Hartlepool Birding

 I usually visit this area very early in January in order to get my year list off to a good start. However this year I was in Wales on January 1st, and since then  the weather has not been suitable for me to travel.

Several years ago my friend Chris  (chrisdownesbirds.com) planned a route for our January 1st birding, and once again I followed his route. So stop number 1 was Ward Jackson Park.

Ring necked parakeets are one of the reasons I visit this park. They are often seen near the sewage works at Clifton, so I must try to find them and save myself a trip! I was hoping to see goosander on the lake, but none were present today. It was fairly quiet as   I walked around the park. Just as I reached one of the entrances I heard and then saw a nuthatch.

Hartlepool Headland was stop number 2. It was low tide so a few birds on the rocks. Ringed plover, turnstone, oystercatcher, redshank, purple sandpiper and curlew. 

As I walked further round I saw a few cormorants and shags, but a group of school children appeared which explained the lack of birds.

Not a bird to be seen from the Pilot Pier. I walked along the old town wall and managed to add eider and a  great black backed gull to my day and year list. A cormorant was on the shoreline and it was possible to see its feather pattern resembling its ancient ancestors.

I stopped briefly at Newburn Bridge, but as the tide was out, and lots of dog walkers on the beach, there were no waders and only 3 black headed gulls.

Greatham Creek was stop number 3. Shelduck, teal, wigeon, redshank and black tailed godwit. A walk along the river to Seal Sands hide was rewarded with views of a pair of red breasted mergansers.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park was stop number 4.

17 different birds including jay and coal tit for my year list. It was now 2pm and I wanted to visit RSPB Saltholme.

Not a bird to be seen from the Phil Stead hide as the water was frozen. Lots of moorhens at the Wildlife Watchpoint. On the walk down to the Saltholme Pools hide I saw several barnacle geese feeding in a field on my right, but no sign of a white fronted goose. Still lots of frozen water, so a few birds on the open water, including a year tick with goldeneye. Lots of teal and wigeon on the grass, with a few curlews around the exposed muddy parts. After a brief chat with Bert, I left for home.