Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[IanF]

I had a look around Low Barns this morning on a nice sunny day. Still a little on the quiet side with not too much on the go.

Starting at West Pond on entering the hide a Kingfisher landed on one of the poles in front of it. It only stayed a few minutes though before crossing to the far side. I gave up after an hour waiting for it to come back again. Also on and around the pond were Jay, Teal, Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Heron and Jackdaw. A Woodpecker was drumming close by but I never spotted it.

I then headed down to the river by the ford not seeing a great deal else on the way apart from Wren, Blue Tit and Robin.

On the river were another two Kingfisher, another Heron and a pair of Dipper. In the fir trees here a great Spotted woodpecker was calling repeatedly from the tops moving between three-four trees.

The South Hide just had a few Mallard in front of it and a pair of Little Grebe 40yds to the left. Across the lake there were nine Cormorant on the island and one fishing. Apart from that there were few birds dotted about - Mute Swanx2, Teal, Tufted Duck and Coot.

The screen hide at the end of the lake held a Mallard, but the whole bay is still choked with weed.

There was little to see from the North Hide apart from a Pheasant and a fly-by Jay. The alder wood behind the hide held Mistle Thrush x3, Song Thrush x1, Redwing x7, Willow Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin and a single Nuthatch.

 

[IanF]

What's the best way to get to Tees marshes? I'm often working in the Stockton / Middlesboro / Billingham area & could check out before or after work.

Paul Mc

Paul,

(North) Tees Marshes is just the name given to the area covering Saltholme Ponds, Dormans Pool, Haverton Hole, Calor Gas Pool, Firestation Pool. You could even include the Cowpen Marsh area around Holme Fleet-Greatham Creek and Greenabella Marsh.

Most of it lies along the A178 Seaton Carew - Port Clarence/Haverton Hill road where viewing tends to be from unless you're a TBC member.

 

[IanF]

Following Low Barns I continued west to Eggleston Common. On passing Blackton I noticed a Red Kite over the fields to my left heading up the valley. It was making good progress in the strong winds. It was the juvenile born this year with wing tag A7.

I kept pace with it up the valley and as it moved onto Eggleston Common it began hunting 40-50yds either side of the road giving the best views I've had of one here. I kept driving a short way, pulling for a few photos before it got ahead of me and then moving on again - just as well the road was quiet. A couple of times it landed on a bush or on the moor for a few minutes before once again moving on. It kept on with this all the way up to Sharnberry which it eventually flew down heading towards Hamsterley Forest.

 

[geordie graham]

Following Low Barns I continued west to Eggleston Common. On passing Blackton I noticed a Red Kite over the fields to my left heading up the valley. It was making good progress in the strong winds. It was the juvenile born this year with wing tag A7.

I kept pace with it up the valley and as it moved onto Eggleston Common it began hunting 40-50yds either side of the road giving the best views I've had of one here. I kept driving a short way, pulling for a few photos before it got ahead of me and then moving on again - just as well the road was quiet. A couple of times it landed on a bush or on the moor for a few minutes before once again moving on. It kept on with this all the way up to Sharnberry which it eventually flew down heading towards Hamsterley Forest.

Hi Ian is Egglestone common the moor you go across from Woodland before you get to Egglestone and are there any other good areas around there you can recommend?.Thanks

Graham

 

[Julie10_10]

Thanks Steve. I am disabled with walking difficulties and so most of my bird watching/photography will be from a car or places with hides like Low Barns.Went to Cowpen Bewley Wildlife Park recently which is also laid out well for people with wheelchairs/mobility scooters.

Graham

Hi Graham,
It is good to read that you are enjoying your birdwatching. I am secretary of the Teesmouth Field Centre and our hide overlooking Seal Sands is wheelchair/scooter friendly.

We are open for Bird/Seal Watching sessions which are listed on our website http://www.teesmouth.freeserve.co.uk/Seal_Watches.htm

Best Wishes

Julie

 

[IanF]

Hi Ian is Egglestone common the moor you go across from Woodland before you get to Egglestone and are there any other good areas around there you can recommend?.Thanks

Graham

No the Woodland end is called Woodland Fell and the section from the road to Kinninvie towards Eggleston is Langleydale Common.

Eggleston Common is north of Eggleston alongside the B6278 road to Stanhope. Five miles after Eggleston the road veers left at Sharnberry and the moor becomes Bolliehope Fell.

Langleydale Common is usually a good area to watch out for both Kites and Buzzard plus Goshawk and Raven for that matter. The wooded plantations are about the best areas to keep watch over. There's a right hand bend on the Woodland to Eggleston road 1/2 mile after the Kinninvie turn off - just after the chevron signs for the bend there's a large parking area on the left over looking the valley below. Quite a few people watch from there. I usually stop off to scan the area - a scope gives the best views. The same area can be viewed from the Kinninvie to Eggleston road as well about 1 mile from Kinninvie at the highest point of it.

If you take the B6278 from Eggleston towards Stanhope, a mile or so after the village the road does a sharp hair-pin bend to the left. This is Blackton. A hundred yards after the hair-pin if you fancy some fresh air you can park at the roadside and follow a public footpath to the right. The fields on the left of the path in front of the farm often hold Kites - I've had close views of them there several times. Following the path takes you along the course of Blackton Beck - Kites can be anywhere along the valley.

Carrying on a long the road from Blackton when you leave the farmland behind you're on Eggleston Common. Buzzard and Kite are regularly along here - not to mention Red Grouse. Today as the Kite flew by the Grouse were bursting from the grass and bracken. Kestrel, Raven, Sparrowhawk and Goshawk are in this area as well. It's usually worth parking up and having a good look around as both Buzzard and Kite can really blend in with the moors - especially when looking down into the valley. You never know what you may see, this is where I found a roadkill Polecat/Ferret on my last visit.

Following the road towards Stanhope after a couple of miles the road does a sharp left turn. The narrow valley on the right is Sharnberry - the Kite today headed down there after it had flown the length of Eggleston Common. There's car parking area and a footpath that takes you to the start of Hamsterley Forest. Red Grouse are often in bushes there or along the track.

Back at the car you can then either head over the moors to Bolliehope and Weardale or else retrace your route a mile and take the turning for Middleton-in-Teesdale down the other side of the valley. That can be a good area for Buzzard on walls as well and the moor area there often holds a few Red and Black Grouse especially in winter.

Early morning visits I find are good for Grouse close to the road or on the wall tops - but mid-morning onwards is more reliable for Kites and Buzzard.

I have to stress though that nothing is guaranteed for sightings - usually you see at least something, but some days there's no Kites or Buzzards. I tend to drive through there as I head up or down Teesdale or across to Weardale. I usually combine this area with a trip up to Lagdon Beck area.

 

[sharpy]

Excellent info. Ian and those shots of the kite are superb!! - that's one hellova sharp 400 you got there.
Regards Alan.

 

[geordie graham]

Hi Graham,
It is good to read that you are enjoying your birdwatching. I am secretary of the Teesmouth Field Centre and our hide overlooking Seal Sands is wheelchair/scooter friendly.

We are open for Bird/Seal Watching sessions which are listed on our website http://www.teesmouth.freeserve.co.uk/Seal_Watches.htm

Best Wishes

Julie

Thanks for the information Julie an excellent website and will definitely take a visit there.

Graham

 

[geordie graham]

No the Woodland end is called Woodland Fell and the section from the road to Kinninvie towards Eggleston is Langleydale Common.

Eggleston Common is north of Eggleston alongside the B6278 road to Stanhope. Five miles after Eggleston the road veers left at Sharnberry and the moor becomes Bolliehope Fell.

Langleydale Common is usually a good area to watch out for both Kites and Buzzard plus Goshawk and Raven for that matter. The wooded plantations are about the best areas to keep watch over. There's a right hand bend on the Woodland to Eggleston road 1/2 mile after the Kinninvie turn off - just after the chevron signs for the bend there's a large parking area on the left over looking the valley below. Quite a few people watch from there. I usually stop off to scan the area - a scope gives the best views. The same area can be viewed from the Kinninvie to Eggleston road as well about 1 mile from Kinninvie at the highest point of it.

If you take the B6278 from Eggleston towards Stanhope, a mile or so after the village the road does a sharp hair-pin bend to the left. This is Blackton. A hundred yards after the hair-pin if you fancy some fresh air you can park at the roadside and follow a public footpath to the right. The fields on the left of the path in front of the farm often hold Kites - I've had close views of them there several times. Following the path takes you along the course of Blackton Beck - Kites can be anywhere along the valley.

Carrying on a long the road from Balckton when you leave the farmland behind you're on Eggleston Common. Buzzard and Kite are regularly along here - not to mention Red Grouse. Today as the Kite flew by the Grouse were bursting from the grass and bracken. Kestrel, Raven, Sparrowhawk and Goshawk are in this area as well. It's usually worth parking up and having a good look around as both Buzzard and Kite can really blend in with the moors - especially when looking down into the valley. You never know what you may see, this is where I found a roadkill Polecat/Ferret on my last visit.

Following the road towards Stanhope after a couple of miles the road does a sharp left turn. The narrow valley on the right is Sharnberry - the Kite today headed down there after it had flown the length of Eggleston Common. There's car parking area and a footpath that takes you to the start of Hamsterley Forest. Red Grouse are often in bushes there or along the track.

Back a tthe car you can then either head over the moors to Bolliehope and Weardale or else retrace your route a mile and take the turning for Middleton-in-Teesdale down the other side of the valley. That can be a good area for Buzzard on walls as well and the moor area there often holds a few Red and Black Grouse especially in winter.

Early morning visits I find area good for Grouse close to the road or on the wall tops - but mid-morning onwards is more reliable for Kites and Buzzard.

I have to stress though that nothing is guaranteed for sightings - usually you see at least something, but some days there's no Kites or Buzzards. I tend to drive through there as I head up or down Teesdale or across to Weardale. I usually combine this area with a trip up to Lagdon Beck area.

Thanks Ian for the information, I hope to take advantage of the clear bright weather over the next few days.Absolutely stunning photographs of the Red Kite.Thanks again

Graham

 

[Mark Newsome]

Final reminder...

The DBC indoor meeting is at Swalwell Cricket Club this evening - Birds of Ecuador by Santiago Bejarano. Doors open from 7.00, it's free and all are welcome! It'd be great to see a few Birdforum faces there and enjoy a pint or two together.

 

[rokermartin]

Lizard Point this pm 1 GN Diver ,1 Velvet Scoter north, 3 Arctic Tern,1 ad MedGull

 

[harrier olley]

Nature of Britain

DBC featured on the programme last night although only briefly with a 1 minute slot discussing our project at Castle Lake NR and the Corn Bunting. This is as far as i am aware tha first bird club in the UK to have a nature reserve to manage.

John Olley DBC

 

[Bonsaibirder]

Hi John,

One of my work colleagues told me she had seen some DBC members on TV last night - so at least one person saw it!

Cheers,

Nature of Britain

DBC featured on the programme last night although only briefly with a 1 minute slot discussing our project at Castle Lake NR and the Corn Bunting. This is as far as i am aware tha first bird club in the UK to have a nature reserve to manage.

John Olley DBC

 

[The Chairman]

TV stars

Nature of Britain

DBC featured on the programme last night although only briefly with a 1 minute slot discussing our project at Castle Lake NR and the Corn Bunting. This is as far as i am aware tha first bird club in the UK to have a nature reserve to manage.

John Olley DBC

How will we be able to sit unbowed in the company of such famous TV stars as Mr Skelton senior?:

 

[The Chairman]

Great Northern Diver south off the Obs this morning but generally quiet. Quite a few skeins of Pink feet going south today with a couple (180 in total) at Whitburn this morning and at least two others over Tunstall Hill around lunchtime.

 

[gogsy]

Being a nice day I decided to go on the long walk,The Dell first with th usual suspects showing up,lots of Robins,wrens,blue,long tailed and Great tits.Very quiet near the watertower.Then across the golf course to the Old Quarry at Marsden,a nice view of the Little Owl and a pair of Kestrels fighting with Magpies.Next stop the hedge on the leas where a pair of Stonechats were showing and a female Kestrel hunting nearby.I then walked down to trow where I saw a female Stonechat on top of a tree,I looked for Little Owl but failed to see it.Then I went to trow beach near the now destroyed *Name Rock" and watched a pair of Stonechats catching flies amongst the rocks along with a couple of Redshanks ,Turnstones and Oystercatchers.I'm now going for a lie down

 

[geordie121]

Hello,
can anyone tell me the best part of the Derwent River is best to see dipper? coming back home soon and would like to see one. I often go down to far pature so i would try and tie it in with that. Thanks all!

Geordie:t:

 

[IanF]

Seaton Common this morning

A couple of hundred Curlew were on Seaton Common this morning plus a covey of Grey Partridge x7 huddled together after the frosty night. Also present were Teal c.12 and Wigeon c.20. Sat along the fence line were Meadow Pipit x7, Linnet x8, Goldfinch c.12 and Wheatear x1. Loads of Starling, Crow and Magpie. No sign of the Merlin but I saw it later on the large field between thepower station and the dunes trailing a flock of Linnet x30 that headed up the Creek towards Greenabella Marsh. The only other birds on the field were Starlings c.200, Redwing x7, Crow and Magpie. The 'migrant bushes' held Blackbird, Redwing and Blue Tit.

An unusual sight on Zinc Works Road by the first layby was of a Great Spotted Woodpecker sat on the very top of one of the telegraph poles. A little unusual as there's no trees at all here. It flew off into the bushes by the pylon.

 

[IanF]

Seaton Snook - Greatham Creek

Seaton Channel/Greatham Creek was generally quiet but still threw up a few surprises this morning.

On the rocks on the end of Seaton Snook were Curlew c.20, Redshank, Sanderling and a first for me here - Woodcock! It exploded from the rocks as I crossed the Snook and flew into the grassy dunes.

Loads of Gulls present on the beach.

On the river were several RB Merganser, Guillemot, Razorbill and Cormorant all of which increased in number as the tide began to drop. Along the shore were Oystercatcher c.20, Redshank, Turnstone and Sanderling x5. Also the now long-staying Brent Goose x3 and Arctic Tern x3 feeding close in. As I approached the Brent Goose one of the Terns landed on the beach 8' away and began to preen! I'm sure I could have picked it up if I'd tried

Whilst photogrpahing the Tern two Red Throated Divers popped up 3'-4' from the beach and began feeding along the shore not at all bothered by my presence. A real spooky experience at 11:00am when the shrill sirens from the power station began sounding every few minutes and the divers began calling back. It went on for about ten minutes after which they resumed feeding. It's the first time I've ever heard them calling. I'm sure it was the siren that set them off.

As the tide continued to drop more RT Divers arrived either swimming up the Creek or flying in. From the concrete block house seven were in view. No sign of any GN or BT divers yet.

On the mudlfats here were Oystercatcher c.20, Bar-tailed Godwit x1, Grey Plover x3, Curlew x4, Redshank c.20, Sanderling and Turnstone.

 

[seggs]

last couple of days at the local trow patch.....
to note..
yesterday....2 little owls showed.. (male) i think..on its favorite tree site..this bird is the normal one seen..
the other bird.. showed at the east bowl..(2nd owl pic)..youngster or female?
any expert views welcome..
unlucky on your visit gogsy!.....i did not try for the quarry areas today..too disturbed..
also yesterday a common tern on the rocks ..along with at least 3 artics..feeding off the shore..
none today..whilst here..but..
4 purple sands..in the 2 bays.. and 9 sanderling on the big beach..(short visit...)