Trip Reports - 2011/2012
Hartlepool & Teesmouth (2nd January 2012)
The party of 11 that gathered at the Science Site on this fine, bright morning was probably the largest group we've had for a trip at this time of year. There had been a series of interesting reports from Hartlepool on New Year's Day, so this seemed a natural choice for our first destination.
On arrival at the Headland, we made straight for the Cannon where a Velvet Scoter had been seen regularly during the last few weeks. The female bird was soon picked out, keeping company with a female Common Scoter. Eider, Red-throated Diver and Guillemot were also spotted in the calm conditions and a single Gannet glided past.
We walked along the sea front, passing the Heugh Pier. Gulls on the rocks below Albion Terrace included the regular wintering adult Mediterranean Gull. Waders present included Oystercatcher, Redshank, Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone. The Pilot Pier offers a view over Hartlepool Bay and also into the harbour area. We identified several Red-throated Divers here before picking up the Black-throated Diver that had been present since late December. It swam into the harbour towards the Fish Quay, but reasonable views were had by most of the party. Several Great Crested Grebe were seen in the distance, while a scattering of waders on the nearby rocks included Curlew and Knot.
A 1st winter Glaucous Gull had been reported from the Fish Quay several times in recent days, so we made this our next call. There was no sign of our target bird, but a single Kittiwake on the water was another addition to the list. The Black-throated Diver also made a brief appearance here, allowing others to get a better view.
We returned to the cars and drove to the North end of Marine Drive, where a Red-necked Grebe had been reported that morning. The bird was distant, but two Great Crested Grebes also present provided a size comparison. A couple of Razorbills were seen from here too, but proved very difficult for most people to locate due their persistent diving!
Newburn Bridge, on the South side of Hartlepool, had hosted a Black Redstart during the preceding days. Unfortunately, we were unable to find this bird; perhaps it was taking cover from the wind, which had picked up considerably. The regular Mediterranean Gull, a different individual to that seen at the Headland, was on the beach. Waders here included several Sanderling, a couple of Knot and a single Purple Sandpiper. We checked the beach near the Yacht Club for the Black Redstart. There was no sign of it at this more sheltered location, but we were able to add Ringed Plover to our list.
Our next port of call was the Zinc Works Road, overlooking Seaton Common, where a group of White-fronted Geese had been since November. A total of 20 birds were clustered together quite close to the road, allowing good views. Most were European White-fronted Geese, but there was a single Greenland race bird and also a Pink-footed Goose amongst them. The grassland at Seaton Common was scattered with Lapwing, Curlew and Starling. A flock of Golden Plover were seen in the distance and a Kestrel flew fast and low along the fence line.
The final location of the day was the back pool at Saltholme. It was too late to go on to the reserve, so we parked by the side of the A178 and looked across towards Port Clarence. There had been a report of Whooper Swans from the flood there earlier in the day, but there was no sign of any during our visit. We later discovered that the report concerned birds flying over the site. The back pool was now rather bleak and windswept, as the day moved towards dusk, but we did locate a group of at least 40 Barnacle Geese. Shelduck, Wigeon and Mute Swan were also added to the list here, bringing the final total for the day to 44.
Julie Hogg
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