High ground and moorland around Teesside

To the south of Teesside there are some good stretches of heather moorland and coniferous forest. This adds to the diversity of birds that can be seen in this relatively small area.
This view of the Cleveland Forest was taken from the Ingleby incline, a disused mineral railway line. In the spring Ring Ouzels can be seen near the top of the incline as it emerges onto the plateau of the North York Moors. Other species that can be seen here include Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Goshawk, Golden Plover, Curlew, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskin, Redpoll, Crossbill and of course Red Grouse. In the winter months if you are lucky you may also see Hen Harrier and Rough-Legged Buzzard (rarely).

Cleveland Forest 9.6Kb
The late spring can be a good time to visit the moors, with most of the summer migrants back in their summer quarters. Whinchat, Golden Plover, Lapwing and the ethereal sound of Curlews everywhere you go. Added to this is the sight and sound of the Cuckoo and the Meadow Pipit, the unfortunate victim of the parasitism. The edges of the moors can be particularly good for birds, with many species using the moor edge as a feeding place. Apart from the more usual moorland species such as Ring Ouzel, warblers such as Willow, Chiff Chaff, Whitethroat, Blackcap are often seen and more often heard. Perhaps the bird most associated with the woodland edge/scrub areas is the Willow Warbler, a real sound of summer.

Bracken scrub at the back of Scaling 8.7 Kb
The moors can be a good place to see birds of prey, especially in the winter. Scaling Dam is probably one of the best places to look for raptors, the species list is quite impressive. If you are lucky you could possibly see some or all of these species during a day, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, Short-Eared Owl and Kestrel. Other rarer species seen here include, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Buzzard, Rough-Legged Buzzard and Red Kite (nearby). The North York Moors are an ideal habitat for Hen Harrier, Buzzards and Red Kite, it is hoped that a more enlightened tolerance of these magnificent birds will enable them to re-colonise former haunts Dotterel 15.Kb

Dotterel Charadrius morinellus
Photo Wayne Richardson