Trip reports

Evening for Owls, Co Durham

House martin in flight

Thursday, 17 July 2008

We left Newcastle on a bright summer's evening heading south on the hunt for Long Eared Owls. The minibus windows were rather low but I managed to pick up Wood Pigeon, House Sparrow, Kestrel and Swallow. We skirted the occasional shower and arrived at our base near to Hurworth Burn Reservoir (not far from Sedgefield, Co. Durham) a little later than expected.
We were welcomed by a Yellowhammer singing its heart out at the top of a hedge near to the car park. We wandered along a disused railway track and identified Common Spotted Orchid growing.
The reservoir and environs delivered Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Greylag Geese, House Martin, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Reed Bunting, Cormorant and Wren. We were in awe of the Swifts which were flying so low you could pick out the white chin patches.
We returned to base and were greeted by Graham's wine & cheese picnic which we enjoyed al fresco. The wine flowed and the sixteen members in the party chatted. The Yellowhammer continued to serenade us and the Swallows flew over the hay fields.
At 20.45 we set off in pursuit of the Owls. We walked along the straight path of the old railway line which was flanked on either side by tall, dense hedgerow. We picked out the hueet call of a Willow Warbler or was it a Chiffchaff? The sun started to set and we walked on: every noise, even the flapping of a startled Wood Pigeon, catching our attention. We continued to walk looking behind and in front of us along the path. The silence was deafening as we stopped occasionally and stood looking eagerly for the owls but, alas, it was not to be. As it started to turn dark, we decided to call it a day and returned to the minibus. Some members caught sight of two Woodcock flying close by and we thought we heard Tawny Owl (or was it someone mimicking the call with cupped hands?).
We returned to Newcastle just after 23.15. Whilst not seeing the Long Eared Owl it was, nevertheless, an enjoyable summer's evening with good company of like-minded people.
Harold Dobson

Bird List:

Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Greylag Geese
Mallard
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Kestrel
Pheasant
Moorhen
Coot
Woodcock
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared dove
Feral Pigeon
Tawny Owl (H)
Swift
Swallow
House Martin
Pied Wagtail
Wren (H)
Blackbird
Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff
Blue Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Reed Bunting
Yellowhammer

35 species