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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Northumbrian Birding (4 Viewers)

I suppose with a site like Prestwick Carr there is a fairly steady stream of birders visiting so the info services wouldn't consider it a problem to release news. Roosts in upland areas, however, are not publicised and are actively monitored.

cheers
martin

ukjesters said:
i first seen the male harrier there last week but for obvious reasons i didnt inform birdguides etc but did inform other birders who are involved with these birds and so i was quite surprised to see it posted on birdguides today. However, i was told that apparently it isnt as important to guard their locations whilst wintering, me personally thinks that a protected bird of prey is exactly that for all four seasons.

Rick
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Not only birders, Martin. Part of it's a reserve and the rest is an MOD shooting range, hence the sentry box. I reckon unruly elements with 12 bores wouldn't get much leeway there.
 
Unfortunately the Carr is used by Bag fillers though not much this year,dreams of luring free Blagdon Pheasants doesnt seemed to have worked
 
martin kitching said:
I suppose with a site like Prestwick Carr there is a fairly steady stream of birders visiting so the info services wouldn't consider it a problem to release news. Roosts in upland areas, however, are not publicised and are actively monitored.

cheers
martin
Click to expand...


Know what you mean martin but when i contacted birdguides regarding the summer bird at the same location they told me that due to the type of bird they would not put it up on the site, i told them my contacting them was for information only so that they could possibly inform other relevant parties. The only difference between then and now is season and as i mentioned earlier i do think that a protected bird is exactly that no matter what the time of year.

Regards
Rick
 
Prestwick Car(r)s

ukjesters said:
Know what you mean martin but when i contacted birdguides regarding the summer bird at the same location they told me that due to the type of bird they would not put it up on the site, i told them my contacting them was for information only so that they could possibly inform other relevant parties. The only difference between then and now is season and as i mentioned earlier i do think that a protected bird is exactly that no matter what the time of year.

Regards
Rick
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Tried a midday. Not many places to park a car without obstructing the road or a farmer's gate. Some unfortunate parking by at least one other person meant in somewhat festive fashion, there was no room, and no stable to park in either, so I went home in a bit of a huff. Will try tomorrow, or soonest.

Arcot pond was very flat (in every sense of the word). If you don't like BHGs, CGs, Mute Swans, Moorhens or Coots - stay away!

SEOs at West Hartford this pm. I can feel a hat trick of Nil Points coming on!

WRONG - One SEO at 15.30 at the west end of the fields (at the rear of the farm with the green-roofed outbuildings).
 
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Out for lunch today convieniently near to the Water Pipit. Lunch was delayed somewaht whilst I returned home to collect the scope so as to actually i d it as something other than LBJ! This give a good excuse for a visit to Prestwick Carr. The fields and hedges continue to be full of Fieldfare and fewer Redwing. Harrier showing well.
 
Prestwick (fewer) Carr(s)

Back again this morning. Two glimpses of the Harrier (reminded me of the endless hours watching the pair plus young 'Out West' earlier in the year!). Then off to Bolam Lake where the feeders were manic with Coal/Blue/Great Tits, Nuthatches, Blackbirds, Chaff and Green Finches, Dunnocks, Robins, MOORHENS and latest lifer, a Brambling.
 
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Loads of Crossbill about at the moment in the forestry blocks around Otterburn, not long now until there are chicks about. Dippers singing like mad on the Coquet. Theres a pair of Raven hanging around one of last years Buzzard nests, do they ever take over old tree nests?

Rob
 
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Went up to Prestwick Carr this afternoon and got some fantastic views of the male hen harrier. this was a new bird for my list and I was already over the moon with the views I had in my scope when it flew directly over my head. Still absoloutley loads of fieldfares kicking about too.
Steve
 
No sign of any Hawfinch at Hulne Park today :smoke:

I was there between 8.45am to 9.50am and saw lots of Coal, Great & Blue Tits, Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, flock of eight Siskin, female Sparrowhawk being mobbed by Rooks.....but no sign of Hawfinch! :-C

Hulne Park is closed to the public today mind....just saving anyone a wasted journey ;)
 
Looks like it's a journey across the border to Croxdale in Durham then. Thanks for the update. I take it that the guy from the Lodge did not make an appearance and tell you if he's seen any?
 
level seven said:
Is the park closed often, does anyone know? I'm planning a visit up there soon.
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As far as I know it's only shut to the general public when the rich hobnobs are shooting, which they were today :C
I'll ask at the Tourist Info tomorrow if they have a list of dates of when the Park is shut or call into the Estate Office.
I usually have an inkling of when there's shooting due as the Duke ups his newspaper order ;) Very bizarre as it's usually umpteen extra Telegraph,Guardian & Times - and one Sun :-O Perhaps Mr Percy only reads that to see how the plebs live!!! ;)
 
Prestwich Carr

It was jumping here today. Thousands of fieldfare and redwing about. Others included…

1 buzzard
2 sphawk
5+ kestrel
willow tit
bullfinch
snipe
fox

and the male hen harrier.

Great stuff
 

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craigthirlwell said:
It was jumping here today. Thousands of fieldfare and redwing about. Others included…

1 buzzard
2 sphawk
5+ kestrel
willow tit
bullfinch
snipe
fox

and the male hen harrier.

Great stuff
Click to expand...

I was up there again on Thursday, but didn't see the Harrier on that occasion but certainly the winter thrush numbers continue to build. As you say 1,000s. Quite an experience walking along the narrow road being surrounded by sights and sounds of them. Hedges and fields covered.

My missing of the Harrier that day was made up for by a brief sighting of 2 Redpoll, a bird that tends to allude me.
 
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