Weather
The Darlington and Stockton Times:: Leisure
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Birds flock to gardens in numbers as severe January weather bites
12:53pm Friday 12th February 2010
JANUARY was, not surprisingly, dominated by the weather. The extensive snow and low temperatures led to a mass emigration by the larger birds and high levels of mortality, particularly among farmland species.
A fascinating year, from avocet to waxwings
11:50am Friday 15th January 2010
THIS is a chance to look back on what has been a fascinating 12 months for local birdwatchers.
A new addition to the area’s list of bird exotica
11:56am Friday 11th December 2009
THE best sighting in November was a Cetti’s Warbler found in the reedbed area at Lingham, Nosterfield. This is the first local record of this notoriously skulking warbler. A rather non-descript bird, its presence is usually given away by it’s incredibly loud, almost explosive, call.
Little warbler is big news
2:06pm Friday 13th November 2009
OCTOBER’S highlight was the discovery of three bearded tits at the private nature reserve of Belflask, near West Tanfield. These striking birds have never been recorded in this area before and, though only present for a couple of days, were a fine addition to the local list.
Role reversal as phalarope flies in
12:02pm Friday 16th October 2009
A SUPERB red-necked phalarope was the highlight of a rather quiet September.
Our American friends fly in
1:22pm Friday 14th August 2009
THE early signs of wader migration provided most of the interest for birdwatchers in July. As usual, Nosterfield was the main focus with an excellent 20 species of wader seen here. This included yet another pectoral sandpiper.
A bumper month for birds of prey
11:18am Friday 19th June 2009
MAY is one of the best months in the birdwatchers’ calendar and 2009 was no exception, with an excellent range of local sightings.
Gargeny provide highlight
6:20am Friday 10th April 2009
MARCH was a rather quiet month for local birdwatchers, although there were one or two highlights.
The remarkable resurgence of the Buzzard – now a regular sight
12:14pm Friday 13th March 2009
HIGHLIGHTS for February were two long-staying birds in the Nosterfield area.
Handsome heron is pick of the month
3:14pm Friday 6th February 2009
JANUARY was not a particularly exhilarating month for local birdwatchers but nevertheless there were one or two sightings to get 2009 off to a reasonable start.
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