Durham Birding

[StevieEvans]

Guided tour of Derek.C Country this morning, by the local expert himself no-less.
Black ice, snow cover & only 1 degree on setting out to visit this previously little known area, which is adjacent to the very well known man with stick Wilson Country. With a powerful sun out and up to a pleasant 12 deg on way back at noon.

one of the best views in the County... or something similar in a recent Lek......
In the perfectly clear morning air we could see Durham Cathederal, The Angel of Scrap, Kirk Merrington Church & Hedleyhope wind turbines all in the middle distance.
Behind them & a fair way off, i was amazed to see the distinctive form of the snow capped Cheviot peaks to the north & the large coniferous swaithe of The Stang marking the southern limit of our Club recording area.

But what of its birds ( i knew Derek meant business as he had even brought a pair of binoculars ! )
So i tried to make an impressive start "think i heard a Tree spug there.." says i, "thats those Guinea fowl down there" was the curt reply........ I kicked my good myself firmly - i should have remembered their call from twitching those at Finchale at the weekend. (the fowls that is not the sparrows).

Nevermind, i quickly spotted a Robin & was well into my stride when i astounded my guide with a singing cock Chaffinch. Ah, all was well now & i could relax & begin to enjoy the walk. ;)
All 4 common finches were noted with ease, as well as all the common garden birds including Song thrush, Collared Dove & Wren etc. The light was perfect & a back drop of snow showed these birds off to their best.
A discreet check of a quiet corner revealed recent signs of a Barn owl with an almost black cock Pheasant giving us a start. Bright cock Yellowhammers & Skylarks were in fine song.
A distant buzzing alerted us to Willow tits, as we got close the calls sounded odd - had we got it right or was a Great tit making us out to also be a pair of Parus majors...... but yes we were correct Willows it was, although they were a very "tinny" sounding pair, a second pair seen later on along with several Long taileds.
Into a more open area now, with a couple of Meadow Pipits flicking north up & over a fence line with 5 cock Reed Buntings all sat together. Yellowhammers in singles & pairs with 20 or more in total. A bankside of bright yellow whinny bushes held a colony of Linnets, 5 or more cocks all singing over the top of each other - they had only recently returned.
Round the bend a small rock face held 30 odd paired Jackdaws & 2 pair of Stock Doves - very wary & belting off at speed. Down in the valley below 300+ Wood Pigeon were taking a nice chunk out of an autumn sown cereal.
There had been mention of Little Owl but i played it cool - i knew i would see it first - but my bird guide was on home ground & as we rounded a bend he quickly shouted out as one glared at us from a small Ash, while he was mobbed by Chaffs, Yellowhammers & a Blue tit in perfect light - off he bounded followed by his agitators. Below his perch masses of pellets & tiny mammal jaw bones & skulls. Another 9 Stock Dove across over open fields & a pair of Partridge.
Heading up over the top field, were Snow Buntings have been seen Skylarks were busy as well as 20 Magpie, a Mistley, a pole top Kes & another Partridge pair.
Time to take a breather & check a box from afar - no signs of activity, so we wandered over for a look across the woodlands. A likely viewpoint gave us a fair view around. By this time there was a fair bit heat in the sun & combined with a slight breeze it was looking good for a bird of prey or two.
A distant female Sparrowhawk soared in the distance, with a male dropping like a stone close by. Another, an adult female soared away to the north. A brief flash of a falcon was inconclusive.... & it seemed like Buzzards would be a no show.

How many times does it happen? "Aye we better be getn back" advised the leader as he stepped away..... i had one last look & within 3 seconds a large UFO was headed towards us.
A Buzzard came closer & soon brought another 2 into the air, a brief scrap as two lifted & quickly gained height. Then in came a Peregrine to investigate with another shadowing him above, a quick scan round revealed 2 pairs of Sparrowhawks soaring round. The Buzzards continued on skyward to a great height, leaving the Pers below, with some interaction on the way. At this point one of the Peregrines drifted closer before effortlessly heading off to the north. As a Buzzard pair again settled to perch.
The "getn back" was delayed by half an hour, but we'd added 5 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine & 4 Buzzard.
Cheers Derek 10 /10

[StevieEvans]

Recent Barn Owls hunting at dusk at Newbottle & Lanchester.

[Ross Ahmed]

Male Blackcap in back garden this afternoon was a bit of a surprise. Ironically, probably a result of cold weather. It announced it's presence with a few bursts of song!

[whitburnmark]

Still decent numbers of buntings coming to my garden feeder (between Jarrow and West Boldon) - 8-10 Yellowhammers and 6+ Reed Buntings. Interestingly, all the Reed Buntings are males, the females present over the past month or so seemed to have cleared off. I'd have thought it would have been the other way round, with males leaving first to set up territories? The Yellowhammers are still a mix of both sexes. Also 6+ Tree Sparrows, but these are declining week by week.

[great bustard]

Guided tour of Derek.C Country this morning, by the local expert himself no-less.
Black ice, snow cover & only 1 degree on setting out to visit this previously little known area, which is adjacent to the very well known man with stick Wilson Country. With a powerful sun out and up to a pleasant 12 deg on way back at noon.

or something similar in a recent Lek......
In the perfectly clear morning air we could see Durham Cathederal, The Angel of Scrap, Kirk Merrington Church & Hedleyhope wind turbines all in the middle distance.
Behind them & a fair way off, i was amazed to see the distinctive form of the snow capped Cheviot peaks to the north & the large coniferous swaithe of The Stang marking the southern limit of our Club recording area.

But what of its birds ( i knew Derek meant business as he had even brought a pair of binoculars ! )
So i tried to make an impressive start "think i heard a Tree spug there.." says i, "thats those Guinea fowl down there" was the curt reply........ I kicked my good myself firmly - i should have remembered their call from twitching those at Finchale at the weekend. (the fowls that is not the sparrows).

Nevermind, i quickly spotted a Robin & was well into my stride when i astounded my guide with a singing cock Chaffinch. Ah, all was well now & i could relax & begin to enjoy the walk. ;)
All 4 common finches were noted with ease, as well as all the common garden birds including Song thrush, Collared Dove & Wren etc. The light was perfect & a back drop of snow showed these birds off to their best.
A discreet check of a quiet corner revealed recent signs of a Barn owl with an almost black cock Pheasant giving us a start. Bright cock Yellowhammers & Skylarks were in fine song.
A distant buzzing alerted us to Willow tits, as we got close the calls sounded odd - had we got it right or was a Great tit making us out to also be a pair of Parus majors...... but yes we were correct Willows it was, although they were a very "tinny" sounding pair, a second pair seen later on along with several Long taileds.
Into a more open area now, with a couple of Meadow Pipits flicking north up & over a fence line with 5 cock Reed Buntings all sat together. Yellowhammers in singles & pairs with 20 or more in total. A bankside of bright yellow whinny bushes held a colony of Linnets, 5 or more cocks all singing over the top of each other - they had only recently returned.
Round the bend a small rock face held 30 odd paired Jackdaws & 2 pair of Stock Doves - very wary & belting off at speed. Down in the valley below 300+ Wood Pigeon were taking a nice chunk out of an autumn sown cereal.
There had been mention of Little Owl but i played it cool - i knew i would see it first - but my bird guide was on home ground & as we rounded a bend he quickly shouted out as one glared at us from a small Ash, while he was mobbed by Chaffs, Yellowhammers & a Blue tit in perfect light - off he bounded followed by his agitators. Below his perch masses of pellets & tiny mammal jaw bones & skulls. Another 9 Stock Dove across over open fields & a pair of Partridge.
Heading up over the top field, were Snow Buntings have been seen Skylarks were busy as well as 20 Magpie, a Mistley, a pole top Kes & another Partridge pair.
Time to take a breather & check a box from afar - no signs of activity, so we wandered over for a look across the woodlands. A likely viewpoint gave us a fair view around. By this time there was a fair bit heat in the sun & combined with a slight breeze it was looking good for a bird of prey or two.
A distant female Sparrowhawk soared in the distance, with a male dropping like a stone close by. Another, an adult female soared away to the north. A brief flash of a falcon was inconclusive.... & it seemed like Buzzards would be a no show.

How many times does it happen? "Aye we better be getn back" advised the leader as he stepped away..... i had one last look & within 3 seconds a large UFO was headed towards us.
A Buzzard came closer & soon brought another 2 into the air, a brief scrap as two lifted & quickly gained height. Then in came a Peregrine to investigate with another shadowing him above, a quick scan round revealed 2 pairs of Sparrowhawks soaring round. The Buzzards continued on skyward to a great height, leaving the Pers below, with some interaction on the way. At this point one of the Peregrines drifted closer before effortlessly heading off to the north. As a Buzzard pair again settled to perch.
The "getn back" was delayed by half an hour, but we'd added 5 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 2 Peregrine & 4 Buzzard.
Cheers Derek 10 /10


how do you do that? Iv never had a day like that! Perhaps it will come in time with a little more experience and patience! When i was there the only bird of note i saw was a long tailed tit! Ho hum

[white van man]

had the pleasure of watching 5 red kites over rowlands gill for about a hour today, only supposed to take a half hour break from work returned late shame shame.

[spuggy]

steve great report, how do you do it I was along that way this afternoon and saw next to nowt, did get a photo of the dark pheasant though.

[IanF]

I had a stroll along the beach at Seaton Snook this afternoon. Not a great deal about.

There were a half dozen Linnet along the fence by the field behind the dunes, Canada Goose x6 and a few Redshank. A couple of Meadow Pipit were flitting around as well.

Looking across Greatham Creek there were plenty of Shags and Red Breasted Merganser around, maybe a dozen of each. There were a few Cormorant and a few Shelduck.

The only waders seen were Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Sanderling x2.

Heading back along Zinc Works Road I saw Curlew, Mallard, Teal, Kestrel, Redshank and Yellowhammer.

[IanF]

This evening I popped along to Hurworth Burn Reservoir. I came across one of the wardens who'd been down to see the LEO's. He'd also come across an SEO and Little Owl. He put me onto the location of the LO but there was no sign.

The LEO's on the other hand put on a very good display as they hunted along the cycleway often passing overhead - aren't cyclists a blessing! The Owls were hunting and landing in bushes but every time a cyclist came along they flew away from him and over me. I just stood still and waited ;)

I saw two LEO's and heard one calling.

[whitburnmark]

Early morning seawatching at Whitburn with PH produced a few birds, though there was still a rather quiet feel to proceedings. Six duck species included 2 Velvet Scoters and 2 Goosanders; a Blue Fulmar showed very well as it headed south and a Lapland Bunting flew north along the cliffs calling. There were some signs of passerine migration with a few Meadow Pipits and Skylarks over the sea. The leucistic/faded Herring Gull was also still around. No Sandwich Tern as yet, but there doesn't seem to be many reported around the country at the moment.

[JBee]

Repeated a trip to Weardale yesterday hoping for better shots of the dippers Colin and I spotted last week.
Though it was a glorious day the dippers decided to stay in the shade under the bridge for most of the time.
5 yards either way would have put them nicely into the sunshine.

[StevieEvans]

This evening I popped along to Hurworth Burn Reservoir. I came across one of the wardens who'd been down to see the LEO's. He'd also come across an SEO and Little Owl. He put me onto the location of the LO but there was no sign.

The LEO's on the other hand put on a very good display as they hunted along the cycleway often passing overhead - aren't cyclists a blessing! The Owls were hunting and landing in bushes but every time a cyclist came along they flew away from him and over me. I just stood still and waited ;).....

Superb set of images Ian, realy special.
You certainly timed that visit right! Last night did seem ideal for an owl or too, especially after the previous few windy & snowy ones.
Didnt realy pay off for us though, we had LO straight off at close range, but a cold wind picked up & failed to see our BO target. But a nice little bonus on the way back -a Leo hunted past at head height about 20' away.


I saw two LEO's and heard one calling.
Click here.
DBC Owl calls resource (http://www.durhambirdclub.org/downloads.htm)


Green Woodpeckers putting on a very good display in the rain today.
Active pair watched at Kepier with another set yaffling back at them from the Frankland side of the Wear.
Kepier Halves / Kepier Tip map (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.7874&lon=-1.5584&scale=25000&icon=x )
Others yaffling at Flass Vale & Bearpark Hall.



3 Great Spotteds all heard drumming together at Flass vale; 2 of these males were only 400metres apart.
Flass Vale map (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.7785&lon=-1.5895&scale=25000&icon=x )
Others in the vale here, right near the city centre included 2 Willow tits, 2 Nuthatch, 3 Jays, 3 Treecreepers, 1 Chiffchaff.



Bearpark Hall area produced pairs of Teal, 4 Snipe including a territorial bird "tick-tocking" overhead, a rare sight in lowland Durham.
Bearpark Hall map (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.7894&lon=-1.6268&scale=25000&icon=x )
15+ pr of Lapwing, displaying over pasture, set-a-side stubble & in what appeared to be the only non-autumn sown field in the valley, a female which was either incubating or injured ? - she was sitting right down tight while her mate & the 2 other pair beat about overhead.
Small nos of Pied Wagtails & Meadow Pipits moving through north, including a group of 4 moving over rough fields which resulted in another (possibly already holding territory) rise up, despite the drizzle, into his display flight.


CW Local Bird news
4+ Water Rail, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Jack at Hetton Bogs
7 Goldeneye, 2 Leo, 2 Tree Sparrow at Rainton

SE

[Skelly]

Female Leo calling again last night from 6.30pm until 7.

Also excellent views of a roding Woodcock.

Has anyone else noticed that wherever you see a roding Woodcock there also tends to be Leo's?

[whitburnmark]

Just as we're starting to get Rose-ringed Parakeets established in our area...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6478815.stm

Has anyone noticed a lack of Ruddy Ducks this winter? I've not seen any results from the DEFRA cull, but from the counts/records I've seen, our population certainly seems to have gone down fast.

[Ross Ahmed]

Black Redstart still present north end of Marsden Bay yesterday.

A brief look out to sea from there produced Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter and 24 Common Scoter.

[dampflippers]

I know alot of Durham birders are interested in other wildlife as well.
So if any of you live in South Tyneside and have a garden pond, please follow this link about the Soth Tyneside Garden Pond Survey.

http://www.southtyneside.info/environment/countryside/gardenpond.asp

[StevieEvans]

.....<snip>........
Has anyone noticed a lack of Ruddy Ducks this winter? I've not seen any results from the DEFRA cull, but from the counts/records I've seen, our population certainly seems to have gone down fast.

.........<snip>............UK Ruddy Duck Control Trial - Final Report (ref PB 6997) and Final Summary Report (ref PB 6996) can be obtained from Defra publications, Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX, Tel 08459 556000, email: defra@iforcegroup.com Page last modified: 12 October 2005


Seem in v.low nos on Tees marshes, where decent no's usually winter.
None at Brasside (County's first ever breeding site) last wk/end, they generally start & trickle back there in the New Year, having left (inland waters) by November. A few males are usually back in at Brass. by 1st week in March


Still only one today at Seaton Pond, & it returned a good while back.

Others at Seaton today 2 Dunlin, 4 Gadwall.
SE

[StevieEvans]

Gave DC a 45min tour of Sherburn Hospital:-

along the beck:-
1 Goldcrest, 7+pr LongTailTit, 5+Bullfinch
Kingfisher flyby & 1 sat preening
Heron Grey Wag Pied Wags 2pr Mallard
signs of Otters
Moorhen seen swiming underwater to avoid us

in / adjacent the wood:-
1 singing Chiffchaff , 1 drumming GSW, pr Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, ad M & F Sparrowhawks 1Kes

check of a Tawny site produced a close encounter & 4 eggs
(last year it was taken over by Stock Dove, but today it had what appeared to be a fresh Blackbirds nest at the front of the cavity...? Maybe it had built early in the year before the owls started....?
plus other finches & thrushes inc half a dozen Redwing.


Drove to undisclosed location west of Durham to bump into another Tawny Owl
(after we had eventually worked out what it was ! ) amazingly trying to hide from us in a hole in some rocks! and surprisingly at least 800m from the nearest semi-mature trees !
2 Little Owls out & about too. Also lots of Barn Owl pellets & splash found.

SE/DC

[IanF]

We spent a couple of hours at Low Barns this morning on a bright sunny morning if a little on the cool side.

On the whole the birding was pretty quiet. On arrival we filled several feeders with sunflower hearts and hung around until a few birds started to arrive - Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Chaffinch, Robin, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

West Pond was very quiet with no birds on the water at all when we arrived at the hide. It wasn't ong before Coot, Moorhen and Tufted Duck appeared. In the wood piles were a Robin, Wren x2 and Blue Tits. In the trees were Starling, Wood Pigeon, Bullfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Treecreeper.

Following the path to the South Hide we came across a Green Woodpecker by the charcoal burners and then several Jackdaw and one of the hybrid Hooded Crow in the trees by the boardwalk. Two Chiffchaff calling in the trees by where the path splits to lead towards the hide on the hill. At least four Goldcrest and loads of tits in that area as well.

Marston Lake from the South Hide yielded no close birds. The Oystercatcher x3 were circling making a racket. Cormorant x7 on their island and Goldeneye female x7 on the water - no males about. A few Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Moorhen and Coot were around as well as Little Grebe x2. Greylag Goose x2 were opposite the hide by the island where Jackdaws were exploring the nest box.

From the screen hide at the east end of the lake we could see the odd looking Goldeneye hybrid, Heron, Teal, Goldeneye females and Wigeon.

Following the path alongside the Alder Wood past the North Hide we haerd plenty of singing birds. We saw several Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker and tits. In the ushes by the end of the path near the visitor centre was another calling Chiffchaff.

[will@bill]

Stargate ponds flock of 12+ redpoll 1 chiffchaff 2 little grebes 2 reed buntings and a pair of courting kestrels

[will@bill]

Edmondbyers area
*cock Ring Ousel back on territory singing & Pr Stonechat

Blast Beach
Little Owl, Kestrel pr at nest & 4 pr of Fulmar on cliffs
3M 2F Stonechat watched 1pr nest building, the female doing most of the work.
Vis mig of Meadow Pipits with local birds in display flights & Alba Wagtails, 20+ singing Skylark,
1 Stock Dove N then out to sea
20 Common Scoter ots

Portrack Marsh
The 2 Penduline Tits seen well with pr Kingfisher, pr Bullfinch, M Ruddy Duck, 2 Siskin, 5 Reed Bunting, pr LBBGull, Dabchick, pr Pochard

Back Saltholme
(Spotshank yesterday) 4 Ruff, 2 Pink footed Goose, prSmew, 1 Water Pipit, Lapwings displaying, 1 Snipe, 5pr Pintail, 85 Wigeon

Saltholme East
*3 Sand Martin

Rec Pond
female Scaup, Red Necked Grebe starting to get a bit of colour, 3pr GCGrebe, 10 Goldeneye, 21 Ruddy Duck with Males displaying, 22prGadwall, 1Woodcock flushed from rough grass.

SE
here is stevies post from 26th march last year. note 22 ruddy duck seen?like you say not many this year

[ALFIE TEMPLE]

Freshly predated (headless)Red Legged Partridge at Horden Welfare Park

[will@bill]

liam has just spotted a almost white blackbird just out side his window 80% white.went out to get a pic but could not find it it will be the only bit birding for liam this weekend as he is grounded for homework crimes.

[whitburnmark]

The morning seawatch at Whitburn was good. Two 1st winter Iceland Gulls flew north, along with a Black-throated Diver and a Little Auk. Six duck species included 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, and Gannets and Kittiwakes were passing in increased numbers.
The Cormorants at Souter lighthouse have moved rock again this year; they don't seem to have settled on the stack off the lighthouse like last year, but a good few pairs are displaying and nest building on the stack off the Lizard Point car park. Great views here, wth birds constantly displaying and showing off to each other.

[DaveB]

Thirty five different species seen during this late morning visit to the reserve. Noteworthy records included the sightings of two Chiffchaffs (at least two more heard), several Goldcrest, five Redwings and at least ten Goldeneye (including 2 males and the lucisitic female).

Nine Cormorant, two Oystercatcher and a pair of Teal were on Marston Lake. Flyovers included two Grey Wagtails, two Mute Swans and a female Sparrowhawk.

The feeding station was less active than usual. Nuthatch (2), Great Tit (1), Blue Tit (2) and Coal Tit (1) were the only birds seen, arguably caused by the presence of ringers during the morning.

DaveB

[StevieEvans]

Bish Midd area for a couple of hours this afternoon.
A quick roadside stop for a pr of Kes nr Elemore, resulted in Derek finding a fresh road killed Long tailed Tit, sadly it must have been crossing the road during nest building as it had a bill full of feathers....

Anyway, 67 species seen despite a strengthening NE breeze.

Migrants
Only migrants on the move were the odd Mipit & Pied Wags (no whites). No Wheatears, no Sand Martin & no LRPs...
1 Chiffy contact calling nr the sluice, probs overwintered here.

Farmland species
Cracking views of 5 Corn Buntings on the ground at Town End Fm inc 1 singing.
CB MAP Town End Farm (http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.6748&lon=-1.4944&scale=25000&icon=x )
in excess of 100 Yellowhammer & 40 Chaffy - vast majority being cock birds.
20+ Stock Dove at both Stoneybeck & Castle Lake
Smaller groups of Linnet Tree Spug Reed Bunt & Skylarks

Waders
Nice flock of 93 Golden Plover most with jet black bellies & a single Ringed Plover.
Numerous Lapwings displaying & 80+Curlew; 3 Common Snipe up & off & 11 noisy & active Oystercatcher Redshanks prominant on 6 different pools.

Waterbirds
a sum plum GCGrebe on Castle Lake & a duck Pintail on A1M were the highlights.
pr Pochard 50+Tufted 50+Coot 220+Wigeon 100+Teal <20Shoveller 16Shelduck 25+Gadwall 5+Dabchick
Kingfisher on the Skerne at the sluice 3 ad Herons on A1M

nearly forgot....
Owls
LO. The roadside pool bird sheltering from the NE breeze at his Oak entrance hole

SE/DC

ps - No Ruddy ducks

[Julie10_10]

I spent a couple of hours watching Seal Sands at low tide this afternoon. Good numbers of waders present although they were disturbed by a Peregrine. Other highlights were

5 Red Throated Divers
12 Red Breasted Mergansers
6 Eiders
1 Guillemot
40+ Wigeon
150-200 Shelduck

[will@bill]

A question I think for our county recorder I have seen 4 or 5 white blackbirds from a few feathers to the one at Stanhope 2years ago that was almost all white. are these birds quite common are not?
also 200+ golden plovers over waskerley moor
600+ black headed gulls in 2 fields at westgate
black headed gulls were the most Popular bird today on the way to alston by far. been to my caravan which is only 2 1/2 miles out of county durham must move it closer and last years tawnys are still in same hole in tree..good

[lil-lisa]

Spent a few hours at WWT today, Hawthorn Hide quite busy, Blue, Great, Marsh,Coal , Long Tailed tits, Gold, Green, Bull ,Chaffinches, Dunnocks, Pheasant male and female , Robin and a first for me which was a male Reed Bunting. Was hoping for a Nuthatch but they decided to stay hidden.

[The Chairman]

Is your email down? Sent you a note about poss dawn chorus on 7 May but heard nowt back. JO says Low Barns up for it but if we r going for it we need to sort it b4 nxt Committee meeting as Lek will be at printers (if not back) by then. How are you fixed? I will be ok for it.

Bish Midd area for a couple of hours this afternoon.
A quick roadside stop for a pr of Kes nr Elemore, resulted in Derek finding a fresh road killed Long tailed Tit, sadly it must have been crossing the road during nest building as it had a bill full of feathers....

Anyway, 60 odd species seen despite a strengthening NE breeze.

Migrants
Only migrants on the move were the odd Mipit & Pied Wags (no whites). No Wheatears, no Sand Martin & no LRPs...
1 Chiffy contact calling nr the sluice, probs overwintered here.

Farmland species
Cracking views of 5 Corn Buntings on the ground at Town End Fm inc 1 singing.
in excess of 100 Yellowhammer & 40 Chaffy - vast majority being cock birds.
20+ Stock Dove at both Stoneybeck & Castle Lake
Smaller groups of Linnet Tree Spug Reed Bunt & Skylarks

Waders
Nice flock of 93 Golden Plover most with jet black bellies & a single Ringed Plover.
Numerous Lapwings displaying & 80+Curlew; 3 Common Snipe up & off & 11 noisy & active Oystercatcher Redshanks prominant on 6 different pools.

Waterbirds
a sum plum GCGrebe on Castle Lake & a duck Pintail on A1M were the highlights.
pr Pochard 50+Tufted 50+Coot 220+Wigeon 100+Teal <20Shoveller 16Shelduck 25+Gadwall 5+Dabchick
Kingfisher on the Skerne at the sluice 3 ad Herons on A1M

nearly forgot....
Owls
LO. The roadside pool bird sheltering from the NE breeze at his Oak entrance hole

SE/DC

ps - No Ruddy ducks

[JBee]

Is the chaffinch unique in the way its beak changes colour from pink in winter to blue in spring/summer?

[whitburnmark]

A question I think for our county recorder I have seen 4 or 5 white blackbirds from a few feathers to the one at Stanhope 2years ago that was almost all white. are these birds quite common are not? ...

I don't think they're that unusual - Blackbirds seem more prone to the odd bit of white feathering than other species. But as to how many - of the people who do send their records in, very few ever mention them. But there again, not that many people send in Blackbird records.

[will@bill]

I don't think they're that unusual - Blackbirds seem more prone to the odd bit of white feathering than other species. But as to how many - of the people who do send their records in, very few ever mention them. But there again, not that many people send in Blackbird records.
Thanks mark .Had a look around the causey arch this morning at 7 am or was it 6am :h?: 5 chiffchaff 2 pairs of grey wags 1 kestrel calling 1 g/s woody heard drumming flock of 20+ chaffinches

[great bustard]

Had a look around brasside pond and surrounding areas this morning.
2 Very friendly Mute swans escorting me around the pond plus:-
Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Greylag, Tufties, Goldeneye, Canadian G, Mallard, Long Tail Tits, Great and Blue Tits, counted 5 what were probably chiff chaffs, although they looked slightly larger than usual, BRB......a quick look on the RSPB and still difficult to tell, i had a good listen to the singing and just compared and nothing simalar, these warblers a a nightmare to tell apart by the untrained eye!! I will do more research...any way, walking out of the pond area towards durham(frankland lane i think) great views of a heron standing in a field surrounded by Gorse and trees. Great views also of a green woodpecker flying across the field and onto a tree. Yellowhammers, Jays(10), Reed Buntings in horse manure? Grey Wagtails, and then ran out of time!! Im sure this would be a great place for owls and stuff.. Might check it out in the near future. Bye

[IanF]

A poor morning at Seaton Snook with very little about was followed by a good couple of hours at Hurworth Burn this afternoon.

Little Owl have been a bogey bird for me for a while now other than very distant views. This afternoon though I came across a pair right beside the road near Trimdon.

A wander along the cycleway then brought Long-eared Owl x4 all sat roosting in the afternoon sun - albeit in dense hawthorn bushes.

Also in the bushes were Chiffchaff 7+ presumably just arrived as they were moving through the bushes feeding together. Plenty of other birds too, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Lapwing and Curlew.

[Paul Mc]

So glad you posted a pic of the chiffchaff Ian, now I have no idea what it is I see regularly at the bottom of my feeders. Thought it was said bird but has more speckles?
Also, I'm now convinced I have to see a LEO before much longer.
I'm not good at lists but gave it a go today. Nothing exotic but lots of birds around here. Goldfinch, pied wagtail, skylark x3, tree sparrows x 12+, greenfinch, GSW, curlew, kestrel, cock pheasant, partridge, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, robin, wren & siskin.
Really good day here, now going on owl watch.
Sadly my wife & daughter had a run in with a couple of yobs with dogs who spoiled their day, these guys came very close to getting their bottoms smacked! Why do such people spoil the countryside?

[JBee]

Sunday - One winged puffin found by a walker and his girlfriend next to the stack on the Blast beach .
He was taking it home with him and was going to ring RSPB etc to find out if there was some kind of sanctuary. CW and I couldnt think of one near here.

[DaveB]

Forty four different species seen during this late morning visit to Saltholme Pools.

The reported pair of Smew were still on Back Saltholme. A single Snow Bunting, an adult Peregrine Falcon, several Pintail and two Lesser Black–backed Gulls were also there.

Geese in the area included Pink–footed Goose (24c), White–fronted Goose and three hybrised geese amongst the usual Canada and Greylag Geese.

The three Ring–necked Parakeets were still at Ward Jackson Park in Hartlepool.

DaveB

PS: Ian, nice pics of the Owls!

[mILLYg]

A poor morning at Seaton Snook with very little about was followed by a good couple of hours at Hurworth Burn this afternoon.

Little Owl have been a bogey bird for me for a while now other than very distant views. This afternoon though I came across a pair right beside the road near Trimdon.

A wander along the cycleway then brought Long-eared Owl x4 all sat roosting in the afternoon sun - albeit in dense hawthorn bushes.

Also in the bushes were Chiffchaff 7+ presumably just arrived as they were moving through the bushes feeding together. Plenty of other birds too, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Lapwing and Curlew.

You should change your name from The Moderator to The Magician as you are clearly able to make anything appear! Crackin' photos too!!

[DenBee]

Thought I would go out for a ramble round my local patches this afternoon. starting at Dalton Moor not a great deal about out of the usual although did hear and see my first Skylark of the year been harrased by Kestrel, also Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Linnet on the increase in the area.
On to Seaton Pond still a few Greylag hanging around along with Gadwal x 5 but much the same as D.M, then onto the long slog over to Hetton Lyons C.P past the newly erected Wind turbines at High Sharpley on arrival at C.P there is still a large gathering of Mute Swan x 16 on the larger of the lakes. No sign of the Goosander that has been hanging around for the last few weeks
Back through Plantation Wood to Murton no bird presence seen although dusk was now setting in.
On the whole a very enjoyable ramble even though not a great lot about.

Happy Birding to all out there

[Bonsaibirder]

Two Corn Buntings singing near the road just south of Ryhope Dene today.

[Ian Hamiltan]

hello everyone
went for a early morning stroll to timber beach just befor dawn.
1-2 grey heron.pr shelduck,3pr mallard,4 teal,small nos curlew and redshank calling,
singing birds were woodpigeon,5 wren,6 robin,3 blackbird,1-2 great tit.

[StevieEvans]

1 flying low over the road at Gilesgate Moor yesterday afternoon....!
unfortunately returning to a gloved fist...... :storm:


A Heads up from the Northern Kites Office.

'Northern Kites'

Tyne Tees, 7.30 pm, 27th March

This thirty-minute documentary, about the work of the Northern Kites Project, will be shown at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 27th March, on Tyne Tees. The documentary has been made by Working Wonders and covers a year in the life of the Project, including the first breeding of red kites in the region for almost two hundred years.



Bits & Bobs
1 Wheatear at Herrington at wkend
Leos & Woodcocks displaying at Durham City & Murton last night
1 Corn Bunting nr Seaton Pond

SE

[DEREK.C.]

For the first time this year elemore wood seemed alive with bird song. I don`t know where the chaffinchs have been all winter but they are everywhere now . Around 6 goldcrests singing, 3 treecreeper , 4 chiff chaff, 20+ great tit, coal tit.
The wetland between elemore and littletown is usually a good site. With the farmer in the stewardship now we might be able to improve certain areas.
Today it held 10 snipe,12 curlew,25 lapwing , 20 mallard+ pairs of oystercatcher, grey wagtail and heron, pretty sure i heard a distant kingfisher as well but couldnt see it.
Single buzzard soaring above with a pair of sparrowhawk, with another nearby soaring with a pair of kestrel.
Back into the wood near elemore hall school produced another pair of kestrel + 2 pairs of jay, nuthatch and great spotted woodpeckers. Only one tawny heard hooting today , with a good chance of the females on eggs by now.
3 hours absolutely flew over and never saw a soul. :bounce:

[Shaggy2070]

Spent a couple of hours at Jaybee and CWs' hide at Hetton Bogs and bumped into Jaybee and Spuggy there.
Loads of Tits, Reed Buntings, Chaffinches, a pair of Bullfinches, 3 Cock Pheasants, Coot, Moorhens, Mallards, Robin, Magpies, Sparrowhawk Flying overhead, Heron took-off just as I left and the Water Rail showed well a couple of times this afternoon.

[Bonsaibirder]

Interesting goings on above Dawdon Blast Beach on the cliffs. At least two separate pools have been dug-out and filled with water, one just next to the more southerly path down to the beach (opposite the stack) and the other at the northern end of the grassy field near the metal foot-bridge. The pools are pretty small and may struggle to hold birds until there is some serious vegetation around them. On the other hand, they may be designed for other wildlife perhaps.

Cheers,

[Ian Hamiltan]

went for my weekly yomp thru n.hylton in the dark this morning to barmston pond;
pr little grebe,1 mute swan,pr wigeon,1 shoveler,16 tufted duck,5-10 coot,4-6 moorhen
2 oystercatcher,woodcock flushed from the trees se end just before dawn,6 lbb gull,
1 chiffchaff.yellowhammer singing from nissan.back thru n hylton 4 chiffchaff,3 pr
shelduck,upto 10 teal on the river,at timber beach,1 gl goose flew w up river,5 dunlin,
150 redshank,1 chiffchaff singing and 1 willow tit.

[whitburnmark]

Birdguides reports 2 Avocets back on Wader Lake, Washington WWT today (for their second day). Excellent news! Wonder if it's both last years adults or if the juv. is involved? Fingers crossed that the water level is right and they quickly settle.

[Bonsaibirder]

Hi Mark,

Weren't the chicks ringed and presumably the adults not?

cheers,

Birdguides reports 2 Avocets back on Wader Lake, Washington WWT today (for their second day). Excellent news! Wonder if it's both last years adults or if the juv. is involved? Fingers crossed that the water level is right and they quickly settle.

[IanF]

Hi Mark,

Weren't the chicks ringed and presumably the adults not?

cheers,
Great news that they're back and so soon!

14th April 2006 a pair turned up on North Tees Marshes and I think it was a few days later before they turned up at Wshington.

Were they ringed - they weren't when this one was taken on 15th July 2006 a week after hatching.

[Bonsaibirder]

Were they ringed - they weren't when this one was taken on 15th July 2006 a week after hatching.

I seem to remember us publishing a picture of a chick in the hand, being rung (its leg not its neck) in The Lek ;)

[Quacker]

Great news that they're back and so soon!

14th April 2006 a pair turned up on North Tees Marshes and I think it was a few days later before they turned up at Wshington.

Were they ringed - they weren't when this one was taken on 15th July 2006 a week after hatching.

The Washington ones Turned up first week in June. The chicks were ringed (LEK photo's confirmed this) one of the chicks disappeared, as did one of the adults, then the remaining chick and adult flew and were relocated on Tees Marshes the next day (or 2 of the 3 were).

Great to think they are earlier this time (assuming the same pair) and certainly more experienced :t:

[DEREK.C.]

I seem to remember us publishing a picture of a chick in the hand, being rung (its leg not its neck) in The Lek ;)
Yeah they were definately rung steve its in the autumn lek

[will@bill]

Interesting goings on above Dawdon Blast Beach on the cliffs. At least two separate pools have been dug-out and filled with water, one just next to the more southerly path down to the beach (opposite the stack) and the other at the northern end of the grassy field near the metal foot-bridge. The pools are pretty small and may struggle to hold birds until there is some serious vegetation around them. On the other hand, they may be designed for other wildlife perhaps.

Cheers,
hi steve we were down there yesterday and seen the pools i bet they are for something worthless and nothing to do with the birds.did you see anything while you were there? we seen plenty of skylarks linnets yellowhammers and the little owl but not our target wheatear. we seen a very very pale female chaffinch today that had us going for a while. looked almost white.these snaps are of the Usual quality… pin sharp..just like stevie likes them!! jbee you only have to ask and i will give you some tips!

[IanF]

Yep! Just checked the Avocets were ringed in July :t:

Maybe the article from the Autumn Lek 2006 should be reproduced on the web site as it was perhaps one of the most notable events in County Durham that year. The Red Kites are already featured.

[whitburnmark]

A few pics I forgot about from the weekend; Far Pasture on Sunday afternoon.

Quick checks of Rainton Meadows and Herrington CP this afternoon didn't produce many migrants, just a couple of Chiffchaffs at Joe's Pond, even though it did feel rather spring-like in the sun. 8 Goldeneye were still at Rainton too.

Pablo Hugelist was the voice of Durham Bird Club on the radio this afternoon. He was involved in an interview for Radio Newcastle on the return of the Avocets to Washington, along with Dean from WWT. PH did very well and coped with the questions admirably, especially when the interviewer asked him if it wasn't cheating by counting the Avocets in a reserve where there's loads of captive ducks! Paul carefully explained that although many ducks were plastic, the Avocets weren't...

[DEREK.C.]

On looking at marks photo of a buzzard ,i`ve noticed a few flights missing.
One of the buzzards at elemore has missing flights in one wing as well,at first i thought some idiot had took a potshot at it , but perhaps they have a partial moult this time of year, anybody know? :stuck:

[StevieEvans]

Barnes Park, S'land
singing Chiffchaff, drumming GSW, pr Grey Wagtail & several Meadow Pipits over north.


Last nights owling nr Durham City brought 4 Littles, 2 roding Woodcock & a surprise encounter while watching a Leo pair.....

I was creeping closer to see where the female Leo was calling from, when i heard something bounding towards me through the long grass.......
(there had been a free-range Doberman on this site a few year back so i imagined the worst case scenario.....! :eek!: )

i stood up & was stunned to see a Roe Buck in full flight !

He quickly veered off barking loudly at the same time. He stopped to stare at me only 25 metres away & barked again, before calmly walking off. He barked again 5 mins later.
It put the wind up me to say the least.... i climbed up an easy Silver Birch (just to be on the safe side) & waited for the owls to recommence their activity. After 10 mins the female began calling again, by this time it was just about dark, although the half moon was casting shadow, combined with Durhams intense light pollution gave good silhouetted views as the male came in wing clapping & deliberately altered course to flush a pair of Mallard of a small pool.
First time i can remember being scared of a British mammal.


Hetton Lyons 2day
1 Per, 3 LO, 1 LEO, 5 Chiffchaff
SE

[StevieEvans]

Survey is yet to "officially" commence, but another report in last night of a Barn Owl seen flying from an active central quarry location at 20:31, whilst screeching noisily. :t:
SE

[Paul Mc]

Survey is yet to "officially" commence, but another report in last night of a Barn Owl seen flying from an active central quarry location at 20:31, whilst screeching noisily. :t:
SE
Can't imagine you being scared of any night creatures Stevie!
Just back from my evening walk, B.O. heard but not seen

Paul

[whitburnmark]

hi steve we were down there yesterday and seen the pools i bet they are for something worthless and nothing to do with the birds.did you see anything while you were there? we seen plenty of skylarks linnets yellowhammers and the little owl but not our target wheatear. we seen a very very pale female chaffinch today that had us going for a while. looked almost white.these snaps are of the Usual quality… pin sharp..just like stevie likes them!! jbee you only have to ask and i will give you some tips!

Hi Will,
Surprising how Great Grey Shrike-like the photos looks! PH is down that way later today and was going to call in for a look at it. Where abouts did you see the 'odd Chaffinch'? By the look of the conifer, I presume it wasn't Dawdon?

[IanF]

Hi Will,
Surprising how Great Grey Shrike-like the photos looks! PH is down that way later today and was going to call in for a look at it. Where abouts did you see the odd Chaffinch? By the look of the conifer, I presume it wasn't Dawdon?
Lol! I thought the same when I first saw it. Even blown up, it still looks possible.

[DEREK.C.]

Lol! I thought the same when I first saw it. Even blown up, it still looks possible.
I agree ian, it looks like a g g s to me, its markings look the same ,
Meanwhile i`ve found out that buzzards moult gradually between march and november, with the females losing flight feathers around the time of incubation.
Well at least i neednt worry about them being shot at now

[NeilF]

Pair of Avocets feeding on Wader Lake 9.30 this morning and a single Black-Tailed Godwit in summer breeding plumage. Also plenty of Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Grey Heron and Snipe.

[Ian Hamiltan]

I agree ian, it looks like a g g s to me, its markings look the same ,
Meanwhile i`ve found out that buzzards moult gradually between march and november, with the females losing flight feathers around the time of incubation.
Well at least i neednt worry about them being shot at now
in ageement derek looks like a great grey shrike to me also.

[Ian Hamiltan]

Whitburn Steel;
1 grey heron
10 eider (8 drakes 2 females)
oystercatcher
5 ringed plover
4 sanderling also 14 at roker
3 dunlin
curlew
50+redshank
turnstone

[ronaldo]

Thought I'd create a new thread for those Birders in and around the Durham area, it'll probably go down like a lead balloon though.
Waldridge Fell was my birding choice for last night and tonight. Managed to get Green Woodpecker (1st for the year), Linnet, Yellowhammer, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Grey Partridge, Mallard, Swallow, Swift and a pair of Wheatears.
I had a solitary Red Kite last Tuesday at the Fell, flew off towards Gateshead.
I'm going to try Chester le Street riverside tomorrow, to see if I can get Kingfisher, Dipper, Goosander and Grey Wagtail.
I did have a Wheatear at the Riverside Sports Complex the other night, it was sitting on the skip next to the running track which was a pleasant surprise.
I will try to update every day, that's if I get the chance to get out birding.
Please feel free to post your sightings and words of wisdom.
Til the next time.
B (:
i live on durhams industrial coast and am an ex coalminer .amazing how wildlife and birds especially are returning in large numbers.the coast is now becomming much cleaner,due to the turning of the tide campaign and countryside management.i have just bought myself a nikon d80 and was wondering if anyone can advise on suitable lenses to buy i :hi:

[IanF]

Hi ronaldo,

As this is your first post - welcome to Bird Forum :t:

Lens wise then it really depends on budget and whether you want a birding lens or one for more general use. Personally I find 400mm is about the minimum reach for bird photos - you can get away with 300mm but you need to get really close to the birds (6'-10').

For Nikon mount cameras the Sigma and Tamron ranges are very popular.

The Sigma 400mm prime lens is very sharp and the 170-500mm is pretty good for a zoom as is the 80-400mm. The 50-500mm is a top lens as well but a little heavier. Mind you JBee on here has perhaps the best of all Sigmas for birding the 300-800mm - you need strong arms and a big wallet though!

From Tamron then the 200-500mm is very highly regarded.

This forum has plenty more discussion on various lenses for Nikon Cameras (http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=454)

[DEREK.C.]

Got out nice eventually so got back round my local patch again.
Not suprisingly the way things have been lately the first bird seen at elemore is a buzzard been chased by a curlew. I`ve noticed most of the lapwings and curlews seem to have moved off since monday with only 3 pair each left,but the snipe remain ,with lots of noise coming from the marsh . 2 male meadow pipit involved in their parachute display have been joined by 2 pair of reed bunting. Definately a kingfisher about but i`ve yet to see the blighter.
Chiff chaffs have come on this week, only 2 seen last week but heard 10 singing males today.
2 woodpeckers heard druming from near elemore hall school,with another 2 buzzards nearby soaring with a pair of sparrowhawk. A goldcrest right next to me busy nestbuilding, also nice to see the hares doing well in the area with 4-5 seen . 3 pair of stock dove gliding about in display letting me get pretty close which is unusual for them .
I dont know what the tawny owls are up to but there are some wierd noises coming from them at the moment hidden in spruce trees.
Finally i thought i`d try to count the singing robins today and got to 32 then got sick. ;)

[whitburnmark]

...I dont know what the tawny owls are up to but there are some wierd noises coming from them at the moment hidden in spruce trees...

Are you SURE it's Tawny Owls that are making the noises? From what I've been reading on here lately, strange moaning noises and things hiding in trees could also point to Stevie Evans, still worried about being charged by a Roe Deer!

Come on Will@Bill - get yourself on the computer and put us all out of our misery over the location of the 'Great Grey Chaffinch'! :h?:

[Ross Ahmed]

Hi Will,
Surprising how Great Grey Shrike-like the photos looks! PH is down that way later today and was going to call in for a look at it. Where abouts did you see the 'odd Chaffinch'? By the look of the conifer, I presume it wasn't Dawdon?

Exactly what I thought!

Don't know if tail looks too squared-off in second photo?

[JBee]

At the risk of being totally humiliated when someone tells me these are homing pigeons :) this pair of (says it quickly and quietly) stock doves sat preening themselves for almost an hour. Offered little else in the way of a photo.
A bit too distant for really good shots (even for the Sigma tank barrel and convertor)

[Ian Hamiltan]

At the risk of being totally humiliated when someone tells me these are homing pigeons :) this pair of (says it quickly and quietly) stock doves sat preening themselves for almost an hour. Offered little else in the way of a photo.
A bit too distant for really good shots (even for the Sigma tank barrel and convertor)
hi jbee im afraid theyre just feral pigeons.

[rokermartin]

Good day for Iceland Gulls ,Sunderland harbour this pm 1 2ndw Iceland Gull ,Whitburn Steel 1 2ndw Iceland Gull.I also went down to Teeside today 50+ PF geese,2 Iceland Gulls,2 Smew and 2 Goosander.No sign of any summer migrants down there today.

[DEREK.C.]

At the risk of being totally humiliated when someone tells me these are homing pigeons :) this pair of (says it quickly and quietly) stock doves sat preening themselves for almost an hour. Offered little else in the way of a photo.
A bit too distant for really good shots (even for the Sigma tank barrel and convertor)
Yes jbee definately feral pigeons ,known affectionately round my way as flying rats. Pity you couldnt sometimes convert your sigma tank barrel into a bazooka ;)

[JBee]

Got a few shots of a couple of feral pigeons today - see above |:$| |:$|

[The Chairman]

Stevie Evans alias The Scarlet Pimpernel please ring me. Don't worry you don't owe me money!

[Paul Mc]

Got a few shots of a couple of feral pigeons today - see above |:$| |:$|
Hey JBee,
At least you made them look pretty good? :clap:
You free over the easter to shoot (with camera not bazooka) my tree sparrows?

Paul

[will@bill]

Sorry lads but I had to go to work today for the 1st time this week just come in to this hive of activity never know a chaffinch to Cause so much controversy. give me some credit lads don’t think I have missed a g g shrike it was definitive a very pale chaffinch we got a good look at it 40ft with a 22x 70 scope( liams ) and had my field guide in my pocket. it looks like it’s a fair distant but I only have 3x zoom on my camera.by the way it was it slaley forest. sorry to break your hearts. going to look for some owls now
... back from owling heard 1 tawny but still have not seen them

[JBee]

Hey JBee,
At least you made them look pretty good? :clap:
You free over the easter to shoot (with camera not bazooka) my tree sparrows?

Paul
Indeed I am - look forward to it - any day other than thursdays.

[JBee]

To somewhat regain my street cred after feral pigeon mania I DEFINATELY know what this is (unless CW deliberately gave me false info |=)| )
Once again though severe distance involved with the bird not budging from a mid point on the lake. I sat camo'd in on the lake edge from 7am - 3pm and it never came closer even though greylags, swans, coots and everything else on the water were happy to come within yards.

A juvenile male ruddy duck taken yesterday

[lil-lisa]

Barnes Park, S'land
singing Chiffchaff, drumming GSW, pr Grey Wagtail & several Meadow Pipits over north.

Stevie,
when were you in the park as I was there yesterday. When you say "over north" where exactly did you mean?

[kramark]

Hi could you tell me where holywell hall is i would like to check out the swans.
thanks


Several partridge there, including 2 cock Greys disputing - resulting in the loser taking his frustration out on one of the "free-range" Red-leggeds & seeing it off.

Exactly right place right time as a Kingfisher went under as i drove over the railway sleeper bridge at Old Durham, with a Yaffle shouting from Pelaw woods.... maybe rain soon...?

pair of Little Owls occupying a club box on a farm (they ignored it last year)
another new LO territory in the Wear between Dham & Ch-Le-St

SE

[DEREK.C.]

Out last night round my local patch with steve, it seemed a completly different world to the daylight walks i`m used to , with different sounds entirely, i got a suprise at the amount of activity around.
Around 7.45 a funny whirring sound began coming from the marsh near elemore hall, which steve confirmed was drumming snipe in territory, with at least 3 heard in total. 2 woodcock flew over , suddenly movement ahead as 6 roe deer bolted across a short way ahead ,in the opposite direction this time despite steves presence.
A short circular walk on the way back didnt produce our target species of long eared owl , but at least 9 possibly 10 tawnys were heard .
In all an enjoyable experience, certainly something i`ll be doing more often , cheers steve. :t:

[sharpy]

A couple of interesting pics ( well they were for me ) a first time view of a - I think - Black Tailed Godwit, quality not so good - shot from a distance!
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9355.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9357.jpg

and a nest of Grey Heron ( 3 chicks I think ) - seems quite early to me.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9450.jpg

All taken at WWT Washington.

And a couple from Brasside pond of a Reed Bunting
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9308.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9316.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9268.jpg

Regards Alan.

[gogsy]

Walking past Roker Park yesterday Grey heron flew overhead and GSW flitting around the trees.

[Bonsaibirder]

Don't know if tail looks too squared-off in second photo?

Yes, I thought that too Ross - tail too short and square. If it were a Shrike (which I don't think it is) the shape looks more like Lesser Grey...

[JBee]

Only by asking questions can you learn (provided someone answers of course)
I keep reading about 2 different kinds of cormorants and using the gulchar (sp) patch as a aid to ID. Now if I knew what a gulchar patch was or where to look for it (the bare bit at the base of the beak is a bit to cryptic for me) then it would help.
While out the other day I got shots of these 2 cormorants - the darker one is the only photo I have in my cormorant folder with a red patch.
In my naivity I'll hazard a guess that the darker one is an adult in breeding plummage (I know the white patch shows that) and the browner bird with white front is a juvenile.
I'll be happy if that is correct but would love to know which of the cormorant species this/these are and in a bit more detail how (by reference to the photo) you tell.
Cheers

[JBee]

At long last a male and female bullfinch have become daily visitors to the feeding station.

[StevieEvans]

Holywell Hall

10 Sand Martin & 2 Swallow (inc a singing male )
drake Pintail 5 Dabchick pr Snipe

others in valley 30+Tree Sparrow, Sparrowhawk, Green Woodpecker, Little Owl, 50 Teal, Heron, Kestrel , GSW drumming several Fieldfare & Redwings, several singing Chiffchaff etc etc
Numerous noisy free range Red legged Partridge, but only 2 pr of Greys seen. LBBGulls & Meadow Pipits moving north. Cock Reed Bunting singing.

1 Lapwing on eggs, Curlews in display flight
Signs of plenty of Otter activity on the Wear.

SE

Ring Ouzel at Hetton
1 Buzzard 1Leo 2 LO 3GSW 4Chiffchaff at Houghton

[will@bill]

iceland gull and 4 sand martins at Dormans Pool today

[StevieEvans]

Stevie,
when were you in the park as I was there yesterday. When you say "over north" where exactly did you mean?

Hi Lisa, by "over north", i meant going over north (migrating), sorry 4 confusion. Hope you heard & saw the Chiffchaff, he was belting out "Tiff-taff", 4 most of the morning.



Hi could you tell me where holywell hall is i would like to check out the swans.
thanks

Winter 2006 LEK has a full site guide with colour OS maps as the very first article.

Holywell Hall Lake is in the Wear valley between Brancepeth & Brandon.
View from Grid ref NZ 248 372, although Whooper Swans are long gone.

Cheers
SE

Recent Ring necked Parakeet at Stillington.

[hutch]

steve the pintail at holywell was released by the dr and his wife which live in the hall only know as i service there fire extiguishers beats me y just a drake

[MalR]

Anyone know anything about reports of a firecrest at Whitburn Country Park today? I saw it reported on the UK Birdwatching Links latest bird news.

Cheers,
Malcolm

[Boldon Buzzard]

While working in a Cleadon Village garden today shouting Herring Gulls drew my attention to 4 Grey Herons flying north. Five minutes later the gulls were agitated again as a WHITE STORK flew low over head flying east.

[will@bill]

this was found at Dormans Pool today owl or fox? full of feathers
what about these feathers?

[Helenelizabeth2]

Only by asking questions can you learn (provided someone answers of course)
I keep reading about 2 different kinds of cormorants and using the gulchar (sp) patch as a aid to ID. Now if I knew what a gulchar patch was or where to look for it (the bare bit at the base of the beak is a bit to cryptic for me) then it would help.
While out the other day I got shots of these 2 cormorants - the darker one is the only photo I have in my cormorant folder with a red patch.
In my naivity I'll hazard a guess that the darker one is an adult in breeding plummage (I know the white patch shows that) and the browner bird with white front is a juvenile.
I'll be happy if that is correct but would love to know which of the cormorant species this/these are and in a bit more detail how (by reference to the photo) you tell.
Cheers

JBee, if you do a search, Jane Turner posted an explanation of the gular patch on here a while ago which was really great and made it clear to me when I hadn't understood it all from the paper I first read.

Here it is:

http://www.birdforum.net/printthread.php?t=75786

Cheers
Helen

[Kesterel]

While working in a Cleadon Village garden today shouting Herring Gulls drew my attention to 4 Grey Herons flying north. Five minutes later the gulls were agitated again as a WHITE STORK flew low over head flying east.

I'm out on bike tomorrow, so I'll keep a look out. I may pop to the AOL Pools to see if it or any Martins have arrived. I have a fully fledged (about a week out of the nest) Woodpigeon in the Garden. It means the parents must have been sitting in Early Feb!

[garret1]

this was found at Dormans Pool today owl or fox? full of feathers
what about these feathers?
fox scat and hen pheasants forewing,Tom

[will@bill]

fox scat and hen pheasants forewing,Tom
cheers

[Bonsaibirder]

Hi MalR,

The Firecrest was found by WhitburnMark yesterday morning as I was speaking to him on the phone - talk about getting gripped off!!

Not sure whether it has been seen subsequuently.

Cheers,


Anyone know anything about reports of a firecrest at Whitburn Country Park today? I saw it reported on the UK Birdwatching Links latest bird news.

Cheers,
Malcolm

[Ian Hamiltan]

brilliant picks of bullfinches jbee.

[Redrobn]

Hi everyone,took the dog for a walk along the blast beach this afternoon. saw a lovely wheateater, a little owl and a pair of kestrals.bye
Rob

[DaveB]

Two Hawfinch at Low Barns this PM.

DaveB

[StevieEvans]

............. I have a fully fledged (about a week out of the nest) Woodpigeon in the Garden. It means the parents must have been sitting in Early Feb!

Saw one today at Silksworth Lane, S'land.
Householder said it had been out of the nest for a week or so.
Incidentally the nest tree, a Leyland Cypress was right ontop of a very well stocked feeding station.... i wonder if this is also (as well as the mild weather in Feb) a factor in the early breeding ?


Bonxie, Glaucous Gull & Wheatear reported from Whitburn today & Little Ringed Plovers back on the Tees marshes.
SE

[StevieEvans]

Hi everyone,took the dog for a walk along the blast beach this afternoon. saw a lovely wheateater, a little owl and a pair of kestrals.bye
Rob

Hello Rob
Welcome to the forum.
One of our regulars Ted H. reports a Black Redstart down there this morning.
Cheers
SteveE




An hour round Sherburn House

Woodland
Nuthatch plastering last years GSW nest hole with mud, but in serious dispute with a feisty pr of Blue Tits.
Green Woody flushed & yaffling, GSW drumming, prTreecreeper
Tawny Owl incubating clutch of 3
Sparrowhawk & Kestrel circling
Coal tit pair foraging on edge of mixed wood, 1 was quite normal, its mate was an aberrant individual:- very dark backed & had dark grey flanks with a white stripe up the centre of breast !
( & NO before any tickers get excited ;) it isnt any sort of rare great gray chickadee - its a Coal Tit. )
Watched a pair of Goldcrests for 5 mins, with the male singing & the pair flitting in & out of same Norway Spruce but couldnt see exactly what they were up to.
A silent pair of Jay perched openly on edge of Hospital wood.

Summer Migrants
A cock Blackcap singing from Holly, Hazel & Rhodo understory was presumably freshly arrived ?; Chiffchaff were up from last week with 5 songsters.

Waterbirds
All the usuals along the beck, a pair of Grey Wags prMallard 1Moorhen Pied Wag 2Heron Kingfisher

Scrub
The Blackthorn clumps were full of life, all the common stuff from Wren Robin & Dunnock & numerous pairs of LongT Tailed Tiit - very common with 2 pairs collecting sheep wool snagged on bottom branches.
All 4 common finches & numerous thrushes including a straggling flock of 48 Redwing which came out of the deep cover to head of high north east.

Farmland
Limited, but several Skylark singing, a few Meadow Pipits over with pairs of larger birds including Stock Dove Pheasant & Grey Partridge


Mammals
2 Hares in a cereal field & a Grey Squirrel setting off alarm calls on the wood edge. Tracks of Roe Deer & Fox with evidence of Otters along the beck.

A compact site with a decent variety of species, Pied Fly, Barn Owl, LSW, Dipper, White Wag, Brambling have also been seen. Well worth a visit.

[DaveB]

No sign of the Hawfinches at Low Barns this morning.

Four Lesser Redpoll were close to the Butterfly garden. leucisitic Goldeneye still present with 3 males and several females. Ringers were out, so no time was spent on the feeding station.

DaveB

[ted hilland]

At Blast Beach this morn , at the descent on to the beach, ( near the car park) and on the rocks to the right as you descend a nice Black Redarse or should that be Redstart !!!!

[The Chairman]

At Blast Beach this morn , at the descent on to the beach, ( near the car park) and on the rocks to the right as you descend a nice Black Redarse or should that be Redstart !!!!

I'm so pleased you posted the photos as after the Xmas quiz (blame the drink Ted!) I was wondering whether or not to get my own arse/start down there to look for a Black Wheatear!

[ted hilland]

I'm so pleased you posted the photos as after the Xmas quiz (blame the drink Ted!) I was wondering whether or not to get my own arse/start down there to look for a Black Wheatear!


Aye Chairman.. very good. :clap: Thought I would get the first one in before the onslaught, waiting for Quackers sarcy comments next, expect hes working on it ! ;)

[The gaffer]

A quick visit this afternoon did not bring very much. No sign of the Firecrest. 14 gannet heading north and very close in to the obs at 15.00

[JBee]

Enjoyable day at the feeding station today.
Water rail has really been showing well the last week coming out into full view just in front of the hide.
Very brief visit by lone chiffchaff.
GSW always a certainty.
Had 10 minutes amusement as a blue tit and great tit got stuck into a bulrush stalk.
Other regulars in and out all day - coot, moorhen, long tail tit, coal tit, male and female bullfinch, mallow tit, reed bunting by the dozen, lots of male chaffinch + 1 female, dunnocks by the sackload, magpies, cock pheasant, male sparrowhawk flew through station twice. Little grebe and jay heard very close.

[DEREK.C.]

The feeding station at elemore is still attracting birds, managed a few pictures today,
Enjoyable day yesterday with dbc conservation officers john olley and steve skelton monitoring the hen harriers, with hen harrier and goshawk seen. Sadly these birds will need round the clock protection if breeding is attempted, but anyone who decides to give a bit time certainly w`ont be disapointed. :t:

[DaveB]

Northern Wheatear near Sleightholme Farm this pm.

DaveB

[StevieEvans]

At Blast Beach this morn , at the descent on to the beach, ( near the car park) and on the rocks to the right as you descend a nice Black Redarse or should that be Redstart !!!!

That could well be a black & blue arse if you slip on that descent..... :eek!:
Nice find Ted



Warden Law area today CW
2 Jack Snipe 1 Long-eared owl 2 Ruddy Duck 6 Gadwall


Earlier in the week
Ring Ouzel & Wheatear at Bollihope on Monday.

[JBee]

Very frustrated I didn't nail this shot.
Focus is off and just managed to keep great tits tail in frame.
Could have been a nice image |=(|
They appear to be saying - "Have we made all that mess?"

[Quacker]

Aye Chairman.. very good. :clap: Thought I would get the first one in before the onslaught, waiting for Quackers sarcy comments next, expect hes working on it ! ;)

Some things just don't need to be said Ted :t:

[fastshot1]

blackcap still present and the pair of kingfishers still showing very well!
thanx
steve

[DaveB]

A male Ring Ouzel at Bollihope. Two Red Kites (one untagged) and a Common Buzzard, near Kinninvie.

DaveB

[whitburnmark]

After a weekend away of 'BnB' (booze, no birding), I had a trip to Washington WWT this afternoon. The pair of Avocets were still on Wader Lake and very encouragingly were showing signs of settling down to nest - checking the old nest site, shifting stones around, mutual display etc. One was rather rude in showing it's rear to the hide!
The s/p Black-tailed Godwit was also still resent along with over 100 Redshank and 5 Snipe. 3 Chiffchaffs were singing and Hawthorn Wood hide was still busy with Bullfinches, Chaffinchs and Goldfinchs. Also a few Robins were claiming territories - by the look of this close up, why on earth were they picked as the cheery friendly bird of Xmas. Damn scary if you ask me, especially if you're a worm!
Also 1 Sand Martin over Barmston Pond and a few more L B-b Gulls around.

[MalR]

After a weekend away of 'BnB' (booze, no birding), I had a trip to Washington WWT this afternoon. The pair of Avocets were still on Wader Lake and very encouragingly were showing signs of settling down to nest - checking the old nest site, shifting stones around, mutual display etc. One was rather rude in showing it's rear to the hide!
The s/p Black-tailed Godwit was also still resent along with over 100 Redshank and 5 Snipe. 3 Chiffchaffs were singing and Hawthorn Wood hide was still busy with Bullfinches, Chaffinchs and Goldfinchs. Also a few Robins were claiming territories - by the look of this close up, why on earth were they picked as the cheery friendly bird of Xmas. Damn scary if you ask me, especially if you're a worm!
Also 1 Sand Martin over Barmston Pond and a few more L B-b Gulls around.

Great robin pic, Mark. So different to the usual cutey robin shots. Like all good photography it shows the real character of the subject. You wouldn't mess with him, would you, if you were another robin? Excellent stuff!

Malcolm

[JBee]

A few pheasant closeups

[Kesterel]

Householder said it had been out of the nest for a week or so.
Incidentally the nest tree, a Leyland Cypress was right ontop of a very well stocked feeding station.... i wonder if this is also (as well as the mild weather in Feb) a factor in the early breeding ?


Are you watching my house? It is exactly the same situation for my bird. The Leyland Cypress is in next door's garden but overhangs my feeders! This youngun' has also been out of the nest for about a week.

[allan rowell]

Hi Everybody,
after a hesitant start I think I,ve got a grip on this Forum malarky.My names Allan Rowell ( some call me Hoopoe,well not really they don't but I,m prepared to pay them good money if they will ) http://www.birdforum.net/newreply.php#. Let me explain,In the spring edition of The Lek our Chairman wrote an article on for his Local Patch Tunstall Hills which is my patch too, at the end of the article he mentioned his frustration at finding out by pager that someone had spotted a Hoopoe on the Hill, yes you,ve guessed it it was me, only been Birding for 4 years and to cap it all I,d only joined Birdguides a week before ( now thats what I call service ), I,ve got the date down ( my first record,I wasn't big on records till then ) to 18:30 tue 19/04/05.Bet that pushes the knife even further in eh, Paul.
I mention the date cos Stevie seemed to be quizzing me about it down Bishop Middleham, ( I think he thinks I,m a wrongun and there may be some truth in that eh, Stevie ). well got to go now just thought i,d say hello.

Hoopoe !

[JBee]

Nice to see the wren back at the feeding station after a long absence.
Lone chiffchaff popped in again but wouldnt come out to play.
Water rail once again showing within a couple of yards.

[Bonsaibirder]

In the spring edition of The Lek our Chairman wrote an article on for his Local Patch Tunstall Hills which is my patch too, at the end of the article he mentioned his frustration at finding out by pager that someone had spotted a Hoopoe on the Hill, yes you,ve guessed it it was me, only been Birding for 4 years and to cap it all I,d only joined Birdguides a week before ( now thats what I call service )
Hi Allan,

Welcome to the forum - looks like you had better get the Chairman's phone number in case you find anything else on the Hill!!

By the way, we would have to call you Hoopoe, if you made that your Birdforum name!!

Cheers,

[whitburnmark]

A bit of news from BirdGuides:
White Stork Durham (14:45) seen from the A1 soaring above the Dragonville Industrial Estate

[fastshot1]

next to thornley kennels (rowlands gill) today:

1 peregrine
3 red kite
1 buzzard
1 sparrowhawk
1 kestrel

far pastures :

singing chiffchaff

hagg hill woods:

peacock butterfly

[StevieEvans]

A bit of news from BirdGuides:
White Stork Durham (14:45) seen from the A1 soaring above the Dragonville Industrial Estate

could have seen that from our garden!, but i was in the dentists chair.

maybe attracted by all the gulls that circle about the factory roof colonies ?
30+ ad LBB's there yesterday.



Also 1 Sand Martin over Barmston Pond and a few more L B-b Gulls around.
2 Sand Martins over Joes Pond yesterday evening
50+ LBBGulls moving over NE late pm yesterday at Pittington Hills



Wear Valley between Dham & Brasside Pond @ midday.
No hirundines at all
min of 12 singing Chiffchaffs
5 Goosander & a Grey Wagtail on the river.
8 noisy Jays together at Hoppers Wood, making some very peculiar metallic type noises. Stock Dove & Bullfinch both singing there too.
male Green Woodpecker feeding on the ground, a partial sum plum Brambling with Yellowhammers & Chaffinches & a calling Little Owl nr Frankland Park.
female Green Woodpecker watched feeding in an Oak, after being flushed from track at Brasside
Pond very quiet with 8 Goldeneye, although an adult Kittiwake was a surprise ( my 2nd here in over 20 years ) amongst 450 gulls inc 12ad LBB's.
Several Sparrowhawks on the wing today. ;)

SE


Very little reported at Rainton /Joes today - highlight 6 Goldeneye.

[Redrobn]

hello, seen some swalows or martins at houghton gate coming back from work but diddnt hav any glasses.
Rob

[StevieEvans]

hello, seen some swalows or martins at houghton gate coming back from work but diddnt hav any glasses.
Rob

Rob
Skelly reports 13 Sand Martins there early this evening with another 17 nearby at Sedgeletch today.

Others from Sedgeletch ( MH ) over past few days include a passage pr of Shoveller, Gadwall & Goosander prospecting ? & a Green Sandpiper

SE

[allan rowell]

On a serious note and certainly Bird related, anybody want to view a copy of Al Gore's : An Inconvenient Truth. Get an address to me and I,ll post it on, as long as its being viewed I,m happy to let you have it.

Allan Rowell

:t:

[The Chairman]

Hi Allan,

Welcome to the forum - looks like you had better get the Chairman's phone number in case you find anything else on the Hill!!

By the way, we would have to call you Hoopoe, if you made that your Birdforum name!!

Cheers,

Don't remind me of that fateful evening. I can remember being stood on top of the hill and watching fog/drizzle moving in off North Sea. I have no doubt the Hoopoe was forced inland/down by the weather just a few minutes after myself and my colleague had left the hill top leaving the way open for Hoopoe Rowell to walk along the path just after us and flush the pink and black butterfly.

Thats just the way it happens sometimes, especially in areas where there are lots of dog walkers etc. I got him back in 2006 with Redstart, Ring Ouzel and Marsh Harrier but what will happen in the next few weeks is anyones guess. Thats the beauty of birding. To quote Forrest Gump "its like a box of chocolates.... you never know what you'll get next"

[JBee]

Wife and I had a ride through Weardale today. Only took a small Tamron 28-300 zoom to take shots of anything close to road side.
Stopped at the quarry for a bit to eat and spotted at least three ring ouzel sitting on the posts of a fence that runs along the top of the quarry (I'm certain they weren't feral pigeons :) :) ). Far to far away to take photos though.

[Stewart J.]

Lovely pics JBee

Stewart

[Skelly]

Houghton Gate yesterday evening

400 Golden Plover
16 Sand Martin
Single Redshank
Oystercatcher
50 Lapwing
Shelduck

Lambton Bridge

Very vocal pair of Dipper

[The gaffer]

A quick lunchtime sprint around a few South Tyneside spots produced the following:

Marsden Bay - 5 gannet heading north (one very dark which I assume is an immature bird)

Souter Point - Plenty of cormorants on the rock between car park and the lighthouse. Lots of the usual birds around performing aerobatics in the wind.

Boldon Flats - Many yellowhammer around the feeders, usual numbers of teal, wigeon, heron, lapwing, etc on the flats. One bird of note was a drake shoveler on the remaining pond.

[Quacker]

Wife and I had a ride through Weardale today. Only took a small Tamron 28-300 zoom to take shots of anything close to road side.
Stopped at the quarry for a bit to eat and spotted at least three ring ouzel sitting on the posts of a fence that runs along the top of the quarry (I'm certain they weren't feral pigeons :) :) ). Far to far away to take photos though.

As Stewart Said, nice one JBee

I am especially intrigued as to the lens - I'm looking for an all-rounder for Florida and considering the so called superzooms, 28-200 28-300 etc don't work, them pics look fine - especially as birds are a difficult subject :t:

I've pm'd you to save hijacking the thread lol.

[StevieEvans]

Houghton Gate yesterday evening
400 Golden Plover
16 Sand Martin
Single Redshank
Oystercatcher
50 Lapwing
Shelduck



Hiya Ian
popped by today at teatime
678 Golden Plovers - a mass of gold & black swirling in unison in flight... Absolutely Stunning !
1 Swallow - hawking by the pink terrace
nil Sand Martin
3pr Redshank
pr Oystercatcher
58 Lapwing an excellent (lowland) density here, mostly pairs on territory, min of 4 birds incubating, mobbing Crows & a H.Gull that dared to intrude.
pr Shelduck
25 Curlew single feeding flock.
1 Snipe
nil LRP
nil wagtails

SteveE

[StevieEvans]

Willow Warbler back at Hetton Bogs today (CW)

[Dab-chick]

Hi all! :hi:

Ive been watching the forum for a while....but never posted (i was a little nervous!) :eek!: so please be gentle with me

I just had to get out of the office & into the sun today ;)

Hamsterley area
Pair of Goshawks soaring about
Loads of Kestrels including a pair attacking a Buzzard!!!
A singing Chiffchaff & a Grey Wagtail
And a tawny owl calling! ;)

Egglestone area
2 or maybe 3 Kites! 1 was wingtagged, 1 untagged. They came really close to road and had excellent views :bounce:
A pair of Buzzards with 1 hovering like a Kestrel, along with Kites & Kestrels in the air together
And finally a Sparrowhawk passed by towards the conifer woods!

Bowlees
Easily 100+ Redwings in the tree tops singing really loudly with a few Fieldfares with them too.
Mistle thrushes, Song Thrushes & Blackbirds too!
Saw a Dippers nest & loads of Peacock butterflies out in the sun. :t:

Bollihope
A male Ring Ouzel and a male Wheatear
Think i may have seen a Raven too but not 100% sure :-C

What a wonderful enjoyable relaxing day! :t:

Shame to have to come home....


Dab-chick

[JBee]

Had a ride to Washington WWT today with CW to try for a few avocet photos.
Unfortunately they didnt want to play - 1 sat pretty much glued to the island while the other wandered around pretty aimlessly. Neither wandered up to the narrower and shallower stretch of the lake in front of Paddys hide (the best place to photograph them)
I hope sharpy had better luck as he stayed a little longer.
Picked up a few other photos throughout the day - a selection below.

[Stewart J.]

Again JBee a superb selction of photos :clap:

Stewart

[Bonsaibirder]

Love the Kestrels JBee - fantastic!

[JBee]

A few more from the day and if CW didnt lead me a bum steer they should be - shoveller, LBB gull, redshank, shelduck and an infamous ferel pigeon ;) (in no particualr order)

[sharpy]

Had a ride to Washington WWT today with CW to try for a few avocet photos.
Unfortunately they didnt want to play - 1 sat pretty much glued to the island while the other wandered around pretty aimlessly. Neither wandered up to the narrower and shallower stretch of the lake in front of Paddys hide (the best place to photograph them)
I hope sharpy had better luck as he stayed a little longer.
Picked up a few other photos throughout the day - a selection below.

JBee Kestral pics are especially stunning!! Not a lot happened after you left apart from the avocets ( what looked like to me ) started to scrape a nest site at the N end of the island
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9793.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9789.jpg

Then she tried it out for size
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9795.jpg



The herons started fishing just after you left 'sods law'
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9857.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9858.jpg


And gave a nice pose 'ANGEL OF THE WASHINGTON'
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_9707.jpg


Enjoyed your company and hope to see the pair of you ( C.W. ) at your hide
Regards Alan.

[IanF]

I had another look for owls at Hurworth Burn this evening. No sign of any Little Owl, but at least two Long-eared Owl were showing well.

Plenty of Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Lapwing and Crow - but no Chiffchaff - they may have moved on now.

[white van man]

JBee Kestral pics are especially stunning!! Not a lot happened after you left apart from the avocets ( what looked like to me ) started to scrape a nest site at the N end of the island
quality shots of avocets at washington also enjoyed the angel of washington excellent :t:

[StevieEvans]

Hi all! :hi:

Ive been watching the forum for a while....but never posted (i was a little nervous!) :eek!: so please be gentle with me

I just had to get out of the office & into the sun today ;)

Hamsterley area
Pair of Goshawks soaring about
Loads of Kestrels including a pair attacking a Buzzard!!!
A singing Chiffchaff & a Grey Wagtail
And a tawny owl calling! ;)

Egglestone area
2 or maybe 3 Kites! 1 was wingtagged, 1 untagged. They came really close to road and had excellent views :bounce:
A pair of Buzzards with 1 hovering like a Kestrel, along with Kites & Kestrels in the air together
And finally a Sparrowhawk passed by towards the conifer woods!

Bowlees
Easily 100+ Redwings in the tree tops singing really loudly with a few Fieldfares with them too.
Mistle thrushes, Song Thrushes & Blackbirds too!
Saw a Dippers nest & loads of Peacock butterflies out in the sun. :t:

Bollihope
A male Ring Ouzel and a male Wheatear
Think i may have seen a Raven too but not 100% sure :-C

What a wonderful enjoyable relaxing day! :t:

Shame to have to come home....


Dab-chick

Hi Dabchick & welcome to the forum.
Sounds like you had a good day. There will be a few Kite watchers out this Saturday - let us know when you see them again (pls send all Kite sightings to the Northern Kites Project or the DBC)

I see you have all 6 thrushes on your list, quite impressive - i wouldnt have thought you had any need to be a little nervous at all.



The first incubating female Long-eared Owl of the season watched today :t: ( full marks to I.Skelton)
Derek & i had a female calling from a different nest tree last night.


Stunning piece of work Ian, Leo flight shot is ace, but i love the difference in facial expresions between images 2 & 3.
It seems a very frosty grey headed bird ? is this a true colour likeness or is my monitor dodgy ?

John, looks like your Kes has a rat as prey ?
( keep trying & you'll get up there with the likes of Ian & Mark ;) )



Hopefully there'll be a good few birds turning up over the Holiday weekend.

SteveE

[colossus]

Barmston Pond

1 Swallow
2 Chiffchaff
etc

[IanF]

.............
Stunning piece of work Ian, Leo flight shot is ace, but i love the difference in facial expresions between images 2 & 3.
It seems a very frosty grey headed bird ? is this a true colour likeness or is my monitor dodgy ?
........................
SteveE
I figured the paler one maybe a youngster from last years brood - just a guess really - though other owl species (Barnies) vary in colour so I dare say LEO's may as well. Two of them are quite pale and the others have been the more usual darker colours.

Having said that bird 2 was sat with it's back to the sun whereas the others were all facing into the sun which accounts for colour differences.

[JBee]

John, looks like your Kes has a rat as prey ?
( keep trying & you'll get up there with the likes of Ian & Mark ;) )

SteveE
I can only hope.

Hard to resist a cock pheasant in full sun.
The water rail wont let me leave the feeding station unless I take his/her photo.
Couple of cormorants from Marsden on the way back from Washington WWT yesterday.

[JBee]

On the stack at Marsden yesterday there was a lot of "sky watching/pointing" (?????) going on. Also lots of seedweed being brought in as "presents"
With that in mind I'm uncertain as to wether the gull is chasing the cormorant because it is carrying a pipe fish or wether the cormorant is simply carrying a kelp stalk. Birds were a long way off so dificult to see exactly what it is carrying.
Anyone shed light.

[ted hilland]

Had a ride to Washington WWT today with CW to try for a few avocet photos.
Unfortunately they didnt want to play - 1 sat pretty much glued to the island while the other wandered around pretty aimlessly. Neither wandered up to the narrower and shallower stretch of the lake in front of Paddys hide (the best place to photograph them)
I hope sharpy had better luck as he stayed a little longer.
Picked up a few other photos throughout the day - a selection below.

John, I have read the posts praising your Kestrel however if I may just give my pennys worth. The whole shot is framed incorrectly, and have you slightly over exposed a tad?. Were you using the right ISO, as I might have gone a tad higher as the light was just not quite right. The overall picture lacks sharpness in my opinion but on the whole not a bad attempt :t:

If you require any help just pm me ;)

[June Atkinson]

Here are some of the future Events with Northern Kites, courtesy of Rhianne Dixon Events Officer for Northern Kites Project..

Red Kite Ramble in Teesdale
Saturday 7th April, 10am - 12.30pm (Booking is essential)
Join Northern Kites staff and volunteers on this guided walk to see red kites in the wild while exploring the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Teesdale’s beautiful countryside. Suitable for all ages but please be aware the route is over rough ground.
Cost: FREE EVENT
(Booking is essential)
For further information contact: North Pennines AONB on 01388 528801

Red Kite Ramble in Chopwell Wood
Tuesday 10th April, 2 - 4pm (Booking is essential)
Join Northern Kites staff and volunteers on this guided walk to see red kites and other wildlife while exploring the beautiful Chopwell Woods near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. Suitable for all ages but please be aware the route is over rough ground.
Cost: FREE EVENT
(Booking is essential)
For further information contact: Chopwell Woods on 01207 542231

Saltwell Park Show
Saturday 21st April and Sunday 22nd April, 10am - 4.30pm
Northern Kites staff and volunteers will be joining the Gateshead Council Countryside Team at the Saltwell Park Show in Gateshead. Come along to enjoy all elements of the show and find out more about red kites. Children can enjoy free red kite activities.
Cost: FREE EVENT
(Booking is not required)
For further information contact: Gateshead Council Events Team: 0191 4333000

Red Kite Ramble in Gibside Estate
Sunday 6th May, starts at 12pm (Booking is essential)
Join Northern Kites for this guided walk to see red kites while exploring the beautiful National Trust’s Gibside Estate near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. Suitable for all ages but please be aware the route is over rough ground.
Cost: National Trust admission prices apply, plus an additional charge for the event (to include refreshments).
(Booking is essential)
For further information contact: The Gibside Estate on 01207 541824

[whitburnmark]

A few pics from a trip up Weardale and Teesdale yesterday. A fabulous day with blue skies and sunshine, although there was frost in the valleys to start with! The breeding waders were fantastic - we're very lucky having the densities of Curlew, Snipe, Lapwing and Redshank breeding that we do.
Most winter thrushes had left, with just small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare. Summer migrants were virtually non-existent, with no Wheatears or Ring Ouzels found. Raptors were surprisingly few considering the sunshine, with 2+ hours of watching at 3 sites near Hamsterley producing zero Buzzards! Amazing considering how obvious they are at other times. A few Buzzards were up in the air later in the day near Derwent Res. along with a Goshawk. Sparrowhawks were obvious all day.
Closer to home, Lamesley Pastures was productive with 3 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 5 Redshank and 1 Snipe on one small pool.

[JBee]

John, I have read the posts praising your Kestrel however if I may just give my pennys worth. The whole shot is framed incorrectly, and have you slightly over exposed a tad?. Were you using the right ISO, as I might have gone a tad higher as the light was just not quite right. The overall picture lacks sharpness in my opinion but on the whole not a bad attempt :t:

If you require any help just pm me ;)
Thanks Ted, I really appreciate you taking time to pass on your wise words and your comments are logged in the memory bank for future reference.
Possibly one day I may manage to get half decent shot provided I continue to study the work of masters like yourself :)

CW and I had ride to Weardale today.
By the time we found a black grouse anywhere near enough for a photo the early morning sun had gone :(
One day things will go right.

[ALFIE TEMPLE]

Two Little Owls showing well in Marsden Quarry.
Couple of Razorbills on "cormorant" stack

[Julie10_10]

I went for a walk at Hurworth Burn Reservoir tonight a had good views of a Swallow, LEO's and Yellowhammer. Also seen were 2 hares, 1 toad and 2 pipistrelle bats. The bird song was very good in the absence of any wind.

[Shaggy2070]

An Hour at the Headland yesterday, not a lot about.
3 Cormorants, 10+ purple sandpiper, 15+ turnstone, 5 Oystercatcher, Feral Pigeons, Starlings, 5-6 Eiders and a load of Gulls being fed from people in cars.
Also a young Grey Seal on the beach at the Heugh.

[ted hilland]

Thanks Ted, I really appreciate you taking time to pass on your wise words and your comments are logged in the memory bank for future reference.
Possibly one day I may manage to get half decent shot provided I continue to study the work of masters like yourself :)

CW and I had ride to Weardale today.
By the time we found a black grouse anywhere near enough for a photo the early morning sun had gone :(
One day things will go right.


Morn John, I see you sussded my post out. The Kestrel shot (with short tailed vole, I think) is nothing short of perfection mate. Its alright having all the gear but if you dont know how to use it...whats the point, which is kinda my problem except I dont have all the gear but what I have I still struggle with. I have shown all my family your Kestrel pic, its as if I am proud to just show off that I know the guy who took it. I look forward to your posts John as a picture paints a thousand words, in your case a million. ps I would be interested in buying an A4 print of the Kessy on the post with the vole if there for sale, Cheers Ted.

[Cyclops]

Well, we have a newish nature reserve in my area, practically on my door step.Brinkburn Nature Reserve, Darlington
I have ben a couple of times with the kids but its pretty quiet and there was an algae breakout on the lake a while ago. Also there are a lot of riff raff use it for taking their noisy motorbikes and stuff thru it and generally causing trouble, and I dont feel that safe to be in there with binos looking at birds. I suppose its the same wherever you go now but where i used to live, near wolverhampton, I never felt threatened! But when i moved up here i had a bad experience with druggy neighbours in our first flat and they got quite nasty with us.(The police did nowt and theyre still in that flat!)
Anyway on a brighter note, I would like to check out this reserve out some time and see whats about!
Anyone in the area visited it yet?Any fellow birders/naturalists in Darlington?

[DaveB]

Corn Bunting (at least two) now singing / calling on a daily basis.

The feeding station is still busy with Tree Sparrow (1 nestbox taken), House Sparrow, Blue Tit (1 nestbox taken), Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Blackbird (taking food to the nest), Song Thrush, Robin and Dunnock all visiting regularly. Pheasant and Grey Partridge have been visiting this past week.

Other: Green Sandpiper still at Bishops Park and 10+ Sand Martins at Escomb (both yesterday evening)

[Cyclops]

Is this Drinkfield Marsh or another one? I've visited Drinkfield Marsh a few times but not yet this year. Most winters it's a good spot for Redpoll and Siskin. In 2004 the pond which I think is spring fed held a Black-necked Grebe for a few weeks and a Kingfisher occasionally visits - though I've only seen it once. There's usually a couple of Little Grebe as well. We do have a couple of members who live nearby.

No its Brinkburn Nature Reserve, off the Brinkburn road and not faer from the pub of the same name.
Its only small so far but it is within a large patch of woodland which is in a general path we call the Black Path.(Or Chavs Hangout!)

[IanF]

Lol! I just realised it's another reserve. I haven't been to that one yet.

[Cyclops]

Lol! I just realised it's another reserve. I haven't been to that one yet.
Ah I see you live in Billingham, very green up there if I remember rightly, very much in the sticks!

[The gaffer]

3 razorbill just south of Marsden Rock late afternoon.

Boldon flats has 3 mute swans, 4 grey lag geese, 2 canada geese, plenty of mallard, teal, coot, lapwing, heron but no sign of any wigeon. Approximately 16.50 saw a buzzard sized raptor circling above Moor lane, from Boldon flats, heading towards the coast. But could not get a positive identification. Dark back, lighter under parts rounded wing tips but could not see any 'fingers' and could not make out any underwing patterns.

I would be interested to hear if anyone else saw it and got a positve ID

[Quacker]

Had a few hours with David (Fatrat) on Teesside today as he'd never been birding in the area. Mixed bag, (no Peregrine today) but Little Ringed plover x 2 (Calor Gas) a few Ringed Plover & Gadwall (Back Saltholme) and didn't go to Dormans for the Great White Egret that was seen briefly by 4 people last heading there! (It's not allowed for us none Tees Bird Club members).

Was happy to see my first Wheatear of the year, having drawn a blank last Saturday at Greatham/Greenbella - you know the one - right hand side on the way to Seal Sands hide :t: - sadly, Zinc Works road didn't bring anything further save a few Linnet & Meadow Pipit.

An afternoon stroll around Hurworth Burn Reservoir brought more Ruddy Duck, and several Great Crested Grebe & Goldeneye - as reported yesterday, a couple of Swallow also were year'r first.

Glorious sunshine - mebbe one Swallow does make a Summer? :clap:

[DaveB]

An afternoon visit to Bollihope produced several Red Grouse and a single Ring Ouzel.

Other birds seen during the afternoon included Merlin (2), Sparrowhawk (1), Pied Wagtail (at least 2), Meadow Pipit (10+), Chaffinch (2), Mistle Thrush (1), Common Gull (2), Black–headed Gull (20+), Curlew (5+) and Lapwing (10+).

Before departing for Bollihope, we found the Green Sandpiper at it’s usual location (Bishops Park).

[NeilF]

3 Sand Martins yesterday lunchtime over the river in Durham city centre in the regular spot next to the new hotel development.

[whitburnmark]

Enjoyed a mornings raptor watching south of Greta Bridge. No Red Kites found but several Buzzards seen, 5+ Sparrowhawks and a Goshawk. The Stang was alive with Lesser Redpolls and a few Siskins, and there were still a handful of Redwing and Fieldfare nearby.
Bishop Middleham on the way home produced 1 GC Grebe, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Wigeon and 2 singing Corn Buntings by Castle Lake. Surprisingly I saw no hirundines at all.
The Golden Plover flock (485) was still at Houghton Gate, looking superb in the sunshine. Also still 130 Curlews there.

Several Red Kites were found by others on today's survey, with The Chairman finding 2 near Cockfield and Pablo Hugelist getting 1 near Derwent Res. A good few Goshawks were also seen by the Kite watchers at various locations.

[IanF]

Hurworth Burn this evening produced one LEO and two LO were nearby. Also bumped into Hutch :t:

Other birds seen included Swallow, Willow Tit, Chiffchaff 3+, Red Bunting, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Lapwing, Blackbird, Wren, Fieldfare, Curlew, Pied Wagtail and Woodcock.

[hutch]

great too see ianf at Hurworth Burn directions were spot on :clap: jan as allways when it comes to meat eaters was the first to see a leo i only got a quick veiw as it flow off, we wil be back

amazing how she sees owls but anything else has to land on her

[Cyclops]

Was putting the shopping trolleys away yesterday(i work at somerfield) and spotted a hawk flying over,probably a kestrel

[DEREK.C.]

Elemore Hall
14 chiff chaffs singing this week throughout the woods but still no willow warblers or black caps. 4 redwing including a singing male still in the area.
The buzzards are keeping a low profile all of a sudden,although one has been heard calling from cover once or twice. 3 pair of sparrowhawks are still soaring occasionally , with 2 kestrel nests discovered this week.
The wetland still holds 8 curlew,25 lapwing, 6 snipe+ pairs of heron, reed bunting and oystercatcher.
Put myself out this weekend and covered the whole area and counted the following~ goldcrest =16 singing males
song thrush 14 pair +
robin= 32 singing males
great spotted pecker 4 pair
jay 3 possibly4 pair
but the most common bird by far is the chaffinch , only a fool would try to count those, so i might give it a go next week ;)

[whitburnmark]

Elemore Hall
14 chiff chaffs singing this week ...

Excellent stuff Derek. Not many people do full censuses of their local birds but it can be really productive (ask Colin Wilson - he knows pretty well every bird on his patch on a personal basis!). It'll give a good incentive to do the same next year again, see what's increased and what's decreased.

Willow Warbler and House Martin reported from Shibdon Pond today. Also still just a trickle of Sandwich Terns past Whitburn today (PH) - no real spring rush in any of the seabirds yet, with Gannets remaining very low in number.

[seggs]

visited washington wetlands centre today...
only have limited time this weekend at home to spare before heading down south again... so had to get the durham tick for avocets this year incase they do not stay and nest...but the signs are good for breeding.. seem well settled and not bothered about the noise from visitors...worth the entrance fee alone!!!.. i think a public information board in the hide telling people about the birds would be good as we had to explain to quite a few visitors that they are wild!!..and the only pair in durham breeding ..also a black tailed godwit in s.p. here. and the herons nesting told 38 birds here..
.. loads of chiffchaffs singing around the centre...at least 6 pairs of bullies at the feeding station along with the usual suspects...
stopped at boldon flats on the way back.. 25+ curlew..2 redshank..4 herons...8+ yellowhammer...30+ linnet...15+ tree sparrow..

[JBee]

New species at feeding station.
5 individuals took up residence on all the main feeding poles.
Not sure where they flew in from.
After my botched stock dove ID I'm hesitant to suggest these could be yellowhammer.
Positive ID welcome.

[level seven]

New species at feeding station.
5 individuals took up residence on all the main feeding poles.
Not sure where they flew in from.
After my botched stock dove ID I'm hesitant to suggest these could be yellowhammer.
Positive ID welcome.
It does look very much like a yellowhammer at first sight, but look closely at those red feet. That's what gives the game away. I'll leave it to the experts to actually ID it though as I'm way out of my depth.

[NeilF]

Had a run through to Tunstall Reservoir this morning, passed a large (100+) flock of Fieldfare at High Stoop.
The reservoir was quiet only 6 Greylags and 1 Cormorant.
The 'nature reserve' at the northern end had a pair of Goosander, a Heron and a couple of singing Chiffchaff.
Seen elsewhere around the area of the reservoir were 1 GS Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 2 Moorhen, 1 Coal Tit & 1 Mistle Thrush.

[StevieEvans]

female Mallard with 14 chicks a few days old at Wolsingham, also Dippers carrying food there.
train ride up the dale saw half a dozen Sand Martins back at their colony & a handful of Goosanders.

Sherburn House
Quick morning visit with my little helper ;)
4 Sand Martins back at the tiny colony.
Multiple Chiffchaffs - after reading Dereks post i feel a bit guilty about not bothering to count 'em !
Again only a single male Blackcap singing intermitantly & a Willow Warbler seemingly unwilling & unable to finish off his tune properly, watched at close range in a very quiet sub-song.
Tawny sat close to nest tree - presumably the male bird.
Nuthatch pair have seen off the Blue Tits & finished off the mud plastering work, with vegetative nest material carried into the old woodpecker hole today.
Still a decent Redwing flock of 38+ birds, several breaking off from feeding to fly up to sing from tree tops.
2 views of Kingfisher - 1 Orange, the other Blue.
Others inc Yaffle, drumming GSW, Treecreeper, Kestrel pair etc.



Another active Long-eared Owl nest located. (in an old crows) :t:


Hetton Lyons today
single Wheatear & Stonechat
3 each of Little & Tawny
2 GCG & 28 Mutes

Bogs Today
8 singing Chiffchaff
1 Jack Snipe 1 Kingfisher


Sedgeletch yesterday Morning
singing Willow Warbler

SE

[DaveB]

A single Common Buzzard was seen from the old railway line. Other birds seen from the footpath included Sand Martin (5), Kestrel (1), Bullfinch (at least 2), Skylark (1+), Lapwing (5+), Curlew (2), Great Tit (2), Blue Tit (4+), Long–tailed Tit (4+), Blackbird (2) and Yellowhammer (1 heard).

At least twenty Tufted Duck were on the reservoir, along with seven Great Crested Grebe, five Goldeneye, three Cormorants, nine Wigeon, one Pochard and one Ruddy Duck. Approximately eighty Greylag Geese and at least ten Canada Geese were in surrounding fields.

At least one Long–eared Owl (possibly two) were in the area.

A pair of Little Owls, two Grey Partridge and approximately thirty Linnets were seen on the return journey.

Good to see IanF & Hutch.

DaveB

[The Chairman]

A 2 hour walk round Tunstall Hills this morning but still no Willow Warblers in yet. Nice male Sparrowhawk and Long tailed Tit nest building with Willow Tits excavating in elder as usual. Light passage north of Meadow Pipits and a White Wag also flew north but only other possible migrant was a Goldcrest. Prompted by DerekC Elemore posting I had a count of some common stuff and surprised to find totals of 33 singing male Wrens and 20 singing male Dunnocks.

[Cyclops]

Ooh, nearly forgot! I heard a GS Woodpecker yesterday drumming in the woods near the reserve in Darlington.
No chance of spotting it but it was great to hear!

[will@bill]

Liam and I saw a red kite take a meadow pipit on the wing this morning at byermoor.it kept a hold of it for about 30 sec then drop(dead) it in a field and flew away without eating it?

[seggs]

marsden quay and surrounding area this am..
did not pick the little owls up but was surprised by the number of birds here.. 20+ greenfinchs...15+ goldfinchs...5 great tits...6 blue tits...5 singing robins..3 wrens..1 pair of reed buntings..1 cock pheasant..1 female kestrel..10+ linnet..10+ meadow pipits.. not bad for a area full of empty fosters cans and litter!..
then had a walk arround the coastal park..
again no migrants seen but nice all the same...
3 pair of reed buntings in the reserve area ( cracking male birds!)...10+ linnet...3 great tits... 4 blue tits..4 meadow pipits...3 singing skylarks...
a feeding frenzy was going on out to sea...along with the usual gulls and cormorants...4 razorbills and 3 r.t.divers joining in..
noticed yesterday that the main cormorant breeding ground is now the stack off lizard point.this used to be only herring gull ground.. no cormorants at all on marsden yesterday..

[DEREK.C.]

Had a look to bishop middleham this afternoon, and got off to a great start with a little ringed plover being the first bird seen at the roadside pool.
Castle lake held 3-4 pair of shelduck,shovelar,gadwall + 8 sand martin,single green sandpiper, great crested grebes and little grebes+ peregrine flying over. Canada goose, lapwing and oystercatcher all look like nesting on the island up to now. Castle farm held dozens of yellowhammer,chaffinch +half a dozen redwing and tree sparrow .

[fastshot1]

Shibdon pond: 2 gadwall,10sandmartins,1willow warbler

Lamsley meadows:1green sandpiper,4little ringed plovers,2swallow,

thanx
steve

[seggs]

hi some pics from yesterday my first outing with dslr camera
i hope i manage to get them on the post... apologys if they dont new to this

[seggs]

well managed to get them on but will not open up?!!!! :storm: help!!

[Stewart J.]

hi some pics from yesterday my first outing with dslr camera
i hope i manage to get them on the post... apologys if they dont new to thisNice but a bit small seggs, try resizing to 800 x 600 pixels. If you have Adobe Elements 3 or later a quick method is to open up your pic in elements, go to file then save for web, it will give you 2 pics side by side, at right hand side is a column with pixels sizes. Change width (height if vertical) to 800 and press apply. Hit ok and save wherever with a new file name.

Hope of some help

Stewart

[IanF]

well managed to get them on but will not open up?!!!! :storm: help!!
You're half way there!

I'd guess you've resized them too small. 800x800 pixels can be attached as long as the file size is under 200kb.

I find it's easiest to resize in pixels and then use the 'save as' function to increase jpeg compression until the file size is under 200kb. There are other ways to reduce file size, but using 'save as' or 'save for web' are easiest.

[seggs]

thanks ian and stewart...as always very helpful...back to messing with modern technology....trying to use a download called easy thumbnails i found on the bf site..

[JBee]

Sunday - brief visit to the feeding station by one of the many chiffchaff in the Bogs area.

[Cyclops]

Sunday - brief visit to the feeding station by one of the many chiffchaff in the Bogs area.Superb pics, the colours on the second one are fantastic!

[ted hilland]

Sunday - brief visit to the feeding station by one of the many chiffchaff in the Bogs area.

lovely pics John, out of curiosity how far where you from the chiff-chaffs?

[JBee]

lovely pics John, out of curiosity how far where you from the chiff-chaffs?
10 yards (ish)

[Cyclops]

10 yards (ish)
cool,thats about the length of our back garden!
Bird feeder territory!

[whitburnmark]

...noticed yesterday that the main cormorant breeding ground is now the stack off lizard point.this used to be only herring gull ground.. no cormorants at all on marsden yesterday..

I have noticed this too on my last couple of visits. Rather worrying as the only stack that Cormorants appear to be nest building on is the one off Lizard Point car park. This can obviously only support a small proportion of the normal colony numbers, so we could be in for a big Cormorant crash locally.

I had a run up the Tyne valley today. Clara Vale was very nice, with no other visitors - surprising for a bank holiday Monday. A Kingfisher was present all the time, changing perch every 10-15 mins and having a pretty good success rate at fishing. Also here were 2+ Blackcaps, 3 Red Kites and the first Moorhen chicks I've seen this spring, plus the usual feeding station stuff.
Shibdon Pond was good in the late afternoon. At least 50 Sand Martins were hawking over the lake, also 1 Swallow, 1 Willow Warbler, 1+ Chiffchaff, 9 Goldeneyes, 25 L B-b Gulls and 27 Cormorants. Several of the Cormorants were breeding plumage adults; strange that they should want to hang around on an inland lakeinstead of near the colony.

The morning seawatch at Whitburn was OK, though things are still a little slow. A Great Northern Diver and 4 Sandwich Terns were the highlights.

[StevieEvans]

Sherburn House

an hour with the little 'un this AM.

2 bright & busy Willow Warblers & 2 cock Blackcaps all 4 in full song. ( 8 singing Chiffchaff + 1 other non singer ) Same 4 Sand Martins today.
28 or so Redwing remain, joined by 4 Fieldfare
( heard Redwings going over east after dark on 3 dates last week )
Only visible migrants were a few Meadow Pipits over, but 4 Siskin & a Lesser Redpoll may well have been on the move too ?


2 pair of Jay, including one carrying either a frog or a toad.
Nuthatches very noisy & seemingly trying to attract as much attention to the nest tree as possible, with a M GSW & Treecreeper in same tree. Single pair only of Willow Tit, M singing briefly.

2pr of Grey Wagtail & a Kingfisher, but drawing a blank on the previously nailed on Dipper ( previously the only regularly breeding pair East of Durham City )


Another 2 Willow Warblers singing from Birch & Gorse scrubland during a visit to the Tanfield Railway this PM.

9th of April - doesnt seem like theres too many summer around ? :hi:

Steve

[whitburnmark]

...9th of April - doesnt seem like theres too many summer around ? :hi: Steve

Even though it's been nice and sunny here for the last few days, there's been low pressure over Spain/western Med, so maybe that's been holding many birds up. The weather charts show it giving way to high pressure from yesterday/today, so that's probably why Portland Bill had an arrival of 500+ Willow Warblers today! I'd expect there to be quite a change in birds during the next few days, with many migrants arriving in our area in numbers. Hopefully! :h?:

[Cyclops]

Sherburn House

Why does that name ring a bell I wonder....

[JBee]

Normally dont have much luck with kestrels hovering (normally head away from me once they see camera getting mounted onto tripod) but got lucky with this one

[Cyclops]

Normally dont have much luck with kestrels hovering (normally head away from me once they see camera getting mounted onto tripod) but got lucky with this one
wow those kestrel shots are wicked! And look at that blue sky!
Is this weather mental or what!

[Dab-chick]

Summer Migrants



9th of April - doesnt seem like theres too many summer around ?




Hi Steve,

Had a nice male Wheatear off the A68 at Stuartfield Lodge near Salters Gate about lunch time. :t:

[Stewart J.]

Superb Kestrel shots JBee, 4 & 5 are exceptional

Stewart

[StevieEvans]

Even though it's been nice and sunny here for the last few days, there's been low pressure over Spain/western Med, so maybe that's been holding many birds up. The weather charts show it giving way to high pressure from yesterday/today, so that's probably why Portland Bill had an arrival of 500+ Willow Warblers today! I'd expect there to be quite a change in birds during the next few days, with many migrants arriving in our area in numbers. Hopefully! :h?:

Thanks Mark
seemed like we were gonna be in for a real early year too....

( i generally think of 10th/11th as arrival date for next wave of stuff like Yellow Wags, House Martin, Tree Pipit & the first few Redstarts -
Seems like we have yet to get our full contingent of "early stuff " like Ring Ouzels & Wheatears & Blackcaps.......maybe everthing will all pour in together..? )
Cheers Ste

[allan rowell]

Practice makes perfect.

[StevieEvans]

Summer Migrants





Hi Steve,

Had a nice male Wheatear off the A68 at Stuartfield Lodge near Salters Gate about lunch time. :t:


Hi Dab-chick
Ah see!
They've all heard Whitburnmarks recent weather forecast & theyre starting to pile in already.......... ;)

Was that Great Grey Shrike still up there ?
SE

[allan rowell]

Thank you Stewart J I,ve been trying to upload a picture for two days altogether.
Allan

[seggs]

Normally dont have much luck with kestrels hovering (normally head away from me once they see camera getting mounted onto tripod) but got lucky with this one
i wish!!!! pics 1 & 2 are the ones i see as brill... shows the birds focus on the prey..eyes and head fixed!! body adjusting to stay there... :clap:

[ted hilland]

Thanks Mark
seemed like we were gonna be in for a real early year too....

( i generally think of 10th/11th as arrival date for next wave of stuff like Yellow Wags, House Martin, Tree Pipit & the first few Redstarts -
Seems like we have yet to get our full contingent of "early stuff " like Ring Ouzels & Wheatears & Blackcaps.......maybe everthing will all pour in together..? )
Cheers Ste


Trust me Summers here, 4 f.....g grass fires today, Its got me p...ed off already. Chiff-chaff singing like hell while I was sweating my pods off, only time Im not happy to hear Chiff-chaff is while Im sucking in fumes from burnt grass and woodland, roll on Jan 2009.

[sharpy]

Normally dont have much luck with kestrels hovering (normally head away from me once they see camera getting mounted onto tripod) but got lucky with this one

Fabulous series John, must save up for that lens!! Hope to get up to your place Wed. ( I'll get in touch beforehand ) What did you think of ' THE ANGEL OF THE WASHINGTON' post ;)
Regards Alan.

[JBee]

Fabulous series John, must save up for that lens!! Hope to get up to your place Wed. ( I'll get in touch beforehand ) What did you think of ' THE ANGEL OF THE WASHINGTON' post ;)
Regards Alan.
It was a great pose Alan - specially just out of the water as it was.
Just my luck they started to feed when I left BUT I did get a few shots elsewhere.
I think I only ever photograph the heron who are really bad at fishing as all my shots show nothing bigger than a stickeback, I want a shot of one with a 10lb carp in its beak :)

[Dab-chick]

Was that Great Grey Shrike still up there ?
SE

Steve i didn't know there had been any reports about a GG Shrike up that way! Can't believe i missed out on that! :-C The last GGS i saw was at Hurworth Burn in 2005 (i think :h?: ) so would have loved to see one today! I'm off out again tomorrow so might have another look up there. Could you let me know more details, location etc.....?

Thanks
Dab-chick

[Ian Hamiltan]

timber beach,southwick very early am.
4 shelduck
pr mallard
pheasant
curlew
redshank
woodpigeon
5 wren
2 robin
1 song thrush
3-4 blackbird
2 chiffchaff
3 blue tit
1 great tit
6 jackdaw
carrion crow
2 chaffinch
bullfinch

[ALFIE TEMPLE]

2 Pink Feet and a Swallow at Boldon Flats

[littlebrownthing]

Anyone got any thoughts about birding sites near Keswick I can visit for a few hours on Friday morning? Not meeting friends till about 11 so thought I might get over there early and do some spotting.......
Cheers
Chris

[StevieEvans]

House Martins starting to arrive with singles at Finchale & Hetton today & 2 at Sedgeletch at teatime.

Finchale Abbey also had Swallow & Sand Martins over the valley.

Hooded Crow remains at Houghton Biffa Tip

Nuthatch taking material into mud encased nest hole at Consett.

Barn Owl between Seaham & Houghton yestday morning.

4 Willow Warblers & a drake O. jamaicensis back at Hetton Lyons

Female Long-eared Owls watched today, 3 seen sitting rather nonchalantly facing the sun, while incubating their clutches. :t:
( hopefully pics to follow )

( Pied Fly in Cumbria today & Redstart in N.Yorks Dales )

SE

[Duckman]

Practice makes perfect.
Slightly confused as to what is being got at here. Shot is of a lovely female Comb Duck - not a native of the Durham area but looking at the state of the water would imagine the bird shares the same pen as the Washington WWT Flamingos. Sadly had the shot been taken in the sun it would have no doubt shown off the duck's beautiful metalic purple & bottle green plumage to the full. Still very nice all the same.

[StevieEvans]

Slightly confused as to what is being got at here. Shot is of a lovely female Comb Duck - not a native of the Durham area but looking at the state of the water would imagine the bird shares the same pen as the Washington WWT Flamingos. Sadly had the shot been taken in the sun it would have no doubt shown off the duck's beautiful metalic purple & bottle green plumage to the full. Still very nice all the same.

Sorry to be a rude bustard ;) , BUT The above is a load of useless waffle & nowt whatsoever to do with a Local Patch.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Watched a colony of House Sparrows yesterday.
6 pairs Nesting together (seperate active nests) in a Hawthorn Hedge on the edge of allotment gardens - havnt seen spugs nesting away from / outside of a building for 20+ years.
Ive heard about big communal "ball" nests from years ago (<1970's) when these birds used to join together into four figure flocks.....
Anyone remember this ?


Houghton Gate Golden Plover flock peaked at 1,100 birds one evening last week. ( MH )
I heard Golden Plovers going over north east late last night plus 1 Redwing heard going East.

SE

[patmartin]

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Watched a colony of House Sparrows yesterday.
6 pairs Nesting together (seperate active nests) in a Hawthorn Hedge on the edge of allotment gardens - havnt seen spugs nesting away from / outside of a building for 20+ years.
Ive heard about big communal "ball" nests from years ago (<1970's) when these birds used to join together into four figure flocks.....
Anyone remember this.

SE
Hi Steve,thirty years ago just about every house in the street had a House spug nest at the top of their drainpipe.These nests were made up of straw and long grass piled onto the bend at the top of a drainpipe and could be the size of a football and even bigger in some cases.Nests were also constructed in large Hawthorns and Poplar trees,some trees having as many as a dozen nests,Jarrow cemetery held a large number of such colonies,dont know why they stopped nesting like this but I have seen such nests in recent times when on holiday in warmer climes,maybe someone can enlighten us,Pat

[Ian Hamiltan]

barmston pond early am.
pr little grebe
1 grey heron
pr mute swan
2 canada geese
4 teal
8 mallard
15 tufted duck
10 coot
4 moorhen
lbb gull
herring gull
wren
robin
blackbird
willow warbler (first of the spring for me)
chiffchaff
long tailed tit
willow tit
coal tit
great tit
chaffinch
skylark singing from nissan

north hylton
2 mute swan
shelduck
mallard
pr grey partridge
120 redshank
curlew
grey heron
skylark
blackcap
4 chiffchaff
coal tit
jay
yellowhammer

timber beach
1 turnstone
blackcap
willow warbler
2 chiffchaff
willow tit

glorious weather birds singing all over the place
dont you just love the spring

[Skelly]

2 Swallows at Washington WWT this morning along with the pair of Avocet

B (:

[headlander]

Had a look to bishop middleham this afternoon, and got off to a great start with a little ringed plover being the first bird seen at the roadside pool.
Castle lake held 3-4 pair of shelduck,shovelar,gadwall + 8 sand martin,single green sandpiper, great crested grebes and little grebes+ peregrine flying over. Canada goose, lapwing and oystercatcher all look like nesting on the island up to now. Castle farm held dozens of yellowhammer,chaffinch +half a dozen redwing and tree sparrow .


Visited Castle Lake this morning about 7am.(11th April)
In addition to the birds noted by Derek on Monday there were 30 Golden Plover, a dozen Curlew, Kestrel,several Redshank,1 Little Owl, three Grey Heron & a few Greylag.

At Hardwick Park, Sedgefield - a pair of Nuthatch nest building, also 8 Little Grebe, a few Pochard,Treecreeper , Goldcrest, Bullfinch & 6 Sand Martins.

GSW & Sparrowhawk in the back garden ( Sedgefield) over the Easter Weekend.

[DenBee]

There are proposals to erect 8 massive Wind Turbines in an area that attracts large numbers of wintering Geese and Waterfowl on three ponds.
These turbines will run right through the centres of these ponds, and also open countryside with set aside.
One of the local landowners along with local residents are asking for support in their objections to this construction as they believe it will have a serious effect on the countryside and visiting bird species.
If you would like to add your support, the landowner would appreciate every piece of written objection forwarded to himself or myself. For further information or if you wish to forward a letter of objection via myself contact through my P.M.
(If this post is inappropriate for this site then I apologise for the intrusion.)

[allan rowell]

Slightly confused as to what is being got at here. Shot is of a lovely female Comb Duck - not a native of the Durham area but looking at the state of the water would imagine the bird shares the same pen as the Washington WWT Flamingos.
I,m just finding out how to use the Forum PLEASE forgive me my sins and well done with your ID.
hopefully I,ve just learnt how to get the red quote boxes up !

Allan

[The Chairman]

Just a reminder for all of you looking in that next Thursday - 19th April - sees the last indoor meeting of the winter 2006/7 programme when the weather means we can get out to visit our friends/members in the south-west and congregate in the village hall at Eggleston. The village hall is opposite the Three Tuns PH which may well benefit from an increase in business later in the evening. If you require a map please go the the DBC website for further details.

The subject matter for the evening in question is an account of the 2006 Birdrace which took place on 12 May 2006 (the 2007 race is set for 12 May as well) so if you fancy a whistle stop tour of your home county come along and meet your fellow members for a good evenings entertainment. With the light nights now here if you come via Weardale there should be an opportunity to see a few moorland birds en route as there are now plenty of Ring Ouzels and Wheatears in around Bollihope.

Hope to see you there.

PS If you know someone in your area who is also likely to go why not team up and car share to save on petrol and reduce environmental pollution. You never know it could be the start of a beautiful friendship!

[white van man]

Anyone got any thoughts about birding sites near Keswick I can visit for a few hours on Friday morning? Not meeting friends till about 11 so thought I might get over there early and do some spotting.......
Cheers
Chris
you could have a drive up to dodd wood all sorts up there including red squirrels.You could also keep an eye open for the ospreys that are due any day now. just north or keswick bout 5 mile :brains:

[great bustard]

Willow warbler , 4 chiff chaff, gsw, amongst usual at brasside pond. Also saw 5 wheateater together today when at work (in northumberland)
Sparrowhawk with moorhen being hotly pursuied by 10 plus crows at castle lake!

[Skelly]

Little Owl seen hunting the fields to the south of Hurworth Burn last night, also Tawny Owl seen in flight.

Male Leo heard calling in the Trimdon area.

B (:

[DEREK.C.]

Elemore Hall Woods

Saw my first willow warblers and swallow today but still no blackcaps in the area. The wetlands were full of life with lapwings, snipe and curlews settling down to nest with meadow pipits and skylarks in full song, around 20 singing male skylarks at nearby pittington hills yesterday.
A pair of oystercatchers shot past in pursuit of a male sparrowhawk , with two pair of kestrels nesting only about 300metres apart nearby. I`d just sat down as two kestrels began soaring gradually gaining height , suddenly something caught my eye just above them a peregrine. I sat for a good half hour as it soared about above me until it was just a dot in the sky.
Mistle thrush, jays and 25 fieldfare were all making a racket nearby ,with 2 female tawnys hooting ( or attempting to hoot) through the woods , begging for food perhaps ?.
I know its only april and everywheres looking mighty dry at the minute with most of the wetland and streams virtually dried up.

[Mouldy]

three housemartins feeding over Rowlands Gill around midday today a first for the year here.

[StevieEvans]

Male Leo heard calling in the Trimdon area.
Cool as you like.... ;)
This just happens to be another new territorial bird.

& another incubating female found by a BF-ers family at the weekend..... hopefully an omen for a good breeding season ahead..... ?

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Plenty of Willow Warblers, Swallows & Blackcaps in the valley in the Cocken / Finchale / Brasside area.

A male Swallow with full tail streamers singing from wires at Houghton Gate - very quickly chasing off another male who landed too close.
4 male Swallows jostling for sites & flying in unison into breeding barn at Finchale. Another back at a farm between Leamside & Woodstone village, with a local Mega Corn Bunting there too !

2 House Martins over Ch-le-St riverside.
Nuthatch nesting building in box at Brasside

pair of Dippers feeding young in the nest at Lambton Bridge, with 2 pr Grey Wag, pr Goosander, pr Oystercatcher & a Dabchick there too.


masses of birds at Houghton Gate including:-
3 (2M1F) Little Ringed Plovers
1 White Wagtail, 4 Sand Martin, 6 Redshank, 460+Golden Plover, 102 Curlew, 1pr each of Oystercatcher & Shelduck, pr Snipe, 10 Mallard, 89 Lapwing at poolside with many more breeding pairs on territory.


SE

[malcolm hobbs]

Had a look to bishop middleham this afternoon, and got off to a great start with a little ringed plover being the first bird seen at the roadside pool.
Castle lake held 3-4 pair of shelduck,shovelar,gadwall + 8 sand martin,single green sandpiper, great crested grebes and little grebes+ peregrine flying over. Canada goose, lapwing and oystercatcher all look like nesting on the island up to now. Castle farm held dozens of yellowhammer,chaffinch +half a dozen redwing and tree sparrow .

c. 20 sand martin there this afternoon and 120 golden plover over the roadside pool.

Malcolm.

[Skelly]

Single Swallows at Houghton Gate and Burnhope this evening.

Blackcap at Waldridge Fell along with very vocal Green Woodpecker.

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Rainton
fair selection on the main pool last night.
1 LRP 20 Snipe 6 Curlew 4 Oystercatcher 8 Redshank , numerous Lapwing
pr Gadwall, pr Shoveller, sev Teal, 4 Ruddy M.displaying
numerous Willow Warblers & Pippistrelle bats.
On way home a Long-eared Owl hunting over the road between Chilton Country Club & Leamside.
SE

[IanF]

Wren singing in the garden last night - seems to have taken a liking to the Mahonia.

A bit foggy this morning around the North Tees Marshes. I couldn't locate any Wheatear, LRP or Ring Ouzel. Several Sand Martins about though. Little Egret by Greatham Creek. Loads of Curlew along Zinc Works Road with loads of Sky Lark and Meadow Pipit. Just one Stonechat seen.

[DaveB]

A pair of Common Redstart and at least ten Willow Warblers were seen at the top end of the park. A Common Sandpiper was on the River Wear. Chiffchaffs are now calling at most suitable locations. No sign of the Green Sandpiper this morning.

A further 26 species were seen during the early morning walk round the park including Green Woodpecker (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (2), Dipper (1 on the River Gaunless / Wear inlet), Common Treecreeper (3+) and Yellowhammer (10+).

Four Swallows over Etherley Moor and Yellowhammer singing from the back garden.

[Dab-chick]

Lovely & quiet down the meadows this morning.

Pool 1
Only managed a glipse of a pair of Dabchick & not much else on this pool because unfortunatly i came across a rather agressive swan!! :eek!:

Pool 2 - Main pool
Pair Oystercatcher
5 pair Teal
3 pair Dabchick
3 pair Ruddyduck
Pair Gadwall
1 Shellduck
4 Redshank
Loads of Lapwing, Canada geese, Mallards and great views of fighting teritorial coots!
3 Swallows
10 Sandmartins
4 Housemartins

1 Hare

No sign of the little ring this morning!

Pool 3
Pair Ruddy Duck

Pool 4 - Top pool
Pair Dabchick


A very pleasant morning!

[DenisG]

A pair of Common Redstart and at least ten Willow Warblers were seen at the top end of the park. A Common Sandpiper was on the River Wear. Chiffchaffs are now calling at most suitable locations. No sign of the Green Sandpiper this morning.

A further 26 species were seen during the early morning walk round the park including Green Woodpecker (1), Great Spotted Woodpecker (2), Dipper (1 on the River Gaunless / Wear inlet), Common Treecreeper (3+) and Yellowhammer (10+).

Four Swallows over Etherley Moor and Yellowhammer singing from the back garden.
Dave, do they still have deer in bishops park?

Denis.

[StevieEvans]

A pair of Common Redstart .....
i tend not to do much :stuck: on Friday 13th's, but the prospect of seeing a male Redstart is very tempting.
Great picture Dave, surely one of our most handsome breeding birds.



Lovely & quiet down the meadows this morning.
Pool 1
Only managed a glipse of a pair of Dabchick & not much else on this pool because unfortunatly i came across a rather agressive swan!!
Pool 2 - Main pool
3 pair Dabchick
Pool 4 - Top pool
Pair Dabchick
Do we all get a prize if we guess what your favourite bird is ? :brains:


2nd summer Med Gull at Herrington C.Pk this morning

[StevieEvans]

There are proposals to erect 8 massive Wind Turbines in an area that attracts large numbers of wintering Geese and Waterfowl on three ponds.
These turbines will run right through the centres of these ponds, and also open countryside with set aside.
One of the local landowners along with local residents are asking for support in their objections to this construction as they believe it will have a serious effect on the countryside and visiting bird species.
If you would like to add your support, the landowner would appreciate every piece of written objection forwarded to himself or myself. For further information or if you wish to forward a letter of objection via myself contact through my P.M.
(If this post is inappropriate for this site then I apologise for the intrusion.)

Dennis
DBC Data should be readily available to support the objection, on the grounds that the proposed turbines are to be centred on a wildfowl flight path.
( CW & myself recently compiled a heap of bird / wildlife info for a similar scheme nearby.)

The wildfowling syndicate at Seaton pond should also be supportive.

Cheers
Steve

[DaveB]

Dave, do they still have deer in bishops park?

Denis.


I often see Deer on the outskirts of the park, but have not seen them inside for a good few years.

In saying that, they are sure to be at the top end (where the Redstarts were this morning). Less disturbance from the public there!

DaveB

[DenisG]

I often see Deer on the outskirts of the park, but have not seen them inside for a good few years.

In saying that, they are sure to be at the top end (where the Redstarts were this morning). Less disturbance from the public there!

DaveB
Many thanks for that kind sir |=)| . Doing Low Barns on Monday and wondered if it was worth the diversion. 30 years since I visited the park and there used to be a resident herd then.

Denis.

[ColinSev]

Was up Low barns where it was very quiet this morning
Greylags, Canada Geese, a number of Chifchafs, 2 dabchick, tufties, black headed gulls and usual cormorants and that was about it.
1 dipper and 2 goosander on the wear.
Kininvie - 2 red kites - 1 definately no wing tags, the other was soaring so high up.
2 Buzzards also in the usual place.
Also saw Chifchaf and Willow Warblers, GS Woodpecker and Treecreeper.

Just got back from Cuba where the Birdwatching was superb and got some terrific photos as the birds were not shy - not sure about posting them on here as it seems to upset the heirarchy.

CS

[IanF]

...............Just got back from Cuba where the Birdwatching was superb and got some terrific photos as the birds were not shy - not sure about posting them on here as it seems to upset the heirarchy.

CSVacational Trip reports would be the ideal place to detail what you saw and add a few photos. No to mention the Gallery as well, especially if you manged to get a photo of any spcies not already in the Database or better ones than we already have.

This thread is really for sightings seen within the County.

[malcolm hobbs]

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker heard at northern end. 2 Swallows in the area.

Malcolm.

[Shaggy2070]

Last weekend I had a ride over the moors from the ford at Stanhope towards Teesdale. Over the fist hill the road goes down into a sort of valley where there is a wide open area where a lot of people had pulled off the road and what looked like an old Quarry.
What I would like to know is does this place have a name???

While I was there I saw at least 3 Wheatear, Meadow Pipits, Red and Black Grouse, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, BH Gulls, Pied Wag's and Skylarks.

[StevieEvans]

This thread is really for sightings seen within the County.


Pittington Hills this afternoon had passage Short-eared Owl & a pair of Ring Ouzel on stubble. (KT)

Another Short-eared at Hurworth Burn.

Jack Snipe, Water Rail, Fieldfare, Blackcap, Willow Warbler & Buzzard at Hetton

This evening female Long-eared calling from a secure nest, very high up in a huge Norway Spruce & the male calling & displaying close by. Also at Burnhope roding Woodcock, 10 Snipe up & off at dusk & sharming Water Rails x2. Numerous Tawnies calling too.

SE