Miserable Wet Evening.. (1 Viewer)

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StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Jul 30, 2003

• #1

I dont know why we ended up at Low Barns NR, on such an umpleasant early evening, but in the end it was worth it.

Steady rain confined us mainly to the hides. Nevertheless 3 bird species were of particular interest.

Considering all the rain it was quite appropriate that a *Green Woodpecker should be vocal, and after climbing several Alder trees calling, he decieded to fly off from the island.

The second bird was also heard calling too, but the blue flash soon came whizzing into view in front of the hide, the *Kingfisher, appeared to be a female and sat preening & calling for 20mins, then when the rain died off she dived for fish, the 2nd one caught was dropped back into the water whilst trying to bash it on its perch!

The third was'nt altogether unexpected, as very many display over the area in their roding flights, but a *Woodcock sat on one of the islands wasnt where we expected it.

We tried to turn a juvenile Coot, scrambling on the bankside, into an Otter, but without sucess !

Other birds seen include
Willow Tit, Bullfinch, Teal, Goosander, Whitethroat, Herons, Dabchicks with young.

We were glad to have had the reserve to ourselves, & by the time we were home had forgot about the rain !

S.

 

Last edited: Jul 30, 2003

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jul 30, 2003

• #2

In spite of the rain, it sounds as though you had a fairly good evening. Sorry about you not getting your otter

 

IanF

Moderator

• Jul 30, 2003

• #3

I'd be happy wih those species too. I haven't ben to Low Barns at all this month. I'll have to pop over here as I like to call at least once per month.

Was it the North or South hides you saw them all from ?

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Jul 30, 2003

• #4

steviewol said:

Considering all the rain it was quite appropriate that a *Green Woodpecker should be vocal, and after climbing several Alder trees calling, he decieded to fly off from the island.

Click to expand...

For those (most non-UK people, I guess) as don't know - and old country name for Green Woodpecker was 'Rainbird'.

Michael

 

Charles Harper

Régisseur

• Jul 30, 2003

• #5

How many names has it got, Michåel? You just gave us 'Yaffle' a little while ago.

 

Michael Frankis

conehead

• Jul 30, 2003

• #6

Hi Charles,

Plenty more - Ekwall, Galley Bird, Greenile, Heffald, Heigh Hold, Hew-hole, Hickwall, High-hoe, Ickle, Laughing Bird, Nicker, Nickle, Popinjay, Rain Fowl, Wet Bird, Whetile ('wet-tail'), Whittle, Wood Hack, Woodwall, Woodspite, Yaffingale, Yelpingale.

All from Lockwood, The Oxford Book of British Bird Names

Michael

 

Gerry Hooper

Certified User

• Jul 30, 2003

• #7

I've counted 44 regional names for the Green Woodpecker in All the Birds Of the Air-Francesca Greenoak.
IT would take me most of the morning to type them out so I shaln't bother, sorry.

 

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StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Jul 30, 2003

• #8

Hello

Ian, the " Laffy lad " & a Kingfisher were seen from the 'Bittern' Hide, the fishing Kingfisher & Woodcock were seen from the lakeside hide, parralel to the river. (probably got young as we could hear 2 calling from the river while we watched the fishing bird)

MF, i can remember reading a poem written in 1621, where the bird is called 'hewel'.
I think some of these old bird names are far more interesting than some of the modern equivalents.

SE

 

Henry H

Well-known member

• Jul 30, 2003

• #9

I sometimes have to visit Co Durham (that sounds like I go there with a gun pointed to my head - didn't mean it to sound like that!). Could anyone tell me where Low Barns Nature Reserve is please. I may have an evening to kill next time I visit.

Thanks. (And I'd love to see Green Woodpecker - we don't get them in Blackpool)

 

Henry H

Well-known member

• Jul 30, 2003

• #10

Stevie - did you say you read the poem in 1621 or that's when it was written - you being a "senior" member!

 

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StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Jul 30, 2003

• #11

Hi Henry,
L.Barns is in Mid Weardale, Co.Durham.
Its signposted on the main road A68 & the reserve is just outside Witton-le-Wear village.
Its a Durham Wildlife Trust Reserve, & they have a WWW site i believe.

SE

 

Karl J

Well-known member

• Jul 30, 2003

• #12

Sounds pretty good, I'd rather have a quiet reserve ( people numbers that is ! ) than a busy one any day.

...... 'scuse my ignorance, but whats a dabchick ?

 

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StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Jul 30, 2003

• #13

Dabchick....

Hi Carlos

Dabchick is Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

A FAR NiCER NAME i think.

Stevie

 

Karl J

Well-known member

• Jul 30, 2003

• #14

Oh right, cheers Stevie, never heard that name before.

 

C

cuddy

Brian Robson

• Jul 31, 2003

• #15

Hi Stevie, ive never caught up with Green Woodpecker at Low Barns, is the Lesser spotted still being seen?

Henry Low Barns is a smashing reserve and an evening visit in summer is as good a time as any to enjoy a walk around it.:t:

 

Last edited: Jul 31, 2003

IanF

Moderator

• Jul 31, 2003

• #16

Hi Henry,

Low Barns is well worth a visit - here's a bit more info about the place Low Barns

The website version Durham Wildlife Trust or yet another Durham County Council version

 

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StevieEvans

Well-known member

• Jul 31, 2003

• #17

Cuddy
If the reserve's busy you have a better chance just down stream near the Witton Park river bridges. The Yaff often nests in the massive Poplar overlooking the overgrown Beechburn gravel pits (this is a ornithological gem in the waiting, if it all goes to the rumoured plan). Best area for Water Ousel too.

LSW. - No recent reports as far as im aware, i had a male in the Alderwood about this time last year. (Hawfinch at the feed station area early in June)
most people year tick LSW at the start of the year at the Teesdale Sites, nearer You...Thornley Woods Centre (Gateshead) sometimes get them, i have a confidential site in Durham thats good, so they are out there !

Stevie