[DCJ]

Originally Posted by IanF

The Stang - am - lots of Crossbills flitting about today. 60+ seen in the tree tops along the road through the forest when I arrived - almost like an honour guard

Sent a carrier pigeon to inform the population Ian,

[IanF]

RSPB Saltholme - Saltholme Hide - Jack Snipe, Ruff x5, Pintail, Goldeneye, Dunlin c.12.

Viewing screen - Brent Geese x2 giving close views.

Greenabella Marsh - pm - Avocet x32 flew onto Seal Sands - one colour ringed -details noted - ringed 31st May 2010 on Greenabella Marsh.

Also present SEO x2, Bar-tailed Godwit x6, Knot c.100, Grey Plover.

[Michael A]

Derwent Reservoir 2 Common Buzzard displaying South side.
On way up through Shotley Field Two Hares boxing stopped car and observed one hare sitting while other was lying down. On entering field the sitting hare moved away as i approached, the one lying down tried to move but as i got up to it i found that in 'boxing' it had suffered two broken hind legs. Never seen one as badly hurt before during this type of engagement. Couldn't bring myself to put it down so just left it for nature to take its course.

[Andyclose]

Originally Posted by Ray.Scott

Started at the Stang today, weather was unfortunately not asforcasted.
Still a dozen or so crossbills about, but not as regular as my last visit, also flock of fieldfare and thrushes, couple of siskin, robin, blue & great tits, red grouse and plenty pheasants.
Also goshawk and rough legged buzzard viewed by others.

Called back to Saltholme where i spent a couple of hours waiting for the jack snipe to show, well, It did, but was well dug in. Other birds included dunlin, goldeneye, pintail, pochard, redshank, curlew, teal etc.

Very short video of the snipe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2HNI...ature=youtu.be

######

Hi, could anyone suggest a reasonable place from which to view the crossbills, or is it more a case of turning up and taking your chance?

Thank-you as always

Andy

[myoudale]

Managed after a lot of looking to find the Kumlien's Gull today
Please see blog for the write up http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/myoudale/

Mike

[IanF]

Originally Posted by Andyclose

######

Hi, could anyone suggest a reasonable place from which to view the crossbills, or is it more a case of turning up and taking your chance?

Thank-you as always

Andy

The Crossbills at the Stang are easy to see/view. Just follow the road through the forest. Just above the tight double bend near the top of the hill after the chevron boards there's a car park on the right hand side. Just turn around in there and park immediately on the left side of the road. You shouldn't have to wait more than 20-30 minutes at most.

Crossbills are on either side of the road and occasionally drop down onto the grit heaps on the right side of the road. You can't miss them.

My last visit even driving along the road through the forest they were lining the tree tops either side of the road. You get better/closer views from the top of the hill though.

[IanF]

Originally Posted by myoudale

Managed after a lot of looking to find the Kumlien's Gull today
Please see blog for the write up http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/myoudale/

Mike

Glad to hear you got it okay

Most local birders have already seen it several times so it doesn't now get reported so much. You fell lucky with the Iceland Gull. The Kumlien's seems to stay in the fish quay all day whereas the Iceland and Glaucous Gulls seem to go out to sea during the day and return when the fishing fleet comes in on an afternoon. The guy you spoke to sounds like the site manager. He's been very obliging for visiting birders allowing access.

[Michael A]

Today 6 Lesser Redpolls among a few Siskins on home feeders, first Redpolls since last Winter. Wonder if it means we're in for a spell of winter weather we have not had so far this year?

[birding maniac]

Very good days birding around the county today.
Started early at RSPB Saltholme and soon heard about the Green Winged Teal at Saltholme pools hide. Had decent views of the bird from a very busy hide. Jack snipe was very very difficult to see. Luckily I saw it as it move it's head, but otherwise I wouldn't have seen it. A few people didnt see it, even through a scope set up on the bird, but I can see why. It was very, very well hidden. A pair of avocets had flown through earlier and the usual ducks etc were about. Bittern was nice on site also.
We then headed to greatham creek where a little egret showed from the bus stop type hide. A common seal (I think) was in the creek, two grey plovers were with mixed gulls, redshank and shelduck on the south side. On greenabella marsh there was 23 avocets in a group together with a few BHGs nearby. Some mergansers were closer to the sea.
Afterwards we went for a look at season common. Large
Numbers of gull were flyin about but not many were on the ground. We stopped to have a look. A quick scan arous before focusing on the gulls produced large numbers of lapwings, redshanks and wigeon. There were even more starlings With a few meadow pipits and a pair of skylarks. When we scanne through the gulls we found a first winter CASPIAN GULL with some herring gulls. Stunning bird!
Finally we went to the fish quay in Hartlepool. We soon found the 1st winter Kumliens gull and a touch more scanning produced an adult Iceland gull.we walked up towered the battery. En route we saw Red Throated Diver, Bar Tailed Godwit, knot, purple sandpipers and turnstones. Some eiders were of the battery, as were a few common scoter.

[IanF]

RSPB Saltholme - Phil Stead Hide - 9.30am - Bittern, drake Pintail, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit x1.

Satltholme Hide - Jack Snipe, Green-winged Teal, Avocet x2, Black-tailed Godwit x4, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Pintail, Goldeneye x7, Cormorant.

Brent Geese x2 on grassland between hide and car park.

Great Crested Grebe x9 on the east pond.

[A W Gregory]

Rainton Meadows (yesterday)

[degsy_safc]

Weather was a bit bleak on the moors today, but i did see a lot of Black & Red Grouse about - shame that the blizzard conditions put paid to any decent photo's, the weather eased a bit to allow this shot

[2slo]

Two female Pheasants which landed in my garden today:

[DCJ]

Durham area.

[DCJ]

Chester Riverside.

[DCJ]

Weardale. (Seven Minutes of sunshine all day!)

[degsy_safc]

Originally Posted by DCJ

Weardale. (Seven Minutes of sunshine all day!)

You must've been under a single hole in the flat grey snow clouds Dave, don't think the auto headlights on my car switched off once

Cracking series of pics though

[DCJ]

Weardale.
--------------------------------------

((Seven Minutes of sunshine all day!))

Last Wednesday.

(I saw the first snowflake and was back at RMs before it hit the ground Derek) ;-)

[degsy_safc]

Originally Posted by DCJ

Weardale.
--------------------------------------

((Seven Minutes of sunshine all day!))

Last Wednesday.

(I saw the first snowflake and was back at RMs before it hit the ground Derek) ;-)

Probably what i should have done also - that said i did find a couple of new sites which i'll try when the weather is better...

[IanF]

Greenabella Marsh - am - Sparrowhawk, Black-tailed Godwit x4, Bar-tailed Godwit x2, Avocet c.20, Little Egret x3.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - pm - Smew, Treecreeper x2, Little Grebe x4, Shoveler x2, Gadwall x12, Cormorant.

RSPB Saltholme - Saltholme Hide - Jack Snipe, Green-winged Teal, Black-tailed Godwit x3, Brent Goose x2.

[Ray.Scott]

RSPB Saltholme today.
Very Distant and into the sun G.W teal from the Saltholme hide, well done Derek C for spotting it , also jack snipe, which was well hidden, pintail and shell duck etc.
Couple of kestrel from the Phil Stead hide.

23 Avocets present on greenabella + 1 little egret.

At least 7 Purple sandpiper at Newburn Bridge + knot, sanderling, ringed plover, turnstone, oyster catcher etc and med gull on the usual lamp post.

[DerekK]

Deepdale Wood, Startforth, Barnard Castle.
Recently it appears sections of this wood have been sold off to various people with varying interests. The first section you enter from Startforth belongs to Teesdale Conservation Volunteers and ends at the ford. I was wondering if anyone from this forum knows who is the owner of the next section, as they have recently put up a number of bird boxes. Not unusual one wold say, but these boxes are numbered, so one would assume they will be monitored. Has anyone any information?

[2slo]

These pretty girls landed in my garden again today (taken through glass):

[ALFIE TEMPLE]

6 Avocet stil at Waterfowl Park

[2slo]

Male Pheasant joined his two girlfriends here this afternoon: