A bit of history

I got a copy of the below sheets a few weeks ago from SH. I love reading through old papers and books about Northumberland and seeing how it has changed over the years.
The sheets are from a two-year ringing study in the sixties on Arcot Golf Course and the old Arcot Pond.
I have highlighted the records, which are the most interesting. Sorry about the quality it is a photocopy of a photocopy.
Click on the images to read the details




















2. Mallard – they definitely breed on Arcot Pond these days but this information is from the sixties and old Arcot Pond, which is much smaller.

3. Kestrel – Good numbers as they breed near by. I wonder which toxic spray was used?

4. Partridge (presumably Grey) – like everywhere in the country numbers are down although there is a decent sized covey on Beacon Lane.

10. Woodcock – I’m sure more than two pairs breed at Arcot now as there is plenty of suitable habitat around the golf course. This winter the golf course held record numbers.

17. Stock Dove – Still not common in Cramlington but with them breeding not to far away they are fairly regular over the pond and at West Hartford.
The furthest I have seen one in Cramlington was a bird on a field between Nelson Hill and Argos.
19. Cuckoo- The last one heard in Cramlington was a one day bird in 2003 near Nelson Hill that sums it up really. Will it ever breed in Cramlington again?

22. Great Spotted Woodpecker – Definitely breeds now and is common throughout Cramlington.
29. Jay- Common once again and always heard or seen on the golf course.

31. Coal and Marsh Tit- Coal Tits are just as common around Arcot as they are everywhere these days. I am only aware of one other record of Marsh Tit in Cramlington.

34. Willow Tit – sporadic to say the least and never common.





















36. Wren – Glad to see they have recovered.

39. Song Thrush – I doubt 19 would be ringed over the next two years.

41. Redstart – A Cramlington Mega

46. Willow Warbler – still common but 64 still seems good.

49. Lesser Whitethroat – Much more common in Northumberland today.
50. Chiffchaff - ? Autumn only

52. Spotted Flycatcher – Also declined significantly with none now breeding anywhere in Cramlington.

54. Tree Pipit- seems they were having problems even back then.

58. Goldfinch – Not any more.

60. Redpoll – you’re lucky if you hear more than five during the year now. 198!!!

65. Tree Sparrow- also considered a Cramlington mega

Heron sp.- Again I can only presume it has not as common because old Arcot Pond in much smaller.