Dave Brown 🏄‍♂️ 🦦 🦆 🦋 🌿

6 Avocets on back Saltholme this am, 1st reported by @ianfouk.bsky.social

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Green Sandpiper Upstream Billingham beck at portrack roundabout plus Perigrine on cooling tower at Haverton 10.45am
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Great to be out in the sun this afternoon and catchup with one of the Bowesfield Scaup. Also good to bump into @carolynfarry.bsky.social for a chat.
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Scaup

Male Goldeneye

Female Goldeneye

Otter

A few pics from Archers Ponds at Bowesfield this am. 1 of the 3 Scaup, M and F Goldeneye, and Otter.
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3 x Scaup, 2 x Goldeneye, 2 x Cetti, 1 x Otter Archers pond Bowesfield, 11.30am
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Tundra Bean Geese and Great White Egret at Cowpen Bewley Rd and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park from this am. Also spotted Greenshank at tidal pool adjacent to Greatham Creek and Euro White-fronted Goose on West Pond RSPB Saltholme.
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F & M Goldeneye Archers pond Bowesfield 11.50am
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A bit dull and windy to start with this am on the River Tees but the sun came out and the wind dropped 🙂 Still loving learning how to use the Greenland paddle and spotted my 1st Snowdrops ❄️ of 2026!
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Black-throated Diver from Hartlepool Marina and Common Scoter adjacent to Lifeboat this am
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Signs of early sun had me heading out for one of my favourite paddles 🏄‍♂️ on the River Tees - Newsham Grange to Preston Park, 8mls.
The start is very close to the "Touchstone" sculpture.
Also had to undertake a spot of Wombling for abandoned camping gear 🤬
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Great paddle in the sun this am on the River Tees, Preston Park to Yarm & rtn. Spotted plenty of birds - 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Buzzards, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Ring Necked Parakeets, 20 Cormorants, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Herons, 3 Long Tailed Tits, loads of Mallards & 5 Mute Swans
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Wow, would have thought the Ure would be frozen.....River Tees been frozen for last few days with only small areas remaining open for birds.

Female Reed Bunting

Dunnock

Roe Deer Buck

Redwing and Fieldfare having a drink

Beautiful sunny conditions this am along the River Tees. Overnight temperatures had refrozen the river, forecast for 2mrw is heavy rain 🌧 Pics came from Preston Farm and Bowesfield Reserves for @teeswildlife.bsky.social

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M and Female Goosanders

Long Tailed Tit

Heron

M and F Shovelers

Still quite a bit of ice on the River Tees from Preston Park to Bowesfield Reserve. Highlights of the walk were 14 Goosanders, Goldcrest, Ceti's calling, 2 Buzzards, several Long Tailed Tits & 3 Shovelers
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Still plenty of ice on the river Tees, not as much as yesterday.
Luckily enough to spot a Fox on the opposite bank which was searching for breakfast. Also came across my 1st Hazel catkins if the year......spring must be around the corner 🤔 😅
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M + F Gadwell and Little Grebe

Mute Swans at Preston Park

Common Gull

Mix of overcast, snow showers & sun for todays walk along River Tees. Overnight temperatures pretty much frozen river bank to bank. Swans at Preston Park enjoyed walking on the water and birds tending to congregate at areas which weren't frozen.
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Chilly but sunny walk along the river Tees - Preston Park to Bowesfield. Most ponds are frozen solid & the river starting to slowly freeze. Many Redwings scoffing berries, 3 Bullfinches & plenty of Mute Swans, Canada Geese & Widgeon on the river
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Last paddle for 2025. Launched on Tees at Preston Park, up to River Leven log jam & rtn. Plenty of wildlife 1 Otter 1 Roe Deer 3 Little Grebes 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker 3 Herons & plenty Teal & Mallards.
A bit early but Wishing Everyone a peaceful New Year ✨️ 🙂
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....forgot to mention many Redwings and Fieldfares scoffing berries 🙂

Bit overcast on the River Tees & Leven this am. Spotted 2 RN Parakeets, 2 Roe Deer, 1 Otter, several Herons, 8 Cormorants, and 2 Buzzards. Launched from Preston Park.
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Definitely the closest I've been to a Cormorant today. Walking beside the river Tees at Bowesfield, I was within a few feet & it didn't stir - Initially thought it may be bird flu but it finally woke up as I was talking to it, & it flew off hastily!
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No blue sky today but no rain either, so great for a paddle on the River Tees to the secret lagoon at Black Bobbies Field. Third time out with the Greenland paddle....think I'm getting the hang of it 🤔
Spotted 2 Kingfishers 🐦, 1 Bullfinch and 1 Otter 🦦 🙂
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Perfect conditions this am for a paddle on the river Tees from Preston Park. Spotted 2 Little Grebes and 1 Kingfisher 🙂
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Bit of a nip ❄️ in the air this am on the River Tees but Stella conditions once the sun 🌞 got going. Spotted 3 Kingfishers, 1 Little Grebe, and 1 Buzzard.
Locals 🦢🦢🦢 at the pontoon looked hungry 😉
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2 Otters, Archers pond Bowesfield 11.30am
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Looking great 👍

Big thanks to Steve and Volunteers from @teeswildlife.bsky.social for replacing the broken gate at the Horsefield, Bowesfield. Apologies, no photo of the great handywork.
PS Great White Egret still at Archers Ponds this am.
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Not been on the water for over 2 weeks, so glad to take advantage of calm & warm conditions this am for a 5 mile trip on the Rivers Tees & Leven - launched from Preston Park. 2 RN Parakeets, 4 Kingfishers, 1 GS Woodpecker, 25 Curlew & 2 Herons.
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Great walk along the Tees - Preston Park to Bowesfield & rtn. Highlights were Great White Egret & Shaggy Ink Cap at Archers pond, Roe Deer in horsefield, & several Kingfishers on the river. Plus quick spot of Wombling
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