Durham Birding

[Skelly]

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 (:

[salty]

about time somebody started a durham birding thread. didnt want to start it myself, seeing as im from gateshead and already have my thread up and running (not that i get too much time to visit my own patch at the moment!).

any news on the goshawks in durham? - are they still frequenting hamsterly?

[DenBee]

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 (:
Good Idea Skelly to create a durham birders thread, I for one would be intersested to know what is around the area, I have not frequented your neck of the woods, the nearest I have been is Rainton Meadows and Joes Pond my local haunts which usually has a few surprises this time of the year, mind having said that I am finding it rather difficult at the moment with work commitments. Keep up the good work, I will watch with interest your observations and like wise I will try and post what sighting I record.

DenBee

[IanF]

It is a good idea though the County by County Index was a better way to organise things. There are several Durham site listed there - not sure if they're still accessible as they were getting archived.

I was intending posting a report of my trip out yesterday, but it will have to wait until tomorrow now.

Salty, the Goshawks were displaying over Hamsterly last Friday and Saturday and one was seen the weekend before as well. Just anecdotal from what I was told by other birders. Haven't seen them yet myself this year.

[salty]

Salty, the Goshawks were displaying over Hamsterly last Friday and Saturday and one was seen the weekend before as well. Just anecdotal from what I was told by other birders. Haven't seen them yet myself this year.

cheers Ian. just fancied a little trip over there soon, as i have been doing too much birding away from home recently.

[Gill Osborne]

Great idea Skelly :clap:

I'll be moving back to the north-east in a month or two so plan to get across the water into Durham a few times...it'll be handy for me to know what sites are around and what I'm likely to see.
Didn't realise Goshawks were in Hamsterly...thought Kielder was the only site!

GILL

[Skelly]

Good numbers of Swift, Swallow and Sand Martin swarming over the river Wear at Chester le Street this evening.
Also, good numbers of Goldfinch and Great Tit.
Cracking views of a Kestrel hunting over the the grassland towards Lumley.
There was a solitary Grey Heron on the opposite side of the river to where the Mallards and Mute Swans come to get fed.
No birding for me tomorrow night, as straight out on the drink in Newcastle after work.
Sunday will be the next birding day, probably get across to Houghton Gate, Barmston and possibly Rainton Meadows, stopping of at Sedgeletch on the way.
B (:

[Quacker]

According to Bird Watching Magazine, and other observers, Gelderdale is the place for Goshawk in the county. Also, Skelly, do you refer to Durham City & immediate area, or Co. Durham itself?

I assume everyone checks the Durham Bird Club website, with it's wealth of info and site guides etc. As well as Durham RSPB & others?

Can anyone explain to me more about Sedgeletch/Fencehouses and where specifically to look?

Steve

[Skelly]

[QUOTE=Quacker]According to Bird Watching Magazine, and other observers, Gelderdale is the place for Goshawk in the county. Also, Skelly, do you refer to Durham City & immediate area, or Co. Durham itself?

Co. Durham, although the City and immediate area are good locations, especially the riverbank walks and Houghall/Shincliffe area.

I've only been to Sedgeletch once, to see the Siberian Chiffchaff, I parked at the end of Sedgeletch Ind Estate and walked across the field. Stevie Evans is probably your best bet for further info on the site. Firecrest, Kingfisher, Green Sandpiper and Peregrine have been seen there.

[IanF]

According to Bird Watching Magazine, and other observers, Gelderdale is the place for Goshawk in the county. Also, Skelly, do you refer to Durham City & immediate area, or Co. Durham itself?

I assume everyone checks the Durham Bird Club website, with it's wealth of info and site guides etc. As well as Durham RSPB & others?

Can anyone explain to me more about Sedgeletch/Fencehouses and where specifically to look?

Steve
Steve Evans is a regular there. I keep meaning to go, but haven't yet.

[Skelly]

Managed to get a couple of hours birding in this morning, despite the bad weather.
First stop was Houghton Gate, there wasn't much to see apart from Redshank, 3 Shelduck, Lapwings, pair of Oystercatchers and a few Chaffinch's.
I then popped along to Barmston pond, where there was Ruddy Duck, Mute Swan, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Greylag Goose with young, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Bullfinch, Swift, House Martin, Mallard, Coot and Dunnock.
Along the road from Barmston is James Steel Park, nice woodland and riverbank walks. Several Long Tailed Tits, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Bullfinches, Blackcaps, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Robin.
I then dropped in at Sedgeletch, where the hailstones came down. There was a couple of Grey Herons, Sand Martins, Pied Wagtail, Swallows, Mallards, Coot and the Kingfisher was reported as been seen earlier.
On the way home I went via Pelton Fell, where I managed to get a White Wagtail on Farmland just before the Moorings pub.
Hoping to get down Brasside Pond sometime this week, but that will depend on the weather.
B (:

[StevieEvans]

Gelderdale....?
Never heard of that one...

Nice idea Skelly,

Waldridge Fell - a lot of people put off by dog walkers, but very good variety of species & habitats. The edges of the site are often the most productive.
Tree Pipit, Redstart, Stonechat, Yaffle, Willow Tit, Grasshopper Warbler, Redpoll, Lesser Whitethroat etc, etc.
Superb for watching Woodcock display flights, also the best place i know for Cuckoo. Mealy Redpoll & Jack Snipe are annual in winter. Have seen all 5 owls there/adjacent land.
Theres a small phragmite reed bed in the far N.East corner.. may attract a Reed Warbler soon.
Had a female Marsh Harrier there this week in 1994.... so keep a look out!!

(We'll have to be carefully as regards confidentiality for some species, where info isnt already in the public domain. Unfortunately we still had an active contingent of egg collectors in Co.Durham )

PS. 3 dead dogs have been found nr Sedgeletch, thought to be due to cyanide in waste ground.
If that hasnt put you off, you could try looking near the Scrapyard, the sewage works, the Pit Heap, the Waste Transfer Station, the rundown factory, the council house gardens, the derelict railway line.
Weekends are best for Terrier men & Lurchers, Airgunners chiefly on Sunday(like the Alamo sometimes), Goshawks flown at various times...
Its a dump .......KEEP AWAY !! ;)
SE.

[StevieEvans]

At least 2 Durham Teams are doing a 24HR BiRD RACE next Saturday 14th MAY.

The aim is to see as many species as possible in one day.

The County Durham Record is held by The Durham Blackcocks Team with 146 recorded.

In 1992 the record was merely 126, increasing to 129 in 1993.

The Blackcocks (Nice name) are hoping to achieve the magical 150 !

If you would like to help on the day, forwarding info or perhaps being a "spotter" then PM me.
(im not a Blackcock member...., we havnt decieded on our Team name yet)

There should be approx 168 species in the Vice - County on the day, so the target may be achievable.

StevieE.

[salty]

keep us posted on the bird race results. how about a few pics from the day too!

[Quacker]

Gelderdale....?
Never heard of that one...

SE.

Don't know where i plucked that from, I think it's the more like (and possibly accurate) Dryderdale.

Steve

[Skelly]

PS. 3 dead dogs have been found nr Sedgeletch, thought to be due to cyanide in waste ground.
If that hasnt put you off, you could try looking near the Scrapyard, the sewage works, the Pit Heap, the Waste Transfer Station, the rundown factory, the council house gardens, the derelict railway line.
Weekends are best for Terrier men & Lurchers, Airgunners chiefly on Sunday(like the Alamo sometimes), Goshawks flown at various times...
Its a dump .......KEEP AWAY !! ;)
SE.[/QUOTE]
Didn't stop long, partly due to the weather and the location of my car. I think Dave B was down braving the weather, I only had a fleece top and didn't want to get wet.
I'll keep my eyes open for you next Saturday, at least Herrington CP will be available after this weekends Radio One event.

[StevieEvans]

" keep us posted on the bird race results. how about a few pics from the day too!
__________________
regards, Richie resident member and welcomer "

Hi Richie,
Pics !
We'll think ourselves lucky if we find time to eat... ;)
May take a snap or two, now you mention it as a momento of the day.
I'll certainly post totals.

Skel
Been working in Durham City all day today, (no machinery) but only saw 2 Swift & a single House Martin in 8 1/2hrs.
Cuckoo singing in snow shower at Hetton yesterday eve.
Otter & Kingfisher reported this morning at a central location.
Leo with juvs calling last night.
Might try Hamsterley for Nightjar later in the week.
(PM me your mob no as i cant find where i wrote it down)

SE.

[Skelly]

Skel
Been working in Durham City all day today, (no machinery) but only saw 2 Swift & a single House Martin in 8 1/2hrs.
Cuckoo singing in snow shower at Hetton yesterday eve.
Otter & Kingfisher reported this morning at a central location.
Leo with juvs calling last night.
Might try Hamsterley for Nightjar later in the week.
(PM me your mob no as i cant find where i wrote it down)

SE.[/QUOTE]
You'll have to delete some of your PM's as your inbox is too full.
I'm going to have half an hour at Waldridge now, seen as the weather's improved.

[StevieEvans]

An hour this evening saw:-
A Seo perched on the top of a 5metre Alder.
There was a Fox in the field behind, with an adult Hare & a well grown Leveret.
I thought it was these that the Shortie was watching, as he twisted & turned his head but no.
I put down my bins to discover the subject of his attention was a hunting Leo!
He was so close i didnt have to bother with bins, as he floated past effortlessly.
The seo waited till the leo was out of sight before he left his perch to hunt.

Very little else (air very cold) Lapwing brooding recent chicks, 1 roding Woodcock & a Gropper heard.

SE.

[Skelly]

Good views of Cuckoo last night at Waldridge, also a few Jays.
Two deer came belting past me, nearly knocked me over.
Good numbers of Yellow Hammer and a few Swifts.

[Skelly]

Managed to get a Garden Warbler at Waldridge Fell last night, haven't seen one for a few years so it was a nice surprise. Also managed to get good numbers of Yellowhammer, Linnet, Mpipit, Skylark, Long Tailed Tit, Blackcap and a pair of Stonechat.
There looked like there was a few waders on the ponds towards Pelton Fell, but without a scope I couldn't make them out, possibly Common/Green Sandpiper.
I'm off to Brasside Pond tonight for an hour or so, will also have a look along Low Newton NNR as you can usually get Green Woodpecker.
B (:

[Skelly]

One of my favourite Durham sites and one of the least known Durham sites.
Decided to spend an hour down there tonight before my tea and managed to get:

Canada Goose with young
Great Crested Grebe
Ruddy Duck
Herring Gull
Cormorant (Up to 15 birds roost here)
Mute Swan
Coot
Moorhen
Tufted Duck
Pochard
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Willow Warbler
Reed Bunting
Swallow
Swift
Sand Martin
Mistle Thrush
Grey Heron
Chaffinch
Blue Tit
Dunnock
Mallard
Robin
Jackdaw
Rook
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove

Haven't decided where to go this weekend, will probably decide when I wake up on Sunday morning.

Good luck to Stevie Evans in the Durham Bird race, lets hope they get the magical 150.
B (:

[Keith Reeder]

Hi Skelly,

is this the "Brasside" that people fish on (Durham Angling Club) across the road from the prison, or is there another?

[Alan G]

Hi Skelly,

is this the "Brasside" that people fish on (Durham Angling Club) across the road from the prison, or is there another?

Keith

I think the 'birding' Brasside is over the road from the DCAC Brasside - up some footpath alongside Frankland, but I've never wandered along myself.

Alan

[StevieEvans]

Skellys Brasside is to the south east corner of Frankland Jail.
NB.This is a Private Site with No Public Access.

The smaller Angling Club water is on the north side of the Jail, again Private.
SE.

Bird Race.
Yesterday, Very Cold & Breezy day & that didnt help much.....our team total was 123 (midnight till 16:30)
I continued alone till 22:00 & totalled 136
The experienced Blackcocks triumphed with 137 (reporting the day as enjoyable but poor as birdraces go)
More details later.
SE.

[StevieEvans]

HOBBY drifting N down the valley at C-L-S this aft.
One of the delights of being stuck in Friday afternoon traffic. ;)

SE.

[June Atkinson]

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 (:

Skelly, did you by any chance see the kite's wing tags - its number?
Any time you do see a kite, the Project Team at the Northern Kite Office in Whickham would appreciate a call.
As I have posted elsewhere, the 12 birds in the Barlow Burn/Rowlands Gill area are pretty settled, but the rest seem to be dispersing - one to Perthshire, one in the Barnard Castle area and one in the Blyth region.
My father was born in Waldridge Fell, so perhaps its time for me to spend some time in your neck of the woods......... a worthwhile journey in more ways than one.

[Skelly]

Skelly, did you by any chance see the kite's wing tags - its number?
Any time you do see a kite, the Project Team at the Northern Kite Office in Whickham would appreciate a call.
As I have posted elsewhere, the 12 birds in the Barlow Burn/Rowlands Gill area are pretty settled, but the rest seem to be dispersing - one to Perthshire, one in the Barnard Castle area and one in the Blyth region.
My father was born in Waldridge Fell, so perhaps its time for me to spend some time in your neck of the woods......... a worthwhile journey in more ways than one.

Didn't see the wing tag June and haven't seen a kite at Waldridge since.

[Keith Reeder]

Thanks Stevie,

I'm a member of the angling club that controls the more northerly water which is why I was asking - I've never actually seen anyone birding on there unless they're doing so while fishing too, which is what I usually do.

I know there's another larger pond by the jail, and I'm grateful that you've confirmed that this is the one with the birding interest.

[StevieEvans]

Pr Garganey today.
SE

[Skelly]

Decided to have a couple of hours birding, seen as the weather was nice.
Started off at Bishop Middleham roadside pond, where I got Black Necked Grebe, Gadwall, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Shoveler and Corn Bunting (1st of the yr).
It was the first time that I'd been to Bishop Middleham and it seems to be a cracking site, will have to go there more often.

Then it was off down the road to Teesside (Still within the Durham Bird Club boundary for sightings).

Managed to get the Red Crested Pochard on Dormans Pool, a life tick for me. What a colourful bird it is and quite easy to spot today. Also got Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Ruddy Duck, Pochard, Black Headed Gulls, loads of Gadwall on Reclamation Pond and Little Grebe.

I also got the Temminck's Stint on Back Saltholme, along with lovely views of a Yellow Wagtail. There was also Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Shoveler, Great Crested Grebe, Dunlin, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, Mallard, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Swallow, Swift, Sand Martin, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron and Gadwall.

Then along to Seal Sands, where I got the pair of Avocet, Curlew, Whimbrel, Bar-Tailed Godwit, Redshank, Oystercatcher and loads of Seals.
B (:

[IanF]

Good going Skelly. I was down there this afternoon for the same. A Garganey was on Back Saltholme too. There has been a two drakes, with at least one usually at the southerly end. One flew in whilst I was there onto the bay on the north of the Causeway.

The pair of Summer plumaged Slav Grebe seem to have moved on now from the Rec Pond.

I agree about Bishop Middleham, it's a very good area with birding sites all around the village. Might be a good spot for a Bird Forum mini-meet.

[Skelly]

Good going Skelly. I was down there this afternoon for the same. A Garganey was on Back Saltholme too. There has been a two drakes, with at least one usually at the southerly end. One flew in whilst I was there onto the bay on the north of the Causeway.

The pair of Summer plumaged Slav Grebe seem to have moved on now from the Rec Pond.

I agree about Bishop Middleham, it's a very good area with birding sites all around the village. Might be a good spot for a Bird Forum mini-meet.

Durham Bird Club had a trip there on the same day as the Bird Forum mini-meet, unfortunately couldn't make it to either.

Just missed the Garganey on Back Saltholme by minutes.

I was amazed by the large numbers of Gadwall, seemed to be at least 20 knocking about, some with young on Rec Pond.

[StevieEvans]

Yesterday was a bit of a disapointment, but still thoroughly enjoyable.

Had a great start..... Leo at 00:02, with Tawny & Barn Owl seen before 00:30
The team (including myself) were knackered & wanted to pack in at 16:30 ! (i thought we'd be out for as long as poss...)
Left Tunstall Resevoir, Weardale, late afternoon with 123 species.
After dropping them off at home, i had a quick wash & cup of tea & went back out.
The day had been cold & breezy, but the early evening was mild & calm (perfect conditions! after a lousy day)

I added 13 other species, these were:-
Bullfich & BNGrebe
Stonechat at Waldridge Fell, Ch-le-St
Sparrowhawk !! over road Boldon Flats
Shag, Fulmar, Gannet, Razorbill, Manxie, Rock Pipit all Marsden
Corn Bunting singing bird at Stoneygate, Houghton
then sped down the A19 to add Whimbrel & Water Rail on N.Tees ( missed SEO x2! )

My total for day was 136.

The Durham Blackcocks had an enjoyable but poor Race day with 137. (their record is 146)

SPECiES LiST
RTD DABCHICK GCG BNG
FULMAR MANXIE GANNET CORM SHAG HERON
MUTE GREYLAG CANADA
SHELDUCK WIGEON GADWELL TEAL MALL PINTAIL SHOVELLER
POCHARD TUFT EIDER COMSCOTER GOOSANDER RUDDY
SPAR BUZZ KES PER
REDGROUSE BLACK GROUSE GREYPART PHEASANT
WATERAIL MHEN COOT
OYSTER LRP RINGO GOLD & GREY PLOVER LAPWING
SANDLING PURPSAND DUNLIN SNIPE WHIMBREL CURLEW REDSHANK COMMSAND TURNSTONE
YAFFLE GSW NUTHATCH TREECREEPER WILLOW LTTIT COAL GREAT BLUE
SKYLARK ROCK MEADOW & TREE PIPITS
REDSTART PIED FLY
WOOD WARBLER GRASSHOPPER SEDGE REED GARDEN & WILLOW WARBLERS BLACKCAP CHIFFCHAFF WHITETHROAT LESSER WHITETHROAT
TWITE RING OUZEL WHEATEAR STONECHAT
BLACK SONG MISTLE STARLING HOSPAR TRESPAR
WREN ROBIN DUNNOCK
CORN & REED BUNT YELLOWHAMMER LINNET
BULL GOLD GREEN CHAFF
DIPPER GREY PIED & YELLOW WAGTAIL
SISSKIN REDPOLL GOLDCREST
JAY MAG CROW ROOK JACKDAW
CUCKOO COLL & STOCK DOVES
WOOD & FERAL PIGEON


Missed Resident species:- RLPart, RBMerg, Kingfisher, Seo, Marsh Tit, Raven, Crossbill, Mandarin, Little Egret & Hen Harrier (plus Fieldfare) (all these def in County on Day)
Missed these summer visitors- Whinchat, Turtle Dove, Garganey,
Missed these waders :- Knot, Bar tailed Godwit
Missed these passage waders:- Black wit, Ruff, Greenshank, Spotshank, Wood, Green Sands.

At the start of the week all these were present:- Great White Egret, Little Gulls, Black Tern, Marsh Harrier, Avocets, Slavonians, Beans, Pink feet
Others present today, but missed yesterday :- RCPochard, Temmincks, Avocet

Might have to do some prep next year.
(special mention to Skelly for input & help)
SE

[Skelly]

Good going Stevie, you've seen more in one day than I've seen this year so far.

We should have a BirdForum North East Bird Race, covering Northumberland down to Teesside, anyone up for it?
B (:

[StevieEvans]

skel
i did 300+mile in durham alone......& ran out of time....
didnt go to gateshead for kites etc...
extending a race boundary to include the whole region might be a logistical nightmare.....?

Might try another one in autumn.
S

[StevieEvans]

Mid May:
Several pairs of LEO now have young in the nest, with adults seen hunting in evening sunshine.
Over the next 3 to 4 weeks the volume & pitch of the youngs begging calls will increase (This is THE easiest way to locate breeding Leo's).
S

[salty]

impressive list regardless Stevie, not bad at all.

[Skelly]

skel
i did 300+mile in durham alone......& ran out of time....
didnt go to gateshead for kites etc...
extending a race boundary to include the whole region might be a logistical nightmare.....?

Might try another one in autumn.
S

Depends who's doing the driving.

I'd be up for one in the autumn, anyone else?

[IanF]

Good going Steve, you managed a very respectable total there :t:

It's a shame we don't do the global bird counts as I used to enjoy those, so maybe a Bird Race may be appealing.

[StevieEvans]

Yes, total was quite respectable.

Easily added 6 additional species to those seen on Sat, on N.Tees late this afternoon (without leaving the car & baby !):- Garganey, Blackwit, Ruff, Greenshank, Knot, Avocet. (still couldnt find the R.C.Poch...!)

Yes, a BF Autumn Bird-Race would be a nice idea.
We'll have to swat up & work out which date/s gives us a good variety....

Capt'n Ian?, Driver Skelly?, Official photographer Salty?, List Keeper SE?

Maybe we could get a few "teams" out, or small groups to try to cover various areas & try for the highest possible combined total, as well as team scores...?

Could be very interesting as Traditionally Races are mid May or New Year...

SE.

(PS. a Northumberland Team got 144 on Satday.....)

[Skelly]

Getting him interested in birding at an early age Stevie, have you got him some bins and a scope yet?

B (:

[StevieEvans]

We were fortunate enough to watch a Barn Owl hunting during the bird race, while it was already carrying prey...

Has anyone seen / have info on Barn Owls continuing to hunt when they are already carrying a prey item ?

SE.

[StevieEvans]

Waldridge Fell 10mins after work
Cuckoo
Whitethroat
Garden Warbler
Stonechat
Long tailed Tit with fledged young.

Houghton Gate on way home.
Coot on nest (1st attempted breeding here)
Ad M.Swan
1 Common Sand
Pr L.R.Plover
1 Curlew
1 Snipe
3 Redshank
14 Lapwing chicks from 5 broods with 4 still incubating; adults mobbing a cat, Carrion Crow & LRP.
Pr Shelduck
1 Yellow Wagtail
52 Swallows (mostly on wires)

[Skelly]

Just had the L.R. Plover and Common Sand at Houghton Gate, also a pair of Greylag and a couple of Linnets.

Couple of Common Terns at Rainton meadows, also Reed bunting, Linnet, Little Grebe, Canada Goose, Lesser B.B. Gull, Herring Gull, Sand Martin, Swift, Swallow, Grey Heron and lots of hailstones.

Stevie, you should have said you were popping up to the fell, would have popped along.

B (:

[StevieEvans]

2 recent mining subsidence ponds between Leamside & Finchale tonight had :-

Pr Shelduck
Pr Greylag
Pr Oystercatcher
Pr Lapwing
7M Mallard

All very quick to utilise these new habitats, any one of the first 3 species would have been notable 15 year ago. Now they're expanding their populations every year.

(SKLY - didnt get out of Truck at Fell, just 10mins after finishing wk at ChleSt - another time maybe, i fancied checking out all my old haunts from Witton / Scriston / Nettlesworth / Fell areas.... that could be an interesting day out....
Redstart Spotty Fly Barn Owl Little Owl Leo Tawny Stonechat Whinchat Lesser Whitethroat Gropper Woodcock Spar Tree Pipit Green Woody Willow Tit Marsh Tit Kingfisher Dipper Grey Yellow wags Ruddy Duck Redshank Corn Bunting Tree Sparrow etc
Yes, think ive talked myself into a full days re-visit....
Ah, memories of a shreiking Barn owl on the old co-op roof in the fog...
Those were the days....)

[Skelly]

Lapwing numbers seem to be on the increase at the moment, they are using nearly every available field along the A167 from CLS to Pity Me.

Ever seen the White Pheasant at Chester Moor Stevie? Weird lookin' thing.

I'll be on the fell on Sunday for a few hours birding, hopefully before the dog walkers are released!!

Any news on the Durham Bird Club meeting on Thursday?

[StevieEvans]

Havnt seen that white bird, will look out for it.

Indoor meets usually only Sept - April, i havnt heard / dont know about one this week....

Good news about the Lapwing pop.
Laps with young on set-a-side on Cocken Bank & a pair+ on the set-a-side stubble just S.West off Chester Moor roundabout.

We're due a local stint....... i going for a Temmincks on H'Gate with Wood Sand on RM2 within the week.....
Any predictions..?

[postcardcv]

My total for day was 136.



Sounds like an excellent day list to me - congrats. Looking through the species list there are 6 I still need for the year....

[StevieEvans]

Hello you old tractor driver you!

R UR 6 some of these bootiful burdz....? ;)

Blk & Rd Grouse
Manx
Ouzel
Twite
Wood Warb

?

SE

PS. Ian have a look at that Coot nest again.....
I think its nesting on top of a Cow Pat ! (seriously!)
(theres no emergent waterside vegetation at all, no islands etc, its simply plonked itself on the bankside.....risky)

[Skelly]

Waldridge Fell this evening:

Lesser Whitethroat
Green Woodpecker
Linnet
Yellow Hammer
Blackcap
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Kestrel
Lapwing
Robin

Houghton Gate:

Redshank
LR Plover
Mute Swan
Lapwing
Curlew
Sand Martin
Swift
Pair of Shelduck with young
Pied Wagtail
Linnet
Mallard
Coot nesting on cow pat!!
Moorhen

No sign of the Garganey or Wood Sandpiper that had been reported earlier today.
B (:

[StevieEvans]

Barmston Pond. 18:30

A Hybrid Swallow & House Martin seen well from 18:30.

Often perched in small Willow on north shore. Bird has large white rump, HoMartin cap, Swallow-like washed out orange chin & throat. No breast band. 2 symetrical white undertail patches.

Momemtarily thought i had a Red rumped.... another time maybe.....


H'Gate
Shelduck chicks (13) one day old.
Many Lapwing broods - ad's may have chased off WoodSand as per Boldon Flats at wkend.
Drake Shelduck (with his new family) may have done the same with the Garganey....?

SE.

[Skelly]

Steve,

Seen as there's no meeting tonight we should have an unofficial Bird Club meeting at Waldridge Fell.

Should we say 6:45pm in the large car park on the left hand side of the road if you're coming from Chester.

B (:

[mark ridsdale]

undefinedThought 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 (: Hi im new to the bird forum site but have been birding for a while now.Due to an extreme lack of time i dont get out much but have always kept an ear out for local stuff.My main passion is birding abroad but when home is my county list.This for me is my Tyne & wear list, which i keep because everyone does either a Durham or Northumberland list and i thought it would be a good challenge.From what i can tell over 350 species have been recorded within T& W (although i have only seen 240) but some quite common birds in Dur. or North. are rare within the little county.Common stuff i still need include Little owl (have tried umpteen times at Backworth and Marsden Quarry) and Marsh tit (only site i know is Thornley but is rare there).Last year got Bean goose,Rough legged buzzard,Short toed lark (which i found) and lastly after waiting years for it Peregrine.This year has been unsuccessful so far with none although i did hear L.S Woopecker which would have been included.So if you have any good stake outs for the owl or even the tit i'd be grateful. :scribe:

[StevieEvans]

Hi Mark
& welcome to BF (wheres the official welcomer when u need him)
Theres quite a few folks from North'd & N.East as you will discover.

Interesting choice of area for your list ! & canny total.
(99% of birders in Co.Durham deny any knowledge of Tyne & Wear) ;)

# One of the highest concentrations of Little Owls in Durham (Tyne & Wear) is in The South West Sunderland area (Houghton-le-Spring & surrounds / garden wall tick for me at home!)

If you like i can send you a grid ref, otherwise a speculative evening visit to any farmland with mature Ash trees on the Magnesium Limestone escarpment should yield a positive result. (end of May - mid June best as juvs out & about)

Marsh Tit is a harder prospect all together.... sporadic reports from SW Sland, where its barely annual. (i know i wood near South Hetton were they are , but will have to check as i'm not certain of T&Wear boundary)
As you say much more likely to be found in the quality decidious woodland in Gatesheads lower Derwent Valley.

Good luck with the listing.
SE

[Skelly]

Female Goosander on River Wear at C L S Park, heading towards Sewage Works.

[StevieEvans]

Pair of both Dippers & Grey Wags taking food to secure nests under A183 at CLS.

# These Dippers are by far the furthest downstream on the R.Wear. (nearest other regularly breeding pair are at least 16Km upstream at Croxdale)

Checked 4 Leo sites this evening.
1. Hunting M
2. Nil
3. F calling from nest
4. M on roadside gate with female & juvs calling.

SE.

[salty]

undefined Hi im new to the bird forum site but have been birding for a while now.Due to an extreme lack of time i dont get out much but have always kept an ear out for local stuff.My main passion is birding abroad but when home is my county list.This for me is my Tyne & wear list, which i keep because everyone does either a Durham or Northumberland list and i thought it would be a good challenge.From what i can tell over 350 species have been recorded within T& W (although i have only seen 240) but some quite common birds in Dur. or North. are rare within the little county.Common stuff i still need include Little owl (have tried umpteen times at Backworth and Marsden Quarry) and Marsh tit (only site i know is Thornley but is rare there).Last year got Bean goose,Rough legged buzzard,Short toed lark (which i found) and lastly after waiting years for it Peregrine.This year has been unsuccessful so far with none although i did hear L.S Woopecker which would have been included.So if you have any good stake outs for the owl or even the tit i'd be grateful. :scribe:

hello, welcome to bird forum!

looks like your doing pretty well regardless! - cant think of a reliable place for marsh tit in the region, they are a little erratic in my opinion. as for little owl, i was watching one at it's burrow on sunday - but it was 80 mile away, so not exactlly local! - once your a trusted member, im sure people will be keen to share there sites and birds with you, happy birding ;)

[StevieEvans]

Richie
Marsh allways outnumbered by Willow Tit by at least 3:1 in Co.Durham.

Erratic is a good description for some sites, but birds can be seen with ease throughout the year at the coastal denes, Hawthorn, Castle Eden (& Horden.)
Low Barns is as good a place as any (excellent comparisons with W.Tit there)
Also the good quality semi natural woodlands in the dales:- Muggleswick, Back Stone Bank & Deepdale all having resident populations.

Hulne Park at Alnwick, North'd is reliable too

SE.

[john gardiner]

Stevie
A pair of Dipper's nested under the the bridge of the A167 at the Riverside two years ago and raised young. They tried again twice last year but the nest's were destroyed ( local charvers on the rampage they threw trees, bins and the railings into the Congburn ) maybe this is the same pair as they haven't tried nesting there this year.

[Skelly]

Waldridge Fell this evening:

Green Woodpecker
Garden Warbler
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Yellow Hammer
Linnet
Lesser Whitethroat
Swift
House Martin
Long Tailed Tit
Swallow
Lapwing
Meadow Pipit

Are you out and about this w/end Stevie?

B (:

[john gardiner]

Skelly
Whereabouts on the fell did you see Garden Warbler?

[Skelly]

Skelly
Whereabouts on the fell did you see Garden Warbler?
Hi John,

It was down the track that takes you to the old pit site, seems to be resident down there.

[StevieEvans]

Hi John

Nice bit of info.
I remember hearing (that year) about an adult & fledged juvs in a culvert at C-L-St.
I thought they must have originated further upstream (Cong Burn).... obviously not.

It will be interesting to have a check to see if its a single pair only involved, (as Lambton Bridge is 1km away-far enough for more than 1 other breeding pair)
What about the stream at Lumley Castle?

The Lambton Bridge pair are very secure in block work & i think...?just above flood levels too.

Keep an eye & ear open for Leos at your work place over the next few weeks.
Skel.
Probably out early on Sat AM, may go N.Tees for Stints, ringu in morn.
SE.

Houghton Gate - now 5 COOTS. Amazing that such a common & resident species can show up unexpected like that. Only other time theres been 5 was briefly one winter.
Redshank scoped on nest (exactly same spot over last 3 visits
Lapwing juvs growing rapidly. Singles of LRP & Curlew.

[Skelly]

Decided to try the woods next to the A167 before the railway bridge as you leave Chester on the way to Durham.

2 x Great Spotted Woodpecker
Yellowhammer
Long Tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Dunnock
Robin
Kestrel
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Song Thrush
House Martin
Swift
Oystercatcher
Magpie
Chaffinch
Blackcap

It's a nice little walk that takes you through a small wood and comes out at the back road from Chester to Newton Hall.
B (:

[Skelly]

Thought I'd try my hand at website building. It's still in the early stages, but hopefully will be fully operational shortly.

http://mydurhambirding.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk
B (:

[StevieEvans]

D O T T E R E L S


GOOD LUCK WITH THE WEB-SITE

SE

[Skelly]

Nice photos Stevie, lucky bugger.
B (:

[mark ridsdale]

thanks stevie Hawthorn dene and others are good sites but dont think theyre in Tyne & Wear county not sure about Low Barns? Dont think ive been to that site?

[mark ridsdale]

Cheers Salty im sure i,ll track them down eventually guess if birding was easy it would be boring happy birding

[StevieEvans]

Mark
Post #55 is the Tyne & Wear info for you.
There were 2 L.O's calling as i was feeding the baby at 3am today ;)


The other info (Post #59) are M.Tit sites outside T & W, in responce to Saltys post.

PS. (Low Barns is in Wear Valley wonderfull District at Witton-le-Wear.)

SE.

Monday
Crimdon
Only a dozen Little Terns,pair of RTDivers.
Finally had a look at the Temmincks pr at Calor gas, Port Clarence.

[mark ridsdale]

stevie could you seen me that grid ref. for little owl in the houghton area will try Low Barns site for marsh tit cheers

[the bird]

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 (:



Has anybody mentioned Castle Eden Dene - magical and no many go there

[Quacker]

stevie could you seen me that grid ref. for little owl in the houghton area will try Low Barns site for marsh tit cheers

Hi Mark

You might care to try Trow Quarry (Not Marsden Quarry itself) for the resident Little Owl - there is another site, near Ravensworth/Lamesley Water Meadows - though I don't know if that has been successful this year.

Steve

[mark ridsdale]

Cheers Quacker will do.Been birding more in your neck of the woods since found Gateshead birders web site mostly trying for lesser pecker at clara vale which i dipped but heard

[harry eales]

Has anybody mentioned Castle Eden Dene - magical and no many go there

Sadly, Castle Eden Dene is not a well managed area as it was in the late 1800's when it really was a mecca for all naturalists.

Many people have been put of from going there in recent years, because of theft of, and from cars parked near the access points, and slashed tyres. Another danger is when passing under the viaduct from where the yobs drop bricks trying to hit you. If you do go there, take care.

Harry

[Quacker]

Cheers Quacker will do.Been birding more in your neck of the woods since found Gateshead birders web site mostly trying for lesser pecker at clara vale which i dipped but heard

You heard it? - well that's enough for a tick in some cases. Depends on the individual, but some people count confirmed hearings - I don't personally, but if I heard a Lesser Spot.....

I still haven't seen one, I can't get my head around the concept of seeing a sparrow-sized woodpecker! - I'd probably miss it if it was in fromt of me lol.

Steve

[Skelly]

Houghton Gate
Grey Partridge
Oystercatcher
Redshank
Curlew
Shelduck with young
Greylag Goose
Coot
Lapwing
Pheasant
Mallard
Wood Pigeon

Barmston Pond
Common Tern
Greylag Goose
Little Grebe
Ruddy Duck
Tufted Duck
Mallard
Gadwall
Swift
House Martin
Willow Warbler
Long Tailed Tit
Grey Heron
Mute Swan
Herring Gull
Coot
Moorhen
Magpie

B (:

[Daz]

Sadly, Castle Eden Dene is not a well managed area as it was in the late 1800's when it really was a mecca for all naturalists.

Many people have been put of from going there in recent years, because of theft of, and from cars parked near the access points, and slashed tyres. Another danger is when passing under the viaduct from where the yobs drop bricks trying to hit you. If you do go there, take care.

Harry

If you enter Castle Eden Dene just off the Wingate to Blackhall road (near the castle) I can practically guarantee your car will be safe. Yes, I agree the entrance near the viaduct is a bit dodgy (I take it, you mean the one next to the A19). Also, the entrance on the Blackhall to Horden Coast road is really safe as well. I have spent many mornings and evenings birding in this dene, and it is an absolute pleasure to go there. There are so many different trails to walk along.

[Paul F]

"PS. (Low Barns is in Wear Valley woolyback District at Witton-le-Wear.)"

careful now Mr Owlman be careful who you be insultin

I live in WLW an I aint got no wooly back.

You do that again and I might ask my neighbours for some LEO recipes to send you! :eek!:

Paul F

[StevieEvans]

Nightingale belatedly reported by birder on 20th May at Pity Me Carrs.
The Carrs are directly North of Framwellgate Moor Secondary Scool Fields at :- NZ 266 452
SE.

Temmincks & a Black Tern on Hetton Lyons (CW) this after, stint flushed by walkers & went off to NorthEast. (May have relanded at Seaton Pond?)

PaulF
If i'd realy wanted to offend i'd have picked another term... ;)
(Derogatory post duly edited)
Whats the Latest from the Dale then PaulF....? Any Nightjars yet?

Who's checking Crimdon Dene for a Trumpeter then ?

SE

[StevieEvans]

male montagus harrier reported at follingsby lane this afternoon over cereal fields. (north of Nissan area)

swifts seen entering nest sites in durham city market place & sand martins entering nests in riverbank walls opposite ice rink.

magpie robbing goldfinches nest in dense laurel bush at home, with 4 adult Great tits feeding amicably together in garden, perhaps failed breeders?

SE.

[Skelly]

Hoping to get down to Saltholme this evening, stopping off at Bishop Middleham on the way.

Hopefully a new rarity will have introduced itself to the area, I'm hoping for Spoonbill!! Also want to see the Garganey that has been so elusive each time that I've visited.

B (:

[StevieEvans]

SHRiKE species (possibly woodchat)
Greencroft industrial park NZ166 509, just south-west of ANNFiELD PLAiN.

Bird was seen briefly from first Left Hand side dead end road, after entering the park, south off the A693.

other birds at greencroft area include tree pipit, cuckoo, whin & stonechat, leo, gropper, quail, lesser whitethroat etc.
potential for nightjar.

Couple of Quail singing in local areas now.
SE.

[mikey_100]

Hi lads,

I'm new to the forum and not a seasoned birder- just wondering what the Owl situation is in the area- what you can see/hear and where to see/hear it?

regards

Mike

[dan pointon]

What's the story with the Lesser White Fronted Goose at Boldon Flats - is it an escape or the genuine article? thought one of your lads up there might know. Any info appreciated.

Dan

[Skelly]

Lesser White-fronted Goose
The bird was showing well with a group a Greylag this evening. It's not ringed and is full winged so it looks like a genuine bird, but who knows, it's bound to have its doubters. It's gone down on my list regardless.

Also about tonight:

Dormans Pool
4 Little Gulls
3 Grasshopper Warblers
Sedge Warbler
Whitethroat
Reed Bunting
Wigeon
Pochard
Common Tern

Back Saltholme
Black Tailed Godwit
Ringed Plover
Great Crested Grebe
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Meadow Pipit

Little Owl on telephone wires at private site.

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Hi lads,


Hi Mike
Durham Bird Club have an Owl Study Group (wild birds only)
This would be a good starting point for you, im sure.
The club website (including membership details-£12 to join) is at :-


http://website.lineone.net/~davidbrown33/index.html

Regards
SE.

LWFGoose.....
feels slightly plastic due to time of year, otherwise looks / acts as if wild

[Skelly]

Got my first ever Long Eared Owl tonight!!!!!

Hunting over fields close to nesting site, it was an absolutely amazing site.

Decided to try another site afterwards and got Little Owl and heard a Tawny Owl.

After so long without seeing an Owl 3 come along at once, it's like waiting for a bus.

Hoping to get down to see the Purple Heron this w/end if it hangs about.

B (:

[LSB]

Got my first ever Long Eared Owl tonight!!!!!

Hunting over fields close to nesting site, it was an absolutely amazing site.

Decided to try another site afterwards and got Little Owl and heard a Tawny Owl.

After so long without seeing an Owl 3 come along at once, it's like waiting for a bus.

Hoping to get down to see the Purple Heron this w/end if it hangs about.

B (:

Nice one!
Im still waiting to have my first "confirmed" sighting of LEO this year. You will never forget you first sighting of Long Eared Owl such a great bird.

[StevieEvans]

Got my first ever Long Eared Owl tonight!!!!!

Tarts Tick ;)

Well done Skelly,
Nice to see you find your first one "in open play", i'd imagine the majority of birders get their 1st Leo perched up in a winter roost....

Hoping to get down to see the Purple Heron this w/end if it hangs about.
That bird isnt in Durham yet......



Think if i get the chance i'll try for the Rosefinch at Whitburn.

SE.

[Skelly]

That bird isnt in Durham yet......



It will be by Sunday, well hopefully it will.

Anyway, I still need the Garganey that's down there. Got the scope for the w/end so should be able to see it.
B (:

[StevieEvans]

FOUR species of HARRIER in South Tyneside in the last 7 DAYS (all within about 3 mile of each other!!!) :eek!:

[Skelly]

Bishop Middleham

Pink Footed Goose in amongst group of Greylag
Shoveler
Grey Partridge
Mute Swan
Tufted Duck
Coot
Moorhen
Lapwing
Oystercatcher
Redshank

Back Saltholme

Ringed Plover
Little Stint (Year bird)
Dunlin
Shoveler
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Common Tern
Tufted Duck
Canada Goose
Pink Footed Goose
Greylag Goose
Black Headed Gull
Meadow Pipit
Swift
House Martin
Gadwall
Mallard
Shelduck

Dormans Pool

Pintail
Ruddy Duck
Little Grebe
Little Gull
Pochard
Mute Swan
Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
Grey Heron
Herring Gull
Black Headed Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Linnet
Reed Bunting
Great Crested Grebe
Shelduck

Seal Sands and Long Drag

Red Breasted Merganser
Cuckoo
Curlew
Sedge Warbler
Gadwall
Ruddy Duck
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Shelduck
Mute Swan
Skylark

Still didn't manage to get the Garganey!!!

:storm:

[StevieEvans]

HONEY BUZZARD lingering at Whitburn 13:30
BLACK KITE in off sea at Roker 14:30
HEN HARRIER ringtail around AM
MONTAGUS HARRIER pair North at Mere Knolls Cemetary AM
RED KITE still around Cleadon area.


Updated...

HONEY BUZZARD - lingering at Whitburn at 13:30 with 2 south over Whitburn (early afternoon). Also 1 North over Whitburn Village at 19:00.
probable BLACK KITE - in off sea at Roker at 14:30
HEN HARRIER - ringtail around area AM and a Male SW towards Acadamy pools.
MONTAGUS HARRIER - pair North at Mere Knolls Cemetary AM
RED KITE - un-tagged still around Cleadon / Boldon area.
HOBBY - Through Mere Knolls AM

Strangely this doesnt appear to be replicated on other sections of the East Coast....but the odd Honey Buzz & Red Kite in off over SEast coast.

SE

[Skelly]

Five new birds for the year today!!!!

Razorbill
Fulmar
Kittiwake
Shag
Rock Pipit

All at Whitburn.

No sign of any raptors today which was a shame, but a good couple of hours none the less.

Also got Turnstone, Sanderling, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Kestrel, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Curlew and Common Tern.

B (:

[Skelly]

I've been trying for ages to upload some of recent photos onto this thread and it has finally let me.

Just a few of the birds that I've seen over the last two weeks.

B (:

[Skelly]

Here's a few more.

B (:

[john gardiner]

Been for a ride on the bike today up Weardale and Teesdale among the birds seen were several Buzzards in Weardale ( surprisingly a common sight this year in Weardale ), my first Spotted Flycatchers of the year by the river at Frosterley, 3 Yellow Wagtails at Grassholme reservoir, Male Redstart and Nuthatch by the Tees at Bowlees, A Little Owl sitting on a roadside telegraph pole at Newbiggin, Tree Pipit on the edge of Hamsterley Forest and a male Cuckoo at Dryderdale.

[Daz]

undefinedJust spent this morning walking into Castle Eden Dene from my home in Wingate. This is what I saw (from outside my house, to getting home) in 3 hrs.

Blackbird
Song Thrush
Collared Dove
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Dunnock
House Sparrow
Starling
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Partridge
Pheasant
Lapwing
Whitethroat
Linnet
Sedge Warbler
Reed Bunting
Cormorant
Heron
Coot
Water Hen
Mute Swan (some bastard has destroyed their nest what had 4 eggs, this put a dampener on the morning)
Willow Warbler
Skylark (yes, rare, but we always get a couple of pairs round here)
Mallard
Rook,
Chaffinch
Bullfinch
Yellowhammer
Curlew
Mistle Thrush
Wren
G. Spotted Woodpecker
Nuthatch
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Long Tailed Tit
Goldcrest
Yellow Wagtail(or Grey, I am not too sure)
Pied Wagtail
Cuckoo (seen, and heard)
Green Woodpecker ( heard for ten minutes and then finally spotted, spent twenty minutes watching this bird).
Woodcock
Treecreeper
Jay
Magpie
Jackdaw
Blackcap
Meadow Pipit
Robin
Wood Pigeon
Albino Collared Dove (is this common?)
No great rarities, but a very satisfying mornings birding for myself. I am enjoying this more than I used to go fishing.

[StevieEvans]

Been for a ride on the bike today up Weardale and Teesdale among the birds seen were several Buzzards in Weardale ( surprisingly a common sight this year in Weardale ), my first Spotted Flycatchers of the year by the river at Frosterley, 3 Yellow Wagtails at Grassholme reservoir, Male Redstart and Nuthatch by the Tees at Bowlees, A Little Owl sitting on a roadside telegraph pole at Newbiggin, Tree Pipit on the edge of Hamsterley Forest and a male Cuckoo at Dryderdale.

Hi John
Nice ride out.
Interesting Little Owl sighting, this is the most westerly location for them in Teesdale.

Welcome Daz
Some good variety on that list.
Pity about the swan nest, where was it? (thankfully that sort of thing isnt as ripe as it used to be.)
What kinda habitat was the Y / G Wagtail seen....?

~

Pair of Hobbies hunting Swifts this morning over Roker, continued the amazing Raptor-Run.

Skelly
Lambton Bridge - this afternoon.
Dipper still taking food to nest
Grey Wag pr + fledged young
2M 1F Goosander

Bishop Middleham Area (3 pools) - this afternoon.
Shelduck - pr with 9 chicks (couple of days old)
Shoveller - 3pr + 3M (2 of the Males very aggressive; Shoveller drakes defend territories)
Gadwall - 6pr+ (still on increase & expanding range)
Little Ringed Plover - 2M at 2 sites
Heron - 1 juvenile
Good no's of Swallows, Sand & House Martins (HM's collecting myd for nests)
Corn Bunting - only 1singing at StoneyBeck, but 4 singing Castle Lake
Yellow Wagtail - 2 StoneyBeck & 6+ Castle Lake, (several in & out of crops)
Tree Sparrow - 6 each at both Stoney & Castle Lakes
Small nos of Reed Bunt, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Skylark, Chaffy, Bullfinch, Goldfinch,
Little Owl - 1 ad in usual tree at Stoney & 1 heard at Castle Lake.
Stock Dove - 2 pairs seen
singles of Kestrel & Sparhawk - both M's

SE

[Daz]

Stevie,

The Swan Nest was at a place known as Thompsons Pond, A.K.A. the Wellfield pond, at the bottom of Moor Lane Wingate. These Swans have been nesting here for the last 13 years. I have my suspicions who has done it, but obviously no proof.

The Wagtail was seen near a stream close to a bridge near the Coast road entrance to the dene.

D.

[Skelly]

The House Martins at Bishop Middleham were quite obliging when I stuck the camera out of the car window.

There's a pair already in a nest on the house next door to me and a pair currently constructing a nest. There was nearly a battle when a third HM tried to muscle in on the nest.

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Just had a check of Whitburn Birding's submission pages .......

Oh dear........

SE.

[IanF]

Oops!

Someone's been naughty!

[Gill Osborne]

Whoops - has somebody been telling porkies then ;)

Fascinating reading about the various moth species though...what fantastic names they have! I wouldn't know one from t' other LOL Not my strong point...think I need to go on a moth trapping night at some point.

* or take moths up instead of birds...let THEM come to me instead of me chasing after them like that 'avocet' at Hauxley yesterday!!!* :storm:

Gill

[StevieEvans]

Enjoyed a full evening of birding, adding 2 yr ticks (spotfly & Nightjar)

from the old R.Wear bridge at Sunderland Bridge. NZ 265 376approx.
Spotted Flycatchers - x2, both flycatching, 1 upstream & 1 downstream.
G.S.Wpkr - pr taking food into easily observed nest hole in small dead Ash tree, just upriver (viewed from bridge)
Goldcrest - singing male
Nuthatch - 1 ad feeding & calling
Grey Wagtail - Male collecting food
Pied Wagtail - pr on bridge
Mistle Thrush - 1 carrying food
Jay - 1 heard only
Heron, Dabchick & Moorhen- single adults.
Swallow, Jackdaw & Feral Pigeon - all nesting under A 167 road bridge

walk to Croxdale Hall
Treecreeper - single adult
Bullfinch, Goldfinch & Stock Dove - pairs seen
Spotted Flycatcher - pair close to traditional nest site
Long tail Tit - family of 5+ at riverside
Blackcap & Garden Warbler - both singing at Hall

Brandon Village - West Brandon - Morley Lane
Little Owl - one a point blank range, adjacent to graveyard
Curlew - pr which appeared to have young, by their actions
Kestrel - hunting Male over young conifers
Long-eared Owl - hunting Male over field headland
Green Woodpecker - calling bird heard twice
Meadow Pipit - 3+ displaying
Grey Partridge - 1 pair
Lesser Redpoll - a noisy single flew overhead
Woodcock - single roder

Hamsterley 3 seperate areas (dusk till 23:15)
Nightjar x 7-8 churring / contact calling (3 seen)
Tawny Owl - 3ads seen, several juvs & many adults heard
Woodcock - 1 on ground in car park, 1 roding & 1 in flight.
Snipe - 3-4 heard drumming & 'tick-tocking'
Long-eared Owl - silhouetted adult seen, it/another heard

SE

[StevieEvans]

Stunning male RED BACKED SHRIKE at Whitburn.
Still present at 2PM, favouring the Northern End of the 2nd mound to the south of the Lighthouse.
Seen on fencing, feeding on a variety of different coloured caterpillars.
also Kestrel, Linnets, fledgling Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Starling families.


Hi Gill,

Whoops - has somebody been telling porkies then
You'd think so wouldnt you......... but thats not the case !
Unfortunately this type of character assasination is one of the pit falls of internet sites... envy is a terrible thing.....
& has the potential to spoil what is a 1st class local website.
SE

[Barred Wobbler]

Stunning male RED BACKED SHRIKE at Whitburn.
Still present at 2PM, favouring the Northern End of the 2nd mound to the south of the Lighthouse.
Seen on fencing, feeding on a variety of different coloured caterpillars.
also Kestrel, Linnets, fledgling Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Starling families.


Hi Gill,

You'd think so wouldnt you......... but thats not the case !
Unfortunately this type of character assasination is one of the pit falls of internet sites... envy is a terrible thing.....
& has the potential to spoil what is a 1st class local website.
SE

The shrike at Whitburn has just been reported on Birdguides as a Woodchat, after previously being reported as a female, then a male Red Backed. Surely a mistake?

EDIT. They've just corrected it. It's not a woodchat anymore.

[Gill Osborne]

You'd think so wouldnt you......... but thats not the case !
Unfortunately this type of character assasination is one of the pit falls of internet sites... envy is a terrible thing.....
& has the potential to spoil what is a 1st class local website.
SE

I thought it must be somebody just getting a tad jealous.....really sad isn't it! Gosh, if I was envious of every bird that others had seen and I'd dipped out on I'd be in a permanent state of envy!!! ;)

You certainly seem to get some super birds down that way - I MUST pay a visit soon! And the website IS extremely good - I'm sure most folk just ignore the occasional whinging comment! ;) It's just human nature after all....

Gill

[StevieEvans]

Heres a picture of a male Linnet, er sorry no a female, er sorry male Woodchat.....


Alan,
I think BirdGuides should be crediting peoples Text alert accounts when they're getting it wrong like that....

Yes Gill,
Mark Newsomes site is excellent & its realy creating a great amount of interest & enthusiasm for birders in that part of Durham.

Houghton Gate
Redshank with small chicks at Houghton Gate & Oystercatcher pair watched changing over incubating duties at the nest.
SE

[Stewart J.]

(Yes Gill,
Mark Newsomes site is excellent & its realy creating a great amount of interest & enthusiasm for birders in that part of Durham. )

Any chance of posting a link for us peasants out in the sticks.

Cheers all

Stewart

:hi:

[StevieEvans]

Hi Stewart

Sorry pheasant, i didnt think !

http://www.whitburnbirding.co.uk/index.htm

Loads of info & pics on there.
SE

[Quacker]

Lovely photo of my favourite bird Stevie. How that pretty fella was first reported as a female is beyond me. This was going out on the pager with me stuck at work.

As for the text alerts you mentioned, I've turned mine off because they were always too late (11pm in winter) or just reports of Waxwing all the time.

Now I have the pager - it's a bit better.

Steve

[Stewart J.]

Hi Stewart

Sorry pheasant, i didnt think !

http://www.whitburnbirding.co.uk/index.htm

Loads of info & pics on there.
SE

Thanks Stevie it is an excellent site.

Stewart

B (:

[IanF]

Now it's just a RB Shrike I don't mind so much missing it - Lol!

Nice photo Steve :t:

[Skelly]

Red Backed Shrike

Cheers for the info Stevie, managed to get a great view of the bird.

Also got my first Gannets for the year, flying south over the sea. Good numbers of Kittiwake, Fulmar and Herring Gulls. Also a few nesting Shags.

Elsewhere;

Boldon Flats

Pair of Grey Partridge
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Lapwing
Moorhen
Coot

Houghton Gate

Two pairs of Shelduck (One with young)
Oystercatcher
Redshank
Coot
Lapwing

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Fly-through ROSE COLOURED STARLiNG at .........
yes, you guessed......Whitburn
I think this was found by a Northumbrian BF member (JM ?)

Hopefully it'll be on "Look North" by the weekend
:- in someones garden with a short piece of footage showing loads of birders peering over the garden fence.....

Whats next then, Marsh Warbler, Spoonbill, Red footed Falcon....?

Houghton Gate
Plenty of young birds about, all these had young:-
Lapwing, Redshank, Shelduck, Mallard, Skylark, Mistle Thrush, Crow, Blackbird.
Surprisingly a flock of 38 Lapwings flew in to join the residents. These were all full plumaged adults....presumably failed breeders....?
The pr of Lapwing closest the road were launching a sustained airial assault on a cock Pheasant. The female Pheasant wasnt harrassed at all, but the Lapwings, especially the male tried his hardest to scare the cock Pheas.
The Pheasant didnt budge an inch, not even flinched even on the times when the diving Lapwing made contact !
Have seen this before several times, but the Pheasants usually either duck, run or jump
SE

[Quacker]

Went to see the Red Backed Shrike this evening - still showing well until we left around 8.20pm - this time it was showing near the pond, or the field to the left of the sea-watching obs as you approach it from the housing estate if you know the area. It's very mobile as often appears nearer the lighthouse a little to the north - it's roost site appears to be the latter.

There's a very obvious "shrike bush" about 50 yard are so into the field - these bramble nearby also hosts a Reed Bunting's nest so I guess mr & mrs Binting are fed up with Shrike, and Linnets perching on the doorstep.

No further sign of the Rosy Starling despite half of CO. Durham apparently searching for it today.

Steve

[StevieEvans]

Lambton Bridge, Ch-le-St
Had a pleasant 45mins mid evening.
Grid ref: NZ284524
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.8656&lon=-1.5591&scale=25000&icon=x

moulting drake Goosander hauled out on gravel, looking odd with dirty white flanks, blood red bill having lost its colour & green head both very drab & altogether lacklustre in appearance.
pr Tufted Duck
11M & 4F Mallard (also broods of 8 & 2)
pr Grey Wagtails & the pr of Dippers both still very active & taking food to their nests. (Dipper chicks very noisy now)
2 ad Grey Heron
1 Cormorant with an eel which was almost as thick as the birds head.
ad Kingfisher perched under bridge & then fishing downstream.
1 ad Moorhen
ad LBBGUll up & down river
Also Sand Martin, Swift, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Great tit, Blue tit, Goldcrest, fledged Jackdaw
SE

[Skelly]

Yellow Legged Gull at Barmston Pond this morning.

Guillemot, Shag, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Cormorant, Linnet, Goldfinch, Skylark, Reed Bunting, Common Tern, Meadow Pipit at Whitburn.

Off to Cyprus in the morning for two weeks, will try to get a couple of days birding done!!!

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Early Saturday morning.

Long-eared Owls with calling juvs at Houghton & Murton.
Tawny Owl with juvs at Hetton / Houghton / Murton.
Little Owl heard at Seaton Pond.
Barn Owl hunting nr Lynn Terrace between Wheatley Hill & Shotton Colliery
Woodcock still roding at Murton.
Grasshopper Warbler singing at Houghton / Warden Law & Seaton Pond.
Sedge Warblers singing from rape crops at Seaton Pond.
Skylarks impossible to estimate no's of singing birds in Sherburn / Shadforth areas at first light, everywhere.
2-3 Quail singing Shadforth / Running Waters area.
Corn Bunting 2 singing between Byers Garth & Running Waters.

Hurworth Burn & immediate area
Roe Buck walking along middle of road for 200m
Treecreeper, Great tit, Long tailed Tit, Gswpkr
Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Chafffinch, Greenfinch
Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler
Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Cr, Rk, Jkdaw, Coll Dove
male Teal & Common Gulls


Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park
Tree Sparrows at car park, Stock Dove singing from road bridge.
6 Shelduck on pool

Salthome Pools
Greylag Goose total of 87goslings on Back Salthome alone.
Mute Swan, Canadas, Coot, Moorhen
GCGrebe 3pr Salt(E) Little Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Pochard, Tufted Duck
Wigeon 3pr + 1M, Shoveller, Gadwall, Mallard
BHGull, Common Tern
Swift, Swallow
12 Dunlin, 7Ringed Plover, 1Oystercatcher, 1Snipe, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank
3Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit

Calor Gas Balancing Pool
5 sub adult Little Gull, LBBGull, Sand Martin, Pied Wag

Dormans Marsh /Pool
Groppers, Sedge & Reed Warblers
Water Rail calling
Teal single female pretending to be a garganey
GBBGull, Cormorant over
Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Lapwings, Heron
female Shoveller with a damaged wing & lower mandible hanging loose, may have hit overhead cables.
also dead Fox cub on roadside.

Rec Pond
drake Scaup & drake Red Crested Pochard

Greatham Creek / Seal Sands
single LRP & Whimbrel
2 Kestrel on Greenabella
2 each of Bar tailed Godwit & Grey Plover on S.Sands
redhead Red Breasted Merganser in main channel.

Steetley & H'Pool Headland (08:10)
20+ Sanderling many in summer plumage, Knot, Turnston, Purp Sand
Fulmar, Kittiwake, Gannet, Sandwich Tern & Eider offshore
Little Tern 2 past & several above coloney at Crimdon

SE.

[Quacker]

Sounds like the Evansmobile had a good day agan Stevie lad. You must put the miles in mate.

Was the Scaup quite visible then mate? - not seen when i have been a few times in last couple of weeks - then again it's my nemesis duck!

Steve

[StevieEvans]

Sounds like the Evansmobile had a good day agan Stevie lad. You must put the miles in mate.
Hi Steve
Was a good morning, wouldnt have thought it was no more than 65-70mile total.
Was the Scaup quite visible then mate? - not seen when i have been a few times in last couple of weeks - then again it's my nemesis duck!
South side of Rec, at Rear (scope).

Early this morning low cloud & drizzle/rain.
Covered my old local areas North-west of Durham City.
Witton Hall & R.Browney, Witton Gilbert
Grid ref: NZ231451
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.8003&lon=-1.6422&scale=25000&icon=x
Ad Willow Tit, Pr Tree Sparrow, single Yellow Wagtail over calling, Pied Wag family on swg wks
male Grey Wagtail feeding on River Browney
Heron, prMallard, 1 Moorhen
No Spotted Fly in churchyard, normally reliable for calling Quail.
female Roe Deer walking along path, slipping on tarmac.

Norburn Lane, Witton Gilbert
Grid ref: NZ228459
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.8075&lon=-1.6468&scale=25000&icon=x
single Corn Bunting singing from barley field
Meadow Pipit display flighting from wires
very many Skylarks, majority of fields with wide uncultivated headlands.
Tree Sparrow 6+, House Sparrow 10+ at Horns House
Grasshopper Warbler singing, Stock Dove, Grey Partridge

Sacriston Wood[/U[U]], Charlaw Fell
Grid ref: NZ230478
Web Address: www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.8245&lon=-1.6436&scale=25000&icon=x
Roe Deer running across open fields at Long Edge
calling Green Wpkr, drumming Gswpkr, single singing m Redstart
3 Tree Sparrow, 1 chirping away sat in centre of oil seed rape field, like a ReedBunt.

Esp Green, nr Iveston
drumming Snipe, Tree Sparrow 4+

Kings Head pub, Lanchester
Dipper feeding in R.Browney

Malton picnic site
juv Tawny Owl out of nest, in Scots Pines
Dipper feeding, Grey Wagtail, Mallard, Moorhen, Heron
3-4 Garden Warblers,
pr Spotted Flycatchers at riverside but no Pied Flys this year.
x2Gswpkr, ad Nuthatch, family party of 5+Treecreepers top car park
singing Goldcrest, LTtits, juvvy Coal & Great tits
2pr Bullfinch, single singing m Redstart (usually several)
6+ Swallows mobbing a Magpie perched close to stable buildings

Closer to Home,
Rainton Bridge Industrial Estate South
pr Redshank with 2 well grown young (2/3rds full size)
2pr Lapwing both with 2 well grown young

Seaton Pond (08:00)
North Pond Grid ref: NZ385493
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.8371&lon=-1.4021&scale=25000&icon=x

South Pond Grid ref: NZ385488
Web Address: www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.8326&lon=-1.4022&scale=25000&icon=x

singing Sedge Warbler & several WhitethroatNo sign of any Corn Buntings
drake Teal on shallow pool, unexpectedly.
pr Coot with tiny young, only one out of nest.
3pr Lapwing, 1 with a good brood of 5 almost full grown, another pr with tiny young, all but one being brooded by female in rain.
Home for 08:30.

Pleasant walk in afternoon with baby in pram
Sunderland Bridge to Croxdale Hall
male Grey Wag & pr +2juvs Pied Wag
pr Gswpkr again feeding young, one of youingsters just starting to stick its head out of hole, parents entering chamber & collecting faecal sacs.
Spotted Flycatcher (7+)
Five individuals in territory dispute , probably others present in adjacent area, hard to keep track, but at least the 5 seen together.
Another pair at Croxdale Hall/Chapel & a single at side of tunnel under A167
Blackcap watched female taking food to nest at base of ivy clad wall at Crox Chapel.
Stock Dove, Goldcrest, Gsw, Nuthatch, Bullfinch, Treecreeper, Heron, Swift.

SE.

[StevieEvans]

Couple of hours this afternoon around Muggleswick Areas

Was shown a Buzzards nest below a pathway, where 3 chicks were visible at approx 35 metres away. Adult soaring close by. Another adult nr Blanchland.
3 Wood Warbler all 3 singing
4 Pied Flycatcher, 1pair, 1 male carrying food +1singing male.
6 Spotted Flycatcher (2pr +2singles) a singing male chasing a fledgling Goldcrest away from a potential nest site
5-6 Redstart male birds
2singing Tree Pipits
2 singing Cuckoo, 1 Mugg & 1 Derw. Res
adult Marsh Tit watched feeding silently at close range in mature sessile oakwoodland.
Green Woodpeckers calling birds at 2 sites
5 Great Spotted Wpkr Pair at close range, an agitated female carrying food, & single feeding & drumming males.
2pr Nuthatch both carrying food.
Treecreeper, Coal, Blue , Great tit
2 fledged juvenile Goldcrests & a singing male, all in mature decidious oakwoods
Red Grouse - a pr with 10 small young, got to within 2metres of family before the chicks fluttered up in all directions, female used distraction display - she rushed about wings fluttering & its belly hugging the ground untill 25metres away. One of the chicks was within a metre of us but didnt move untill the female bolted.
Snipe - a pr active in / around a pasture at Derwent Res (first layby on south shore after passing through Edmundbyers) Often sat on drystone wall calling. Another bird drumming closer to Blanchland.
Redshank - a pr with 2 chicks in same field as Snipe pr
Moorhen - a pr with 5+small chicks at small pool nr snipe & redshank.
Curlew the odd bird still displaying / singing.
Lapwing - numerous young of various sizes, very widespread.
Oystercatcher - pr mobbing a male Kestrel above Muggleswick.
Heron - ad over Derw Res. Cormorant - 1 flying over Der Res.
Dipper / Grey Wag - singles of both on a small beck.
Stock Dove & Grey Partridge - several pairs

SE

[Denis J]

Nice birds Steve..you got a pram mount for your scope yet?

[StevieEvans]

Ha ha Den
The scope & tripod nestle quite nicely underneath in the little luggage compartment. Pram acts as quite a good windbreaker, had it up on Widdybank Fell at CowGreen (got some funny looks from all the walkers kitted out in Berghaus & walking poles) & down as far as Seal Sands hide (used rain hood to keep out the fumes..)
Looks like you had another nice Norfolk trip, even more lifers.

Keep an eye open for a possible Teal brood on Seaton Pond.

SE.

[StevieEvans]

Working in a posh part of Durham City today.
Birds seen in a Garden :-
Gsw Nuthatch Jay Bullfinch LTTit Great tit Blue tit Wren Robin Dunnock Song Thrush Blackbird Stock Dove Wood Pigeon Magpie Rook Jackdaw

Red backed Shrike reported from Quarrington Hill as per Aprils Great Grey..

SE

[StevieEvans]

5 Turtle Doves present at a southern site.

2 Black Tern on N.Tees

Long-eared Owl 1 seen at N.Tees marshes & hunting bird near Rainton Bridge & juvs calling nr Trimdon & Dham City

5 Little Gulls 4 Dormans / 1 Back Salt

Tawny Owl one on a the roadside fence at Garmondsway was several 100 metres away from any woodland. NZ 340 339

Spot Fly Smiths Arms & 5ad Shelduck - ho'gate

Coot with chicks Houghton Gate - 1st breeding record at this open site which has No emergent waterside vegetation. Grid ref: NZ301512 www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.8547&lon=-1.5327&scale=25000&icon=x

Leo - Successfull breeding confirmed at another 'New' Durham City site

Water Rail - several calling on Dormans.

SE

[StevieEvans]

4 Turtle Doves very active & singing, first time ive seen them in display flights. Interesting & direct comparison with a Collared Dove in an adjacent tree.
Also Siskin & Lesser Redpoll.
SE.

[StevieEvans]

A fledged Little Owl at Durham City, with another adult watched taking a medium sized vole (large prey item for it) in a noisy nest in a tree hole.

A family party of 5 Long-eared Owls(3 juveniles) in Silver Birch scrub in the Ch-le-Street District.

A cold night, not one singing Grasshopper Warbler heard.

A report of a ringtail Hen Harrier on the Pennine edge, possibly a failed breeder moving through

Water Rail heard calling midday from a central location.

An adult Snipe feeding at Lamesley Water Meadows

2pr of Common Tern established at R.Meadows
SE.

[StevieEvans]

Out with the combat jacket gang at 03:30 on a grim morning.

A roadside Little Owl at Woodlands Hall, Lanchester - trying to hide behind its telegraph pole vantage point was a nice start.
Other Littles seen in the Mugleswick / Edmondbyers area on the moorland edge between 250 & 270m/asl.
Breeding confirmed with a juvenile Little Owl calling at Muggleswick Park from dead trees on a farm at 255 m/asl.
The same (M.Pk) area had 3 Cuckoos singing over one another, with masses of Meadow Pipits, Skylarks & several Linnets. The M'wick / E'Byers area had at least 7 Cuckoo, including a pair sitting together on a drystone wall, male singing & female giving a bubbling call, untill they were scattered by a fiesty Mipit.
Curlews were everywhere, with many pairs noted in tight densities. Vocal adults sat on walls scolding us to keep away.... one pair had a brood of 4 small chicks, superbly camouflaged, running off into the deeper heather & grass in order to evade detection.
Lapwing were ever present & only realy held attention when at close range with young on the grass verge.
The mournful piping of Golden Plover was prominant on the heather moor of Skaylock Hill & Hisehope Head, 15 or more adults were see, some agitated on our arrival, scurrying around the gravelled car park trying to distract our attention from their well grown youngster which slipped into deeper heather, as we approached. Another adult which perched on a wooden fencepost looked peculiar
Snipe were in the air throughout the morning, one in particular drumming right over the car, singles were seen perched on walls.
Less prominant were Redshank & Oystercatcher, but adding a noisy burst of colour as they flash by.

Already Starling flocks had formed, with 350-400 roving about in a single group at Edmondbyers, containing many juvs. Mistle Thrushes too were grouping up on the moor edge. A male Kestrel came back in off the fell carrying prey to his nest in a stand of mature Scots Pines. A large dark raptor that briefly broke the horizon could not be identified but was likely to be a Harrier or Buzzard.
Several Red Grouse were easily visible with a family group at one roadside.

The sky started to darken, so we headed in a tight, wooded valley. Here the M ature Oakwood species were prominant, with singing Redstarts, Tree Pipits & Pied Flys carrying food. 2-3 Wood Warblers sang repeatedly, one being especially showy. A discreet check on the Buzzard family revealed all 3 chicks doing well.
Spotted Flycatchers, Blackcap & Chifchaff were visiting, while residents included a Bullfinch pair which tried to melt un-noticed into the Hazel understorey Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Gswpkrs & a Nuthatch seen taking food into his nest hole, with mud covered enterance visible. Overhead the Aspen leaves began to tremble as the breeze picked up & the temperature dropped, it was 09:30 so quickly, & time to go.

SE

[StevieEvans]

Ho Gate
Family party of Shelducks reduced to 9 chicks
juvvy Redshank exercising its wings but as yet unable to fly.
Mob of juvvy Lapwings with ragged looking flight feathers
Oystercatcher sitting incubating.
Male Grey Partridges indulging in much caling & running about.

LEO Checks
A breezy cool night, not the best conditions but:-

a hatched egg, a glimpse of an adult on edge of Birch Scrub & the used nest located in Hawthorn at 3metres height & only 8metres away from a busy path.

4 successful nests in parts of Derwentside with another where a juv heard but site not specifically located due to distance, wind & darkness.

Durham City area 2juvs calling at traditional site with at least 3 calling juvs from 'new' site - located on 9th June

SE.

BirdGuides rpt of a male RBShrike at Jarrow.
Wed - BGuides rpt that there were 2 Male RBShrikes SiNGiNG !! at Jarrow.

[StevieEvans]

Hetton Lyons
2 Little Gulls yesterday
another juvvy Long-eared Owl found sat outside its nest imediately adjacent to a busy path.

Seaton Pond
Cuckoo, Grasshopper warbler, Lesser Whitethroat.
Pr Gadwall, 5Ruddy Duck, 4pr Lapwing with chicks, broods all different ages.

Only a single singing Corn Bunting though, bit worrying.

Great Crested Grebe recently found floundering on a dirt track beneath wires at R.Meadows, released unharmed onto pools.

A male Kesrel seen returning to nest with a mammal in each talon.

SE.

[john gardiner]

Been out on the bike today birds seen include
Lanchester Railway Linnet, Yellowhammer, Whitethroat, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Kestrel, Grey Heron
Waskerley Way Cuckoo, Kestrel, Mistle Thrush, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Red Grouse, Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover
Parkhead Cafe Crawleyside Male Stonechat, Snipe, Oystercatcher,
Edmundbyers/ Muggleswick area Buzzard, Ring Ouzel, Kestrel and 2 families of Nuthatches feeding in woodland.
Lanchester area Tree Pipit and Wheatear

[IanF]

Dorman's Pool last three nights now - adult LEO 20:15 - 20:45.

[StevieEvans]

Ian
Marsh Sandpiper reported at Bishop Middleham by reliable birder.
On Castle Lake then flew to A1M flashes....

John
Ospey at Hisehope & ringtail Hen Harrier at Smiddyshaw (South West of Rowley, nr Consett, of A68.)

SE

[StevieEvans]

Early this morning
2 singing Quail nr Tanfield Railway, at 3AM, approx 2 mile apart.
1 nr East Tanfield Station, in Derwentside. NZ 194 547
the other nr Andrews House Station in Gateshead. NZ 210 574

Little Owls with juvs at
Blackburn Fell, north of Burdon Moor NZ 217 585
Birkheads Lane, south west of Ravensworth Grange NZ 220 568

Long-eared Owl juv heard "in the Gateshead Borough"

Red-legged Partridge 1 watched at close range, calling from large rock pile at partial built house between Sunniside Station & Ravensworth Grange, at NZ 220 574, a second bird calling to the south of here.

Cuckoo single singing singing birds at
Hedley Hall Fm community woodland NZ 560 220
Ravensworth Grange (N.east of) at NZ 226 573

Grasshopper Warbler
Reeling birds prominant, warm but not calm.
Total of 12 in parts of South West of Gateshead Borough
2+ reeling between Marley Hill & Sunniside NZ 205 583
1 reeling nr Andrews House Station. NZ 210 574
7+ reeling (inc 2seen) in part of Hedley Hall Community Woodland, part of Grt Nth Forest, at Hedley Fell NZ 215 565. (large proportion of site not covered)
1 reeling at Barcusclose Lane, nr Crookgate Bank NZ 184 562
1 reeling to south of Byermoor (quite distant) NZ 187 573approx

also 1 reeling at Tanfield Lea, Ind Est, Derwentside NZ 195 545 with Sedge Warbler also singing there.

Dipper still feeding its fledgling & 2 fem & a moulting drake Goosander, adult Little Ringed Plover with small chick at all Lambton.

Pair of Buzzards apparently quite happy nr Lanchester this morning & a Short-eared Owl at Woodland Fell.

Wood Sand reported at Lambton Coke works yesterday,
adult summer plumaged Green Sand there last night.

[IanF]

Two Buzzard over Kinninvie to Woodland Road yesterday plus Red-legged Partridge on the Woodland to Egglestone road itself.

Pied Flycatchersx2 pair in Deepdale, Barnard Castle also several pairs of Grey Wagtail with young and two pair Dipper one on second brood. Loads Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Tit families with young. Single pair Spotted Flycatchers nesting and one Wood Warbler still - though gathering food for young.

Not much doing up Tees Banks Woods - single paired Spotted Flycatcher.

Eagle Owl - Yorkshire Dales - just one chick seen. Quite a few Red Gouse in same area.

[Skelly]

Half an hour at Waldridge Fell

Yellowhammer
Linnet
Meadow Pipit
Reed Bunting
Skylark
Kestrel
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Magpie
Tawny Owl (Heard, but not seen)

B (:

[Skelly]

Rainton Meadows and Joe's Pond

70+ Canada Geese
Ruddy Duck
Pair of Common Tern
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Sedge Warbler
Long Tailed Tit
Great Crested Grebe
Tufted Duck
Grey Heron being mobbed by a Kestrel
Coot
Moorhen
Blackcap
Reed Bunting
Mallard
Herring Gull
Pheasant
Lapwing
House Martin
Swift
Swallow
Greylag Goose
Whitethroat
Mute Swan

Houghton Gate

Shelduck
Redshank
Coot
Lapwing
Pheasant
House Martin
Swallow
Swift

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Moors in NWest Durham
Pleasant Wednesday evening drive in the sun.

2 female Teal on 2 tiny moorland pools
4 Snipe, as above & 4 seen drumming many others heard.
Golden Plovers, several roadside prs with beauty chicks of different sizes.
Common Sand -pr on Smiddyshaw Res
Red Grouse - female walked out in front of us with 5 well grown young, also pr with approx 10 smaller chicks.
Buzzard - the nest contains 4 young doing well. Surprisingly one food item in the nest was a weasel.
Short eared Owl - 2 singles hunting, easily picked up with naked eye, at long range due to low sun lighting them up.
Meadow Pipits - abundant, many carrying food.
Black headed Gull - several small colonies seen. A flock of 54+ were taking insects towards dusk, flying just above a hay field. Another was still hawking about over rough pasture at 22:30 (pretending to be a Barn Owl)
Tawny Owl - juvs calling at Baybridge & Ruffside.
Woodcock - single roding at Baybridge, disappearing into Northumberland. 3 roding males in air together at Pow Hill, Derwent Resevoir.
2 roding birds heard at Waldridge Fell.
Long-eared Owl - 3 juvs calling nr Chester-le-Street.

Siskin - Saw a single bird fly over North at High Pittington at work.
Also Work List, there this week Lesser Whitethroat, Blckcap, Corn Bunting, Sparrowhawk, Goldfinch, Kestrel, Pheasant, Swift, House Martin(1 singing whilst sat on TV arial)

Siskin - Strangely another single went over the garden as i was sat in the sun on the front step. (Sunday)
SE.

[Skelly]

Decided to have a couple of hours owl watching tonight.

Had 2 Little Owls on telegraph posts 100 metres apart and then a little further down the road had Several Little Owls calling and one flying into a tree.

Also had Tawny Owl calling at same location as the last group of Little Owls.

Finally, had a group of Juv Leo's making a racket and saw one adult flying!!

B (:

[Denis J]

Same here
heard 2 young leo,s and had good views of an adult hunting
also heard quail all in the seaham area:@)

[StevieEvans]

Hobby reported from Hetton on two consecutive days.

1 over Hetton Bogs yesterday &
1 at Hetton Lyons Park today together with a passage B.N.Grebe (juv/winter type).

[Skelly]

Adult Long Eared Owl showing well at 21:20 this evening, also Woodcock heard calling at same site.

B (:

[IanF]

This morning I popped over to Teesdale and checked out Crag Pond near Lartington a few miles NW from Barnard Castle. As a kid it used to be a regular for Sunday morning walks.

A shame I haven't been for a while as there were quite a few of normally hard to see birds in that region.

Seven pairs of Common Redstart feeding their young.

Six pairs of Spotted Flycathers.

One Pied Flycatcher - though they've fledged over the last week and usually move on pretty quickly.

Best of all though was a Redpoll, a bird I see few and far between especially in the Summer.

Plenty of Bullfinch, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff etc as well.

Down on Teesside this evening quite a few Black-tailed Godwit, the odd Ruff and several pairs of Yellow Wagtail on the causeway on Back Saltholme. On Dormans Pool Water Rail from the hide the last two nights c. 21:00. Little Egret are about but not tonight.

I've seen a LEO on there a couple of times now and a single SEO last week.

Two Avocet were on Calor Gas Pool yesterday but no sign today - possibly as it's drying out quite a bit.

[Skelly]

Sounds like a good site Ian, may have to have a visit as I still need those birds for the year.

How easy is Crag pond to find?

B (:

[IanF]

Lol! Good question - I drove past the road end twice before finding it. When I used to visit it was always walking up Deepdale from Barnard Castle.

Actually it's not that hard to find. If you know Barnard Castle, just head down the hill over the county bridge and turn right travelling up to and through Lartington. At the top end of the village when the road turns right, take the left junction - probably sign posted for Bowes. After 1 mile there is a public footpath sign to the left for a farm - it also mentions TBACC - the angling club. The first mile is tarmac and the second half mile a rough hard core. Keep going until you you reach a wooded area, drive on until you reach the end where it ends. Best place for birds was back along that track which is where the Spotted Flycatchers, Redpoll and several pairs of Redstart were. Else you can walk throught he wood along the track to the pond itself - only Coot, Mallard and GC Grebe but the right side by the Rhododrendrons and boat house held more Redstart and Spotted Flycatchers. Pied Flycatchers head south into Deepdale itself (50 yards).

I forgot to mention the Buzzards as well. On leving the pond itself there were two perched on the wall on the right behind the derelict building - again not that common in this area.

[Skelly]

Cheers Ian, I'm sure I'll find it.

B (:

[StevieEvans]

This morning I popped over to Teesdale and checked out Crag Pond near Lartington a few miles NW from Barnard Castle. As a kid it used to be a regular for Sunday morning walks.

A shame I haven't been for a while as there were quite a few of normally hard to see birds in that region.

Seven pairs of Common Redstart feeding their young.

Six pairs of Spotted Flycathers.

One Pied Flycatcher - though they've fledged over the last week and usually move on pretty quickly.

Best of all though was a Redpoll, a bird I see few and far between especially in the Summer.

Plenty of Bullfinch, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaff etc as well.

Down on Teesside this evening quite a few Black-tailed Godwit, the odd Ruff and several pairs of Yellow Wagtail on the causeway on Back Saltholme. On Dormans Pool Water Rail from the hide the last two nights c. 21:00. Little Egret are about but not tonight.

I've seen a LEO on there a couple of times now and a single SEO last week.

Two Avocet were on Calor Gas Pool yesterday but no sign today - possibly as it's drying out quite a bit.

Excellent records. Sounds great Ian. Im sure Dave Brown wouldnt mind having all info that cut & pasted to him...

Nice to see everybody connecting with the Longies. Up the OSG !
SE.
(PS ive got nothing to add as we went foreign today for the 2nd time this year.... Northumberland is ok, but theres no place like home) ;)

[Skelly]

Up until this year I had never seen a Leo before and if wasn't for Stevie Evans I would probably still be waiting.

Your excellent work with the DBC has made people even more aware of this beautiful owl and what to look out for when looking for them.

Thank you Stevie for your passing on your vast local knowledge on the subject.

:clap: :clap:

[StevieEvans]

:cool:

thanks for that big bit of back slapping Skelly.....! lv u 2 ! ;)

i think alot of folks might have had negative preconceived ideas about internet forums, but i find BF an excellent & enjoyable resource, which is achieved & maintained by sensible moderation.

BF, is in effect a Bird Club (a big one!) & i get a lot out of being a member.

i've met & been birding with 9 or 10 local BF'ers, all genuine folks with no edge to them, the amount of information to be found out there, from them is amazing.
SE

[StevieEvans]

Pair of Red Legged Partridge with 10+ young at Hury Resevoir at weekend

Another Quail on upland edge nr Muggleswick.

Hobby hunting bird reported twice from Hurworth Burn.

GULL BiLLED TERN at Whitburn this afternoon............. :eek!:

Another Quail singing nr Murton

[Skelly]

A couple of Willow Tits at Waldridge Fell this evening.

Also good numbers of Linnet, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting.

There was a few Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and single Garden Warbler and Whitethroat.

[IanF]

Pair Avocet back on Calor Gas pool this evening.

A different pair from last week! - go on you say - has Ian's ID skills suddenly leapt through the roof? - no such luck - one of these has a ring - last week's didn't ;)

Other than that the most notable birds were two pair of Yellow Wagtail on Back Saltholme and 112 Black Tailed Godwit on Dormans Pool - having just arrived. Vibrantly coloured - possibly from Iceland.

[Stewart J.]

Yo Ian, do Blackwits normally return this early in such numbers, any Juvs or are they all failed breeders?

Stewart

[IanF]

Not sure about their status. Three days ago there were just the three or four drab coloured Blackwit on Back Saltholme. Yesterday there were 17 well amrked birds on Greatham Creek and then today there are 112 on Dormans Pool.

They've just returned and just about every one of them on Dorman's is a strongly coloured bird in adult plumage.

It's about right for returning birds to this area. There were the odd three or four a couple of weeks ago, which is usually the case after which numbers soar. Several hundred usually turn up around here.

[Skelly]

Waldridge Fell this evening:

Linnet
Yellowhammer
Meadow Pipit
Kestrel
Magpie
Rook
Stonechat
Bullfinch
Blackcap
Grey Partridge
Pheasant
Blackbird
9 x Mistle Thrush
Whitethroat with juvs
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Green Woodpecker (Photo attached)

B (:

[Barred Wobbler]

Not sure about their status. Three days ago there were just the three or four drab coloured Blackwit on Back Saltholme. Yesterday there were 17 well amrked birds on Greatham Creek and then today there are 112 on Dormans Pool.

They've just returned and just about every one of them on Dorman's is a strongly coloured bird in adult plumage.

It's about right for returning birds to this area. There were the odd three or four a couple of weeks ago, which is usually the case after which numbers soar. Several hundred usually turn up around here.


Not Durham, I know, but relevant to the discussion, there were 36 Black Tailed Godwits (all but 2 in full summer plumage) at Cresswell on Monday and while they were still there another 42 (all summer plumage) flew into East Chevington, so it looks as if there's been quite a movement of them.

[rayl]

Flock of 50 Goldfinch at Ridings Lane (nr.Ouston) yesterday, seems early me thinks?

Ray

Excellent thread btw.

[Skelly]

I've had a few Goldfinch in and around the Chester le Street area, but not in any great numbers.

Chester le Street park is usually a good place for them, in the past I've had flocks of 20-30 birds.

(o)<

[StevieEvans]

x1 Ad Little Gull on Rainton Meadows on Wednesday

Med Gull at Shields 27th Ad Roseate Tern on Whitburn Steel 28th

x5 Hawfinch at Ryton (traditional venue), feeding in a cherry tree .

Shibdon Barnacle Geese free flying feral pair with a gosling.

Wrote this a while ago now about an evening at one of my local patches:-
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=5827

[harry eales]

I don't often report bird sightings, because i'm more interested in insects, however, when out on the moors near Muggleswick this afternoon i saw the following birds of prey.

Kestral x 2. Common enough I know.
Sparrowhawk, being mobbed by one meadow pipit, and it didn't like it a bit.
Peregrine, possibly an immature, as it stooped at a Wood Pigeon and missed. I didn't know that pigeons had built in turbo chargers, fantastic accelleration.

Harry

[StevieEvans]

Midday: Found an adult Long-eared Owl roosting in a likely looking pieceof habitat, initialy visible with naked eye ;-/

Pair of summering Black-necked Grebes dont look to bothered about trying to breed.

17:30 Tawny Owl feeding 3 well developed young out of the nest. Adult looked totall shocked to see me & was very vocal untill i moved away.
Mobbed by pair of Blackcaps.

Barn Owl carrying prey this evening, heading to last years secure nest site.

Little Owl x1 juvenile appeared to be already independant at same site as BO.

(Barn Owl confirmed to have bred in West Gateshead)

Took 160+ digital photos.... but somehow seem to have erased them all..!
SE

Rainton Meadows.
Adult Common Gull - a decent July bird, picked it up being mobbed by the Common Tern pair, defending their one chick.
18+ LBBGull, 1ad & 2 1st sum BHGull
Ad L.R.Plover, 40+ Lapwing, mostly juvs, x1 ad Redshank
pr + 2 Swallow, 10 Swift 3-4 each of House & Sand Martin.
pr +5 Pied Wagtail, Reed Bunting several males still singing & a juv seen.
adult Water Rail heard twice on pool III.
64 Canadas (only 1 gosling), x1 ad Greylag.
Treecreeper, Bullfinch, male & 1 juv. 3juvvy Kestrel.
warblers still singing included Chiffchaff (strange songster with double quick tempo), Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Sedge warbler, Blackcap.

& Sunday
male Lesser Whitethroat singing at Joes Pond
Grasshopper Warbler singing from nettle patch at RM's
Reed Warbler adult feeding a fledged juv at RM I, & singing bird at Joes Pond.
Crossbill single low over heading west.
Swift 50=Chilton C.Club, & 10+feeding over Nicholsons hill, 1 had a piece of white material approx 4" long trailing from its rump (possibly roof insulation material)
GCGrebe with a large juv.
Dabchicks on 3 waters
Kestrel male feeding two fledglings perched on top of bat boxes.

[Skelly]

Waldridge Fell and surrounding area this morning

Kestrel
Whitethroat
Linnet
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Garden Warbler
Yellowhammer
Skylark
Meadow Pipit
Mistle Thrush
Black Headed Gull
Common Gull
Coot
Mallard
Robin
Dunnock
Wood Pigeon
Lapwing
Rook
Carrion Crow
Blackbird
Starling
Magpie
Pheasant
Cuckoo

Also several Grey Squirrel's and a few Hare's.

(o)<

[john gardiner]

Little Owl in hedgerow on the Langley Park to Quebec road.
Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Snipe, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Lapwing, Bullfinch, Stock Dove and Grey Partridge at Salter's Gate today.

[Quacker]

Can I ask if anyone ever checks Saltwell Park in Gateshead? - Or is it so full of picnickers and daytrippers to be of any use to birders?

Steve

[Skelly]

Can I ask if anyone ever checks Saltwell Park in Gateshead? - Or is it so full of picnickers and daytrippers to be of any use to birders?

Steve
There's a few mentions of it in Salty's Gateshead birding thread, but I've never checked it out.

(o)<

[IanF]

Night Heron still around this evening at Holme Fleet. Cracking views of it circling several times before landing in the ditch beside the bus stop sign 50 yards north of Holme Fleet entrance. Also flying to Holme Fleet left side into the reeds and ditch beside the wood at Greatham Creek.

I wish I'd had the Panasonic FZ20 with me - still got a photo of it though - yes I do have a sense of humour ;)

[Skelly]

Little Owl seen near Plawsworth last night.

Also good numbers of Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Willow Warbler at Waldridge Fell.

Just heard on the news that 30 Red Kites are getting released today, as long as the weather stays fine. Wonder how many stay in the region and how many head down to the Chilterns?

(o)<

[StevieEvans]

Friday 8th

Night Heron - Adult seen near Holme Fleet, Cowpen Marsh at 07:45 when it flew over at very close range. (seen to be unringed, trailing one leg)
NB. Bird then continued on at height, flying South Westwards at least as far as Billingham, where it began to descend before going out of sight.

Common Terns - several chicks on the rafts at Holme Fleet
Short eared Owl - single hunting on tip at Cowpen 07:00
2 Greenshank & Common Sandpiper on Salthome West.
Peregrine - family of 5 watched on the wing in an active quarry, (awesome & far more impressive than the NH.)

SE.

[StevieEvans]

Can I ask if anyone ever checks Saltwell Park in Gateshead? - Or is it so full of picnickers and daytrippers to be of any use to birders?
Steve
Hi Steve
nice goose collection there......
have seen gsw & nuthatch, gets wild poch & tuft in winter.
im sure doctor gadwall will know....
doctor.gadwall@gatesheadbirders.co.uk
se.

Roadside Pool, Bishop Middleham. (Stoneybeck Lake)
15mins in the sun at roadside (17:00) produced:-
Redshank pr & 3 very well grown juvs.
Lapwing 60+ mostly juvs
Yellow Wagtail 2ad & 1 juv
Tree Sparrow 5-6ads & 1juv
Corn Bunting 3 singing birds
Little Owl adult in usual Ash tree

[June Atkinson]

Little Owl seen near Plawsworth last night.

Also good numbers of Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Willow Warbler at Waldridge Fell.

Just heard on the news that 30 Red Kites are getting released today, as long as the weather stays fine. Wonder how many stay in the region and how many head down to the Chilterns?

(o)<

We released 8 kites this morning. With another volunteer I had the privilege of opening the pen for the first batch of three. The first one out was, in fact, Phoenix, No 21, the kite given to the children of Winlaton School to replace Flash ,their kite which was poisoned last year.

It was a wonderful opportunity to see these young kites fly off to total freedom. One stayed for some time at the top of a conifer, and we could clearly see his wing tag 26. nother landed on a very fine branch and ended up clinging on upside down, but he soon regained his composure and flew away strongly across the fields.
:clap:
I shall post some pictures soon............

[StevieEvans]

Bearpark (on western edge of Durham City)

1.5hr stroll with baby & pram this evening:-

14 Crossbill - feeding in Scots pines then off West up valley.
Lesser Redpoll - 2. A male in display flight & a 2nd over contact calling.
Tree Pipit - an adult carrying food. Coal Tit - adult Great Spotted Woodpecker - 1male & 1juv

Green Woodpecker - family party of 5+ in area of open Oaks on edge of pit heap. One of spreckly juvs seen especially well feeding on lower trunk of large dead tree.

Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch all seen.
Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird
Yellowhammer - couple of males still singing & one carrying food. Skylark - single singing over pit heap. Linnet / MPipit - both numerous, several juvs.
Kestrel - Male & 2 fledged juvs.
Stock Dove - 2pair & 2 singles. Wood Pigeon - numerous. Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Rook all present.

Little Owl - Adult perched on ruins & juvs heard nearby. Long-eared Owl - Adult hunting unsuccessfully over freshly cut hay.

Heron - adult flying up following Browney. Moorhen - 1adult.
Grey Wagtail - 1 fledged juv. Pied Wagtail 3. Kingfisher heard only.
Few warblers, singing Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap & Whitethroats.
LBBGull - 2ads

(No sign of:- Gropper, SedgeWarb, Cuckoo, Barn Owl, R.Bunting!, Partridge, Pheasant, Willow tit)

SE.

Photos taken on Sunday by PH ;)

[StevieEvans]

2Taken by PH on sunday in prominant dead oak from public bridleway, showing juvenile female & same bird with the adult female & 3rd pic JF. showing juvenile male.
(more excellent photos on DBC website)
NZ 241 436.
se

[StevieEvans]

Just had a message saying one of our very keen surveyors has 2 successfull breeding pairs of Long-eared Owls (with 2 & 3 juvs) only 400metres apart at a moorland edge habitat.
We have also had a similar situation at a lowland site too.
Not especially large broods though.
SE

[StevieEvans]

2 singing Corn Buntings at Sherburn Hill from 2 barley fields

Families of Swifts on the wing.

Grey Wagtail at Littletown, non breeding area

Greenfinch pair feeding young in the nest whilst another male was in calling in display flight nearby

Garden & Grasshopper Warblers & Whitethroats still singing.

Barn Owls hunting last 2 evenings & carrying prey back to 2 seperate quarry nest sites (1 active & 1 disused)

[Skelly]

Little Owl seen and juvs heard near Dairy Lane, Brandon at 7:45pm last night.

Also male Bullfinch and several Red Legged Partridge's of dubious origin.

[StevieEvans]

Swifts - large wheeling feeding flock (350+) close to Elemore Hall.

Ian- pure Red legs breeding freely now, how many did you see/where.
se.

[Skelly]

Ian- pure Red legs breeding freely now, how many did you see/where.
se.
If you're heading towards Brancepeth village from Meadowfield, there's a left turn opposite the turn for the Braunsden pub. Drive down the road for about 200metres and check the left hand fields, I saw about six, two of them were within 10metres of the road.

(o)<

[salty]

There's a few mentions of it in Salty's Gateshead birding thread, but I've never checked it out.

(o)<

best birds knocking around are probaly the LS woodpeckers.

[StevieEvans]

best birds knocking around are probaly the LS woodpeckers.

Probably OR Probable......?
You seen Lsw in that place...?

If theres Lsw's resident in Saltwell Park i'll eat hay with an eehor
SE

[Keith Reeder]

Leave some for me, Steve!

;)

Must be a typo surely?

Salty's got to mean GSW...

[StevieEvans]

Rainton Meadows

juv LRPlover
ad Dunlin
10 ad LBBGull
pr Common Tern with 3 young
pr Dabchick & 2 noisy young.

x2 broods of Tufted Duck (late this year, usually mid june) fem with 9 & fem with 3+ (including this one lost on the trackside)

female Pochard on pool 1
SE

[Skelly]

Little Owl seen again near Dairy Lane, Brandon. Also 5 [/B]Red-Legged Partridges[B], two of which were within two feet of the car.

There was also Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Lapwing, Coot, Moorhen, Red Deer, Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove and Robin at the pond towards the bottom of Dairy Lane.

On the road to Brancepeth Station from Brancepeth village there was a Little Owl and a Sparrowhawk.

Also heard juvenile Long-Eared Owls, saw and heard Tawny Owls and had a roding Woodcock as well as several Bats.

The light wasn't very good, which is why the quality of the photos is poor.

B (:

[Skelly]

Little Egret at Dormans Pool this evening, along with a single Black Tailed Godwit

Also good numbers of Common Tern, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Ruddy Duck, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Redshank, Coot, Moorhen and Linnet

There was a single Snipe at Bishop Middleham roadside lake and also Redshank, Coot, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Grey Heron and Lapwing

Photos are a bit better than last nights efforts!!!

B (:

[IanF]

The Little Egret keeps dropping in on Dormans - most evenings it's there though.

There were around 50 Godwits there this morning. Up to around 100 turn up most evenings. Sorry I missed you, this must be the first evening in weeks I wasn't down there as well!

Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and a family of Linnet are usually along the track to the hide. From the hide itself a Water Rail has been showing well, but elusive the last few evenings.

Long-eard Owl are still on Dormans too, but usually 21:00 onwards anywhere between Saltholme east pond and the tip area.

Also a pair of Snipe on Holme Fleet this morning with a pair of Yellow Wagtail. A single Short-eared Owl most evenings too over Cowpen Marsh towards the tip.

[Skelly]

It was very quiet, I only saw two other birders. One at Dormans as I was leaving and one at Holme Fleet, who I think was more of a photographer than a birder as he had a large lense camera.

The Egret was very obliging, tending to stay in the same spot whilst it was hunting.

There was one reported at Hurworth Burn this morning, so there seems to be a few in the area at the moment.

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Derwent Resevoir today (09:00 - 15:00 - looking for Hobby &/or Honey Buzzard..)

2pr - Great Crested Grebe - still showing aggression to one another(no juvs seen)
pair - Pink Footed Goose. 13 Cormorants - circling at great height when flushed.
Scaup - adult drake. 23+Tufted Duck, majority males.
Moorhen - 2-3 full grown juvs, 1ad.

Breeding confirmed for 2 upland duck species:- 24+Teal - brood of 3 fully fledged with female & 27+Wigeon - brood of 4 small & downy & min of 2 fully fledged. Goosander - single female only.

3+ Little Ringed Plover - pair initially on North'd side were very anxious as anglers approached (may have had chicks). 3 adults.
2 Snipe, 200 & 100Lapwing. 10+Oystercatcher. pair ofRedshank. 10+Common Sandpiper including 2 juvs. single Golden Plover. Curlew pair with 2 half grown juvs

18 adultCommon Gull, 10+LBBGull. 20+(5juvs) BHGull.

Grey Wagtail - single juvenile on drystone wall, away from running water. Pied Wgtail - male with 2 juvs, feeding on easy pickings, insects on & around rabbit carcase.

18+ Crossbill at Pow Hill CP. 8+Siskin at least 1 juvenile. 30+Lesser Redpoll several noisy small groups inc juvs. - majority nr Pow Hill CP.

Common Buzzard 2-3 individuals. Kestrel 2 family parties. Sparrowhawk M & F seen. Probable Goshawk high near Ruffside.

Grey Partridge -pr with 8 young on road. Red-legged Partridge -single nr Blanchland. Pheasant - fem with 3+ tiny young.

pleasant visit, spoiled only by a pr of fishermen walking right round nature reserve end & an inflatable dingy in there too! (only benefit is it made it easy to count Teal & Wigeon when they all got flushed....)
se.



also Red Kite just off A68 2mile north of Allensford, heading west towards Durham.


Turtle Dove through R.M's & 2 LRP's


added another yafle photo to post #176

Excellent picture showing a juvvy male, using its tail as a prop while perched

[Skelly]

A few more photos of this evenings birding.

The Grey Heron was sitting on a fence at Bishop Middleham and the rest were taken at Dormans Pool and Reclamation Pond.

B (:

[John Fleet]

Skelly
(and this is a general plea!)
Please title the last lot of thumbnails (well really the middle one - the others are obvious enough) to help relative tyros like me with the ID

Many thanks

John

[Skelly]

The middle one is of Female Reed Buntings at Dormans pool.

B (:

[john gardiner]

Went to Hurworth Burn reservoir today saw the Little Egret there on the lake on the East side of the track next to a juvenile Grey Heron it then flew off at 10am up the channel at the top corner. Also good numbers of Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebes, Shelduck, Coot, Canada Geese, Black Headed Gulls and Ruddy Duck.
Also Corn Bunting, Yellowhammer, Skylark and Whitethroat on the road between Trimdon and Coxhoe.

[Keith Reeder]

Too right about the third GW pic, Steve- it's a great shot.

[Skelly]

Just had a report of Black Necked Grebes successfully breeding in the county.

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Seabirds starting to show up last few days including Arctic, Great & Long tailed Skuas, Auks & Sooty, Balearic & Manx Shearwaters.

Hobby with prey in Central Durham.....keeps us guessing...

BNG, juv is fully fledged & accompanied by a single adult. (They did not originate from the passage site where they are..... could have dispersed from a Northumberland colony.....?)

SE

LOOK......
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
V

[StevieEvans]

Monthly webs count today.

Nice to get BNG on the webs list (1ad 1juv)
Ruddy Duck brood of 4 & a total of 4fem / 2male
Tufted Duck 3 broods 8,6 & 6. Total of 28 ad's
1 Greylag, 63 Canadas, Mute Swan single pr only.
Mallard 52ads. 31 Coot. 11 Moorhen. 12 Little Grebe (all ages/sizes)
Heron 1, 67 Lapwing, single Green Sandpiper,
6 Common Tern (1 fledged juv & 5ads) 3 LBBGull, 10 HGull, 1 ad Common Gull, 5 BHGull, 3juv Pied Wagtails

fledged species seen:- Skylark(dust bathing), Linnet, RBunting, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Sand Martin, Swift, Swallow, Kestrel.

also a real local rarity:- singing Turtle Dove.

x2 Emperor Dragonfly & x1 Red Admiral.

SE

[LSB]

Seabirds starting to show up last few days including Arctic, Great & Long tailed Skuas, Auks & Sooty, Balearic & Manx Shearwaters.

Hobby with prey in Central Durham.....keeps us guessing...

BNG, juv is fully fledged & accompanied by a single adult. (They did not originate from the passage site where they are..... could have dispersed from a Northumberland colony.....?)

SE

LOOK......
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
V


I have been told by someone who does the Northumberland BNG breeding site very often. That a few of the Adults and Juveniles have moved off. So it may be that they have "arrived" at this site...Regardless where that came from their still a beauty to watch.. :)

[StevieEvans]

Cheers LSB,
we had a single juvvy approx 3weeks back at a (non breeding) different water.
Have they had an early year in North'd?

No sign of the 2 birds today, not surprising as its a joke nature reserves... you know the type of place swimming dogs, fishermen, motocrossers etc

A few Teal starting to trickle in today.

[LSB]

Cheers LSB,
we had a single juvvy approx 3weeks back at a (non breeding) different water.
Have they had an early year in North'd?

No sign of the 2 birds today, not surprising as its a joke nature reserves... you know the type of place swimming dogs, fishermen, motocrossers etc

A few Teal starting to trickle in today.

Yes there is even a another cpl of new broods in the last week or so..sounds excatly like where they breed..lol

[StevieEvans]

Goldfinch incubating eggs at work today.

2 moulting drake Goosanders at Lambton Bridge
female Tufted with a brood of 4 on R.Wear there (unusual breeding bird on river & especially on that quite fast flowing section)

Another passage BNG in the County today, see photos :-http://www.whitburnbirding.co.uk/index.htm

[IanF]

http://www.whitburnbirding.co.uk/index.htm (http://www.whitburnbirding.co.uk/index.htm)

[StevieEvans]

Houghton area
Pair Little Ringed Plover with 3 well grown young
Green Sandpiper - passage migrant (recorded every month of this year so far)
Pied Flycatcher - passage bird at non-breeding location
Goosander - unusual for time of year

On a sadder note, adult Mute Swan & cygnet found shot dead....

Recent Owl/Crepuscular surveying.
Nightjar at a "new" site last night
Barn Owl & Tawny in mid Wear valley
Long-eared families active, 2 juvs perched on farmers bales nr Houghton, fledged juv begging at Brasside with a Woodcock still roding there. Other Long-eareds with juvs nr Salters Gate, Lanchester & Stanley.
Little Owl family of 5 again on straw bales & wires at Cocken.
Tawnys begging at several sites, including from a small conifer stand at 300m/asl
Several Groppers still singing

Hawthorn / Easington area
2 pairs of Stonechat with juvs
Reeling Grasshopper Warbler
330 Common Scoter on the sea

[StevieEvans]

If theres any further Leo info out there can you forward it please.

Results will be published soon but, we have excellent news with 20 pairs (very widespread areas) confirmed breeding with spring/summer birds at 13 or so other sites.. ! :-)

SE

[June Atkinson]

[QUOTE=StevieEvans]Houghton area

On a sadder note, adult Mute Swan & cygnet found shot dead....


Is there any chance of finding the person responsible?
What a despicable act!! :storm:

[StevieEvans]

[QUOTE=StevieEvans]Houghton area
On a sadder note, adult Mute Swan & cygnet found shot dead....

Is there any chance of finding the person responsible?
What a despicable act!! :storm:

No chance, its like the Alamo down there, the sheer no's of airgunners is unreal..... you'd expect John Wayne to come galloping round the corner at any moment.

Bishop Middleham - this morning (73 species)

adult Hobby low over near A1 Flashes. female & imm Sparrowhawk. several Kestrels. juvvy Little Owls seen at 3 sites & heard at a fourth.

2 ad Grey Heron, 21 sub adult Mute Swan plus pair with 4 cygnets.
74 Greylag, 40+ Canada Geese, 3 juv Shelduck

50+ Dabchick 3juvs, Pr +3, Pr +2, 5pr+1ad+ 2juvs, & 25+ of all ages on Casltle Lake. 2 young BNGs fully grown.
200 Coot, 20+Moorhen
8 Shoveller, 4 Teal, 85 ad Mallard + broods of 5, 4, 9, 8, 6,8, 4 & 7. 5 Gadwall + broods of 8, 9 & 11.
Tufted Duck females with 8, 4, 6 & 5 young.

9 Curlew, 5 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, fem LRPlover, 1 Oystercatcher, 150+Lapwing 2juvvy Redshank.

3 juvs only Yellow Wagtails, single Grey Wagtail, 30+Pied Wagtail, single Kingfisher.

1ad Common Gull, 10 BHGull, 3HGull, 2LBBGull.

single Corn Bunting, 10 Tree Sparrow & juvs, House Spar, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, Linnet60, Goldfinch 30, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch.
Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Songy, Blackbird, Starling,

adult Cuckoo flushed from a wall. Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Swift, Swallow, Sand & House Martin

3 Great Spotted Wpkr, 2 Treecreeper, LTTit, Great Tit, Blue Tit

Stock Dove ad & juv on wires, Coll Dove, W.Pigeon, Pheasant, Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Rook

[IanF]

Three Quail Tuesday afternoon 16:00 at Dorman's Pool along track to hide 30 yards from car park. I've seen them several times there but this was the first decent view of them. Still too slow with the camera though!

[salty]

No chance, its like the Alamo down there, the sheer no's of airgunners is unreal..... you'd expect John Wayne to come galloping round the corner at any moment.

Bishop Middleham - this morning (73 species)

adult Hobby low over near A1 Flashes. female & imm Sparrowhawk. several Kestrels. juvvy Little Owls seen at 3 sites & heard at a fourth.

2 ad Grey Heron, 21 sub adult Mute Swan plus pair with 4 cygnets.
74 Greylag, 40+ Canada Geese, 3 juv Shelduck

50+ Dabchick 3juvs, Pr +3, Pr +2, 5pr+1ad+ 2juvs, & 25+ of all ages on Casltle Lake. 2 young BNGs fully grown.
200 Coot, 20+Moorhen
8 Shoveller, 4 Teal, 85 ad Mallard + broods of 5, 4, 9, 8, 6,8, 4 & 7. 5 Gadwall + broods of 8, 9 & 11.
Tufted Duck females with 8, 4, 6 & 5 young.

9 Curlew, 5 Snipe, 2 Dunlin, 2 Ruff, fem LRPlover, 1 Oystercatcher, 150+Lapwing 2juvvy Redshank.

3 juvs only Yellow Wagtails, single Grey Wagtail, 30+Pied Wagtail, single Kingfisher.

1ad Common Gull, 10 BHGull, 3HGull, 2LBBGull.

single Corn Bunting, 10 Tree Sparrow & juvs, House Spar, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark, Linnet60, Goldfinch 30, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch.
Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Songy, Blackbird, Starling,

adult Cuckoo flushed from a wall. Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Swift, Swallow, Sand & House Martin

3 Great Spotted Wpkr, 2 Treecreeper, LTTit, Great Tit, Blue Tit

Stock Dove ad & juv on wires, Coll Dove, W.Pigeon, Pheasant, Magpie, Crow, Jackdaw, Rook

blimey Stevie!!! - wish i could watch birds all day like you mate, you ever go to work?

lets see some pics please......

keep up the good work folks, this thread is awesome.

[StevieEvans]

Recieved a DBC Annual Report today..... think i'll have to buy a Lottery Ticket too.........

[Skelly]

Little Egret at Holywell Pond, near Brandon at 10:30am this morning. Seen hunting for fish, before flying off towards Sunderland Bridge.

Also Common Sandpiper, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Black Headed Gulls, Herring Gull, Mallard, Kestrel, Moorhen, Coot, Rook, Carrion Crow, Linnet and Yellowhammer.

Juvenile Long Eared Owl heard begging near Brancepeth.

B (:

[Skelly]

Recieved a DBC Annual Report today..... think i'll have to buy a Lottery Ticket too.........

Got mine as well.

Cracked open a bottle of champers that I was saving to celebrate, only another 4 to go.

Excellent quality and very informative, well worth the £12 membership to join the DBC.

B (:

[June Atkinson]

Got mine as well.

Cracked open a bottle of champers that I was saving to celebrate, only another 4 to go.

Excellent quality and very informative, well worth the £12 membership to join the DBC.

B (:

Quick! Put me out of my misery - what is DBC? DURHAM BIRD CLUB?
Must be something pretty significant if it prompts you to open the Champers!!!

Whatever it is DOES IT MERIT CONGRATULATIONS!!?????????????

[IanF]

The Annual Report certainly does - it's quite impressive. Not so impressive that it's the 2000 Annual Report ;)

The Club has had some problems - hopefully now sorted!

We are assured though that 2001 and 2002 will be out by the end of the year :t:

[StevieEvans]

The Annual Report certainly does - it's quite impressive. Not so impressive that it's the 2000 Annual Report ;)
The Club has had some problems - hopefully now sorted!
We are assured though that 2001 and 2002 will be out by the end of the year :t:

Hi Ian
Yes, big changes at The Dodgy Bird Club ;-)
2001 is 50% done & work is also now underway on last years, 2004. Aim is to get these out sharpish like. ('02 & '03 may be a combined one)
SE


Quick! Put me out of my misery - what is DBC? DURHAM BIRD CLUB?
Must be something pretty significant if it prompts you to open the Champers!!!
Whatever it is DOES IT MERIT CONGRATULATIONS!!?????????????
Hi June
Inspired guesswork there ;-)
You're correct, DBC stands for:-

[StevieEvans]

Common Tern & its noisy juvenile flying inland over High Barnes, Sunderland with ad & juv Great Spotted Woodpeckers in suburban garden there.
SE

Belated report apparently of 3 singing Corncrakes in June in Upper Teesdale......

[IanF]

Marsh Harrier & two Greenshank Dormans Pool lunchtime!

[Skelly]

Pair of Common Sandpiper at Holywell Pond, near Brandon last night.

B (:

[Skelly]

There was a pair of Little Egrets on Saltholme this morning at 11:30.

Also had a Little Stint, Several Ruff, Redshank, Dunlin, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler, Grey Heron, Common Terns, Wigeon, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Teal, Black Tailed Godwit, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Lapwing, Yellow Wagtail and Kestrel.

There was a couple of Greenshank on Dormans Pool along with a pair of Snipe and the usual numbers of Mute Swan.

Along the path to the hide at Dormans, there were several Stoats/Weasels (always get them mixed up).

B (:

[StevieEvans]

Unfortunately found this dying with a broken wing (otherwise in good condition).

Amazingly stocky feet & legs for a bird which spends so much time aloft.

SE.

[StevieEvans]

Wide range of Seabird species & coastal passage recently past.....
Little, Corys, Great, Manx, Sooty, & Balearic Shearwaters
Storm petrel, Slavonian & RNGrebes, 4 Skua species


Houghton / Hetton area this week.
male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Common Buzzard, Yellow Legged Gull, Barn Owl, Greenshank, Water Rail with young.

se

[StevieEvans]

Herrington C.P
Ruddy Duck & tiny brood of 4 (1st breeding record / first ever site record was as recent as this spring)
54 Tufted Duck (24 young birds), pr +5 M.Swan
imm Cormorant, juv Heron, 1 Snipe, 1 Teal, 10 Pied Wagtail.

Barmston Pond.
4 Teal, 4 Snipe, 8 LBBGull, 2M1F Ruddy Duck, 3ad + 1juv Dabchick.

Houghton Gate
331 Lapwing, 16 (5 juvs) Golden Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Teal, 1 Snipe.

Lambton Bridge
2 Dippers Adult quietly singing whilst, sitting alongside well developed juvenile.
9 Goosanders 1 female, 4 juveniles, 2 redhead males & (2 other redhead birds)
Pr + 6 cygnets Mute Swan.

juv Seo recently.
Sunday - Quail seen twice on SouthTyneside
Monday - Leucistic Snipe & 1 Ruff RM's
Tuesday - 2 each of Pintail & Shoveller on Barmston, Hobby CLS.
Wednesday - 3 Whinchat & 1 Curlew Sand at Whitburn
Thursday - male Goshawk (un-ringed/no jesses) Lambton

[IanF]

Short-eared Owl 18:00 onward the last three nights on Cowpen Marsh from Holme Fleet.

Very little else of interest around at present.

[IanF]

Best sighting of the year for me this morning.

I had a trip down Zinc Works Road to see if there were any Warblers about yet - loads of Linnets, Goldfinches and Swallows all in large flocks.

The best sighting - 09:00 am by the car park at the end - a Hen Harrier - ring-tailed with a blue tag through it's right wing - gave very close views down to 30 yards before popping over the fence towards the power-station golf course.

Never thought I'd see one this year :cool:

[IanF]

After a failed trip down to Zinc Works Road yesterday when all I managed was Sparrowhawk I popped down again this afternoon.

After 30 minutes I decided to check out the Snook and was rewarded with some nice birds. An Arctic Skua was over the Blue Lagoon harrassing the Black Headed Gulls and the odd Tern. 100+ Ringed Plover along the waters edge along with Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling and Common Sandpiper.

With the tide just starting to come in the Terns began landing on the rocky Snook itself. Only about 30 of them but a mixture of Common, Roseate, Little, Sandwich and even a Black Tern juvenile. Quite a few Oystercatchers and 30+ Grey Plover, some still in Summer plumage but most turning. Also a few Knot.

Heading back to the car at 15:00 hrs I pulled in beside another birder with a scope. I'd just asked if he'd seen the Hen Harrier when I spotted it across the field crossing over the straight ditch 100 yards in front of us. It was the same blue wing tagged bird. It headed over to the main road and then north towards Seaton Carew and divded down. I drove around to the North Gare access road and stopped just in time to see it take off again crossing the main road to the tip and then heading out of view towards Brenda Road. Still couldn't read the tag number though.

Not a bad afternoon after all.

[StevieEvans]

Nice report Ian.

Herrington Country park at wkend.
Mute swan family having short practice flights during Sundays strong breeze.
female Ruddy Duck, but brood appears to have perished.
pair of Dabchick with 3 chicks at close range

juvenile Sparrowhawk being mobbed by 30 or so House Martrins at home.
80 House Martin frankland farm

[IanF]

A few nice birds down my way today.

Saltholme Ponds
Little Stint - on the Causeway west pond
Bairds Sandpiper - on the Causeway of the west pond
Little Egret x2 - east pond
Garganey - east pond
Water Rail - in reeds by layby west pond

Reclamation Pond
Black-necked Grebe

Seaton Common
Hen harrier was seen again this morning (not by me).

Seaton Snook this evening
Arctic Skua
Common Sandpiper
Plover
Sanderling
Turnstone
Grey Plover
Oystercatcher
Terns - Common and Sandwich
Guillemot

[Skelly]

Houghton Gate

Common Sandpiper
30+ Canada Goose
2 Greylag Goose

Barmston Pond

Female Shoveler
Pair of Gadwall
Snipe
Ruddy Duck
Tufted Duck
Bullfinch
Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Blackcap
Herring Gull
B.H. Gull
House Martin
Swallow
Sand Martin
Little Grebe

B (:

[IanF]

Nothing new down my way this afternoon -

Bairds Sandpiper still around as is the Hen Harrier.

Little Egret still Saltholme east - just the one.

Seaton Snook -
Knot x4
Turnstone x3
Sanderling x6
Common Tern x20
Common Sandpiper x4
Ringed Plover 40+
Dunlin 100+
Arctic Skua x1
Cormorant x12
Swallow
Linnet
Goldfinch
Meadow Pipit
Magpie
Kestrel
Sparrowhawk

[StevieEvans]

Sunday.
Rainton Meadows / Joes Pond (10:00 to 14:00) -
169 Greylag Geese on the main lake included 48, which came in high from the East. 65 Canada Geese included only one juvenile. 60 Coot, 4 Teal. Mallard and Tufted Duck totalled about 30 of each.

Most interesting sight on the water was a pair of Dabchicks incubating 3 eggs, whilst feeding 2 well grown young (75 per cent grown).

No waders at all other than 10 Lapwing & a lone 1st year Heron.

6 Sand Martin lingered over the main lake with larger numbers of Swallows 25, and 80 House Martins. Other remaining summer visitors included singles of both Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler (juvenile), 2 Common Whitethroats, a male Blackcap, 1 Willow Warbler & at least 8 Chiffchaff (2 singing) & a juvvy Yellow Wagtail on main lake.

A Short eared Owl was hunting over the young woodland in breezy conditions, which saw 7 or 8 Kestrels on the wing, 2 juveniles giving the alarm call as a large female Sparrowhawk soared above them. Two other different Sparrowhawks were seen, 1 juvenile and the other an adult male.

Joes Pond held 2 Treecreeper, a single Goldcrest (unusual for time of year) and 7 or 8 Bullfinch. Noticeable passage of Meadow Pipits with small groups totalling 23 moving south.

Other birders today had Whinchat, Greenshank, 2 Yellow Wagtail there.

Saw 1 of the 2 Greenish Warblers today.
Still present for second day at Whitburn Coastal Park at close range on south side of mound, at south side of Souter Lighthouse.

SE.

Had a pleasant 3/4 hr in the sun at Shibdon early Tuesday evening:- (18:40 - 19:25)

1 Pintail
19 Shoveller
130+ Teal
1 Wigeon
6 Dabchick
1 Kingfisher
6 Snipe
30+ Redshank
1 Blackcap
10+ Swallow

SteveE.

[MH68]

Stevie, cheers for the pm couldn`t reply as your inbox was full.

Mark

[IanF]

A sunny afternoon so I had a run down to Seaton Snook again and sat quietly whilst the tide came in.

Artic Skua x1
Common Tern x20
Arctic Tern x3
Roseate Tern
Sandwich Tern x30
Sanderling x10
Turnstone x4
Common Sandpiper x30+
Knot x30
Dunlin x40+
Cormorant x10+
Swallow x20+
House Martin x8
Magpie x3
Bar-tailed Godwit x2
Guillemot x2
Manx Shearwater x2

Bairds Sandpiper still on Saltholme west along with Little Stint.

No sign of the Hen Harrier on Seaton Common today though a Sparrowhawk still about.

[StevieEvans]

Mud at Barmston.

Water Rail busily feeding in the open, 36 Snipe, 3 Shoveller, 115 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 12LBBGull, pr +juv Bullfinch.

2 Redpoll over garden this morning & grey wagtail over this evening

Dunlin & probable White Wagtail at Houghton Gate
SE.

great pics Ian.

[StevieEvans]

couple of hours seawatching at Seaham:-

masses of birds heading all directions

Brent Geese, Common Scoter, Little Gull, Long tailed Skua, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Gannet, Red throated Diver, Manx Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater.
If i was any good i'd have added Leaches Petrel, Sabines Gull, Great Shearwater & maybe even Yelkouan Shearwater.all of which have been logged past Durham today.
should be plenty of birds on land & sea tomorrow with all this wet east wind.
SE

[StevieEvans]

16:00 - 19:00

Tried the Blast Beach for migrants:-
Redstart, Pied Fly, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, Little Owl.

appears to have been raining rare birds in some parts:-
Ortolan Bunting, several Greenish Warbler, Marsh Warbler etc

[Skelly]

May try there in the morning if the weather's fine Stevie.

Aint been out much recently, just got a Cocker Spaniel pup which is taking up most of my time at the moment.

B (:

[IanF]

16:00 - 19:00

Tried the Blast Beach for migrants:-
Redstart, Pied Fly, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Wheatear, 2 Stonechat, Little Owl.

appears to have been raining rare birds in some parts:-
Ortolan Bunting, several Greenish Warbler, Marsh Warbler etc
I was at North Gare checking for migrants when the Ortolan Bunting was reported - loads of us looking for it but no joy - nor for any others.

Highlights were two Artic Tern - one and adult male and two Shearwater.

[Skelly]

Whitburn and Trow Quarry

Several Wheatears and Whinchats at Whitburn this morning.

Also 300+ Golden Plover, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Sanderling, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Lapwing, Goldfinch, Willow Warbler, Kestrel and Swallows.

Greenish Warbler still at Trow Quarry, along with a Barred Warbler.

B (:

[IanF]

A pleasant day once the sun got out.

Headed up to Hartlepool first to see a Little Bunting by the bowling green on the Headland and then down to Zinc Works Road where we managed to find a Greenish Warbler and a Garden Warbler.

I had a toddle over to the Snook but being low tide there wasn't a great deal about on the waters edge, just a few Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank and Cormorant. On the power station field there were half a dozen Wheatear, Meadow Pipit and a couple of Pied Wagtail.

Heading back to the car a female Redstart put in an appearance wih the Warblers.

Not a bad afternoon at all |:d|

[StevieEvans]

Sunday.
Blast Beach - Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Swallow, 34N Skylark, 1 Willow Tit,
Hawthorn Dene - Spotted Fly, Nuthatch, Bonxie4-5 Speckled Wood Butterfly
H'Pool Headland - Little Bunting down to 10 feet !, Pied Fly
North Gare
Crimdon
Blackhall Rocks

passing Meadow Pipits every day for past week.
20 House Martins at home.
2 Fieldfares over at home early this morning

Thursday 15th - Rainton Meadows
A late juvenile Sand Martin struggling in pouring rain
juvenile Garganey on main lake

180 Greylags - Seaton Pond

SE

[StevieEvans]

Barmston 19:00:

23 Ruff
2 Black tailed Godwit
3 Ringed Plover
1 Common Sandpiper
1 Grey Wagtail
3 Dunlin
3 Curlew Sandpiper
12 Shoveller
1 Gadwall
also many Teal & Snipe.

Friday Barmston 18:30 till dusk.
2Common Sand,
13Dunlin,
3Curlew Sand,
63Snipe,
7Ruff,
3Ringed Plover,
281Lapwing (no Redshank)
3LBBGull,
21Moorhen,
196Teal,
187Mallard,
6Shoveller,
2PiedWag,
38Swallow,
2Sparrowhawk,

[StevieEvans]

Barred Warbler
Blackcap
Spotted Flycatcher
Chiffchaff
7 Stonechat

[IanF]

A dull overcast afternoon with cold winds from the north-east but with high tide around 16:00 hrs it seemed worth the effort to walk to mile or so to the Snook itself.

Not as many birds as last week but still quite a few to see -

Redshank
Cormorant 60+
Wigeon 60+
Red-breasted Merganser 7
Artic Skua 1
Dunlin 150+
Sanderling 9
Bar-tailed Godwit 14
Common Tern 2
Artic Tern 1
Red Knot 23
Meadow Pipit 7
Magpie 3
Kestrel 1
Ringed Plover 35+
Redshank 30+
Turnstone 7
Shearwater 2
Curlew 17+
Oystercatcher 20+
Shelduck 10+

[StevieEvans]

Barmston 07:00-09:00
juvenile Kittiwake,
1Spotted Redshank,
imm female Peregrine,
1Sedge Warbler,
1Lesser Whitethroat,
96Snipe,
15Dunlin,
3CurlewSand,
2Blackwit,
5Gadwall,
3M.Swan,
23Greylag,
214Teal,
4Shoveller.

SE

[IanF]

Low Barns 09:00-11:00

Lovely sunny morning and nice to see a few more decent birds around. The feeders had been loaded up so the feeding station was attracting a good selection of birds again.

Coal Tit
Hooded Crow
Carrion Crow
Robin
Treecreeper
Chaffinch
Blue Tit
Marsh Tit
Willow Tit
Nuthatch
Great Tit
Goldfinch
Goldcrest
Bullfinch
Jay
Chiffchaff
Swallow
Magpie
Moorhen
Coot
Teal
Snipe
Water rail
Little Grebe
Cormorant
Kingfisher x2
Dunnock
Wren
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Tufted Duck

[IanF]

Dormans Pond 17:00 -19:00

Stonechat
Little Stint x8
Short-eared Owl mobbed by Lapwing
Teal
Cormorant
Kestrel
Snipe x8
Greylag Goose x100+
Gadwall
Lapwing
Curlew
Redshank
Shoveler
Moorhen
Coot
Water Rail

Also 07:30 today at Hartlepool

Peregrine
Sparrowhawk
Red-legged Partridge

[Bonsaibirder]

Hi Steve,

Nice one with the Barred Warbler at the blast beach. Where about was it - I might have a look during the week just in case it stays.

Cheers,

Steve

[StevieEvans]

Hi Steve,

Nice one with the Barred Warbler at the blast beach. Where about was it - I might have a look during the week just in case it stays.

Cheers,

Steve

Hi Steve (& welcome to BF)
Barred was at Base of Cliffs in tall Hawthorn with Ivy. Towards, but not as far as the southern end of Phragmites.
Yes, quite pleased with that one, & only the 3rd ive seen. Unfortunately couldnt dial out on mobile (awaiting new handset) & after doing Hive & Quarry, didnt get back till later in afternoon, else i'd have got news straight out.

Hiya Ian
Quality pics, especially like the Nuthatch.
Per appears to be one of this years birds..?. streaked breast as opposed to adults bars.

Had an hour at Rainton Meadows today
4 Siskins south at pool 1 & 150+ Golden Plover over the tip both a reminder thats summers just about gone.
multiple Kestrels, probably 8 or so and 4-5 Sparrowhawks very active in the wind.
30 Swallows & 20 House Martins hanging on.
Little Grebe with 2 chicks about a week old on pool4

SE.

[IanF]

The Peregrine maybe the only surviving juvenile this year. It's coming along nicely with more grey on the back and whiter front though still streaked rather than any barring. It could of course simply be the older one. There were only two of them about when I visited - the others could have left earlier as it was clear skies since dawn and I had a lie-in ;)

No sign of the SEO's yet at Rainton Meadows?

A pair of Kestrel and three SEO's down at Dormans this evening - so they're back in numbers after just one over the summer months. A Slavonian Grebe was reported at Charltons Pond but it'll be tomorrow before I check it out.

[IanF]

A Slavonian Grebe is indeed on Charltons Pond in Billingham - pretty tatty looking between Summer/Winter plumage and spening most of the time asleep.

Other birds about -
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Chiffchaff
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Marsh Tit
Great Tit
Great Crested Grebe
Little Grebe
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Coot
Mallard
Moorhen
Mute Swan
Grey Heron
Teal