Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

We've been seeing a lot of these lately now that we know what they are!  We spent a beautiful morning at Staveley today and although it seemed quite quiet on the wildlife front we had several close looks at the Sedge Warbler.

There were quite a few Grey wagtails on the far pond as well as 2 Snipe, another bird for our list!  There were 6 juvenile Shelducks, about a hundred Greylag geese, a couple cormorants, heron, a swan family and a ringed plover.

We saw many dragon flies and hawkers but are not knowledgeable enough to identify them, easily 4 - 5 different species spotted though.  We also saw a vole running along the footpath in front of us which quickly dove into the undergrowth and proceeded to swim away through the reeds.  Was this a water vole? 

Shawnna

Spring Day at Staveley

Sedge Warbler

It's been a few weeks since we've been able to get out bird watching, just too many other chores getting in the way! 

But a few weeks back we did spend a morning at Thorpe Perrow Arboretum where we spotted a Little Grebe on the ornamental pond.

Today though we went back to our local reserve and encountered a whole new range of bird song.  The water birds weren't plentiful but we were treated to 2 warblers, Sedge and Willow alomg with the Lesser Whitethroat and the Blackcap.  There were also Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins all flitting over the water for insects, making it easier to spot the differences in flight.

Shawnna

Fowl Weather

The plan today was meant to be an outing to the Saltholme RSPB site.

We had to be in Darlington first thing anyway.  But the weather in the area made it a rather risky trip on the roads with snow already causing problems on the roads first thing, so we opted instead for our more local stop at Staveley and we were rewarded with two more ducks to add to our now growing list!

Goldeneye and Scaup were our new birds with lots of Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Ducks also present.  We also got a much better sighting of the Short-eared Owl thanks to our brand new binoculars.


Shawnna

Grey morning at Staveley

Woke to a rather dismal day today with plans to try our new little scope over at Staveley Nature Reserve.  With low expectations we were delighted to add 3 new birds to our ever growing list, now at a very modest 74!

Spotted were a Short-eared Owl thanks to a kind stranger who helped us see this well hidden sleepy fellow, 2 Siskin visiting the feeders and a small flock of Yellowhammer.

Shawnna

Staveley Nature Reserve

Reed Bunting

Our first trip to the Staveley Nature Reserve today, so close to home and never even knew it was there!

What a brilliant place and a lovely morning out.

Birds sighted included:
a large flock of Lapwings
a Peregrine harassing a common Buzzard
a Barn Owl
Mallards, Coots and Wigeons on the water
Water Rail
and the usual suspects at the feeders including a first sighting for us of the Reed Bunting

Hi-light though was the otter swimming along the bank!

Shawnna