Trip reports

Sunday morning trip to Egglestone Abbey.

Sunday, 19 April 2009

From the car park at Egglestone Abbey, we first made our way along the road towards the bridge, spotting robin, blue tit, great tit and chaffinch as we did so. A raptor flew overhead - a possible kestrel, but only a fleeting view. Arriving at the bridge we had excellent views of a nuthatch busily working away to reduce in size the entrance to its nest hole in a nearby tree by cementing mud into place - following which it perched and gave us a virtuoso performance of its song. From this same position on the bridge we also spotted mistle thrush and jackdaw.
Leaving the bridge, we followed the zigzagging footpath down to the river's edge and the walk through woodland busy with small birds. We first heard and then saw a blackcap, perched on the topmost branch of a tall pine tree. We next heard chiff-chaff and goldfinch, before spotting grey wagtail by the water's edge and a couple of mallard.

From its song, there was clearly a willow warbler nearby, but at this point we could not catch sight of it. Next came tree creeper and coal tit, whilst on a rock in the river was a lone oystercatcher. Further on and we were finally able to locate the willow warbler, singing from its perch in an ash tree. Following this, we watched a dipper in the river, repeatedly diving and surfacing among the rocks.
Not to be left out, a greenfinch caught our attention before we arrived at the meeting of the waters (River Tees and River Greta) and our turning point.

As we retraced our steps, we hit a patch of woodland with nuthatch and treecreepers busily visiting one tree after another. Once again the nuthatch treated us to the full pleasures of its song, whilst overhead there was competing noise from a rookery.

Our final sightings of the day were a buzzard (being mobbed by crow) whilst two curlew were also reported but not seen by all.

Overall, a splendid outing in good company, with an interesting selection of birds on view. This is definitely a venue to keep on our list for the future.