Durham Birding (7 Viewers)

Ray.Scott · Jul 25, 2008

A few from Souter Point this week, spent the day in the pleasant company of JBee.
Not a lot of variation of birds, but plenty of Kittywake, Cormorant, Starlings, Jackdaw and Herring gulls with a single fly past from Kestrel and Common Turn.
Had a smashing time, literaly, my tripod is now a monopod and a twopod:eek!:.

IanF · Jul 25, 2008

A butterfly day for me with a visit to Wingate Quarry Local Nature Reserve this afternoon. Thanks to Shaggy and Harry I saw my first local Marbled White butterflies :t:

It was sunny and a little windy but that didn't stop them from showing well. Along a 100yds straight stretch of footpath I came across 17 individuals for certain though possibly 21 in total after locating some more in another hollow.

Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Large White, Common Blue, Ringlet, Small Skipper and Small Tortoiseshell also seen.

level seven · Jul 25, 2008

Where's the best place to look for Yellow Wagtails around Castle Lake please?

Thanks.

IanF · Jul 26, 2008

level seven said:
Where's the best place to look for Yellow Wagtails around Castle Lake please?

Thanks.

Hi Graham,

They can be just about anywhere.

If you follow the straight track to the sewage works the field on the left as you reach the sewage works access road (the open access area) holds them as does within the sewage works compound itself where you can get Yellow, Pied and Grey altogether. Also the field on the right from the main track. Carrying on along the track towards the Skerne you can also see them on either side of the path. Once the crops are harvested the fields on the right can be good for Corn Bunting as well depending on the crop in them.

One of the best spots for close views that I've had for Yellow Wagtail is the footpath that follows the wall down the west side of Island Farm down towards the old railway line - great views looking down onto the lake from there as well. They usually sit along the wall on a morning anywhere from the farm to the shallow lake - also another spot for Corn Bunting.

Combining both areas makes for a pleasant circular walk.

level seven · Jul 26, 2008

IanF said:
Combining both areas makes for a pleasant circular walk.

It does indeed, as I found out today with the Newcastle RSPB group. We found Yellow Wagtails, a Corn Bunting, and a lot of other good stuff. The quarry after lunch was also good, with plenty of butterflies and interesting plants to see.

There can't be many better areas in the north of England for a day out enjoying nature in general.

Thanks for your help Ian.

DerekK · Jul 27, 2008

RSPB Bird Magazines

RSPB Bird Magazines
I am about to recycle the following RSPB magazines, but before i do so, i am offering them to any interested persons free, but you must collect.
RSPB Bound Volume 3, 1970 - 71
RSPB Bound Volume 4, 1972 - 73
162 Issues from 1974 to 2007 inclusive over a period of 34 years with only July/Aug.
1975 & Summer 2004 missing.
Derek Kyle
of Barnard Castle
Tel. No. 01833 637600

IanF · Jul 27, 2008

Had a look along to Hurworth Burn this evening where by chance I met ColSev. We had a wander down to look for LEO but pretty disappointing with just one probable seen - took off from the top of one of the ash trees they use but only seen through the branches.

At least the Swallows in the car park were entertaining.

StevieEvans · Jul 28, 2008

level seven said:
It does indeed, as I found out today with the Newcastle RSPB group. We found Yellow Wagtails, a Corn Bunting, and a lot of other good stuff. The quarry after lunch was also good, with plenty of butterflies and interesting plants to see.

There can't be many better areas in the north of England for a day out enjoying nature in general.

Thanks for your help Ian.

Hi
You may like to vote on this:-

Help restore quarries to wildlife areas.

QPA (Quarry Products Association - the umbrella trade organisation) are running an online poll until Thursday on their website (web address below) asking what people would like to see quarries restored to.

Vote via link below :-

http://www.qpa.org/voting.php

Peregrine, Barn owl, Stock Dove, Kestrel, Tree Sparrow, Little Owl, Little Ringed Plover, Little Grebe, Sand Martin, Oystercatcher,....are just some of the species nesting in Co.Durhams quarries.
Steve

IanF · Jul 28, 2008

The August 2008 Birdwatching Magazine 'Go Birding' section carries and article on Castle Lake, Bishop Middleham this month.

Just as well as the Durham Bird Club web site doesn't even carry one themselves - despite all the work and resources being putting into this location.

StevieEvans · Jul 29, 2008

Castle Lake Nature Reserve info / access.

IanF said:
The August 2008 Birdwatching Magazine 'Go Birding' section carries and article on Castle Lake, Bishop Middleham this month.

Just as well as the Durham Bird Club web site doesn't even carry one themselves - despite all the work and resources being putting into this location.

Sorry to have to correct you Ian.
There has been an article on the DBC website since 2006 ( having previously been in the Spring 2006 LEK ).

Its called "Focus on Bishop Middleham"
It has a 1:25,000 scale O/S map, edited to show parking & water body details.
You can find it from the main menu in the Resources section on the Notes & Papers section.

This article was previously, recently available to ALL readers, whether they be DBC members or not, until changes to the website.

There are plenty of public footpaths, an area of open-access land to view the lake from.
Theres also on site interpretive display materials on site to guide visitors.

Sadly, some people visiting appear do not appear to be able to read.

If anyones visiting & is still unsure of where to head / watch from, then i've always found DBC Committee members helpful & friendlyo

Their phone numbers are on the DBC website.

Cheers
SE

IanF · Jul 29, 2008

Thanks for that Steve - maybe a little too well hidden! Maybe a more appropriate location would be the Site Guide.

Jumpin 4 Joy · Jul 29, 2008

IanF said:
Thanks for that Steve - maybe a little too well hidden! Maybe a more appropriate location would be the Site Guide.

Well you'd better be wary . They'll be blocking internet access soon if you're not a member of their gang lol.

level seven · Jul 29, 2008

StevieEvans said:
Hi
You may like to vote on this:-

Help restore quarries to wildlife areas.

Done Steve.

StevieEvans · Jul 29, 2008

IanF said:
Thanks for that Steve - maybe a little too well hidden! Maybe a more appropriate location would be the Site Guide.

You're right Ian, the article isn't immediately visible........ just like the lake itself

Imho, it should have a front page link for anyone viewing the club website, rather than being tucked away in a members only section.
It may be that its the non-members who need to read it most!
cheers
SE

IanF · Jul 30, 2008

StevieEvans said:
You're right Ian, the article isn't immediately visible........ just like the lake itself

Imho, it should have a front page link for anyone viewing the club website, rather than being tucked away in a members only section.
It may be that its the non-members who need to read it most!
cheers
SE

At least it's more visible that Stoneybeck Lake. This summer it's disappeared altogether. The field looks a litle strange with a pile of stones in the middle - almost like an island

StevieEvans · Jul 30, 2008

N.Tees Wader - fest

Jumpin 4 Joy said:
Well you'd better be wary . They'll be blocking internet access soon if you're not a member of their gang lol.

Im sure the vast majority of keen bird watchers belong to their relevant County Club / Gang? / Society

Popped down IanF country with DC this afternoon for a wander about
We can thoroughly recommend it, as the birding there is great at the moment...:t:
25 species of waders today, 3Garganey, 15Little Gulls, Kingfisher, 7Little Egret etc etc
We'll be posting an account on the DBC members forum....

Ray.Scott · Jul 30, 2008

A few from Hetton Boggs today.
Not a lot to report with just a few of the regular Reed Buntings and Tits etc and a very brief visit from the King Fisher.
To brief for a photo :C.

vivster · Jul 31, 2008

hello any one out there know any places near witton castle to go bird watching as im going camping there at wkend...thanks

geordie graham · Jul 31, 2008

Hi Vivien there is a nature reserve called Low Barns in the village of Witton Le Wear which is about 5 mins from Witton Castle.It is signposted in Witton Le Wear and has several hides and also is along side the river Wear.You may be lucky to see a Kingfisher which are usually seen from the west hide.Have Fun.

Graham

IanF · Jul 31, 2008

Greatham Creek this morning - Black-tailed Godwit x7, Common Sandpiper x2, Little Egret x2, Common Redshank c.12, Ruff x1, Spotted Redshank x1, Whimbrel x2, Curlew x7, Shelduck x7, Little Ringed Plover x1, Ringed Plover x2, Lapwing c.20, Common Tern c.30, Cormorant x6. Linnet, Swallow, Swift & Meadow Pipit.

Zinc Works Road - Kestrel x2, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Redshank, Lapwing.

Billingham Beck Valley - Bullfinch x8, Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Willow Warbler. Dragonflies - Common Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Emerald Damselfly.

Common Shrew - dead unfortunately. Actually several small mammals scampering about the covered paths.

Photos: 1. Little Egret - 2. Common Tern - 3. Kestrel - 4. Common Shrew - Azure Damselfly

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