Trip reports

Fieldtrip - Bats evening

Pipistrelle Bat - Dan Powell RSPB resources

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

All eyes were up looking at the sky wondering what was in store for the evening, as the weather had not been on our side of late, but with optimism 13 of us left Newcastle at 18.30, heading south to an unknown destination. When we arrived at Malton picnic area, near Lanchester, Brian told us that he had seen 3 Kestrels on the way down. Under quite a pleasant sky and Brian's guidance, some of us set off towards an old railway line while others took the river path. Bird songs were everywhere but we had to be sharp eyed to see some of them as they were in the leafy trees. But the reward was great and our patience rewarded. We saw Swifts, Swallows, House Martins, Wrens, Wood Pigeons, Robins, Blackbirds, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Magpies, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Starlings, House Sparrows, and Chaffinch. Pied Wagtails were seen along the river bank, two members saw a Kingfisher which was very elusive to the rest of us and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen and heard. At the end of the walk, we were greeted by a feast of wine, cheese and biscuits laid on by Graham, and Janet produced some delicious fruit pies. Our eyes and ears were always focused on birds and we saw an Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull. Song Thrush, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chiffchaff were heard but not seen. We then set off for Escomb to meet Noel Jackson from the Durham Bat Group who was eager to share his knowledge with us. We were all equipped with a bat detector and we soon heard them in the church yard close to us before we even saw them. These were the common Pipistrelle Bats.
We then wandered down to the river Wear and on the way were greeted by Noctule Bats. Two of the three species expected in this area have been heard and seen but we were all searching for the Daubenton Bats. Noel took us further down the river, put his powerful torch on close to the surface of the water and what a treat - a couple of them showed up. Unfortunately it was getting too dark to see anything and regrettably we had to get back to the coach. Our bat detectors were buzzing and we tried to identify the species by the noise it made. If you want to know more about these fascinating creatures, do come to the September indoor meeting to hear Noel talk about bats. We got back to Newcastle at midnight.
Marie Ollerenshaw

BIRD LIST
Kestrel
Oystercatcher
Curlew
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black Backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Swift
Kingfisher
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Swallow
House Martin
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Robin
Song Thrush (H)
Blackbird
Blackcap (H)
Whitethroat (H)
Chiffchaff (H)
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch Species 28

Noctule Bat
Common Pipistrelle Bat
Daubentons Bat