previous week. This is normally a site we hours of darkness, giving us a real shot at visit late in the day but a slight change of the record for the fastest 100 in a day. I had route this year proved to be a great decision planned that we would now walk up into for 2 reasons. For one thing, yomping up the Guisborough Forest in the dark and hope that track to the wood is much easier at the start the Nightjars may have returned, though of the day (when you still have the energy admittedly it did seem to be too early in the required), while for another the lack of year. Still, the clearing in question was good disturbance at 6am makes birding that much for Tree Pipits and there was certain to be a easier. Both Whitethroat and Herring Gull good selection of woodland birds up there. were new, while the woods themselves came At this point, it has to be said that some of up trumps with Garden Warbler, the hoped- our team (i.e. Stew and Geoff) were for Redstart, Linnet, Yellowhammer, House decidedly reluctant to undertake the arduous Martin, Goldfinch and Magpie. Following the walk in the dark and some serious persuasion disappointment of the Geoff/Mark only Green was required. Mark was reasonably keen Woodpecker at Hutton, a yaffling bird here though and he was soon leading the trudge was surely a sign that the record was on. up the hill into the Forest, with the rest of us We have rarely recorded this species before, trailing behind. The pace quickened when he so to get 2 in a day was quite remarkable. shouted back that he could hear a Nightjar! We now decided to head towards the Over the next 45 minutes we enjoyed a estuary, via Starling and House Sparrow in wonderful daybreak in the forest clearing, Guisborough, then up the A19, adding Lesser with close views of the Nightjar hawking for Black-back and Kestrel on the way. insects, churring and giving the loud ‘gu-ik’ call. This was the first time that any team Around this time, we received calls from had ever recorded Nightjar on a Bird Race Richard Taylor and Colin Dodsworth, both of and gave us all a huge boost. We all agreed whom had got up early and staked out some that, however the day went from now on, it goodies for us. We didn’t need any help with had been worthwhile for this experience a Lesser Whitethroat singing at Saltholme but alone. Richard had found us a Pintail on Dormans Pool and we were also able to pick up Great As dawn broke, birds began calling and we Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, soon added Woodcock, Red Grouse, Cuckoo, Common Tern, Swift and Reed Bunting to put Tree Pipit and a host of common woodland us on 85 for the day. Just round the corner birds. The Cuckoo was the only one we at Saltholme, Colin was waiting for us and we heard all day, an indication of just how steep were soon enjoying Black-tailed Godwit, Pink- a decline the species has endured in recent footed Goose, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Grey years. Mark led us down through the wood Heron, Ruff, Wigeon and Pied Wagtail. into Hutton Village, his sharp ears picking up Another call from Richard took us past plenty of new birds as we walked back Cowpen Marsh and a couple of Whimbrel and downhill, including Treecreeper, Goldcrest, on to Greenabella, where we watched in Blackcap and Coal Tit. Surprisingly, we didn’t amazement as a Stonechat and a Whinchat see or hear a Jay during this walk, a species had some sort of dispute over just who the - 18 - Marsh belonged to – unbelievable! We also forgotten when Richard rang to say that he knocked off Meadow Pipit and Skylark, a had a Buzzard over Dormans Pool and I am couple of very common birds that had eluded ashamed to say that we deserted our helper us until now, while a quick tally revealed that and dashed round to see the Buzzard circling we were on 98 and within reach of the over the pools. If this wasn’t enough, both fastest 100 record. A quick stop on Seaton Scaup and Common Sandpiper were both Front and a dash across the grass produced a visible on the Reclamation Pond, but the icing Wheatear, a Little Tern (our 100th bird, at on the cake was provided by a low flying 7.57 am) and some Sanderling. We had passerine which flew close by, uttering a shaved 6 minutes off the time for the fastest plaintive note. My brain (and the rest of the 100, but more importantly we knew that we team’s) had just computed that it was a Lark had a lot of guaranteed birds left to see and when Geoff shouted ‘Shore Lark!’ – what a that the record was on. The sea-watch was bonus and, like Buzzard, another bird that we clearly going to be ‘make or break’ time, so had never had in past attempts. A quick trip we hurried on to the Headland and set up round to Saltholme Farm produced a our scopes by the lighthouse. At this point, Greenshank (thanks Derek) and a stop at Geoff went into overdrive and we picked up Greatham Creek gave us a single Knot Merganser, Sandwich Tern, Gannet, (though still no Little Egret). Guillemot, Eider, Cormorant, Kittiwake, Common Scoter, Razorbill, Puffin, Arctic Tern, Next stop was Haverton Hole and I must say Red-throated Diver, Manxie and Turnstone. it seemed like a lot more than 12 hours since Having seen all that we could reasonably we were last there. Two Grey Partridges hope for, we headed off (Purple Sandpiper were our 135th species at 11.57am and we and Stock Dove en route) towards a perched already had the 4th highest total on record, Peregrine that Colin had staked out for us. even though it was still (just) morning. We While watching the falcon, a partridge flew were hoping for 2 real bonuses here and across in front of us – Mark and I casually were delighted to see both Little Gull and raised our bins to see that it was a Red-leg, a Red-necked Grebe with relative ease – the scarce bird on the north side and another Grebe had been around for quite a while and bonus. We still needed Grey Partridge, so we were pleased it had decided to stay until when Colin mentioned that he had seen a our big day. At this point it couldn’t have pair in a ploughed field near Elwick, we been going any better and we new that the decided to head that way. Just before we record was ours, barring a complete disaster. reached the field in question, a quick check A trip to Portrack Marsh didn’t produce of a bird on a roadside wire revealed a Kingfisher, but we did see our only singing Corn Bunting, a real mega these days Bullfinches of the day here, a surprising state and a bird we had been unable to find during of affairs. We knew that there were some scouting missions in the preceding weeks. Mandarins on a pool in Yarm, though their When we reached Colin’s field, the Partridges origin was in serious doubt, even by the were not there, but another Corn Bunting standards of a dodgy introduction; we was singing from the wires. It was now 9.30 decided to tick first and ask questions later. and we had 120 species on the list, an One bird which we had failed on completely outstanding performance. was Tree Sparrow, a potentially tricky species, so I decided to ring Chris Bielby, as I Another telephone call from Richard soon had knew that he had a pair nesting in his back us back in the car and speeding (literally) garden. Chris was predictably obliging and towards Saltholme, where a Little Stint had we enjoyed not only his Tree Sparrows, but just been found. We soon had the Stint in also orange juice and biscuits. He almost the scope and a thorough scan of the pools caused a major problem by offering us a produced Sand Martin, Yellow Wagtail, lager, but since Stew and I can’t stop at one Common Gull and Garganey, all new for the we decided to pass and quickly move on! day. One bird that we hadn’t found was South Gare was next, a whistle-stop visit Little Egret, so we were grateful when Colin producing Shag and Grey Plover. We had agreed to walk the ditches on Cowpen Marsh now equalled the record of 142 and it was in an effort to find one for us. Watching his still only 3pm. We knew that the long- athletic form stumbling across the marsh, we staying Ring-necked Duck was still on were delighted to see him flush first a Teal, Coatham Marsh, but a thorough search followed by 2 summer plumaged waders – a appeared to be in vain, with no sign of our Bar-tailed Godwit and a Golden Plover! What quarry. However, ‘one last look’ did the trick, the Godwit was doing on Cowpen was with some nice views of this American anyone’s guess, but we weren’t about to vagrant, which had presumably been hiding argue! Colin’s Egret quest was soon in the reeds – the record was now broken, - 19 - with our 143rd bird at 3.30pm. After some gratuitous self-congratulation, we decided to We had now seen 147 species and were take half an hour out with a trip to running out of options, so we headed for McDonalds, where we proceeded to refuel Acklam and the resident Ring-necked and plan our next move. Parakeets. Within minutes, we had seen our quarry and had a little time to explore the Unfortunately, it is a fact that, no matter how surrounding wooded areas for Jay, again good a Bird Race day is, you are sure to have without success. So it was back to the a period in the day when things don’t go your estuary, where Derek Clayton found us a way and we were about to endure it. We Short-eared Owl at Dormans Pool and on to headed south towards our sure-fire Rock Haverton Hole for a smart Wood Sandpiper, Pipits at Skinningrove, where the species is courtesy of Martin Blick. We had done it – guaranteed – or that was the plan. Despite a 150 species in Cleveland in a day, a feat we lengthy walk south along the rocky coast, no thought might never be possible. However, Pipits were to be found and we wasted a we were aware that the Yarm Mandarins may good 45 minutes looking for them. Even not be accepted, so we really needed 151 to more annoyingly, we later found out that be sure. Right on cue, John Grieveson and they were easy to see at South Gare, where Chris Sharp combined to get information to we had done our whistle-stop tour. Still, we us that there was a Little Egret on already had the record, so we decided to Greenabella – a short walk down the seawall push on to a small wood where Mark had and I spotted the bird feeding on one of the located a pair of Willow Tits during the more distant pools. We still had plenty of previous year’s Breeding Bird Survey. A walk daylight left, but we were diverted by a through the area in question produced very report of a Red-rumped Swallow at Ingleby little and certainly no Willow Tits. We were Barwick, which failed to show despite a mass also starting to worry about Jay, as we still arrival of birders. We finished with a Little hadn’t seen one and time was running out. Owl near Longnewton, courtesy of Richard It was 5.30 when we arrived at Scaling Dam, Taylor, giving us a final day total of 152 quickly locating the Goldeneye that Colin had (including Mandarin). A last search for Long- staked out for us just a couple of hours eared Owl was fruitless and it started to rain, earlier – our first day tick for an amazing 2 so we called it a day at 10pm, after 22 hours hours. Fortunately, it took less than a minute in the field. to see both Lesser Redpoll and Grey Wagtail by the car park at Lockwood Beck, so things Looking back on the day, a number of things were looking up again and spirits were strike me about it. Without the help of some raised. But where would we find Willow Tit keen local birders, we would not have done and Jay? A quick call to Martin Blick sent us anywhere near as well; thank you all, in scurrying off to Margrove Ponds, a site where particular Colin and Richard, who went out of Martin had seen Willow Tits on a regular their way to pin down and stay with birds basis. throughout the day. Interestingly, these events are actually a crude, but effective As we walked along the track at the rear of barometer of bird populations. Over nearly the main pools, a medium sized passerine 20 years of off-and-on Bird Races, it is clear flew up from the side of the track and that species diversity has increased; birds vanished in to a bush. We all looked at each such as Greylag and Canada Geese, Ruddy other; clearly we were all stumped! It was Duck, Pochard and Stonechat are now easy Mark who said quietly that he thought it compared to the 1980s, when they were hard might be a Wryneck and it certainly seemed to find. On the down side, Corn Bunting, like the most reasonable option, though Bullfinch and Willow Tit all seem much seeing yet another rare bird today seemed tougher than they used to be. So perhaps highly improbable. After a short wait, there it there is a little to be learnt from what is was – a spanking Wryneck, sitting out in the essentially a fun (?) day out. open – what a find! After enjoying the bird for a while, we put the news out and decided to leave; after all, Wryneck for Willow Tit seemed a fair swap. At this point, we realised that tactically, we had made an error finding such a good bird – all Cleveland’s keenest birders were now heading for ‘our’ Wryneck, instead of finding us some more good birds! Surely it wasn’t supposed to work this way round? - 20 - agree with me when I change that to a ‘maybe’. OK, we did incredibly well and to find Nightjar, Osprey, Shore Lark and Wryneck in a single day is pretty amazing. But we missed Spotted Redshank, Turtle Dove and Marsh Harrier, all of which were seen on the day, while I reckon the following species were also present in Cleveland that day: Rock Pipit, Jay, Goshawk, Goosander, Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Kingfisher, Dipper, Willow Tit, Hawfinch and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. So in theory there were potentially 166 species in Cleveland on

THE 2006 BIRD RACE TEAM: From left, Graeme 6th May 2006 – could this be a record in Joynt, Geoff Iceton, Mark Askew and Stewart Hinley itself? (or is it ‘Take That’ prior to their sell-out concert at Ingleby Barwick!) So will we do it again in 2007? Absolutely not…..OK, maybe……go on then, count me So can 152 be beaten? Well, if you had in. See you at midnight at Haverton Hole! asked me before 6th May 2006 I would have said not. I think the rest of the team will

PROFILE – RUSSELL McANDREW

In this, the fourth in a series of profiles of alternative site is Greatham Creek, upstream local birders, Ted Parker talked to former of the road bridge, which is still pristine Chairman, Vice-Chairman and long-serving saltmarsh and a place where you never know Committee member, Russell McAndrew about what you’re going to find around the next his birding life. Russell has made an meander. It is also one of the few sites in enormous contribution to the Club’s activities the Tees Estuary that is less developed now over the years and currently sits on all three than it was years ago, due to the removal of of the its Sub-Committees. He has a wealth all of the many house boats which were of knowledge concerning the Tees Estuary dotted over the area. and is a true, all-round birder.

Russell was born in West Hartlepool in March 1945 and he still lives in Hartlepool today. He is a retired microbiologist, formerly working at Hartlepool General Hospital. He has been interested in wildlife for as long as he can remember, though he recalls that his birding started at the age of 11, inspired as many of us were at that time, by the legendary Peterson guide. Russell couldn’t afford binoculars until he was 13 and until then used a pair of second-hand ones that were optically poor compared to those of today. He started regularly keeping bird notes from January 1958 but, not being an avid lister, he has no idea how many birds he has seen in Cleveland, though he does know that he has independently found at least 230 species for himself, including some ‘firsts’. His local patch used to be Low Throston Carr, until it became a housing estate, and he now regularly watches Hartlepool Bay, where he undertakes the monthly WeBS counts. Russell’s best local patch, however, is his garden, which, being near the coast, has The optics Russell uses are an Opticron BGA turned up some good birds in the past, 8 x 42 Monocular and an Optolyth TB80 including Red-backed Shrike. His favourite ‘scope. His favourite bird book is the BTO’s - 21 - ‘New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Teesmouth – he would value this more than Ireland 1988-91’, which he feels is one of the finding a real rarity! Russell describes his most important and useful ever produced. most embarrassing moment as finding Russell’s associated interests embrace all Cleveland’s first Lesser Crested Tern but aspects of natural and local history. When assumed it to be an aberrant Sandwich Tern asked about the most impressive birding site because it was mated to a male of this he has ever visited, Russell was emphatic species and reported it as such. Bearing in that it was Islay in winter – for its wildness mind the difficulties of yellow-billed tern and the sheer numbers of geese. His best identification, particularly in the early 1980s, birding days in Cleveland were during his I think many of us would excuse this teenage years in the big autumn ‘falls’ of 4th understandable mistake. Changes Russell September 1958 and 17th September 1960, would like to see include the serious, local, when there were many Bluethroats and competitive listers transferring their efforts to associated migrants. When asked about his monthly listing, rather than annual, as this best personal finds, Russell cited these as would ensure a more radical coverage of being Cleveland’s first records of Red- Cleveland. Few competitive birders, he feels, breasted Flycatcher and Dusky Thrush at are interested in Bramblings in December but Hartlepool in October and December 1959 they certainly are in January, when year- respectively. Other birds that he has found listing. Monthly listing would spread the or been involved in the process of finding are effort more evenly over the year and produce impressive and include Cleveland’s first more ornithological data, as occurred in the records of Paddyfield Warbler (Hartlepool, 1960s. Russell’s main concerns for the future 1969), Savi’s Warbler (Haverton Hole, 1982), are the loss of further inter-tidal habitat in Lesser Crested Tern (Seaton Snook, 1984) the Tees Estuary through development and and Penduline Tit (Haverton Hole, 1992). ‘coastal squeeze’ (a natural process, caused Despite this, Russell finds it hard to name his by a rise in sea level over time). Certainly, most memorable bird, though he was, the Club will do all it can to prevent further however, clear about his ambition bird: to habitat loss. prove the first successful breeding of Eider at

CLEVELAND BIRDING SITES - PORTRACK MARSH

This new feature is intended to describe multiplicity of wildlife, from Common Blue to some of the less well-known birding sites in Common Newt. This 50-acre Tees Valley Cleveland. Gary Sharples is a keen birder Wildlife Trust reserve lies on the north bank and visits Portrack Marsh perhaps more than of the River Tees sandwiched between the anyone else. He writes detailed annual Tees Barrage and the A19 flyover (OS grid reports on its birds. Here he reviews what is reference NZ465195). Historically, the marsh fast becoming a rapidly emerging site on the nestled within a meander in the river, which edge of the Tees Estuary. looped around its northern fringe. In the early part of the 19th century, ships heading If you were not familiar with Portrack Marsh to Stockton had to be dragged by horses before, you probably are now thanks to the around this section, hence the name “Port unexpected arrival of two little masked Rack”. Eventually a cut was made in 1830 to invaders earlier this year. However, there is exclude the bend and ease traffic congestion considerably more to this site than attractive on the water. The resulting artificial oxbow rarities. Flanked by heavy industry, retail lake was partially filled in and the western parks, railway sidings, and a sewage works, part of the loop, known as Portrack Lake, Portrack Marsh affords an oasis for a was finally lost during the 1970s.

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PLAN OF PORTRACK MARSH Courtesy of Tees Valley Wildlife Trust

Today, the marsh incorporates a mixture of easy to catch up with, offering a touch of shallow and deeper water pools, surrounded colour to brighten up the short, dull days. by gradually expanding reedbeds (containing Chiffchaffs occasionally winter in the trees at reedmace and phragmites) and grassland, the northern end and a couple of Stonechats with mature hawthorn bushes to the west play hide and seek amongst the reeds. and a line of trees along the northern edge. Siskins and Lesser Redpolls regularly adorn Saplings have been planted to the north and the alder trees. The hawthorns along the south of the main pool. Such an excellent western border formerly held roosting Long- range of habitats makes this an enjoyable eared Owls and two were present this spring, site to visit in any season, although winter is although these were the first in 5 years. best for birds. Wild flowers, butterflies and Hunting Short-eared Owls are much more dragonflies provide additional interest during likely. Redshank and Lapwing are present in the quieter summer months. Grey Seals good numbers; they feed on the river bank gorge themselves on salmon and sea trout and take refuge on the marsh at high tide. and otters have been spotted in recent years. Shoveler, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Typically, 90-100 bird species visit annually, Teal frequent the pools, occasionally joined with a total of 153 species recorded overall. by Goldeneye or Scaup. Coastal species are Those most likely to be encountered are sometimes enticed upstream by the large described below. numbers of fish trapped below the Barrage. Red-throated Diver, Red-breasted Merganser, Winter: Jack Snipe are regular in small Shag, Common Scoter and Guillemot have all numbers and tend to favour the former been recorded. The five common gull species settling tanks next to the sewage works at are evident and a Yellow-legged Gull the eastern edge of the reserve. Common frequented the nearby Tees Barrage from Snipe can number several hundred and June 2004 to March 2006 and may yet make Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and Bullfinch are a return visit.

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VIEWS OF PORTRACK MARSH Photographs by Gary Sharples

Spring: Sand Martins are often the first of the summer migrants to arrive and linger to nest Rarities are indeed rare but have included in the southern bank of the river at Maze some exciting finds: Bluethroat (May 1995), Park. Regular spring passage visitors include Pectoral Sandpiper (September 1994), Wheatear and Whinchat. This is a reliable site Spotted Crake (May 1996), Corncrake (June for Grasshopper Warbler, with 2-3 reeling 1998), Ring-billed Gull (February 2001 and into July. Other common warblers include March 2002), Great White Egret (August Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and 2001 and October 2002) and Penduline Tit Sedge Warbler. Singing Reed Warblers have (March-April 2006). Some commoner bird been more evident in the last two years. species are surprisingly thin on the ground Water levels on the marsh are often high, so here. For instance, House Sparrow has yet to wader passage is mainly restricted to be officially recorded within the marsh Common Sandpiper and Ringed Plover. boundaries. Others due a first visit include Common Terns arrive in the second week of Barnacle Goose, Black-necked Grebe, May and remain throughout the summer. Brambling, Coal Tit and Little Egret, giving plenty of scope for new additions to the list. Summer: As expected, this is the quietest period for birds. Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen Access: Portrack Marsh can be accessed and Lapwing all breed, as do Mute Swan and from Thornaby railway station (a 15-20 Canada Goose, albeit more sporadically. Little minute walk) or by car from the A66; there is Ringed Plovers have bred in the past (2002) ample parking at the Talpore Travel Inn and but have not been seen in the last two years. on both sides of the river at the barrage. The Lesser Black-backed Gulls are numerous and site is also accessible by bicycle as part of the Oystercatcher and Curlew regularly fly over National Cycle Network (see: but rarely land. Common Terns resting on the www.sustrans.org.uk and main pool are sometimes joined by one or www.doitbycycle.com). Further useful two Sandwich Terns. information can be found in ‘Where to Watch Birds – Northeast England’ by Britton and Autumn: By late summer significant amounts Day (ISBN 0-7136-6826-1). An annual report of mud can be exposed and waders such as detailing the birds recorded in the vicinity of Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Portrack Marsh and the Tees Barrage is Ruff show well. Green Sandpiper, Wood available from the author (contact: Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Knot and [email protected]). Any Turnstone have also occurred but much less additional sightings are very welcome. frequently. Gadwall and Wigeon are at their commonest during this passage period.

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Following the update by Kevin Bayes at our April 2006 AGM, Peter Evans , formerly of ICI, outlines the emergence of RSPB Saltholme from the Teesmouth International Nature Reserve project.

The Saltholme/Cowpen area formerly belonged to ICI and was managed by the Billingham and, later, the Agricultural Division. Saltholme Pools were part of Saltholme Farm, which was run as a commercial enterprise by the Division. In order to provide more grazing land, the farm management wished to drain the pools. This would have been a disaster but we managed to quash the idea, declare the area a reserve and put up a sign saying so. Before I retired, I got the Division Board to approve a paper setting out the policy for all the land it was responsible for, including the Saltholme Pools and Haverton Hole. Before this could be implemented, the Division was sold to various companies, including Huntsman, Ineos and Terra and the spare land was passed to the newly-formed Teesside Development Corporation (TDC). The Chairman, Sir Ron Norman was a keen birder and encouraged ICI ecologist Ken Smith to draw up a plan for an ‘ International Nature Reserve’ . This was developed by consultants into a grandiose scheme, which included a hotel. The TDC Board, however, were unenthusiastic and the Treasury would probably not have granted the large amount of capital required. Nonetheless, there were substantial diggings and very expensive reeds were brought in from Norfolk as a start of the planned reed bed. I had hoped that they would bring some Swallowtail butterfly larvae and their food plant with them, but none were found. When the TDC was terminated, the land passed automatically to the Government body, English Estates (later to become English Partnerships).

RSPB SALTHOLME RESERVE Plan courtesy of RSPB

The area was in the heartland of INCA, but INCA had neither the remit nor the funds to develop a major nature reserve. However, the chairman, Joe Campbell, ex Chairman of British Steel, persuaded a number of eminent local people to join him in setting up the Teesside Environmental Trust (TET) and raising enough money to make a start. The Trust operates out of the INCA office. A hydrological study was commissioned, because control of water levels was going to be key to any scheme. It was also crucial to clear the existing drainage, though this was difficult because vital sections were on land belonging to other organisations and it took several years to achieve. It was all a bit ‘hairy’, as TET was working on land it did not own and it was a long time before they managed to extract it from English Partnerships. In fact this has only just been achieved. The Trust recognised that an expert partner was required and invited the RSPB to join them to develop the new Saltholme Reserve, which brings us up to the present situation.

NEW LAKE (Courtesy of RSPB) REED PLANTING (Courtesy of RSPB) LOWER TEES (Environment Agency) - 25 -

WETLAND BIRD SURVEY TEESMOUTH SPRING 2006 SUMMARY

SPECIES APRIL MAY JUNE For the first time, the 9th 14th 11th whole of the new Saltholme Little Grebe 23 19 12 RSPB Reserve was covered Great Crested Grebe 36 35 30 as part of an expanded Cormorant 45 80 101 Tees site. Overall coverage Mute Swan 39 44 49 was very good, with 76 out Shelduck 403 351 320 of a possible 78 sector Gadwall 138 92 147 * counts undertaken. Teal 248 2 5 Naturally, the expanded Mallard 151 232 195 geographical coverage Shoveler 49 20 57 means that total figures are Pochard 66 61 63 no longer strictly comparable with previous Tufted Duck 196 182 136 years Eider 9 15 26

Coot 528 367 387 However, the spring Oystercatcher 222 601 615 brought new seasonal Ringed Plover 13 125 53 WeBS records for Great Golden Plover 306 0 0 Crested Grebe (36, April), Grey Plover 5 10 15 Gadwall (147, June), Lapwing 121 182 229 Tufted Duck (196, April), Knot 222 9 0 Golden Plover (306, April), Sanderling 79 182 * 30 Dunlin (568, May) and Purple Sandpiper 16 0 0 Curlew (620, April). The Dunlin 8 568 26 April Shelduck count of 403 Ruff 1 1 0 was our best spring total Snipe 24 1 1 since 1997. Bar-tailed Godwit 30 30 3 Curlew 620 36 14 May peaks of Ringed Plover Redshank 722 40 31 (125) and Sanderling (182) Turnstone 125 44 0 were however Sandwich Tern 0 96 18 disappointing, the former Common Tern 0 109 595 being the worst spring Little Tern 0 15 11 showing since 1994.

Underlined counts indicate Spring 2006 maxima. Following this series of counts, the site supports * Denotes count of >50% of national significance for that species no species of national importance in spring. NB: ‘Teesmouth’ includes Hartlepool Bay and the RSPB Saltholme Sanderling loses its Reserve nationally important status (at least as regards WeBS core counts), while the national significance thresholds for both Cormorant and Gadwall have recently been increased, and now exceed the current Tees figures.

Mike Leakey (Local Organiser – Tees Wetland Bird Survey)

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