Shaggy2070
Well-known member
Thanks Ian just making sure
:t:.
:t:.
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Durham Birding (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
Can anyone help me ID a couple of bird species I saw today on the beach at Seaton Carew?
The first bird was not a wader allthough it was picking through the seaweed at the tide line, there was a pair of them and they were about the size of sparrows, maybe slightly bigger. They were very flighty so I could not get very good views, but I did see a definate pure white rump and underside and a black band along the edge of the tail, and possibly black tips to the wings? My first thought was juvenile Wheatear because of the way the birds stood upright.
The second bird was flying above us. At first I thought it was a redshank because of it's call and shape but it seemed larger and had a dark brown underside. I could not see the bill very clearly, but I dont think it was very long.
Sorry about the haphazard descriptions! Does anyone have any ideas?
Matt
The first bird was not a wader allthough it was picking through the seaweed at the tide line, there was a pair of them and they were about the size of sparrows, maybe slightly bigger. They were very flighty so I could not get very good views, but I did see a definate pure white rump and underside and a black band along the edge of the tail, and possibly black tips to the wings? My first thought was juvenile Wheatear because of the way the birds stood upright.
The second bird was flying above us. At first I thought it was a redshank because of it's call and shape but it seemed larger and had a dark brown underside. I could not see the bill very clearly, but I dont think it was very long.
Sorry about the haphazard descriptions! Does anyone have any ideas?
Matt
IanF
Moderator
A day spent with club member Ken Tait covering from the Headland down to RSPB Saltholme and Cowpen Bewley W. Pk.
The Headland - c.9.30am - Common Scoter c.100 including a female seen very close to shore all heading north. In the harbour - Dunlin x1, Ringed Plover x1, Turnstone x8, Oystercatcher c.20, Eider x5 and Cormorant. Also bumped into Jbee and Scuzz.
Newburn Bridge - very quiet over high tide whcih wasn't very high - Sanderling, Turnstone, Ringed Plover. No sign of the Med. Gull.
Seaton Common - not a great deal, just Kestrel and Linnets.
RSPB Saltholme - Greenshank, Snipe, Ruff, Lapwing plus a fox from the Saltholme Pools hide.
Cowpen Bewley W.Pk. - Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard.
Apparently three Buzzard, two Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier were over Dormans Pool in the afternoon.
This evening - Saline Lagoon - Curlew Sandpiper x2, Dunlin x5, Curlew, Kestrel and Redshank.
The Headland - c.9.30am - Common Scoter c.100 including a female seen very close to shore all heading north. In the harbour - Dunlin x1, Ringed Plover x1, Turnstone x8, Oystercatcher c.20, Eider x5 and Cormorant. Also bumped into Jbee and Scuzz.
Newburn Bridge - very quiet over high tide whcih wasn't very high - Sanderling, Turnstone, Ringed Plover. No sign of the Med. Gull.
Seaton Common - not a great deal, just Kestrel and Linnets.
RSPB Saltholme - Greenshank, Snipe, Ruff, Lapwing plus a fox from the Saltholme Pools hide.
Cowpen Bewley W.Pk. - Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard.
Apparently three Buzzard, two Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier were over Dormans Pool in the afternoon.
This evening - Saline Lagoon - Curlew Sandpiper x2, Dunlin x5, Curlew, Kestrel and Redshank.
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IanF
Moderator
I got dropped off at Dormans Pool this morning and worked my way over to Haverton Holl via RSPB Saltholme once it opened.
Dormans Pool - Very little around the top car park bushes today. The highlights were two Sparrowhawks chasing each other around followed by a Greenshank passing overhead as it flew from Rec. Pond onto Dormans Pool. Also a Cetti's Warbler half way along the track to the lower car park. More or less in the same place I heard one earlier in the week. At least 14 Little Egret were scattered about.
The roadside brambles by the level crossing held a pair of Stonechat, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting and a few Greenfinch. A Kestrel was hunting over the rough ground.
Saltholme Pond - west - lots of Lapwing along the causeway and lots of geese on the water. A Greenshank and a few Little Grebe were at the north end.
Saltholme Pond - east - a pair of Spotted Redshank were tucked in below the reeds right beside the layby which of course I didn't see until I walked along the kerb and they took off. The only birds close to the road were Little Grebe, Pochard, Mallard, Cormorant and Gadwall.
RSPB Saltholme -
Bottom Tank - Ruff x3, Redshank, Greenshank, Canada Geese c.12, Yellow Wagtail (adults) x4, Pied Wagtail, Sparrowhawk (adult fem). Quite a few Swallows and a few Sand Martin around as well.
Wildlife Watchpoint - a Marsh Harrier was hunting between Haverton Hole and the sub-station as I approached the hide. In front of the hide - Black-tailed Godwit x1 asleep quite close to the hide, Greenshank, Pochard, Little Grebe, Coot, moorhen, Gadwall.
Haverton Hole - no sign of the Marsh Harrier from the viewpoint. Lots of ducks and geese on the pools comprising Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Gadwall, Mallard, Moorhen. Several Heron and Mute Swan around as well.
Dormans Pool - Very little around the top car park bushes today. The highlights were two Sparrowhawks chasing each other around followed by a Greenshank passing overhead as it flew from Rec. Pond onto Dormans Pool. Also a Cetti's Warbler half way along the track to the lower car park. More or less in the same place I heard one earlier in the week. At least 14 Little Egret were scattered about.
The roadside brambles by the level crossing held a pair of Stonechat, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting and a few Greenfinch. A Kestrel was hunting over the rough ground.
Saltholme Pond - west - lots of Lapwing along the causeway and lots of geese on the water. A Greenshank and a few Little Grebe were at the north end.
Saltholme Pond - east - a pair of Spotted Redshank were tucked in below the reeds right beside the layby which of course I didn't see until I walked along the kerb and they took off. The only birds close to the road were Little Grebe, Pochard, Mallard, Cormorant and Gadwall.
RSPB Saltholme -
Bottom Tank - Ruff x3, Redshank, Greenshank, Canada Geese c.12, Yellow Wagtail (adults) x4, Pied Wagtail, Sparrowhawk (adult fem). Quite a few Swallows and a few Sand Martin around as well.
Wildlife Watchpoint - a Marsh Harrier was hunting between Haverton Hole and the sub-station as I approached the hide. In front of the hide - Black-tailed Godwit x1 asleep quite close to the hide, Greenshank, Pochard, Little Grebe, Coot, moorhen, Gadwall.
Haverton Hole - no sign of the Marsh Harrier from the viewpoint. Lots of ducks and geese on the pools comprising Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Gadwall, Mallard, Moorhen. Several Heron and Mute Swan around as well.
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Surprise Home Visit
Been having regular visits to the feeders over the past four days of a rather persistent Sparrowhawk, failing to capitalise on a meal until today, finally nailed an unsuspecting Blue Tit. I have never had a raptor as persistent as this in the garden, managed to get a few good photo's (Obvious female by size and pale supercilium
Been having regular visits to the feeders over the past four days of a rather persistent Sparrowhawk, failing to capitalise on a meal until today, finally nailed an unsuspecting Blue Tit. I have never had a raptor as persistent as this in the garden, managed to get a few good photo's (Obvious female by size and pale supercilium
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IanF
Moderator
Very quiet everywhere I went this morning.
Seaton Common this morning - nothing of note - Kestrel, Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Goldfinch.
Greatham Creek - I only checked the Saline Lagoon - Dunlin x19, Greenshank and a Redshank!
There seem to be plenty of Greenshank around this year. Today I saw them on Saline Lagoon (1), Dormans Pool (2), Saltholme Pond east (2), Saltholme Pond west (1), the Bottom Tank (1)and three at the Wildlife Watchpoint.
RSPB Saltholme -
Feeders by the visitor centre - Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile.
Wildlife Watchpoint - Greenshank, Snipe, Kestrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Coot and Moorhen.
Bottom Tank - Greenshank, Ruff, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtail.
Seaton Common this morning - nothing of note - Kestrel, Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Goldfinch.
Greatham Creek - I only checked the Saline Lagoon - Dunlin x19, Greenshank and a Redshank!
There seem to be plenty of Greenshank around this year. Today I saw them on Saline Lagoon (1), Dormans Pool (2), Saltholme Pond east (2), Saltholme Pond west (1), the Bottom Tank (1)and three at the Wildlife Watchpoint.
RSPB Saltholme -
Feeders by the visitor centre - Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile.
Wildlife Watchpoint - Greenshank, Snipe, Kestrel, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Grebe, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Coot and Moorhen.
Bottom Tank - Greenshank, Ruff, Meadow Pipits, Pied Wagtail.
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IanF
Moderator
Saltholme Pond east - pm - One of the Spotted Redshanks was giving close views from the roadside. Three in total seen by others. Nineteen Little Egret were stood in a row beside the reeds sheltering from the strong winds with another on the east shore. A Greenshank and Ruff x4 were feeding by the Spotted Redshank.
RSPB Saltholme - Wildlife Watchpoint - Snipe x1, Greenshank x1, Little Grebe x2, Heron, Little Egret x1, Gadwall x4, Teal x8.
RSPB Saltholme - Wildlife Watchpoint - Snipe x1, Greenshank x1, Little Grebe x2, Heron, Little Egret x1, Gadwall x4, Teal x8.
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IanF
Moderator
A pretty good day bird wise.
RSPB Saltholme this morning - east pond - Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, BN Grebe.
Wildlife Watchpoint - Marsh Harrier hunting over the reeds for around 30 minutes. Greenshank on the mud clsoe to the hide plus a Little Egret. Another three Little Egret a little more distant with Greenhank and Black-tailed Godwit. Also with Little Grebe, Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Mallard on the water.
Harltepool Headland this afternoon.
Old Cemetery Road - Whinchat into double figures, Common Redstart and Wheatear. A Red-breasted Flycatcher and Tree Pipit seen by others.
Borough Hall Gardens - Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher x2, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler. A Barred Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Garden Warbler were trapped and ringed whilst I was there. Wryneck had been seen earlier by others as well.
Seaton Common - Whinchat x5.
RSPB Saltholme this morning - east pond - Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, BN Grebe.
Wildlife Watchpoint - Marsh Harrier hunting over the reeds for around 30 minutes. Greenshank on the mud clsoe to the hide plus a Little Egret. Another three Little Egret a little more distant with Greenhank and Black-tailed Godwit. Also with Little Grebe, Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Mallard on the water.
Harltepool Headland this afternoon.
Old Cemetery Road - Whinchat into double figures, Common Redstart and Wheatear. A Red-breasted Flycatcher and Tree Pipit seen by others.
Borough Hall Gardens - Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher x2, Wood Warbler, Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler. A Barred Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Garden Warbler were trapped and ringed whilst I was there. Wryneck had been seen earlier by others as well.
Seaton Common - Whinchat x5.
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FoghornKinghorn
Durham Recorder
Nice to see your Barred Warbler pics came out. Mine are as usual...terrible! :-O
IanF
Moderator
It's been pretty good for migrants on the Headland the last two days as well though much the same birds still. Yesterday the Wood Warbler was giving much better views and the Barred Warbler was all around the trees by the Putting Green and Borough Hall. Also about were Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Whitethroat, Garden Wabler, Firecrest and Willow Warbler 6+, Blackcap and Common Redstart.
Today the Pied Flycatchers and Firecrest were the main birds showing well though the Barred Warbler and Garden Warbler were present first thing plus Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat.
Today the Pied Flycatchers and Firecrest were the main birds showing well though the Barred Warbler and Garden Warbler were present first thing plus Lesser Whitethroat and Common Whitethroat.
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IanF
Moderator
There's been two Firecrests in the trees in front of the Borough Hall. They have been just about anywhere in the trees around the circular seating area though mostly in the big tree immediately in front of the Borough Hall.
Another was trapped and ringed yesterday close by so there could well be others.
Redstart have been in the Jewish Cemetery along Old Cemetery Road and in the Corft near the Borough Hall (the small park opposite the hall with benches and flowers in the bank side) but they could be in any trees and bushes just about anywhere on the Headland.
It's a place where it's well worth just wandering around and checking any bushes/open spaces you come across.
I forgot to mention last night -
Saltholme east - Spotted Redshank x2, Greenshank x4, Ruff x3.
Saltholme west - Little Stint and Golden Plover x36 along the causeway, the most I've seen so far.
Tidal Pool - Greenshank, Golden Plover x2, Dunlin c.60.
Another was trapped and ringed yesterday close by so there could well be others.
Redstart have been in the Jewish Cemetery along Old Cemetery Road and in the Corft near the Borough Hall (the small park opposite the hall with benches and flowers in the bank side) but they could be in any trees and bushes just about anywhere on the Headland.
It's a place where it's well worth just wandering around and checking any bushes/open spaces you come across.
I forgot to mention last night -
Saltholme east - Spotted Redshank x2, Greenshank x4, Ruff x3.
Saltholme west - Little Stint and Golden Plover x36 along the causeway, the most I've seen so far.
Tidal Pool - Greenshank, Golden Plover x2, Dunlin c.60.
Mark Newsome
Born to seawatch...
Great photos again Ian, as always. The Barred Warblers are particularly good, seldom that you get chance for photos out in the open and showing all the field characters together. Great undertail coverts!
Mark
June Atkinson
Well-known member
Red Kites Breeding Season Report
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2283
Despite the awful winter and prolonged snowy spell which was testing for the birds, the results are up on last year's.
Do please report any sightings via our site Webmail.
Thanks.
June
Press & publicity
Friends of Red Kites
in the North East of England
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2283
Despite the awful winter and prolonged snowy spell which was testing for the birds, the results are up on last year's.
Do please report any sightings via our site Webmail.
Thanks.
June
Press & publicity
Friends of Red Kites
in the North East of England
StevieEvans
Well-known member
DBC Castle Lake Nature Reserve.
Plenty to see today & a very wide selection of species
On the main lake
3 Pintail, 17 Shoveller, 4 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 50 Mallard, 14 Swan, 1GCGrebe, 20+ Dabchick, 2 Cormorant, 5 Heron
4 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 1 Common Sand, 2 Snipe, 7 Curlew
8 Sand Martin, 40 each of Swallow & House Martin
7 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk
One of the approaches to the reserve, The Foulmarts Lane, held a good selection too, with Singles of Pied Flycatcher (1st site record) & Redstart were a bonus - but perhaps not entirely unexpected after this weeks deluge of coastal drift migrants.
Here 27 Tree Sparrow included many young - its seems to have been a good year for many of the passerines, a family of 9Grey Partridge, 20 Linnet, 20 Goldfinch & a Little Owl which was mobbed by various species including the Redstart.
Still a few Yellow Wags about, at least a dozen, mostly feeding amongst the cattle on A1 Flashes:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md_g_8EHyUQ
With them were 20+ Pied Wags & 30+ Mipits. There was a grey-backed juvvy wagtail with a pale face which stood out from the rest. I hoped might be a Citrine, but i couldnt get enough on it as they went away across the field.
The A1 Flashes area could do with some water in, but still held lots of birds Kingfisher on the Stell, 10+ Yellow Wagtail, 30 Mipit, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1Little Egret, 82 Teal, 9 Shoveller, 1Little Owl(new location), 1 Willow Warbler, 2Chiffchaff, 12 LTTit, 4 Bullfinch & 28+ Pied Wagtail.
Just east of the village, The roadside pool aka Stoneybeck Lake is a handy spot to check in passing. This morning 2 Common Buzzard mewed overhead, a seemingly semi-resident fem Pintail, juv Shelduck, 1 Greenshank, 12+Corn Bunting
Castle Lake is situated imediately south of Bishop Middleham - it is managed as a Nature Reserve by Durham Bird Club - Keys for the hide can be purchased from the Conservation Officer of the DBC.
NB:
It took me 4 seconds to capture some of these images
Plenty to see today & a very wide selection of species
On the main lake
3 Pintail, 17 Shoveller, 4 Wigeon, 15 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 50 Mallard, 14 Swan, 1GCGrebe, 20+ Dabchick, 2 Cormorant, 5 Heron
4 Greenshank, 2 Ruff, 1 Common Sand, 2 Snipe, 7 Curlew
8 Sand Martin, 40 each of Swallow & House Martin
7 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk
One of the approaches to the reserve, The Foulmarts Lane, held a good selection too, with Singles of Pied Flycatcher (1st site record) & Redstart were a bonus - but perhaps not entirely unexpected after this weeks deluge of coastal drift migrants.
Here 27 Tree Sparrow included many young - its seems to have been a good year for many of the passerines, a family of 9Grey Partridge, 20 Linnet, 20 Goldfinch & a Little Owl which was mobbed by various species including the Redstart.
Still a few Yellow Wags about, at least a dozen, mostly feeding amongst the cattle on A1 Flashes:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md_g_8EHyUQ
With them were 20+ Pied Wags & 30+ Mipits. There was a grey-backed juvvy wagtail with a pale face which stood out from the rest. I hoped might be a Citrine, but i couldnt get enough on it as they went away across the field.
The A1 Flashes area could do with some water in, but still held lots of birds Kingfisher on the Stell, 10+ Yellow Wagtail, 30 Mipit, 1 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, 1Little Egret, 82 Teal, 9 Shoveller, 1Little Owl(new location), 1 Willow Warbler, 2Chiffchaff, 12 LTTit, 4 Bullfinch & 28+ Pied Wagtail.
Just east of the village, The roadside pool aka Stoneybeck Lake is a handy spot to check in passing. This morning 2 Common Buzzard mewed overhead, a seemingly semi-resident fem Pintail, juv Shelduck, 1 Greenshank, 12+Corn Bunting
Castle Lake is situated imediately south of Bishop Middleham - it is managed as a Nature Reserve by Durham Bird Club - Keys for the hide can be purchased from the Conservation Officer of the DBC.
NB:
It took me 4 seconds to capture some of these images
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Last edited:
StevieEvans
Well-known member
IanF
Moderator
RSPB Saltholme - am - Merlin (juv) in the reeds by the laybys on the west pond took off northwards heading across road and landed in trees near the reserve entrance before moving to the straw bales beside Sabic where mobbed by Swallows. Eventually flew of towards Dormans Pool.
Wildlife Watchpoint - Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Greenshank x4, Ruff x7, Little Egret x2, Water Rail x2, Snipe x2.
North Gare this evening for the high tide - Curlew Sandpiper x2, Little Stint x5, Dunlin x15, Sandlering x9, Common Tern x7, Ringed Plover c.15 plus Turnstone and Redshank.
Seaton Common - Wheater x5 & Whinchat x5 on the golf course fence near the car park.
Wildlife Watchpoint - Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Greenshank x4, Ruff x7, Little Egret x2, Water Rail x2, Snipe x2.
North Gare this evening for the high tide - Curlew Sandpiper x2, Little Stint x5, Dunlin x15, Sandlering x9, Common Tern x7, Ringed Plover c.15 plus Turnstone and Redshank.
Seaton Common - Wheater x5 & Whinchat x5 on the golf course fence near the car park.
