Chris-Leeds
Well-known member
Put your membership card on display inside your car like you would with a parking ticket. It works at Fairburn and Bempton Cliffs.
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RSPB Saltholme (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Boy Wonder
- Start date
Put your membership card on display inside your car like you would with a parking ticket. It works at Fairburn and Bempton Cliffs.
IanF
Moderator
There were around 60 present again this morning plus a Lapland Bunting and two Merlin flying in off the sea. I got there around 9.00am.
You can either park at the big car park behind the golf club at the southern end of Seaton Carew and walk down the beach or park at North Gare car park and walk out to the pier and turn left along the dunes/beach.
It's probably easier to walk down the beach from Seaton Carew though starting off today they were mostly down at the North Gare end and as the morning went on they moved up to Seaton Carew opposite the car park.
You can either park at the big car park behind the golf club at the southern end of Seaton Carew and walk down the beach or park at North Gare car park and walk out to the pier and turn left along the dunes/beach.
It's probably easier to walk down the beach from Seaton Carew though starting off today they were mostly down at the North Gare end and as the morning went on they moved up to Seaton Carew opposite the car park.
IanF
Moderator
Pretty quiet around Saltholme yesterday. Two Goldeneye on the east pond still but no sign of the Long-tailed Duck though it could have been still there. Around 40 Golden Plover were lined up along the north end of the causeway on west Saltholme.
Nothing at all on the fire station field. Most notable birds on the Bottom Tank were a pair of Shelduck and a Little Egret. The feeders beside the hide were busy on and off with Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch all in good numbers plus a few Great Tit, Blue Tit and Chaffinch. A vole briefly showed itself. A rat gave more prolonged views.
A Great White Egret was reported flying towards Calor Gas Pool late morning but wasn't relocated. The only other notable bird was a Peregrine flying towards Dormans Pool after disturbing the waders.
Nothing at all on the fire station field. Most notable birds on the Bottom Tank were a pair of Shelduck and a Little Egret. The feeders beside the hide were busy on and off with Tree Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch all in good numbers plus a few Great Tit, Blue Tit and Chaffinch. A vole briefly showed itself. A rat gave more prolonged views.
A Great White Egret was reported flying towards Calor Gas Pool late morning but wasn't relocated. The only other notable bird was a Peregrine flying towards Dormans Pool after disturbing the waders.
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June Atkinson
Well-known member
2014 Red Kite Survey
A request for your help. If a red kite was seen on the Farnes last year, it is perfectly feasible for one to be seen in your area.:t:
2014 Red Kite Breeding Survey
Friends of Red Kites (FoRK) are planning a survey of breeding red kites in the north east of England next spring and early summer. The aim of the survey is to establish the number of breeding pairs of red kites in Durham and Northumberland, including the areas of North and South Tyneside and Cleveland. FoRK already have a very strong monitoring team but would like to enlist the help of additional volunteers to carry out a more comprehensive survey.
Ideally, the survey will involve visiting potential breeding sites at least twice a month from the beginning of February to the end of June, although once evidence of breeding has been confirmed, visits will reduce significantly, and be made from a distance, to reduce disturbance.
Where possible, surveyors will be allocated a location close to their home patch.
Survey guidance notes and training, which will include a field visit to a local territory, will be available for those who require it.
Contact Ken Sanderson, mobile 07779413471, or email [email protected] for more information and to register your interest.
If you are interested but feel you cannot commit to the full survey then please still contact us, as any help, however much, will be greatly appreciated.
Ken Sanderson
Chairman & Kite Officer
www.friendsofredkites.org.uk
A request for your help. If a red kite was seen on the Farnes last year, it is perfectly feasible for one to be seen in your area.:t:
2014 Red Kite Breeding Survey
Friends of Red Kites (FoRK) are planning a survey of breeding red kites in the north east of England next spring and early summer. The aim of the survey is to establish the number of breeding pairs of red kites in Durham and Northumberland, including the areas of North and South Tyneside and Cleveland. FoRK already have a very strong monitoring team but would like to enlist the help of additional volunteers to carry out a more comprehensive survey.
Ideally, the survey will involve visiting potential breeding sites at least twice a month from the beginning of February to the end of June, although once evidence of breeding has been confirmed, visits will reduce significantly, and be made from a distance, to reduce disturbance.
Where possible, surveyors will be allocated a location close to their home patch.
Survey guidance notes and training, which will include a field visit to a local territory, will be available for those who require it.
Contact Ken Sanderson, mobile 07779413471, or email [email protected] for more information and to register your interest.
If you are interested but feel you cannot commit to the full survey then please still contact us, as any help, however much, will be greatly appreciated.
Ken Sanderson
Chairman & Kite Officer
www.friendsofredkites.org.uk
Boro Birder
Well-known member
June I would of thought you would have to be the holder of a Schedule 1 licence to observe breeding Red Kites, if not I would gladly offer my time.
Damian.
Damian.
June Atkinson
Well-known member
Red Kite Breeding survey
You are quite right Damian; red kites are protected by law as Schedule 1 Birds of prey. This applies to the breeding season and as Ken says:
once evidence of breeding has been confirmed visits will reduce significantly, and be made from distance, to reduce disturbance.
the teams will be advised to observe from a distance as kites may not be disturbed once they are breeding. This will be stressed in the preparation and advice given to those taking part in the survey. Only licence holders may handle or intervene once nesting is established.
Please do help. Send in a note to Ken Sanderson, who will then add your name to the list of those taking part. If you know a particular area which could be important, please mention it.
You are quite right Damian; red kites are protected by law as Schedule 1 Birds of prey. This applies to the breeding season and as Ken says:
once evidence of breeding has been confirmed visits will reduce significantly, and be made from distance, to reduce disturbance.
the teams will be advised to observe from a distance as kites may not be disturbed once they are breeding. This will be stressed in the preparation and advice given to those taking part in the survey. Only licence holders may handle or intervene once nesting is established.
Please do help. Send in a note to Ken Sanderson, who will then add your name to the list of those taking part. If you know a particular area which could be important, please mention it.
Boro Birder
Well-known member
I will send him a email Joan, I already record for the BTO so not all about the code of conducts, however has I have already spoken you before regarding the Red Kites in the Teesdale area, they were the only breeding Kites I knew of so will have search for any new ones and I do not think there is many in the Cleveland area.
Damian
Damian
June Atkinson
Well-known member
Red Kite Survey
Thanks, Damian. Every person out there is a chance to record vital information for this major survey.
June
Press & Publicity
FoRK
Thanks, Damian. Every person out there is a chance to record vital information for this major survey.
June
Press & Publicity
FoRK
barnstormer
Well-known member
jerry12953
Well-known member
Hi,
I'm thinking of visiting Saltholme later this autumn with the hope of getting photographs of birds in an industrial setting. Could anyone advise which locations would be most likely to offer this?
Also I note that the reserve is only open 9am until 5pm. Is it possible to make arrangements to visit outside these hours or are there any other locations nearby which are accessible earlier and/or later in the day?
Many thanks in advance.
jerry
I'm thinking of visiting Saltholme later this autumn with the hope of getting photographs of birds in an industrial setting. Could anyone advise which locations would be most likely to offer this?
Also I note that the reserve is only open 9am until 5pm. Is it possible to make arrangements to visit outside these hours or are there any other locations nearby which are accessible earlier and/or later in the day?
Many thanks in advance.
jerry
Jerry,
Getting close up pictures of birds in industrial setting may be a challenge, most of the time the birds are at water level, the hides elevated slightly and the horizon industry above hedge lines, etc., so you would need to be almost at water level to get them both in, the paths generally do not go down to water level. Wide angle shots will be no problem of course.
The reserve is locked outside of the times, however parts of the perimeter of the reserve are freely accessible (and sometimes offer better views), including the seal watchpoint (now called the saltern wetlands) and dormans pool.
Also just down the road (<1 mile) is Cowpen Bewley Woodland park, it has a lake and other settings that may be useful. (watch out for the car park lockup times)
Good luck with the pictures
Getting close up pictures of birds in industrial setting may be a challenge, most of the time the birds are at water level, the hides elevated slightly and the horizon industry above hedge lines, etc., so you would need to be almost at water level to get them both in, the paths generally do not go down to water level. Wide angle shots will be no problem of course.
The reserve is locked outside of the times, however parts of the perimeter of the reserve are freely accessible (and sometimes offer better views), including the seal watchpoint (now called the saltern wetlands) and dormans pool.
Also just down the road (<1 mile) is Cowpen Bewley Woodland park, it has a lake and other settings that may be useful. (watch out for the car park lockup times)
Good luck with the pictures
IanF
Moderator
The whole area around Saltholme and the North tees Marshes is set amongst heavy industry. Much of the land is reclaimed from the sea or under lain by brinefields and salt mines.
I'd be inclined to check out Teesmouth Bird Club website (link in my signature) if you haven't already as there's lots of locations listed.
Whilst many of the ponds are surrounded by industrial works I'm not sure that it's that easy to include the industry in the photos - other than the occasional chimney in the background and countless telegraph wires and pylons! Some of the brinefields are disused and birds use the old well heads as perches but they're not easy to get close views.
Maybe something like Seaton Snook would be more appropriate as it attracts lots of over wintering waders in Autumn. Some rest up before carrying on south but quite a few remain for winter. From the Snook itself looking south across the river you can photograph wader flocks passing in front of the steel works and dock areas. It's usually a very good location of various divers and the likes of Long-tailed Ducks and Slavonian Grebe.
Worth bearing in mind Hartlepool Headland as well as the dock area/fish quay can be good for birds. The area in front of the Borough Hall is good for migrants with some good rarities each Autumn and Spring.
jerry12953
Well-known member
Thanks very much to Ian and Ray for their suggestions.
I will study them carefully.
I will study them carefully.
jerry12953
Well-known member
That Teesmouth bird club site is really helpful.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Michael A
Well-known member
Great White Egret
26-09-2014. G.W.E, photographed from bus stop hide.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/
http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/
26-09-2014. G.W.E, photographed from bus stop hide.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/
http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/
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