Thanks for the reminder! I keep meaning to do this, but it always slips my mind...
There's at least one of them that regularly flies almost directly over my house in Consett. It scared the living daylights out of one of the cats last time! Ha!!
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Durham Birding (42 Viewers)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
Thanks for the reminder! I keep meaning to do this, but it always slips my mind...
There's at least one of them that regularly flies almost directly over my house in Consett. It scared the living daylights out of one of the cats last time! Ha!!
Shaggy2070
Well-known member
Had a walk around the Lake at Hardwick Park today. Quite a few birds on the water including; Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Pochard, Widgeon and one duck I couldn't tell what it was (see pic').
First glance from a distance the pale cheek patch looked like a Common Scoter that had got lost, then I got a slightly better look and the pale sides threw me. It was hanging around with some Gadwall so then I thought possibly an eclipse Gadwall, but I'm just guessing:h?:.
First glance from a distance the pale cheek patch looked like a Common Scoter that had got lost, then I got a slightly better look and the pale sides threw me. It was hanging around with some Gadwall so then I thought possibly an eclipse Gadwall, but I'm just guessing:h?:.
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ALFIE TEMPLE
Well-known member
Definately a dabbling duck (note bill and tail),and a hybrid-though i could'nt even hazard a guess as to parentage.
Craig Pallister
Craig & Jules
Owls
Hi to all, new to the forum can anyone point me in the direction of best chances of owls ( any ) for photography??
Hi to all, new to the forum can anyone point me in the direction of best chances of owls ( any ) for photography??
NeilF
Durham Bird Club Member
Almost certainly the same individual that visited Castle Lake, Bishop Middleham in late December last year. Presumed Red-crested Pochard x Pochard hybrid.
June Atkinson
Well-known member
Consett red kite activity
It would be really helpful if you could keep a diary or log on "your" local kite/s.
Garner any info e.g. tags, other kites, possible nest sites and then let us know by using the sightings sheet which Mick mentioned.
http://www.friendsofredkites.org.uk/page21.htm
Later this month we're going to do a Pre-breeding survey - this is where we get as many people as possible out in the region, and hope to spot kites so that our Kite Officer can build a picture for the two Monitoring Teams.
We supply data on our kites to several official groups.
Your help would be invaluable.
Since I come from Consett, I'm confident that you'll help.:t:
It would be really helpful if you could keep a diary or log on "your" local kite/s.
Garner any info e.g. tags, other kites, possible nest sites and then let us know by using the sightings sheet which Mick mentioned.
http://www.friendsofredkites.org.uk/page21.htm
Later this month we're going to do a Pre-breeding survey - this is where we get as many people as possible out in the region, and hope to spot kites so that our Kite Officer can build a picture for the two Monitoring Teams.
We supply data on our kites to several official groups.
Your help would be invaluable.
Since I come from Consett, I'm confident that you'll help.:t:
IanF
Moderator
It does look like the odd looking duck that was at RSPB Saltholme last year. In May 2012 it was on the Bottom Tank. About a month later a similar looking duck was on Back Saltholme. I vaguely recall a similar looking duck was seen near Hawthorn or Dalton Park prior to that.
Photos below were taken last May.
It never was identified fully. A Red-crested Pochard hybrid was suggested then as well.
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I will do, June. I'm not in the house during the day, so I'm probably missing most of its/their flyovers, but I'll start recording them when I do see them. I don't recall noticing any tags on them, but I've never had my binoculars handy when one has gone over. I'll stick a set somewhere handy...
NeilF
Durham Bird Club Member
Didn't realise this Duck has been discussed before.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=217861
Gadwall x Tufted Duck seems the favoured opinion.
Adam W
Well-known member
Neither had I and I see I posted on it last time aswell, At least I said the same thing both times though.
I can see how Gadwall x Tuftie could look like that but seems a rather odd combination.
keith
Well-known member
I think you'll struggle for an answer to that one Craig, I don't think people will help you with that one for obvious reasons.
Craig Pallister
Craig & Jules
Owls
Thanks keith maybe fell on my feet abit today spent most of the sunny afternoon watching Red Kites ( 8 in total ) and saw a pair breeding amazing then lucky enough to find a pair of S/E owls on our way home all in all good day
Craig & Jules
Thanks keith maybe fell on my feet abit today spent most of the sunny afternoon watching Red Kites ( 8 in total ) and saw a pair breeding amazing then lucky enough to find a pair of S/E owls on our way home all in all good day
Craig & Jules
Craig Pallister
Craig & Jules
Sent my sitings from today hopefully you got it (newbie lol )
Shaggy2070
Well-known member
Washington WWT.
Had a wonder round Washington WWT today.
Surprised to see all the Herons on the Island rather than in the trees (twenty in total) and even more surprised to see a Goshawk over wader lake:eek!:.
Gabbed a couple of record shots and realised it had jesses on:-C, apparently been in the area since Christmas time.
Sparrowhawk grabbed a Chaffinch at the Hawthorn Wood Hide and ate it in the undergrowth. Also nice to see a couple of Siskin there too.
Here's a few shots.
Had a wonder round Washington WWT today.
Surprised to see all the Herons on the Island rather than in the trees (twenty in total) and even more surprised to see a Goshawk over wader lake:eek!:.
Gabbed a couple of record shots and realised it had jesses on:-C, apparently been in the area since Christmas time.
Sparrowhawk grabbed a Chaffinch at the Hawthorn Wood Hide and ate it in the undergrowth. Also nice to see a couple of Siskin there too.
Here's a few shots.
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IanF
Moderator
Seaton Common - yesterday afternoon. Very little around apart from a Kestrel sat on the common just the other side of the fence. From it's bulging crop I'd guess it had just dined.
Seaton Snook - 16 Red-throated Divers and the Long-tailed Duck pair and two Grey Plover were present again on Monday but yesterday I only saw one Red-throated Diver.
Snow Bunting x7 still on the beach.
Seaton Snook - 16 Red-throated Divers and the Long-tailed Duck pair and two Grey Plover were present again on Monday but yesterday I only saw one Red-throated Diver.
Snow Bunting x7 still on the beach.
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Craig Pallister
Craig & Jules
Nice to hear the Chiffchaffs are back spring is on the way
IanF
Moderator
Hartlepool Headland - am - Red-throated Diver x6, Guillemot x3, Eider x11, Mediterranean Gull x1, Purple Sandpiper x1, Knot x117, Curlew x4 (one colour ringed), Great Crested Grebe x1, Ringed Plover x2, Pied Wagtail x1, Oystercatcher x22, Shag x2, Cormorant, Turnstone, Rock Pipit x2.
The colour ringed Curlew was ringed on Seal Sands in July 2012.
Greatham Creek - Avocet x4 (two on Saline Lagoon & two on Greenabella Marsh).
The colour ringed Curlew was ringed on Seal Sands in July 2012.
Greatham Creek - Avocet x4 (two on Saline Lagoon & two on Greenabella Marsh).
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ColinSev
Well-known member
Little Owl - Weardale
I tried to avoid the low cloud and mist and went west onto the moors today -and was a little brighter.
I decided to visit a little owl spot to see if it had survived the winter ok and there it was staring straight back down at me - despide his unfriendly demeanor I was glad to see it was still there.
This gave me chance to test out my new Canon SX50 and although the bird was 80 yards away the camera produced good results - I set it on full zoom 1200mm with a 2x converter setting applied. See the link below for a range of shots at different settings.
Compare to the second shot taken at the same place using my digiscope set up.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=240202&page=18
Also there were a number of Meadow Pipit, Golden Plover displaying as well as a roadside Common Buzzard near Harperley
I tried to avoid the low cloud and mist and went west onto the moors today -and was a little brighter.
I decided to visit a little owl spot to see if it had survived the winter ok and there it was staring straight back down at me - despide his unfriendly demeanor I was glad to see it was still there.
This gave me chance to test out my new Canon SX50 and although the bird was 80 yards away the camera produced good results - I set it on full zoom 1200mm with a 2x converter setting applied. See the link below for a range of shots at different settings.
Compare to the second shot taken at the same place using my digiscope set up.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=240202&page=18
Also there were a number of Meadow Pipit, Golden Plover displaying as well as a roadside Common Buzzard near Harperley
