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Durham Birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
IanF
Moderator
Seaton Snook
I had a look down at Seaton Snook this morning. The high tide had been around 7.30am but I got down for 10.00am. Cloud cover was heavy but it brightened every so often and occasionally the sun broke through. Temperatures were mild and there was a stiffening breeze from the south-west.
Seaton Common from Zinc Works Road held very few birds - Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Curlew, Mallard and Teal.
Walking along the dunes by the power station field several Sky Lark were making their soaring flights whilst singing. Three Song Thrush, a single Redwing and a Linnet were along the fence.
On reaching the Creek I headed to the concrete block house which is a good place for viewing from on a falling tide as the deep water channel passes just in front and sometimes the birds come in close.
On the rocks and slipway were Oystercatcher x50, Canada Goose x2, Bar-tailed Godwit x3, Redshank c.20, Curlew c.20. On the water were Wigeon c.50, RB Merganser c.40, Cormorant c.15, Eider x6, Great Crested Grebe x6 - best of all though were the divers with RT Diver x7 and GN Diver x4. I was beginning to think I wouldn't see GN Diver this year.
The divers gave very close views on occasion coming to within 40yds of my position - the only downside being that this location looks directly into the sun any time of the day. The divers were making patrols up and down the Creek and even side to side. Pipe fish were the only things I saw caught - probably because they're like snakes, the birds struggled to swallow them - RB Merganser, Cormorant and Gulls were feeding on them too. I was a little surprised to see that rather than follow the tide out, as time went by diver numbers increased - even as I was leaving another RT Diver flew in from the sea.
There was no sign of any Twite today but as I made my way back along the base of the dunes to the sand piles by the access point I came across a flock of Snow Bunting x15. They were moving along the base of the dunes between North Gare and Seaton Snook and eventually flew off to the grassy Snook area and began feeding in amongst several Ringed Plover.
I had a look down at Seaton Snook this morning. The high tide had been around 7.30am but I got down for 10.00am. Cloud cover was heavy but it brightened every so often and occasionally the sun broke through. Temperatures were mild and there was a stiffening breeze from the south-west.
Seaton Common from Zinc Works Road held very few birds - Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Curlew, Mallard and Teal.
Walking along the dunes by the power station field several Sky Lark were making their soaring flights whilst singing. Three Song Thrush, a single Redwing and a Linnet were along the fence.
On reaching the Creek I headed to the concrete block house which is a good place for viewing from on a falling tide as the deep water channel passes just in front and sometimes the birds come in close.
On the rocks and slipway were Oystercatcher x50, Canada Goose x2, Bar-tailed Godwit x3, Redshank c.20, Curlew c.20. On the water were Wigeon c.50, RB Merganser c.40, Cormorant c.15, Eider x6, Great Crested Grebe x6 - best of all though were the divers with RT Diver x7 and GN Diver x4. I was beginning to think I wouldn't see GN Diver this year.
The divers gave very close views on occasion coming to within 40yds of my position - the only downside being that this location looks directly into the sun any time of the day. The divers were making patrols up and down the Creek and even side to side. Pipe fish were the only things I saw caught - probably because they're like snakes, the birds struggled to swallow them - RB Merganser, Cormorant and Gulls were feeding on them too. I was a little surprised to see that rather than follow the tide out, as time went by diver numbers increased - even as I was leaving another RT Diver flew in from the sea.
There was no sign of any Twite today but as I made my way back along the base of the dunes to the sand piles by the access point I came across a flock of Snow Bunting x15. They were moving along the base of the dunes between North Gare and Seaton Snook and eventually flew off to the grassy Snook area and began feeding in amongst several Ringed Plover.
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StevieEvans
Well-known member
Hello & welcome great bustard
You are correct, the area is the old motorbike scrambles at the very edge of Belmont housing estate.
MAP
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.7819&lon=-1.5164&scale=25000&icon=x
My 2 recent visits are the first time ive been there in probably 20 years..?
An excellent mix & good numbers of scrub, woodland & farmland birds.
Despite its proximity to suburbia, the habitats suggest the area should hold all 4 lowland owls....
Cheers
Stevie
You are correct, the area is the old motorbike scrambles at the very edge of Belmont housing estate.
MAP
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.7819&lon=-1.5164&scale=25000&icon=x
My 2 recent visits are the first time ive been there in probably 20 years..?
An excellent mix & good numbers of scrub, woodland & farmland birds.
Despite its proximity to suburbia, the habitats suggest the area should hold all 4 lowland owls....
Cheers
Stevie
great bustard said:Hello :hi: , just a quick nearly bedtime hello to everyone. If you have your bins out and look to the top left of this post you will see that it is my first, Numero uno. Former YOC then into young adulthood and lost interest as found other stuff to do B! past that now and starting to wind down at the ripe old age of 32(so old)and beginning to get out and about again. anyways, i wish to ask a question if thats ok? (to Mr Evans) Is the Belmont Sherburn Village you talk about known as the Scrambles? And thats it. Muchos Thankos.
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Paul Mc said:
Paul
Nice to catch up with you & great to have a wander around your place...
very impressive; mixed flock of 800 Fieldfare, Redwing & Starling. Tree spugs, Yellowhammers, Skylarks, Little Owl calling & of course pellets & splash from the Barn owl too.
maybe we should organise a DBC garden year list competition ?
ah.... if only my garden was on the same scale ;-)
BO box firmly attached to Ash as agreed - fingers crossed.
Cheers
Stevie
[email protected]
FATHER AND SON TEAM
rabbitbank wood ..the return
Went across to rabbitbank wood again today for the 6th time this week! we were getting there for 1st light. the birds were in full song that time in the morning. Must have seen every bird in that wood but the lesser spotted pecker. we have heard it many times but lack of talent was our down fall . We even recruited waxyplumer for this afternoons pecker hunt but still no luck . 6 G/S woodys, 2 green woodys, buzzard,nuthatch ,tree crepper also liam almost bumped into a fox on Monday within 10ft but this morning we found a dead fox in the wood close to where we had seen it on Monday with fresh shotgun shells close by. roe deer also seen
Went across to rabbitbank wood again today for the 6th time this week! we were getting there for 1st light. the birds were in full song that time in the morning. Must have seen every bird in that wood but the lesser spotted pecker. we have heard it many times but lack of talent was our down fall . We even recruited waxyplumer for this afternoons pecker hunt but still no luck . 6 G/S woodys, 2 green woodys, buzzard,nuthatch ,tree crepper also liam almost bumped into a fox on Monday within 10ft but this morning we found a dead fox in the wood close to where we had seen it on Monday with fresh shotgun shells close by. roe deer also seen
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StevieEvans said:
Had a visit from Stevie and his side kick today, really got me enthused and fired up. They have put up a fantistic barn owl box and I have priced them at around £50+. How do you guys do it??? I will keep a regular check on it and post any sightings.
What nice guys and what a brilliant club.
I love my new hobby!
Paul
IanF
Moderator
Had to take the wife shopping this morning so we went to Hartlepool and then called at Ward Jackson Park afterwards.
The Parakeets are still by the clock tower. The lake held Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot and three Cormorant.
Female Blackcap still in the garden today as well - 24 straight days now |=)|
The Parakeets are still by the clock tower. The lake held Canada Goose, Mallard, Coot and three Cormorant.
Female Blackcap still in the garden today as well - 24 straight days now |=)|
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Shaggy2070
Well-known member
Had walk on the edge of Castle Eden Dene today at two areas of Peterlee.
First area was from the Dene Lodge up between the houses and the Dene edge heading towards A19.
Started off with Song Thrushes x2 singing in the tree tops at the Lodge and in the small fenced off area over ten Blackbirds.
Walking up muddy grass pathway Blue,Coal,Great and Mallow Tits, Carrion Crow x6, Magpie x3, Green,Gold,Bull and Chaffiches, Wren x3, Robin x3, and singles of Nuthatch, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest.
Second area was behind the hospital estate which had Song Thrush x4, Blackbird x7, Blue, Coal, Great, Mallow Tits, Robin x3, Greenfinch x5, Chaffinch x7, Wren 10+ and the highlight of today 1 Waxwing
First area was from the Dene Lodge up between the houses and the Dene edge heading towards A19.
Started off with Song Thrushes x2 singing in the tree tops at the Lodge and in the small fenced off area over ten Blackbirds.
Walking up muddy grass pathway Blue,Coal,Great and Mallow Tits, Carrion Crow x6, Magpie x3, Green,Gold,Bull and Chaffiches, Wren x3, Robin x3, and singles of Nuthatch, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Goldcrest.
Second area was behind the hospital estate which had Song Thrush x4, Blackbird x7, Blue, Coal, Great, Mallow Tits, Robin x3, Greenfinch x5, Chaffinch x7, Wren 10+ and the highlight of today 1 Waxwing
ColinSev
Well-known member
LowBarns to Kinninvie
Had planned going to upper Teesdale today but visibility was very poor, so tripped to Low Barns,
Goldeney & Pochard at West Hide 2 GS woodpeckers and nuthatch, 3 Goosanders on river and a 10lb salmon jumped right next to me scaring the wits out of me.
Goldcrest and Long tailed tit along the river, flock of 30 or so siskin.
Along north hide there was 25 lesser redpoll. Heard a Tawny Owl also.
Then off to Hamsterley, only thing I saw of interest was a Buzzard which was initially sat in tree next to road to Woodland. It took and landed on other side of field.
Red Kite and another Buzzard just through Woodland.
At Kinninvie saw Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and a futher Buzzard.
Not a bad day considering it started off pretty dull and misty
Had planned going to upper Teesdale today but visibility was very poor, so tripped to Low Barns,
Goldeney & Pochard at West Hide 2 GS woodpeckers and nuthatch, 3 Goosanders on river and a 10lb salmon jumped right next to me scaring the wits out of me.
Goldcrest and Long tailed tit along the river, flock of 30 or so siskin.
Along north hide there was 25 lesser redpoll. Heard a Tawny Owl also.
Then off to Hamsterley, only thing I saw of interest was a Buzzard which was initially sat in tree next to road to Woodland. It took and landed on other side of field.
Red Kite and another Buzzard just through Woodland.
At Kinninvie saw Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and a futher Buzzard.
Not a bad day considering it started off pretty dull and misty
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Dalton Moor
Had a walk over this afternoon, not a great deal about apart from quite an influx of Linnet x 100+also quite a few Reed Bunting x 50 along the edge of Stackyard and Far Grass areas of the Moor.
Al;so present around Dalton Moor Farm Wood were: Bullfinch x 1 Pair, Kestrel x 1,Meadow Pipit x 6 and also Yellowhammer x 40
Had a walk over this afternoon, not a great deal about apart from quite an influx of Linnet x 100+also quite a few Reed Bunting x 50 along the edge of Stackyard and Far Grass areas of the Moor.
Al;so present around Dalton Moor Farm Wood were: Bullfinch x 1 Pair, Kestrel x 1,Meadow Pipit x 6 and also Yellowhammer x 40
StevieEvans
Well-known member
pr of Long tailed Tits with well built nest & pr of Willow tits in athe same Blackthorn hedge while checking possible BO site nr Fishburn.
quick farm visits at Bish Midd produced vocal Green wpkr, with 2pr of Oiks investigating the earthworks at Castle lake.
Green Sandpiper perched on post & rail fencing at Stoneybeck, where prs of Lapwings were noted established on territory.
Old Durham also had nest building LTTits, a pr of Lesser redpoll, a Kingfisher on the beck with Nuthatch nearby.
Croxdale estate had 15 or more Herons, singing Bullfinch, 3 Roe, 1 Fox, 6 Goosander with 2 Water Rail, 2 Tawnies & a Kingfisher on the meanders at dusk.
Best though, was after the light had gone & the unmistakeable amphibian-like croaking was heard as a male Woodcock went overhead in his roding display.
PS.
Skelly reports roding Woodcock from Charlaw Fell this evening too.
Stevie
quick farm visits at Bish Midd produced vocal Green wpkr, with 2pr of Oiks investigating the earthworks at Castle lake.
Green Sandpiper perched on post & rail fencing at Stoneybeck, where prs of Lapwings were noted established on territory.
Old Durham also had nest building LTTits, a pr of Lesser redpoll, a Kingfisher on the beck with Nuthatch nearby.
Croxdale estate had 15 or more Herons, singing Bullfinch, 3 Roe, 1 Fox, 6 Goosander with 2 Water Rail, 2 Tawnies & a Kingfisher on the meanders at dusk.
Best though, was after the light had gone & the unmistakeable amphibian-like croaking was heard as a male Woodcock went overhead in his roding display.
PS.
Skelly reports roding Woodcock from Charlaw Fell this evening too.
Stevie
NeilF
Durham Bird Club Member
Spent a couple of hours this morning walking, in the rain (!) around the Causey Arch area near Stanley.
Lots of birds about but nothing too exciting; Long-tailed Tit (7), Coal Tit (2), Wren (3), Nuthatch (3), Great Tit (5), Blackbird (3), Jackdaw (10+), Blue Tit (20+), Song Thrush (1), Chaffinch (10+), Mallard (2), Goldcrest (1), Treecreeper (4), Mistle Thrush (2), Robin (4) and heard only a GS Woodpecker.
Causey Gill looks to have good potential for Green Woodpecker so I'll be back for another visit soon.
Lots of birds about but nothing too exciting; Long-tailed Tit (7), Coal Tit (2), Wren (3), Nuthatch (3), Great Tit (5), Blackbird (3), Jackdaw (10+), Blue Tit (20+), Song Thrush (1), Chaffinch (10+), Mallard (2), Goldcrest (1), Treecreeper (4), Mistle Thrush (2), Robin (4) and heard only a GS Woodpecker.
Causey Gill looks to have good potential for Green Woodpecker so I'll be back for another visit soon.
seggs
Alrite!
little drive up the leas produced a med gull in the large car park at marsden, it liked my sarnies better than i did! med pips starting to return to the leas and skylarks in full song..swans pairing up on marine park great to watch the courtship.. had to explain to a few people what was going on...and the scaup is back... the ruff is still at boldon flats...no luck this evening at dusk for the s.e.o.s on the leas hung around for 30 mins no joy
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The gaffer
Enthusiastic amateur
I went looking for little owls this morning but despite my best efforts I still blanked and gave up due to the rain.
A quick to the Marine Park this afternoon produced the usual birds on the water but noticeably fewer than of late. Only 5 pairs of tufted ducks about 10 pairs of pochard. Plenty of gulls but no white wings. The only bird of note is the drake scaup which is still there.
A quick to the Marine Park this afternoon produced the usual birds on the water but noticeably fewer than of late. Only 5 pairs of tufted ducks about 10 pairs of pochard. Plenty of gulls but no white wings. The only bird of note is the drake scaup which is still there.
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One Man and His Dog
GATESHEAD BIRDER
Bonsaibirder
http://mobro.co/saddinall
Siskin-off
Was surprised to see a flock of 14 Siskin come over the garden in Seaham this lunch-time. They appeared to have come in-off the sea.
Was surprised to see a flock of 14 Siskin come over the garden in Seaham this lunch-time. They appeared to have come in-off the sea.
[email protected]
FATHER AND SON TEAM
waxyplumer was down on the leas watching seo on thursday it came about 5.15pm just before darkseggs said:
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[email protected]
FATHER AND SON TEAM
greenies
we have seen a green pecker last year also a spotted flycatcher nests in the arch
