• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Where premium quality meets exceptional value. ZEISS Conquest HDX.

Search results

  1. P

    Durham Birding

    Reports of a barn owl hunting in Shincliffe village this morning 7.20. 12 tree sparrows on my feeders. Gorgeous morning for a ride to Saltholm but sadly I have to work. Got a mystery bird of prey as a regular visitor, some birders said it was a Goshawk but don't think so, more likely a female...
  2. P

    Durham Birding

    Close up view of the barn owl here sat on the fence right next to the car as leaving for the school run, 8.10am! Stevie, I'm very sure this time. Paul Mc
  3. P

    Durham Birding

    Then walkin home from town last nite, had Tawny Owl calling from Woods by Houghhall. That's a hec of a walk from Durham to Bury St Edmunds! Sorry! Only jealous, don't get out too much myself (tho seven stars this wed!B (:) Good flock of fieldfare in our back field this morning and I understand...
  4. P

    Durham Birding

    Hi Steve, Yes loads of pigeons round here, mostly in an area behind us known as believe it or not as 'Pigeon Wood'! Seems to be fewer magpies around, tho usually a few early morning around my feeders...I don't miss em tho. This afternoon over 20 tree sparrows on and around my feeders also...
  5. P

    Durham Birding

    Hi, I understand the best place for the hawfinch is at Croxdale Hall in the large trees behind the old chapel. I haven't seen any posts for ages about them so not sure if they are about or when the best time of year is to see them? Its a shame really as I only live about a mile from there -...
  6. P

    Durham Birding

    Managed to finish work early and headed for Seaton Common. On the way I noticed a large raptor and managed to swing the car round to overlook Saltholme Ponds. Two short eared owls putting on a brilliant display, mobbed by a crow. Remembered my bins but not my coat...freezing! Then on to North...
  7. P

    Durham Birding

    As I've been in the Cleveland area quite a lot recently for work, I wondered if anyone knew when the RSPB reserve at Saltholm opens? I can't seem to find it on the RSPB site. Paul Mc
  8. P

    Durham Birding

    Good views of the Barn Owl here last night. Ian, I saw the Merlin in the exact spot you described at around 9.30 on tuesday. I had my gps with me and noted the grid ref as nz 53175 28121 - and I didn't have my bins with me!!! Must get a compact pait I can leave in the car. Paul Mc
  9. P

    Durham Birding

    Ian, your probably right. It was last Sunday and they were around for an hour or so. We do get Pied Wagtails and I was sure I was able to recognise the difference but will bow to your greater knowledge. Working in Seaton Canoe today so hope to take a look at one of the sites you recommended and...
  10. P

    Durham Birding

    Hi all, Not posted for ages tho still been busy. Spent few hours the other day watching pied flycatchers here on the house roof and on the roof of one of our barns. Spoke to a guy yesterday who said it was a good find? Sorry for my ignorance. Paul Mc
  11. P

    Durham Birding

    Not posted for ages, sorry, still been birding tho. Good views of B.O. this evening over Bowburn pit heaps. Osprey in Co. Durham...wow, spent ages watching them in Glen Tanar in Deeside, Scotland.
  12. P

    Durham Birding

    Spoke to a neighbour yesterday who told me he has seen the Croxdale hawfinches recently...but don't tell him I told you - they didn't like it when they were descended on by lots of scopes and big lenses! Paul Mc
  13. P

    Durham Birding

    It can get pretty dark round here but the dogs still have to be walked and I enjoy it really. I have one of those torches that go round the head which is very adequate for walking and keeps the hands free. Last few nights the barn owl has been screetching its head off from around four am...
  14. P

    Durham Birding

    Lsw Do you have any more details of where on the Croxdale estate? I walk there daily? Paul Mc
  15. P

    Durham Birding

    [/font] Brilliant report Stevie. Never seen a LEO or SEO...one day. Paul Mc
  16. P

    Durham Birding

    Not a lot of reports from me lately but been fairly active. Occasional views of the Barn Owl and regular little owl. Also hearing tawney's lots. Interesting to see a good flock of tree sparrows around my feeders last few days, seem to come over in sudden bursts then not seen for ages? GSW...
  17. P

    Durham Birding

    In need of a lift? Sorry mate, If I could help I would. Bet someone on the site will come up with a good (and safe) suggestion? Paul Mc
  18. P

    Durham Birding

    Gutted Stevie & bit scared that people who would do such a thing have been operating only a few hundred yards from the house! It won't stop me going out on a night tho...won't let them win. Birding is such a nice hobby in comparison. Paul Mc
  19. P

    Durham Birding

    Think I sussed it, dead foxes this morning, hunted or trapped for dogs I guess? Charming is the only word I can think of that would not cause offence on the site. Not pretty and ruined my year so far. Only yesterday I saw a gorgous dog fox walking over the field. Think I saw him again today...
  20. P

    Durham Birding

    Pellets variable in size, BO ones are very dark almost black, but even the smaller rounded ones tend to be larger than a £2 coin (will attach image of evidence below a roost from PC later). That's them exactly Steve! Will check the other box on Croxdale estate tomorrow. Fingers etc crossed...
  21. P

    Durham Birding

    Think I'm very lucky to have a few fields etc to kick around and indulge my hobby. The Leamside railway runs right throu here and over the last few weeks I have noticed guys in the line scratching about in the hedge area. They were there this morning about 10.00, about ten of them. No idea what...
  22. P

    Durham Birding

    Hurworth Burn On the way back from Hartlepool (yes I get to some exotic places) I called in at Hurworth Burn reservoir hoping for LEO. Didn't see him but was entertained for a good ten mins by several long tailed tits at the feeding station. Never seen a LEO...is it a hard bird to spot or was...
  23. P

    Durham Birding

    Coatham marshes I know its south of the region but I was working in Redcar today and managed a walk round Coatham marshes (thanks again Ian). Wind and rain, this time remembered my bins but forgot the wellies! Highlights were grey heron and close encounter with a sparrowhawk. Great place and I...
  24. P

    Durham Birding

    Ian, Many thanks once again. I have a few days work over the next few weeks in the area so hope to check it out. I was in Redcar just before Christmas to meet with the client and the rain was horizontal, horrid. Also hope to visit Hurworth Burn next week, late afternoon - for a change I'm not...
  25. P

    Durham Birding

    Coatham Marshes Hi Guys, I will be in Redcar tomorrow and looking on memory map Coatham Marshes is not too far. Can anyone let me know a good place to park the Aston Martin for a brisk walk with my bins if I get the chance? Cheers Paul Mc
Back
Top