Trip reports
Fieldtrip to Teesmouth Field Centre and Saltholme
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Julie first took us through part of the Hartlepool power plant to their hide, which looked out over the Seaton Channel and onto Seal Sands. The mist had truly set in by this time and we looked through the gloom for birds. The easiest animals to spot at first were the Grey Seals. Julie told us that they had been breeding well this year and had 12 pups, although subsequently lost three of these. They had apparently first bred in 1989. Birds spotted from the hide were Cormorant, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank and two Red-breasted Mergansers.
To the side of the hide were the so-called "ghost ships" which are to be broken up by Able UK. In the same vicinity were old oil platforms, again waiting to be broken up. As we made our way through the industrial landscape on the way back to the centre we also saw Crow, a Song Thrush and the ubiquitous Magpie.
Our next stop was Jackson's Landing in Hartlepool Marina, where we had superb views of two Great Northern Divers. From the size of them they appeared to be an adult and a juvenile and we were able to get very close to them. Certainly this was a "first" for me and others in the party said this was the best view of this bird they have ever had. On the other side of the Marina we saw Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Lapwing and more Cormorant.
We returned to the warm and welcoming Teesmouth Centre for lunch and as we headed off in the bus for Saltholme Julie spotted a Sparrowhawk in a nearby tree. In addition a Kestrel was perched on the side of a pylon, proving yet again that there is plenty of wildlife to be found in industrial areas.
At Saltholme we were greeted by Emily who deals with promoting the reserve and Toby, Assistant Head Warden. At the same time as our arrival there was a fly past by two Mute Swans.
We toured the extensive water pools and saw Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, and Wigeon in good numbers. Toby also spotted four Snipe flying past. We then walked round to the visitor centre, which is a very impressive design. I think younger bird watchers and visitors will particularly like the idea that it is surrounded by a moat. From upstairs in the centre where the café will be we had a good view out over another pool, which had Black Headed Gull and Greater Black-backed Gull. We again had good view of Redshank, Wigeon, Pochard and a Pied Wagtail. Philip spotted a Tortoiseshell butterfly trying to hibernate in the Centre itself.
We walked on to another hide and saw a Short Eared Owl fly past us; flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing were above us. A Hare darted off as we walked to the hide entrance. We had good sightings of a Little Egret from the last hide, together with Shoveler and Pintail. However the best was saved for last as it was dusk at this point and the Starlings were flocking together for their winter roost. What a display they put on, thousands of them flying together in circular undulating patterns, finally all diving down together to shelter for the night. Having only ever seen this phenomenon on television it was a truly spectacular sight to see it happening in front of me. Most of us were exclaiming at the wonderful designs they made in the sky. We sounded as though we were attending a firework display only this was more magnificent.
Our thanks must to go to Julie, Emily and Toby who all gave us a great day to remember. Saltholme is opening to the public on the 21st January 2009 and all agreed that the range of birds there already is superb, and I will look forward to going there again very soon.
Sabena Monk
Bird List
Newcastle Website editor's apology - sorry, a full birdlist is not available for this trip.