Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[IanF]

I popped up to Crimdon Dene and North Gare this morning hoping for Snow Bunting - but dipped again. I'm open to suggestions as to where they're still at? I'm assured they're still at South Gare, but I'd rather locate them north side of the river if possible.

At Crimdon Dene the only birds of note were 30+ Sanderling on the shore with a few Turnstone. Kestrel and SEO were in the mouth of the Dene.

Calling in at Hartlepool Headland there were very good numbers of Eider (80+) on the sea between Steetley and the Hough. Towards Steetly Pier they were in mixed flocks with Common Scoter (c.40) and a few Velvet Scoter (c.8) at varying distances from the shore 100yds-800yds in several flocks.

No sign at all of the GN Diver in the harbour and hasn't bene seen for everal days according to some locals I met. Plenty of Cormorants though in the fish quay.

North Gare held very little other than gulls. A few Turnstone on the pier itself and a single Stonechat.

Calor Gas was more promising for the Waxwing with 60+ still around along with c.20 Fieldfare and a dozen or so Redwing.

 

[StevieEvans]

RM's 1.5hrs lunch time
Very, very poor.
very few gulls <60, 1 Grey Wag, 3 Redshank, mixed group of 60 Goldfinch, Siskin & Redpoll

Croxdale / Low Butterby
last hour of the day
pr GSW
2pr Treecreeper
800 Wood Pigeon
30 Pheasants roosting in Larch trees over trackway
Kingfisher on R.Wear
Water Rail (4+) 2 seen & 2 heard at dusk 16:00

Another Barn Owl at roadside at Penshaw / Herrington CPk on Thursday night

No sign of Laff Gull today, but a Med Gull at Sedgeletch

 

[IanF]

Across the southern border but only just to say I had a good day out with Pauliev69.

Starting off we did South Gare -
Redshank
Red-throated Diver - first one of the winter for me.
Turnstone
Snow Bunting x3 - first of the year for me.
Sanderling
Linnet
Rock Pipit
Cormorant
Shag
Guillemot

Next we visited Hutton Village, perhaps a bit early still but usually it performs well in winter with Hawfinch, LWP, Brambling and winter thrushes. Today there was next to nothing at all and nothing of note. No berries either so possibly won't improve.

We then crossed north of the river and revisited Port Clarence. Waxwing still there though not many and out numbered by the 20+ Fieldfare. A few Redwing in amongst them.

Heading up to Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park we spotted another four Waxwing by the cemetry. At the park we only got as far as the feeding station. Plenty of birds though nothing particularly of note. The ringers had been out and caught two Willow Tit and two GSW.

 

[Quacker]

Finally got around to a much "put-off" visit to the local WWT at Washington today. I'd read of the changes being implemented and wanted to have a look for myself.

As usual at this time of year it was a very muddy park. Also as usual, when accompanied by anyone under adult age, there seem to be few LBJ's around! funny that innit?

Apologies for the lack of named hides, but the first change occurs just after the Flamingo section (assuming one is travelling anti-clockwise from the visitors centre). Here where the park geese roam free, a whole load of shrubs and bushes have been removed, thus creating a large clearing. ( not sure what the plans are here, I suspect it will be for some kind of trail/path.

The next big change was the lack of any fencing in the pens, and the complete removal of the hide/shelter which is just at the gate giving entrance to Hawthorn Wood (The one dedicated to past volunteers - and where the Black-necked Swans breed). I'm sure this area, which was always flooded might well become a muddy paradise for waders in future.

Further round and on to the main reason for the visit, the new and improved Hawthorn Wood Feeding Station Hide. A lot larger because of its depth. Muchly improved disabled access (the main reason for the work) and improved facilities for photography, with better opening windows etc. I never tried these as never took camera, and weekend visits never the quietest of times. One thing you do notice is the hide is much closer to the "action". The birds are closer, as the hide has been moved forward. Don't even need bins now! a tree growing in the hide and protruding through the roof is testimony to this. The Goldfinch on the niger seed being to the right of the hide, and the skulking Dunnock, Robin etc. to the left. Another improvement (in my opinion) is the feeders are now squirrel-proof, though a grey marauder was seen.

Nothing of any great note - more relevant was the missing stuff.

No Treecreeper, wren, LT Tit, Jay or Willow Tit

The park itself Held The usual plethora of Mallard, Moorhen, Feral Pigeon,Magpie, Pheasant, all scrounging corn.

The Feeding station had 12+ Bullfinch, several Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great, Blue & Coal Tit, GS Woodpecker, Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, & Nuthatch.

No sign of the Kingfisher seen lately, a bit of entertainment was provided by a Stoat staring at us in front of one hide!

Sparrowhawk and Kestrel provided the raptor action, - there were approx 5/6 Heron on display around the Heronry.

As per usual, despite managing their own water levels, the swollen Wader Lakes held not one wader, merely a few Teal, BH Gull and more Mallard.

Some of the birds this location has produced over the years is amazing. - Still £4 a month direct debit is a small price to pay for admission to all WWT sites.

Last Month was Welney
Last week was Martin Mere
Next month Caelaverock

All hail winter birding!

S

 

[IanF]

re WWWT

Thanks for the update Steve :t:

I'll have to get up there one day soon - maybe when (if?) the weather turns colder and the birds start visiting the feeding station more.

Already planning the New Year resolutions - first one is 'Join the WWT' :t:

 

[DaveB]

Family was away for the afternoon, so I treated myself to a trip over to Teesside.

The Headland - at least 7 Velvet Scoter was amongst 80+ Common Scoter. Plenty of eider were also there and a single Red-throated Diver flew north.

North Gare - 5 Snow Bunting (pics on my website) and plenty of RB Mergansers.

Reclamation Pond - RN Grebe and one Slav Grebe.

Dormans - plenty of Pintail

Waxwings were in the trees to the south of calor gas pool (approx 50), with several Fieldfare.

Had a good day and looking forward to the next one. :eat:

 

[pauliev69]

Across the southern border but only just to say I had a good day out with Pauliev69.

Starting off we did South Gare -
Redshank
Red-throated Diver - first one of the winter for me.
Turnstone
Snow Bunting x3 - first of the year for me.
Sanderling
Linnet
Rock Pipit
Cormorant
Shag
Guillemot

Next we visited Hutton Village, perhaps a bit early still but usually it performs well in winter with Hawfinch, LWP, Brambling and winter thrushes. Today there was next to nothing at all and nothing of note. No berries either so possibly won't improve.

We then crossed north of the river and revisited Port Clarence. Waxwing still there though not many and out numbered by the 20+ Fieldfare. A few Redwing in amongst them.

Heading up to Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park we spotted another four Waxwing by the cemetry. At the park we only got as far as the feeding station. Plenty of birds though nothing particularly of note. The ringers had been out and caught two Willow Tit and two GSW.

Yes a very good day out today, thanks for the lift Ian!
Snow Buntings were the first for the year for myself also, and would you believe it, having checked my life list The Sanderling became lifers! Also managed for the first time to get a good pic of a Waxwing, and to top it all I didnt freeze at South Gare!!

 

[Quacker]

Yes a very good day out today, thanks for the lift Ian!
Snow Buntings were the first for the year for myself also, and would you believe it, having checked my life list The Sanderling became lifers! Also managed for the first time to get a good pic of a Waxwing, and to top it all I didnt freeze at South Gare!!

Hello Ian/Paul I knew I should have joined you. I was wondering if you got Hawfinch and LSW too. I'd settle just to see the Waxwings but I just cannot get out in daylight. They are still at Calor Gas today as well.

South Gare does constitute a twitch though, as the other side of the Tees isn't that Yorkshire as opposed to Durham lol.

S

 

[IanF]

Yep! Still there today Steve :t:

The security staff at Calor Gas are getting a bit twitchy though with all the cars pulling up after the bother down south. Best to park at Port Clarence end on the verge and walk along.

60+ Waxwing along with the Fieldfare and Redwing.

I tried for Snow Bunting at North Gare this afternoon, after Dave had a successful visit but I couldn't locate any for a north of the river tick!

Loads of Curlew, Wigeon and Teal beside the track at North Gare along with a pair of Kestrel and a Stonechat.

On the shore were the usual Redshank, Turnstone and Sanderling with the odd Cormorant flying over.

 

[StevieEvans]

R.Meadows
No Laughing Gulls, 1st winter LBBGull tip, Adult Yellow Legged Gull top lake, 137+ adult GBBGull
1 Water Rail briefly on top lake, 2 Woodcock, 26 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 2 Heron
234 Greylags, fem Pochard
adult male Peregrine Falcon over the heads of the 5 of us as we all stood chatting in the sun.
a distant Buzzard to the west, 2 Sparrowhawk, 8 Kestrels, 2 Short-eared Owls
5 Bullfinch, 6 Fieldfare, singing Mistle Thrush, 13 Meadow Pipits, 2 Linnet, 7 Greenfinch, 3 Reed Bunting, 70 Goldfinch, 11 Redpoll, 37 Siskin.
SE

 

[pauliev69]

Hello Ian/Paul I knew I should have joined you. I was wondering if you got Hawfinch and LSW too. I'd settle just to see the Waxwings but I just cannot get out in daylight. They are still at Calor Gas today as well.

South Gare does constitute a twitch though, as the other side of the Tees isn't that Yorkshire as opposed to Durham lol.

S

Hi Steve
It was a good day out, shame you couldn't make it, no sign of LSW or Hawfinch at Hutton Village but the consolation was seeing the Waxwings again.
See you around
Paulv

 

[IanF]

80 Waxwing still at Calor Gas Port Clarence along with Redwing and Fieldfare.

Tried for Snow Bunting again at North Gare this morning. Despite walking North Gare to Seaton Carew and back still no joy.

Red-throated Diver in the bay again.

Plenty of Redshank, Turnstone, Sanderling and a few Knot and Plover along the shore.

90 Eurasian Wigeon Seaton Common by the road to North Gare
100+ Curlew of Zinc Works Road
Kestrel x2
Sparrowhawk

 

[StevieEvans]

Common Buzzard from Living room window & Sparrowhawk from dining room.
M.Thrush & Great Tit both singing.
Birding from the comfort of home today ;-)

 

[salty]

Common Buzzard from Living room window & Sparrowhawk from dining room.
M.Thrush & Great Tit both singing.
Birding from the comfort of home today ;-)

aye, but you DO live in hawthorn bush dont you mate

 

[DaveB]

Tried for Snow Bunting again at North Gare this morning. Despite walking North Gare to Seaton Carew and back still no joy.

Ian,

The five birds that I had were seen on the rough grassy area to the right of the path, before you get to the break water.

They flew in just as I was walking through the grass. If they hadn't flown in at that moment I may not have seen them because they turned out to be extremely approachable. After watching them for 20 - 30 minutes from a distance of 15 - 20ft, a couple more birders arrived. After a couple more minutes, I decided to go leaving the other two behind. One of the birders got to within 8 foot with his dslr and they still didnt fly off.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that you might have to stand on them before you notice that they are there.

By the way, cracking photos of the waxwings!

 

[StevieEvans]

aye, but you DO live in hawthorn bush dont you mate

Not for much longer though, we're moving up in the world..... & into a clump of frost proof Whinnie bushes for the winter...

Robin singing outside at Midnight, rear gardens without any false light.

 

[StevieEvans]

Yahoo Group coming soon for DBC members......
SE

 

[StevieEvans]

Went to put up another Barn Owl box & the first bird we saw was an imm fem Peregrine , also 6 Corn Buntings overhead & a pr Grey Wagtails, Yellowhammers & Tree Sparrows heard.

Peregrines seem to be doing well at moment, a pair of adults hunting at Wearmouth today.

Steve

 

[pauliev69]

Took a trip to Washinghton WWT today, very impressed with the new feeding station hide, a vast improvement on the last. Much more room and the windows are now photography friendly with very good views of the feeders. Usuall birds about
Bullfinch 3 pair
Coal, Willow, Blue, Great and Long Tailed in good numbers
Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Dunnock
Plenty of Redshank around and was pleasantly suprised to see a Grey Wagtail and a Jay
Called over to Port Clarence on the way back, still good numbers of Waxwing 80+ and Fieldfare 30+ around although the light was very poor for photos

 

[IanF]

Ian,

The five birds that I had were seen on the rough grassy area to the right of the path, before you get to the break water.

They flew in just as I was walking through the grass. If they hadn't flown in at that moment I may not have seen them because they turned out to be extremely approachable. After watching them for 20 - 30 minutes from a distance of 15 - 20ft, a couple more birders arrived. After a couple more minutes, I decided to go leaving the other two behind. One of the birders got to within 8 foot with his dslr and they still didnt fly off.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that you might have to stand on them before you notice that they are there.

By the way, cracking photos of the waxwings!

Thanks for that Dave :t:

I know the area you mean and it's one of the places where I've been looking. I met another birder down there who saw them at the weekend immediately to the right of the breakwater in the sunken grass/dune area.

I'm often down that area this time of the year so I'll just keep checking for them. They've always been a bogey species for me north of the river so this year I'll be trying a little harder.