Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[ColinSev]

LBT -A good shop for Spotting scopes is RGB Techonology in Middlesbrough (see link if its allowed) http://www.rgb-tech.co.uk/browse/176 - Have a visit to the shop which RGB Technology Ltd
T/A RGB Labs
11 Newport Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 1LE
Almost opposite the bus station - Graham in there is extremely helpful as are all the staff and they have a decent range of scopes.
Am not a tout for them just a happy customer

 

[MalR]

souter seawatch

I think this seawatching could become addictive! After my two hours yesterday, I did four hours from the car today (09.30-1.30) from Souter Lighthouse car park. Even windier than yesterday, so much so that the car was rocking at times. Highlights were:

Gannets: 598N 20S
Common scoter: 47N
Bonxies: 5N (including one very close in, harassing a young gannet)
Manxies: 21N
Sooties: 8N
Razorbill: 4N
Puffin: 1N
Sandwich terns: 15N
Oystercatchers: 4N 6S
Teal: 4N.

I also had 11 ducks (a pair then later a group of 9) which I put down as velvet scoters (very dark birds with white wing panels, not elongated as in a wingbar, but sort of "squared off".) However, when I referred to the Bird Club annual reports, this seems to be quite a high figure for August. I can't think what else they could have been – velvet scoters are pretty distinctive and today's birds were fairly close in and seen through a scope. I'd be interested to hear what the local seawatching experts think.

Malcolm

 

[rokermartin]

Lizard Point early am excellent close views of a Balearic Shearwater north ,also 3 Roseate Terns

 

[StevieEvans]

Castle Lake Nature Reserve

AM. visit with DC / CW

6 Greenshank
10 Ruff
1 Little Ringed Plover
2 Ringed Plover
2 Common Sandpiper
10 Snipe
37 Dabchick
juv Cuckoo
3 Wagtail ssp
4 Sparhawk
8 Kes
500 BHGull
400 Greylags
@40 Teal
also:- Kingfisher Willow Tit Tree Spug Stock Dove etc

SE

 

[Ross Ahmed]

Seawatching highlights at Whitburn in c6hrs this am:

Balearic Shearwater
Storm Petrel
Red-necked Grebe
2 Roseate Terns
16 Sooty Shearwater
2 Velvet Scoter

Also interesting was a Kingfisher on the rocks at Whitburn Steel

 

[seggs]

quick hour at lizard point 8.30-9.30
movement on the sea not as good as previous day..especially duck wise whilst i was there..
1 balearic shearwater(presume to be ..larger shearwater..quartered a while and headed out to sea)
2 sooties
2 bonxies
6 common scoter
1 r.t. diver...
popped back down at 2.30..quiet, usual gannet movement...and a lot of kittiwakes moving..
back again at 6pm( with fish and chips)
2 sooties
1 bonxie
7 manx
6 c.scoter

 

[JBee]

A few from the last couple of days

 

[JBee]

And just a few more

 

[allan rowell]

Save Our Seas.

If you would like to help our Sea Birds, visit Bernard the Gurnard at : www.wildlifetrusts.org to tell the Government you want a Marine Bill now!

 

[DEREK.C.]

The usual round Elemore Hall today young Jays, Sparrowhawks, Great Spotted Woodpeckers all about although 2 family groups of Willow Tits were pleasing to see.
News from JBee , led to a visit to Hetton Lyons where a Wood Duck (carolina)
had been spotted, no doubt an escape. Its the law to have the likes of these and Mandarins pinioned, although a lot of people obviously d`ont bother. Still, it brought a bit of colour to things.

 

[JBee]

The bird isn't ringed either.

 

[DEREK.C.]

The bird isn't ringed either.

See what happens John, if it hangs around for a while its probably pinioned ( which means its being dumped there ). Otherwise its moving around as it pleases.

 

[The Chairman]

Had an hour at Whitburn Steel this evening where the tide was low-ish. Despite the good weather not a lot of disturbance and good numbers of several waders scattered around but nothing more exciting than Whimbreland Bar tailed Godwit. Quite good numbers of gulls and terns - almost all of the latter were Common Terns with c600 counted many of them juveniles. Also at least 2 Roseates - an adult and a juvenile

 

[StevieEvans]

If you would like to help our Sea Birds, visit Bernard the Gurnard at : www.wildlifetrusts.org to tell the Government you want a Marine Bill now!

Thanks for the link Alan,

...News from JBee , led to a visit to Hetton Lyons where a Wood Duck

strange that that drake is in full colour at this time of year ?


Single Swift south over the BBQ last night & a Greenshank going the same way this morning.

SE

 

[Paul Mc]

Scotland

HI Guys,

Just returned from a few glorious days in Scotland. Had really good views of ospreys, two adults and two juveniles. It was a bit of a hike but there was a spot where you were able to look down into the nest from a remote path tho I didn't hang around there too long. Also a short eared owl, a first for me. One day I was watching a woodpecker when two birders came along and convinced me it was a lesser spotted. Only later when I checked the guide I realised you don't find them too often that far up in Scotland. Prob a juvenile GSW?
Don't want to bore you with stuff thats not local but some other highlights for me were; treecreeper, dipper, black grouse and red grouse...and did I mention the osprey? Saw them every day!

Cheers! Paul Mc

 

[DEREK.C.]

Salthome

Greatham Creek was disappointing this morning only a few Bar Tailed Godwits, Little Egret and a Kingfisher worth a mention.
Salthome was a bit better with around 50 Teal ,Snipe and Wigeon. Yellow Wagtails seem to have had a good year with around 15 about (mostly juves). 2 Greenshanks and 5 Ruff also.

 

[StevieEvans]

Castle Lake Nature Reserve ( yestday evening )

pair of Egyptian Geese back on main lake till dusk ( not associating with any other geese ssp )
also
6+ Greenshank
7 Ruff
4 Little Ringed Plover
2 Ringed Plover
2 Common Sandpiper
14 Snipe
37 Dabchick
3 Wagtail ssp
SE / PHi

 

[Ross Ahmed]

Look down Bishop Middleham this am found the two Egyptian Geese in with the Greylags on Castle Lake. Usual seclection of waders and passerines included Green Woodpecker, 3 Willow Tits, Kingfisher and Whinchat. Had a look at Hurworth Burn Resv but pretty quiet here.

Adult Mediterranean Gull Whitburn Steel early am and Little Gull on Sandhaven Beach.

 

[JBee]

Nice of you to drop in

At long last the designated raptor perch had a visitor.

 

[DEREK.C.]

At long last the designated raptor perch had a visitor.

Yes John,she will be eye`ing up her next tasty meal of Water Rail
Great shot mate, still cannot beat the Hobby tho. :t: