Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[IanF]

Thankyou ian, i regularly check that site. I agree its layout is rather confusing. I shall check out the other thread aswell. Anygood spots in county Durham that you could recommend for when i come home around xmas. I usually either just do the Dewernt Valley or head up into northumberland but im looking for something new.
Geordie

I'm afraid I tend to hang around the south of the County rather than the north due to where I live. Derwent Valley is about as far north as I usually get. Check out Clara Vale though if you don't already go there. The feeding station is pretty good in winter.

Last winter The Leas at South Shields was very good for Short-eared Owls - though year to year they move around. Best thing is as you're doing - keep an eye on this thread as to what's been reported around the County. This thread is pretty active so most areas are pretty well covered.

 

[geordie121]

will do thanks!

 

[wongifer]

Hi Matt and Wongifer,

Since I have been involved with the DBC we have been very keen to provide help and encouragement to young birders in our area. Unfortunately we have had very few young members to cater for. Consequently we have not run many events specifically targetted at young birders. It is a sort of vicious circle!

So, it is fantastic to see both of you contributing to this forum and expressing your enthusiasm for getting out and seeing birds in County Durham. And we at the Durham Bird Club would be delighted to organise field trips specifically for our younger members (plus their parents, of course).

If either of you - hopefully both - are interested, then PM me and we will make it happen.

Regards,

Hi bonsaibirder,would love to go on trips with my dad and his girlfriend. We are specifically looking for birds of prey, sea birds and waders. Thanks for the help.

 

[seggs]

hi matt and wongifer
great to hear about youngsters like yourselfs having a interest..
i was lucky enough to start with a local after school club in the late 1970,s... before being taken to sunderland poly.(now the university)..for the durham bird club meetings..(as a junior member..)
but the trips with the club then and now, by the reports ..are a great way to see excellent sites out of the area..
but i found the most rewarding places on my doorstep- patch watching, so to speak by..finding a rariety or uncommon bird here is still the highlight..and recording in your diary..which you will look at, and return to for years to come...
good luck..
ps
(ignore the kids who do not understand! most of us have been there!)

 

[Shaggy2070]

I had another ride up to Hetton Bogs this morning.

A couple of Chiffchaffs were present today and a Spotted Flycatcher on and around the first dead tree in front of the feeding station.

I had a couple of hours there with Jaybee this afternoon. No sign of Chiffs' and Spotted Flycatcher unfortunatley. Jaybee is sure he saw a Brambling but I missed it (busy trying to get a decent Water Rail shot), and a Snipe flew in as I left at about 6 o'clock.

 

[NickPatel92]

I am jealous of all the beautiful Water rail shots recently on this thread. All i have seen of a Water rail before is of one flush out of the reeds at Marton mere in Blackpool at Dawn, other than that it's just a few squeals which i also heard at Marton mere.

 

[jason-t-71]

You know, sometimes when you've been abroad and you've had an excellent time and grabbed a bagfull of lifers (in my case 106), sometimes occasionally when you get back the appeal of the british birding just doesnt have that same oomph? Well since coming back on saturday its been absolutely nonstop! Barred Warblers, Yellow Browed Warblers, Grey Phalarope and today a Blyths Reed Warbler! I thought the excitement had ended when I stepped off the plane at newcastle airport but I couldnt have been more wrong. I suppose it just goes to show that YOU CANT BEAT LOCAL BIRDWATCHING!!!

 

[JBee]

It's took a long time considering the area around the feeding station is a snipe "hotspot" but finally a snipe visited the station late today - unforunately in meant taking the photo almost in darkness
Also a small flock of 20+ lesser redpoll constantly flew over the station landing only once deep in the willows around feeders and only for a brief moment.
A single brambling also landed in the station offering a good view except to the camera as it landed with the woodpecker feeding pole directly bewteen it and the camera

 

[seggs]

trow area this am

quick walk around.
notable-
5 stonechats(one pair in the quarry,one pair on the mound and a single male target rock)..
5 red thoarted divers(4 on the sea one flew south)..
little owl out hunting..
1 wheatear.trow bay
5 reed bunting on the mound
3 rock pipits

 

[seggs]

and one of the little stars..

 

[coastline]

Blyths Reed Warbler in Whitburn...bottom of Church Lane and park area.
Still present this afternoon.

still present at midday for anyone out and about in that area.

 

[harrier olley]

Geordie you are right but they do certainly occur during this time of the year typically passage birds, this sighting was of a tagged bird from either northumberland or cumbrian nest i did not pick up a signal but it may have moved on or well say no more.

 

[IanF]

Seaton Common this afternoon Merlin feeding on Goldfinch/Linnet flock from fence posts alongside access road watched by a Kestrel sat on another post 40yds away.
Seaton Snook very quiet over low tide - Bar-tailed Godwit x3, Cormorant, Curlew, Oystercatcher & several Guillemot in Creek.

 

[Mark Newsome]

Report of an eagle sp. circling over Fishburn for 5 mins on Tuesday lunchtime, drifting towards Trimdon. Keep your eyes upwards as well as in the bushes.

 

[seggs]

headed to marsden quarry 12 noonish..
yellow-browed warbler very active in the west corner area.. but did show well at times..
at least 3 redwings around the area too..
loads of guillimots along the coast and a r.t.diver..
got brief views of the blyths reed warbler(and calling) in the old garden area at whitburn..2.30-3.30pm..along with about 20 other watchers..

 

[rokermartin]

Lapland Bunting flying south over Whitburn CPK yesterday,and YB Warbler in Roker Park this pm

 

[IanF]

Merlin still on Seaton Common 9:00am this morning. RT Diver and Guillemots off North Gare. Also Kestrel x3 on Seaton Common and 40+ Curlew - including another colour-ringed one. Stonechat x5 along Zinc Works Road.

 

[JBee]

Those who visit the feeding station at Hetton bogs will find the hide has doubled in length and now has 4 viewing windows.
The left hand window will give you brilliant close views of the water rail.

 

[JBee]

Seagull IDs (personal numpty value=8)
With all the different coloured beaks, 1st and 2nd year juvenile plummage etc etc etc I find seagulls a minefield (so whats new?)
Can anyone of the experts tell me what these are - left to right would probably be easiest.
The only one I think I know is the second from left - Common gull
Cheers

 

[NickPatel92]

Seagull IDs (personal numpty value=8)
With all the different coloured beaks, 1st and 2nd year juvenile plummage etc etc etc I find seagulls a minefield (so whats new?)
Can anyone of the experts tell me what these are - left to right would probably be easiest.
The only one I think I know is the second from left - Common gull
Cheers

Hi, they are all Common gull except the 4th one along which is a Kittiwake.