Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[Cyclops]

Hiya Cyclops

From Darlo too. Although I havent been on here or birding as much as i would like to lately.
Am from Harrowgate hill area - and intend to go over towards Skerningham soon to see the whitethroats and blackcaps and various other meadow birds.

Hi colin,not heard of Skerningham before,but then I've only lived here since 2001. I'm in the Branksome area.

 

[Dab-chick]

nests

Severely cheesed off.
Just two days after photographing that wonderful long tail tits nest I go to the station this afternoon only to find it destroyed.
Doesnt look like the work of a person as rushes, grass, branches etc around the nest are all still in tact.
Stoat, magpie, crow, fox ?????????
The pile of feathers on the ground indicates just how much work had gone into this home.

Hi JBee,

Although your photos are obviously stunning and i thoroughly enjoy looking at your pics of everyday birds rather than just scarce and rare birds which are often only captured, however i do feel that maybe its not suitable to post both the pics and location of nesting birds

Although i am new to register with the forum im sure i remember reading somewhere about what not to post...? .....pictures of nesting birds???

......It's just that i notice you have posted pics of two different species of nesting birds within the last week & both seem to have failed???......


:hippy:

 

[JBee]

however i do feel that maybe its not suitable to post both the pics and location of nesting birds

I don't think I have ever given out the location Dab-chick. I have stated "at the feeding station" but unless you know exactly where the station is then I cant see how anything in my posts could guide someone to the location of the photos.
I'm proud of the feeding station that CW and I set up and very protective of it and have given directions to only 4 people on the forum, the rest of the people who visit have either found it (or not in some cases) by wandering around the Bogs or have been directed by others.
Your statement suggests that you think there may be people reading the forum that we would wish not to have such info. If that is the case then is it not much more harmful to give actual grid references and multimap links to bird locations that many posts on the forum include?

Although i am new to register with the forum im sure i remember reading somewhere about what not to post...? .....pictures of nesting birds???

If that is the case then I can only apologise for missing that, however I havent recieved any instuctions/comments from moderators asking me not to post such pictures.
I have over 30,000 wildlife photos and out of those (excluding shots of herons taken in conjunction with Washington WWT) there is a grand total of 5 sets of nest stots (20 shots in total) - 5 are of old nests in leafless trees, 8 are of the Ltt nest and the remainder are of the wilow tits "digging out" a hole in a trunk. Photographing nests is something I generally dont do.

......It's just that i notice you have posted pics of two different species of nesting birds within the last week & both seem to have failed???......

I'm really quite offended at what you may be implying here.
Believe it or not I am very responsible when it comes to wildlife, I work with Washington WWT, various councils/countryside teams, wildlife charities etc all of whom know and trust my approach to wildlife photography.
I've talked at length to English Natures' Wildlife Management & Licensing Service about the possible need for a permit to photograph certain species.
Such a permit is not required for photographing endangered species etc - unless there is a need to handle that species.
It is also not illegal to photograph a nest or birds on a nest (even kingfishers) provided it is done from a distance that will not disturb or worry the birds and provided the area around the nest is not disturbed to make photography easier - the lens I use allows me to work from extreme distance.
You are suggesting that somehow me taking photographs has led to the two pairs of birds failing to nest and I find that extremely insulting. As I understand it willow tits may try 2 or 3 locations before deciding on the most suitable - they obviously decided this wasnt suitable, the ltt nest looks to have possibly been attacked by some predator. I'm not sure I can be held account for either of those situations.

 

[sharpy]

Seen yesterday 0900 ish over Shincliffe 200yds upriver from the bridge.
I'm 99% sure it's an Osprey ( Collins Bird Guide ) but not 100% as not seen one before.
It flew off heading North.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-3.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-5.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-6.jpg

Regards Alan

 

[[email protected]]

Seen yesterday 0900 ish over Shincliffe 200yds upriver from the bridge.
I'm 99% sure it's an Osprey ( Collins Bird Guide ) but not 100% as not seen one before.
It flew off heading North.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-3.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-5.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-6.jpg

Regards Alan

i would make that 100% sure.good pics as well

 

[Andyt]

Ian and others,

I may be in the area over the weekend and may have a couple of hours or so to go birding. Where is Castle Lake ? Multimap produces a location adjacent to the A1 with no obvious water body at 3230. How is it accessed ? Ditto for Stoneybeck Lake, where the Stork also seems to have been seen.

Also where can Willow Tits and Little Owl be seen nearby ? I realise that the latter are breeding and you may not be in a position to reveal exact locations.

Thanks for any pointers,

Andre

 

[IanF]

Hi Andre,

It's a shame there's no site guide on the DBC web site as the club has done a lot of good work around Bishop Middleham. They appear in the Lek the club magazine but not electronically. The whole town is encricled by footpaths and good birding areas.

The red circle on this map shows the location of Castle Lake. There are signposted footpaths around the whole village with maps. The easiest access for Castle Lake is to either park by the church/site of the old castle (map boards) and walk through farm yard on the footpath - it's a good clean path. Using this route you look down on the lake area. Also Wheatear and Yellow Wagtail are in the field you walk through. You then then either walk left or right around the lake.

The other access is via the sewage works access just below the castle - also a public footpath. If you enter the village from the A177, fork left into the village and stay on the main road until you see the last junction on the left - can't miss it as you would then reach the A1. Drive 20 yds and park up - the track leads off to the right. c.300 yds and Castle lake is on your left along with the sewage works. There's a map board to show the paths. I mention the map boards as there's no access to the water side. The permissive path circles the lake - about two miles in total - but you don't have to do the full thing.

Stoneybeck Lake aka Roadside Pond is on the right side of the road halfway between the A177 and Bishop Middleham. The Stork spent one night there, but seems to favour Castle Lake at present.

For Willow Tit then Low Barns reserve (pdf leaflet) near Bishop Auckland is one of the best places for close views as they visit the feeders there. Interestingly a Hawfinch was ringed in the feeding station there last weekend as well.

Little Owl are around in good numbers. Check out the trees at Stoneyback Lake - both those in the lake and the ones in the distance. Also along the track past the sewage works, if you carry straight on instead of turning left for Castle Lake you reach the River Skerne ( small stream ). Follow the path left and you reach the old railway lines - now a footpath. The other side of the railway lines are a motocross track. There's half a dozen trees that look half dead. There are usually Little Owl either in them or along the fence posts. There are other LO in the area but as you say they are breeding now and best not disturbed.

 

[DEREK.C.]

Sharpy those pictures are class, well done :clap:
D`ont worry Jbee, a Magpie will have destroyed that nest no doubt about it.

Couldnt resist a few pictures of one of my favourite birds today at elemore , the cock Linnet. Tried to get one of the Grasshopper Warblers again but they are sneaky devils.

 

[Cyclops]

Seen yesterday 0900 ish over Shincliffe 200yds upriver from the bridge.
I'm 99% sure it's an Osprey ( Collins Bird Guide ) but not 100% as not seen one before.
It flew off heading North.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-1.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-3.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-5.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Osprey-6.jpg

Regards Alan

Oh yes, thats an Osprey alright, fantastic bird,would love to see one!

 

[sharpy]

Avocets

The Avocets at Washington seem to be settling in nicely
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Av-01.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/IMG_0512.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Av-03.jpg

And a little peck on the cheek when finished!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/sharp5/Av-04.jpg

Regards Alan.

 

[Cyclops]

cool avocet shots!

 

[StevieEvans]

Interference

Unfortunately no sign of the willow tits continuing with their nest building today - seems strange they should devote and entire day endlessly digging out a very large hole only to abandon it. Perhaps they might return to it later???
To compensate slightly a pair of LTTs have built a nest not 30 yards from the hide - in full view (I camo'd it a little after taking photos with a few rushes pushed into the ground a yard or so in front of the nest - waited to check they returned to it - they did) photos taken from distance with the Sigmonster to ensure I didnt disturb them.

FAO
Derek Charlton / John Bridges

I am almost lost for words.......

Regardless of whether it was natural predation or not, there has been deliberate interference with the ground close infront of the nest !

This is simply shocking, outrageous behaviour, contary to the Birdwatchers Code of Conduct.


John
Im sure you can fill us in on why on earth there was a need to "push a few rushes into the ground"
Why did you do that then ?

SE

 

[Andyt]

Many thanks, Ian. The information is most appreciated !

 

[white van man]

John
Im sure you can fill us in on why on earth there was a need to "push a few rushes into the ground"
Why did you do that then ?

SE

i would also need to know this, quite odd

 

[Cyclops]

Well, if I saw a cool bird nesting right in front of me I would indeed try to get photos, but I would never compromise the birds safety for the sake of a photo, and would be just content with seeing it do its thing.

Take nothing but photographs, leave nothibng but footprints.....

 

[Paul Mc]

Oh yes, thats an Osprey alright, fantastic bird,would love to see one!

WOW! I have observed Osprey's in the highlands of Scotland on a number of occasions and this is about half a mile from my house! On my way now.

Also, just a query if anyone can help, my GPS and multi map usually asks for a ten figure map ref. I thought when I recieved my recent excellent copy of the Lec I would be able to find loads of sights???
ie my place is NZ 29651 38859

Paul Mc

 

[DEREK.C.]

No doubt JBee was trying to disguise or hide the nest , which knowing a long tailed tit , probably stuck out like a sore thumb. Any Magpies or Crows in the area or kids for that matter would find it easy, which is what happened.
I disguised a Mallards nest last year which was stupid enough to nest yards from a public footpath, by putting branches down in the grass between it and the path. 12 ducklings fledged ,they would have stood no chance if i hadnt intervened.
No doubt JBee will think twice about posting information on here in future.

 

[Paul Mc]

No doubt JBee will think twice about posting information on here in future, perhaps this feeding station is getting too much exposure, i always feel the less people who know the better,especially for the birds.[/QUOTE]

Not sure I agree with that, J.Bee has given info about the Hetton Bogs site to people on this site and Bird Club members only in 'good faith'. I have visited and it's well off the beaten track and going by some postings, some members have found it difficult to find. Can't comment on the thinking around moving the foliage tho??? Feel like I'm defending J.Bee as he brings a huge amount to this site with his brilliant photo's, and a nice genuine guy.

Had a walk out, usual suspects around here plus a couple of swallows, I'm told by in laws the earliest ever around here. Curlews but no lapwings yet. Not sure if I saw a wimbrell or curlew with a shorter beak??? My id skills are improving tho, that dartford warbler is looking more like a magpie every day!

Paul Mc

 

[IanF]

FAO
Derek Charlton / John Bridges

I am almost lost for words.......

Regardless of whether it was natural predation or not, there has been deliberate interference with the ground close infront of the nest !

This is simply shocking, outrageous behaviour, contary to the Birdwatchers Code of Conduct.


John
Im sure you can fill us in on why on earth there was a need to "push a few rushes into the ground"
Why did you do that then ?

SE

I'm sure John can offer his own explanation for his actions, but I think he did make it clear that as regards the LTTs - the photos were taken from a good distance prior to approaching the nest and that the rushes were used to help disguise the presence of the nest from anyone in the area of the feeding station - particularly anyone who went there uninvited. The feeding station isn't easy to find even when you know it's there. I believe his actions were made with the best of intentions.

As regards photos of nests on this web site. Photos of nest can be posted in the forums section - usually as an ID query or to help illustrate a point. There is a restriction 'close taken' nest photos in the Gallery only.

 

[Skelly]

Several willow warblers and chiffchaffs at waldridge fell this evening. Posting this using my new mobile, broadband speed on a phone who'd have thought it.