Trip reports
Seasonal Local Walk - Killingworth 2nd January
Proudly awaiting their medals - 3 of the 4 hardy souls who completed the course! The other (Brian Moorhead) took the photo!
Saturday, 2 January 2010
We began by walking around the frozen snow covered lake which was quite a sight. Only one Goosander remained, others had being forced to leave because of the severe conditions. Goldeneye and at least fifty Canada Geese were there with the usual lake inhabitants, some on ice and others in water where the ice had been broken up. We spotted a juvenile Mute Swan which appeared to be stuck in the ice, but once we got near it we found that it was simply weak and exhausted. Unsuccessful attempts were being made to break the ice around it to allow it to reach water, but this had proven impossible such was the thickness and strength of the ice. Someone called the RSPCA and I hope the swan was rescued, but in my mind it looked in a real bad way so I'm none too hopeful. You would have to be pretty hard not to find such situations distressing. It was a reminder to all as to just how difficult the conditions were which wildlife were facing during this freezing weather.
The walk continued past the snow-covered lakes and across the fields to the village area with little in the way of birds to be seen apart from Mistle Thrush, corvids and Wood Pigeon. A small number of Redwing were seen in the village. Now how did I miss those? Otherwise it was Blackbird, Robin and Wren. We continued to walk some of my usual haunts, but it was quite apparent that many birds had been forced to leave the area and the magnificent seven became four as we faced a biting wind and snow flurry.
Happily we were soon out of the wind and the snow shower was not long-lasting and the rest of the walk except for a very short spell was completed in rather calm and sheltered conditions. A short diversion down the track brought us nothing of interest. I did mention it was a good area for Bullfinch and thankfully one turned up on queue. As we made for the wagonways a flock of fifteen Goosander flew overhead making up for having seen only one on the lake.
Walking along the wagonway was also non productive and I could only dream of last year's sightings of Short-eared Owls here. As we knew the flash would be frozen we retraced our steps and made back towards Killingworth centre. A lack of birds made for some chat and a few laughs and a sudden interest in Wood Pigeons as we remarked on their attractiveness. The bird list was slowly growing however and there were growing numbers of tits. Near to the farm we found a few Fieldfares in the hedgerow and this time a pair of Bullfinches. A little further on, a couple of Song Thrushes were found along with finches. In relative terms this was quite a birding hot spot for the day and a good way to bring our walk to a close. We ended the day with a list of 35 species and I mustn't forget the Stoat that ran across our path. I had enjoyed a bracing walk and it was so calm now I was able to have a cuppa from the flask. Medals are in the post for those who completed the course! I'm looking forward to repeating this walk in the future, in perhaps warmer conditions.
Brian Moorhead
Bird List:
Mute Swan
Greylag Geese
Canada Geese
Mallard
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Goosander (16)
Pheasant
Moorhen
Coot
Black Headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared dove
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Song Thrush
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
Fieldfare
Blackbird
Great tit
Blue Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Rook
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Bullfinch
Stoat