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Durham Birding (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
Mark Newsome
Born to seawatch...
will@bill said:
I don't think they're that unusual - Blackbirds seem more prone to the odd bit of white feathering than other species. But as to how many - of the people who do send their records in, very few ever mention them. But there again, not that many people send in Blackbird records.
great bustard
Well-known member
Brasside
Had a look around brasside pond and surrounding areas this morning.
2 Very friendly Mute swans escorting me around the pond plus:-
Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Greylag, Tufties, Goldeneye, Canadian G, Mallard, Long Tail Tits, Great and Blue Tits, counted 5 what were probably chiff chaffs, although they looked slightly larger than usual, BRB......a quick look on the RSPB and still difficult to tell, i had a good listen to the singing and just compared and nothing simalar, these warblers a a nightmare to tell apart by the untrained eye!! I will do more research...any way, walking out of the pond area towards durham(frankland lane i think) great views of a heron standing in a field surrounded by Gorse and trees. Great views also of a green woodpecker flying across the field and onto a tree. Yellowhammers, Jays(10), Reed Buntings in horse manure? Grey Wagtails, and then ran out of time!! Im sure this would be a great place for owls and stuff.. Might check it out in the near future. Bye
Had a look around brasside pond and surrounding areas this morning.
2 Very friendly Mute swans escorting me around the pond plus:-
Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Greylag, Tufties, Goldeneye, Canadian G, Mallard, Long Tail Tits, Great and Blue Tits, counted 5 what were probably chiff chaffs, although they looked slightly larger than usual, BRB......a quick look on the RSPB and still difficult to tell, i had a good listen to the singing and just compared and nothing simalar, these warblers a a nightmare to tell apart by the untrained eye!! I will do more research...any way, walking out of the pond area towards durham(frankland lane i think) great views of a heron standing in a field surrounded by Gorse and trees. Great views also of a green woodpecker flying across the field and onto a tree. Yellowhammers, Jays(10), Reed Buntings in horse manure? Grey Wagtails, and then ran out of time!! Im sure this would be a great place for owls and stuff.. Might check it out in the near future. Bye
IanF
Moderator
A poor morning at Seaton Snook with very little about was followed by a good couple of hours at Hurworth Burn this afternoon.
Little Owl have been a bogey bird for me for a while now other than very distant views. This afternoon though I came across a pair right beside the road near Trimdon.
A wander along the cycleway then brought Long-eared Owl x4 all sat roosting in the afternoon sun - albeit in dense hawthorn bushes.
Also in the bushes were Chiffchaff 7+ presumably just arrived as they were moving through the bushes feeding together. Plenty of other birds too, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Lapwing and Curlew.
Little Owl have been a bogey bird for me for a while now other than very distant views. This afternoon though I came across a pair right beside the road near Trimdon.
A wander along the cycleway then brought Long-eared Owl x4 all sat roosting in the afternoon sun - albeit in dense hawthorn bushes.
Also in the bushes were Chiffchaff 7+ presumably just arrived as they were moving through the bushes feeding together. Plenty of other birds too, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer, Lapwing and Curlew.
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So glad you posted a pic of the chiffchaff Ian, now I have no idea what it is I see regularly at the bottom of my feeders. Thought it was said bird but has more speckles?
Also, I'm now convinced I have to see a LEO before much longer.
I'm not good at lists but gave it a go today. Nothing exotic but lots of birds around here. Goldfinch, pied wagtail, skylark x3, tree sparrows x 12+, greenfinch, GSW, curlew, kestrel, cock pheasant, partridge, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, robin, wren & siskin.
Really good day here, now going on owl watch.
Sadly my wife & daughter had a run in with a couple of yobs with dogs who spoiled their day, these guys came very close to getting their bottoms smacked! Why do such people spoil the countryside?
Also, I'm now convinced I have to see a LEO before much longer.
I'm not good at lists but gave it a go today. Nothing exotic but lots of birds around here. Goldfinch, pied wagtail, skylark x3, tree sparrows x 12+, greenfinch, GSW, curlew, kestrel, cock pheasant, partridge, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, robin, wren & siskin.
Really good day here, now going on owl watch.
Sadly my wife & daughter had a run in with a couple of yobs with dogs who spoiled their day, these guys came very close to getting their bottoms smacked! Why do such people spoil the countryside?
JBee
Well-known member
DaveB
birding.daveb.co.uk
Forty four different species seen during this late morning visit to Saltholme Pools.
The reported pair of Smew were still on Back Saltholme. A single Snow Bunting, an adult Peregrine Falcon, several Pintail and two Lesser Black–backed Gulls were also there.
Geese in the area included Pink–footed Goose (24c), White–fronted Goose and three hybrised geese amongst the usual Canada and Greylag Geese.
The three Ring–necked Parakeets were still at Ward Jackson Park in Hartlepool.
DaveB
PS: Ian, nice pics of the Owls!
The reported pair of Smew were still on Back Saltholme. A single Snow Bunting, an adult Peregrine Falcon, several Pintail and two Lesser Black–backed Gulls were also there.
Geese in the area included Pink–footed Goose (24c), White–fronted Goose and three hybrised geese amongst the usual Canada and Greylag Geese.
The three Ring–necked Parakeets were still at Ward Jackson Park in Hartlepool.
DaveB
PS: Ian, nice pics of the Owls!
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The Liverbirder
Well-known member
IanF said:
You should change your name from The Moderator to The Magician as you are clearly able to make anything appear! Crackin' photos too!!
Murton Area Ramble
Thought I would go out for a ramble round my local patches this afternoon. starting at Dalton Moor not a great deal about out of the usual although did hear and see my first Skylark of the year been harrased by Kestrel, also Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Linnet on the increase in the area.
On to Seaton Pond still a few Greylag hanging around along with Gadwal x 5 but much the same as D.M, then onto the long slog over to Hetton Lyons C.P past the newly erected Wind turbines at High Sharpley on arrival at C.P there is still a large gathering of Mute Swan x 16 on the larger of the lakes. No sign of the Goosander that has been hanging around for the last few weeks
Back through Plantation Wood to Murton no bird presence seen although dusk was now setting in.
On the whole a very enjoyable ramble even though not a great lot about.
Happy Birding to all out there
Thought I would go out for a ramble round my local patches this afternoon. starting at Dalton Moor not a great deal about out of the usual although did hear and see my first Skylark of the year been harrased by Kestrel, also Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting and Linnet on the increase in the area.
On to Seaton Pond still a few Greylag hanging around along with Gadwal x 5 but much the same as D.M, then onto the long slog over to Hetton Lyons C.P past the newly erected Wind turbines at High Sharpley on arrival at C.P there is still a large gathering of Mute Swan x 16 on the larger of the lakes. No sign of the Goosander that has been hanging around for the last few weeks
Back through Plantation Wood to Murton no bird presence seen although dusk was now setting in.
On the whole a very enjoyable ramble even though not a great lot about.
Happy Birding to all out there
Bonsaibirder
http://mobro.co/saddinall
Two Corn Buntings singing near the road just south of Ryhope Dene today.
Ian Hamiltan
Well-known member
hello everyone
went for a early morning stroll to timber beach just befor dawn.
1-2 grey heron.pr shelduck,3pr mallard,4 teal,small nos curlew and redshank calling,
singing birds were woodpigeon,5 wren,6 robin,3 blackbird,1-2 great tit.
went for a early morning stroll to timber beach just befor dawn.
1-2 grey heron.pr shelduck,3pr mallard,4 teal,small nos curlew and redshank calling,
singing birds were woodpigeon,5 wren,6 robin,3 blackbird,1-2 great tit.
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Red Kites !!
1 flying low over the road at Gilesgate Moor yesterday afternoon....!
unfortunately returning to a gloved fist...... :storm:
A Heads up from the Northern Kites Office.
'Northern Kites'
Tyne Tees, 7.30 pm, 27th March
This thirty-minute documentary, about the work of the Northern Kites Project, will be shown at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 27th March, on Tyne Tees. The documentary has been made by Working Wonders and covers a year in the life of the Project, including the first breeding of red kites in the region for almost two hundred years.
Bits & Bobs
1 Wheatear at Herrington at wkend
Leos & Woodcocks displaying at Durham City & Murton last night
1 Corn Bunting nr Seaton Pond
SE
1 flying low over the road at Gilesgate Moor yesterday afternoon....!
unfortunately returning to a gloved fist...... :storm:
A Heads up from the Northern Kites Office.
'Northern Kites'
Tyne Tees, 7.30 pm, 27th March
This thirty-minute documentary, about the work of the Northern Kites Project, will be shown at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 27th March, on Tyne Tees. The documentary has been made by Working Wonders and covers a year in the life of the Project, including the first breeding of red kites in the region for almost two hundred years.
Bits & Bobs
1 Wheatear at Herrington at wkend
Leos & Woodcocks displaying at Durham City & Murton last night
1 Corn Bunting nr Seaton Pond
SE
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For the first time this year elemore wood seemed alive with bird song. I don`t know where the chaffinchs have been all winter but they are everywhere now . Around 6 goldcrests singing, 3 treecreeper , 4 chiff chaff, 20+ great tit, coal tit.
The wetland between elemore and littletown is usually a good site. With the farmer in the stewardship now we might be able to improve certain areas.
Today it held 10 snipe,12 curlew,25 lapwing , 20 mallard+ pairs of oystercatcher, grey wagtail and heron, pretty sure i heard a distant kingfisher as well but couldnt see it.
Single buzzard soaring above with a pair of sparrowhawk, with another nearby soaring with a pair of kestrel.
Back into the wood near elemore hall school produced another pair of kestrel + 2 pairs of jay, nuthatch and great spotted woodpeckers. Only one tawny heard hooting today , with a good chance of the females on eggs by now.
3 hours absolutely flew over and never saw a soul. :bounce:
The wetland between elemore and littletown is usually a good site. With the farmer in the stewardship now we might be able to improve certain areas.
Today it held 10 snipe,12 curlew,25 lapwing , 20 mallard+ pairs of oystercatcher, grey wagtail and heron, pretty sure i heard a distant kingfisher as well but couldnt see it.
Single buzzard soaring above with a pair of sparrowhawk, with another nearby soaring with a pair of kestrel.
Back into the wood near elemore hall school produced another pair of kestrel + 2 pairs of jay, nuthatch and great spotted woodpeckers. Only one tawny heard hooting today , with a good chance of the females on eggs by now.
3 hours absolutely flew over and never saw a soul. :bounce:
Shaggy2070
Well-known member
Hetton Bogs
Spent a couple of hours at Jaybee and CWs' hide at Hetton Bogs and bumped into Jaybee and Spuggy there.
Loads of Tits, Reed Buntings, Chaffinches, a pair of Bullfinches, 3 Cock Pheasants, Coot, Moorhens, Mallards, Robin, Magpies, Sparrowhawk Flying overhead, Heron took-off just as I left and the Water Rail showed well a couple of times this afternoon.
Spent a couple of hours at Jaybee and CWs' hide at Hetton Bogs and bumped into Jaybee and Spuggy there.
Loads of Tits, Reed Buntings, Chaffinches, a pair of Bullfinches, 3 Cock Pheasants, Coot, Moorhens, Mallards, Robin, Magpies, Sparrowhawk Flying overhead, Heron took-off just as I left and the Water Rail showed well a couple of times this afternoon.
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Bonsaibirder
http://mobro.co/saddinall
Interesting goings on above Dawdon Blast Beach on the cliffs. At least two separate pools have been dug-out and filled with water, one just next to the more southerly path down to the beach (opposite the stack) and the other at the northern end of the grassy field near the metal foot-bridge. The pools are pretty small and may struggle to hold birds until there is some serious vegetation around them. On the other hand, they may be designed for other wildlife perhaps.
Cheers,
Cheers,
Ian Hamiltan
Well-known member
went for my weekly yomp thru n.hylton in the dark this morning to barmston pond;
pr little grebe,1 mute swan,pr wigeon,1 shoveler,16 tufted duck,5-10 coot,4-6 moorhen
2 oystercatcher,woodcock flushed from the trees se end just before dawn,6 lbb gull,
1 chiffchaff.yellowhammer singing from nissan.back thru n hylton 4 chiffchaff,3 pr
shelduck,upto 10 teal on the river,at timber beach,1 gl goose flew w up river,5 dunlin,
150 redshank,1 chiffchaff singing and 1 willow tit.
pr little grebe,1 mute swan,pr wigeon,1 shoveler,16 tufted duck,5-10 coot,4-6 moorhen
2 oystercatcher,woodcock flushed from the trees se end just before dawn,6 lbb gull,
1 chiffchaff.yellowhammer singing from nissan.back thru n hylton 4 chiffchaff,3 pr
shelduck,upto 10 teal on the river,at timber beach,1 gl goose flew w up river,5 dunlin,
150 redshank,1 chiffchaff singing and 1 willow tit.
Mark Newsome
Born to seawatch...
Success!
Birdguides reports 2 Avocets back on Wader Lake, Washington WWT today (for their second day). Excellent news! Wonder if it's both last years adults or if the juv. is involved? Fingers crossed that the water level is right and they quickly settle.
Birdguides reports 2 Avocets back on Wader Lake, Washington WWT today (for their second day). Excellent news! Wonder if it's both last years adults or if the juv. is involved? Fingers crossed that the water level is right and they quickly settle.
Bonsaibirder
http://mobro.co/saddinall
Hi Mark,
Weren't the chicks ringed and presumably the adults not?
cheers,
Weren't the chicks ringed and presumably the adults not?
cheers,
whitburnmark said:
IanF
Moderator
Great news that they're back and so soon!Bonsaibirder said:
14th April 2006 a pair turned up on North Tees Marshes and I think it was a few days later before they turned up at Wshington.
Were they ringed - they weren't when this one was taken on 15th July 2006 a week after hatching.
