Teesmouth Bird Club Newsletter April 2013 (No. 54) Reg. Charity 508850 CONTENTS MONTHLY SUMMARIES Monthly Summaries 1 Chris Sharp reviews the main highlights of the late autumn and winter periods of 2012-2013, which, in addition to the TBC Annual Report 6 more common species, produced some scarce birds for our Conservation Sub-committee news 9 area. Sale of Mike Corner’s books 10 NOVEMBER 2012 Appointment of Club Publicity Officer 10 Feeding Stations 10 Club Woodcock Survey 2013 11 N. Tynedale Hen Harriers: RSPB request 13 TBC training courses 13 TBC day trip to North Northumberland 14 Local Outings, May to September 15 TBC Outing to Tophill Low 16 Site Guide: Old Cemetery & North Sands 16 Blast from the Past 19 New York, New York 20 Profile – Gary Sharples 22 Wetland Bird Survey – Summary 24 TBC Publications 26 TBC clothing order form 27 TBC Woodcock Survey form 28 The TBC Newsletter is published three times a year. Production : Editor Ted Parker, layout Eric James, distribution Chris Sharp, web download Jamie Duffie Buzzard and Carrion Crow, Greenabella Renton Charman A Great Grey Shrike on Greenabella Marsh lingered until 12th and was the only scarce passerine of note in late autumn. A Little Auk, Great Northern Diver and two Long-tailed Ducks flew past Skinningrove on 2nd, while next day 13 Whooper Swans passed Hartlepool, with a further seven on 5th. The latter date also saw a good Mick & Sylvia Brennan southerly movement of Pink-footed Geese, with over 800 at Hartlepool. How many? (See page 11...) The long-staying Common Buzzard remained on Greenabella Marsh and stayed into 2013. One or two Marsh Harriers were also present on the 1 Short-eared Owl, Greenabella Renton Charman Cormorant, Headland Ray Scott Rock Pipit, Headland Ray Scott Goldeneye, Saltholme Ray Scott North Tees Marshes at this time. A late Swallow was at Cowbar on 9th and the same site held an impressive two Richard’s Pipits the following day. Multiple sightings of the latter species are rare in Cleveland. A Black-necked Grebe was on Greenabella Marsh on 13th before relocating to Saltholme Pools, where it remained until the month’s end. Mid- month saw several herds of Whooper Swans Starlings, Saltholme Ian Forrest passing through the area, with a maximum count of 24 on 18th. Up to three Long-eared Owls Caspian and a second-winter Glaucous Gull late in roosted at RSPB Saltholme and there were still 20 the month. Little Egrets roosting by the Tidal Pool at this time. DECEMBER 2012 Another late Swallow was at South Gare on 21st and 22nd, while sea-watching off Skinningrove Two Great Northern Divers flew past Huntcliff on next day produced two Great Northern Divers and 1st and another was found in Jackson’s Landing a Puffin. A strong northerly wind off Hartlepool on the same day, where it remained until 7th. A on 27th produced five Pomarine Skuas, four Black-throated Diver appeared at Jackson’s Bonxies and four Long-tailed Ducks. The Landing on the latter date and began a three- following day, a Black-throated Diver, 10 Brent month stay, much to the appreciation of the local Geese and a Little Auk flew past Seaton Carew. photographers. A Black Redstart was on the sea defences at The month ended with a Bittern being regularly Skinningrove early in the month and nearby there reported from RSPB Saltholme. Large numbers of were 45 Snow Buntings at Cowbar. A redhead gulls began to gather at the local landfill sites and Smew was at Crookfoot Reservoir early in the the avid gull enthusiasts picked out a first-winter 2 Great Northern Diver, Marina ‘Soloman’ Black-throated Diver, Marina Martyn Sidwell flew past Hartlepool on 13th. A Great Northern Diver did likewise off Saltburn on 16th. A fine drake Smew was at RSPB Saltholme on 21st and 22nd and the same locality held a Long-tailed Duck on 29th. Two Jack Snipes were on Portrack Marsh on 29th. Seaton Snook was particularly attractive to Snow Buntings at the turn of the year, with up to 47 being recorded. Small numbers of Twite were also here at this time. JANUARY 2013 As usual, many year lists were started early on Red-breasted Mergansers, Marina Ian Forrest 1st. Both Spotted Redshank and Greenshank were wintering on Greenabella Marsh and this is the first time for a number of years that either of these species had done so. Nearby, a Whimbrel was also wintering on Seal Sands, presumably being last year’s returning bird. A Marsh Harrier remained around the North Tees Marshes but the colder weather from mid-month meant it didn’t stay the whole winter. Also early on, a Little Gull was on the beach at Saltburn, four Jack Snipes were on Portrack Marsh and several Goosanders were in Ward Jackson Park. The roosting flock of Ring-necked Parakeets nearby also reached a new peak of 38 birds. Bar-tailed Godwit, Seaton Golf Course Ray Scott A drake Green-winged Teal was at Saltholme from 2nd, before finding Dormans Pool more to its liking later in the month, where it remained into March. A Red-necked Grebe was off Hartlepool early in the month. Seaton Common and the nearby Seaton Meadows Landfill attracted huge numbers of the larger gulls and the keen gull watchers were rewarded with several Caspian Gulls during the first two months of the year, together with up to three immature Glaucous Gulls and the occasional Iceland Gull. Nearby, Seaton Snook proved attractive to both Snow Buntings and Twite. The food supplied by the Tree Sparrow, Cowpen Bewley WP Martyn Sidwell local ringers may have had a part to play! month and another was in Jackson’s Landing on The regular Green Sandpiper again frequented 15th. Three Eurasian White-fronted Geese were the tidal Billingham Beck near Portrack at Scaling Dam on 12th and 51 Barnacle Geese roundabout and a wintering bird has now been 3 present here for the past 10 winters. Two Velvet Scoters were off Redcar on 18th but it was a poor winter for this species with none recorded on the north side of the estuary. A Slavonian Grebe joined the long-staying Black-throated Diver in Jacksons Landing from 16th and a Jack Snipe was at Bowesfield Marsh on 23rd. A pair of Smew on Greatham Saline Lagoon on 23rd were seen briefly but reappeared a few days later along with another redhead at Saltholme before finally moving to Dormans Pool, where the stayed into March. Mistle Thrush, Ward Jackson Park Ray Scott Spotted Redshank, Greenabella Ian Forrest Fieldfare, Seaton Common Tim Robinson Slavonian Grebe, Marina Mick and Sylvia Brennan Yellowhammer, Cowpen Bewley WP Ian Forrest Waxwings were still putting on a good show, with 63 in Thornaby late in the month. Long-eared Brambling, Billingham Ian Forrest Owls peaked at four in the RSPB Saltholme roost. 4 FEBRUARY 2013 Barn Owl, Long Drag Tim Robinson Tundra Bean Goose, Cowpen Marsh Ray Scott A Tundra Bean Goose was found amongst the Greylags on Cowpen Marsh on 1st, where it stayed for the rest of the month. It was very much a case of “as you were“ during February with the settled and fairly cool weather resulting in little in the way of change amongst Cleveland’s birds. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Seaton Carew on 4th and unusually high numbers of Red- breasted Mergansers were present on the North Tees Marshes during the month, with up to 38 Greenshank, Greatham Creek Ian Forrest present on various waters. A male Common Scoter was in the Greatham Creek area. Perhaps the most intriguing report of the winter was of a “white” Gyr Falcon, which flew over Hutton Lowcross Woods towards Sleddale on 9th. The bird was only observed through binoculars but apparently was not wearing jesses. The one that got away? Up to three Slavonian Grebes were on Seal Sands, often giving very close views. A pair of Long-tailed Ducks was also here and a Great Northern Diver was present on 7th. Waxwings peaked at 115 in Norton on 11th and a Water Pipit was over Dormans Pool on 15th. A Scaup and Black-headed Gull, East Saltholme Ian Forrest fine drake Scaup, now a scarce bird in Cleveland, was on Saltholme Pools from 16th. A Dark-bellied Brent Goose joined the Tundra Bean Goose on Cowpen Marsh from 17th and a lone Avocet was at Seal Sands on 19th. A Jack Snipe was at Portrack Marsh on 23rd. The highlight of the winter for many was the Bitterns at Dormans Pool, with up to four birds reported during February and they were often to be seen feeding out in the open. Many observers had their best ever views of this species from the upper car park, with the more usual fleeting flight views being replaced by lasting views on the ground. It remains to be seen whether any of these birds linger into the spring and possibly add to Cleveland’s breeding avifauna. Glaucous Gull, Headland Ray Scott 5 ANNUAL REPORT 2012 Regular activities Once again our eight evening meetings have been THE CLUB COMMITTEE very well attended, with 86 at the February Dave Nelson Chairman meeting, even the one with a change of day and Alistair Mclee Vice Chairman date, which caused all sort of confusion. If we get Chris Sharp Hon.Secretary many more attending we will need a bigger room. Mark Askew Hon.Treasurer Two coach trips were made, to Amble and Coquet John Crussell Ordinary Member appointed 2009 Island and then to North Northumberland.