Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[Mark Newsome]

I called in at the Tees Barrage on my way home from work this afternoon. Yellow-legged Gull still around and plenty of Cormorant feeding below the barrage. Not a lot else apart from a few Redwing on Portrack Marsh.

Excellent instructive photo of the Yellow-legged Gull - well done! For anyone finding a potential Yellow-legged Gull, it's important to get a decent look at the distribution of black on the inner primaries (as shown in Ian's first photo) - several presumed Herring x Lesser Black-backed Gull hybrids have been seen in the area in recent years which can look superficially very similar to Yellow-legged. There's also the occasional Scandinavian race ('argentatus') Herring with more yellow toned legs. Just because it's a large gull with white head, darker grey back and yellow legs doesn't mean it's a Yellow-legged Gull.

 

[Mark Newsome]

A few photos from my day out in Gateshead on Sunday - nearly forgot.

 

[StevieEvans]

Has Spring Sprung ?

Has Spring Sprung before we've had our winter...... ?

Mute Swan nest building (!) this morning at Brasside, with an increasingly regular Common Buzzard over the pond too.

Little Owl & 3 Goosander at Houghton Gate yesterday.

SE

 

[[email protected]]

struck out

croxdale again no hawfinch but kingfisher,redpoll,little owl,goldcress g s woodys,graywag so not so bad

 

[[email protected]]

You can't complain too much at having a first year of birding like that, with Isabelline and Woodchat Shrikes nearly on your doorstep! Well done! This year's birds will probably be totally different to last years and I'm sure there'll be a bucket load of new birds to come for you. Wouldn't be surprised if young Hawk-eye Cook ends up pushing you hard for the most birds seen in 2007!

complaining not me!that unhappy face on the post is the wife,s

 

[Cal07vin]

Hi all after one whole year of birding I counted my total up. most were seen in north east but as far south as whitby. west to the lakes. north to fort William but only one bird seen there as it rained all week ( black guillemot ) and the most productive east to the coast but whitburn came out top with woodchat shrike , isabelline shrike grasshopper warbler, ring ouzel and wheatear all seen and this thread which was giving me lots of food for thought and new birding spots .
Total 164 I did not think it would be that many as I have 3 kids, full time job , and a understanding wife!!!! :C
2007 wanted list
waxwing
hawfinch
whinchat
nightjar
twite
bearded tit
thanks a lot

Hi [email protected], I managed to get Nightjar ticked off by visiting Hamsterley Forest on a summer evening.

This was an organised event whereby a very experienced (in all aspects of wildlife) older gentlemen took us to the best area within the forest to catch a glimpse(It was just a glimpse) of this bird.

I'm sure this is a yearly event, try the link below, although at a glance the visitor centre is not open until 31st March 2007.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/...ForestHamsterleyHamsterleyForestVisitorCentre

Best of Luck

 

[IanF]

Hi [email protected], I managed to get Nightjar ticked off by visiting Hamsterley Forest on a summer evening.

This was an organised event whereby a very experienced (in all aspects of wildlife) older gentlemen took us to the best area within the forest to catch a glimpse(It was just a glimpse) of this bird.

I'm sure this is a yearly event, try the link below, although at a glance the visitor centre is not open until 31st March 2007.

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/WildWoods.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandDurhamCountyNoForestHamsterleyHamsterleyForestVisitorCentre

Best of Luck

We may even have a Nightjar event in Hamsterly Forest again oursevles this year. We did it c.2 yrs back and saw/heard 5 or 6 of them.

 

[StevieEvans]

Returning to.......... Houghton area local patch

a single Ruddy Duck has returned to a Coalfields site (after wintering to the south)
Thats 90 on the HAPY yearlist
SE

 

[IanF]

Sunniest day of the year so far, so I took a couple of hours off work this afternoon and headed down to Seaton Snook for high tide.

A Stonechat female and a Dunnock were sat on adjacent fence posts on Zinc Works Road as I drove down - which gave me chance to test out a Kenko Teleplus 1.5x converter that I'd just bought - the pins don't need taping on this one and it of course gives 600mm on a 400mm lens.

On the Snook itself - Red Knot x150 - one colour ringed, Grey Plover x10 - one colour ringed, Dunlin x20, Redshank c.20, Sanderling x7, Ringed Plover x3 and on the sea Red-breasted Merganser c.30, Cormorant 30+, Wigeon c.100 and Eider c.20.

 

[lil-lisa]

Had 20 minutes for my dinner today so took myself out round Doxford International to see what I could see. Greenfinch -6, Bullfinch -4, Blackbird - 3, Song Thrush ( I think ) 2, Dunnock -4, Blue Tit -2, Robin -1, Magpie -1. Not bad I thought.

 

[Ross Ahmed]

Adult Med Gull (unringed) on Marine Park Lake mid-pm, occasionaly coming to bread.

 

[DaveB]

Bishops Park and Low Barns

Twenty five species were seen at Bishops Park, the highlight being a pair of Green Woodpeckers that were seen towards the top end of the park. Good numbers of thrushes were also in the area, which included Fieldfare (80+), Redwing (80+), Blackbird (10+) and Mistle Thrush (3).

A quick visit to Low Barns provided good views of Lesser Redpoll (6+), Siskin (10+) and Goldfinch (4). The feeders were busy with all the usual visitors including Coal Tit (2), Blue Tit (10+), Great Tit (10+), Willow Tit (1), Marsh Tit (1), Nuthatch (1), Chaffinch (20+), Robin (2) and Dunnock (1). Cormorant (10), Goldeneye (5), Moorhen (1), Coot (1), Black–headed Gull (4), Herring Gull (2) and Jackdaw (20+) were also seen on and around the main lake.

DaveB

 

[JBee]

Spent a cold but bright day at my feeding station.
Two water rail showed well all day.
Female reed bunting paid a return visit along with lots of great, blue, willow and long tailed tits, robin, dunnock, moorhen and female pheasant.
Still no finches at the feeding station.

 

[StevieEvans]

More....

More (yes, you guessed it !) Long-eared Owl information.


2007 is DBC's third year of organised Leo surveying.

An exciting new development this years sees our neighbours in both Cumbria & Teesmouth following our lead.
Both of these clubs are also surveying the species.

We are hoping to build on our previous success & also for the same level of interest & support that was shown in 2005.

Remember,
the main advantage of this survey over others, is its flexibility - you survey when it suits you - no need to sign up for set times & dates.

The Survey is open to all.
Beginners will be pointed in the right direction.
( identifying likely habitats coupled with the suggested survey methods, will offer participants a good chance to make a memorable discovery. )

PS. Its worth remembering that 3 DBC members have found their own first ever Long-eareds during the surveys.

Send an Email if you are interested in taking part.

SE.

 

[NeilF]

Boldon Flats at 9.30 this morning saw- Pintail (1), Mute Swan (2), Shelduck (1), Heron (1), Canada Geese (4), Curlew (4) and lots of Lapwing, Teal and Wigeon. On the other side of the road were four Greylag Geese.

 

[malcolm hobbs]

Back Saltholme

16 Barnacle Geese at Back Saltholme this morning with Greylags and Pinkfeet.

Malcolm.

 

[IanF]

I popped down to Saltholme Ponds as well this morning. The Barnacles were pretty distant but the Pink-feet were c.100 yds away from the lay-by.

Two Water Pipit on the pipeline one either side of the road along from Haverton Hole. They disappeared when a Kestrel flew in.

 

[Paul Mc]

Think I mentioned before we live on a farm in high shincliffe, backing onto Croxdale estate. I want to set up a feeding station and bought / made several feeders for seed, nuts and thistle seed. I would be interested in attracting owls to the farm and have noticed several pellets in one of the sheds. I know its good to site the feeders near some cover but I also need to site near to my hide. Is anyone able to offer any advice? Quite excited really!

 

[StevieEvans]

Indoor Meeting JANUARY 2007.

TOMORROW EVENING

Indoor meeting at The Blue Bell in Fulwell, Sunderland

Starts 7:30 PM

Free & open to all (members & / or non members)

See website Calendar for details & site map

David Steel will give a talk entitled 'A year on the Farnes'.

SE

 

[ted hilland]

indoor meet

TOMORROW EVENING

Indoor meeting at The Blue Bell in Fulwell, Sunderland

Starts 7:30 PM

Free & open to all (members & / or non members)

See website for details & site map

SE

Anyone needing a lift to the meeting tomorrow is welcome if they can be picked up en route from the Stanley area, let me know in good time as I hate running the tractor empty. Looking forward to it myself as the Farnes intrigue me.