Durham Birding (34 Viewers)

[jason-t-71]

The Firecrest at mount pleasant was very elusive when we were there, and it didnt help that there was also a Goldcrest trying its hardest to confuse us! But patience was rewarded and eventually we had good views. According to Martin the last Firecrest seen in this site was in 1997. He's full of useless information like that!

 

[rokermartin]

A Firecrest was found at Mount Pleasant,W.Boldon on Dec 4th 1997 and seen until the 6th.Its amazing another has been found at the same place.The one today was calling alot.So be good idea to learn its call before going to try and see it.Be a better chance of locating it if you know what it sounds like.

 

[B&PC]

A male Pintail has been on Boldon Flats for last 2 weeks.

Jack Snipe out in open at Gatesheads Far Pasture at 11am (JG)
Firecrest this morning at Mt. Pleasant, West Boldon
Hooded Crow at Stella "gull site"
Steve

100 species so far in 2008 on Houghton area Local Patch
recent additions include Goosander, Med Gull, PFGoose, YLGull

We're still looking out for RLPartridge, LBBGull !, Waxwing, Mealy Redpoll, Scaup, Twite, Red Kite, Oystercatcher, Glaucous Gull, Water Pipit, Iceland Gull, Pintail, Green Woodpecker, LSW, Blackcap,

 

[wongifer]

My dad took me out to holy island yesterday. bh gull, gbb gull, herring gull, common gull. oystercatcher, redshank, purple sandpiper, turnestone, curlew, sanderling, lapwing, bar tailed godwits, ringed plover. woodpigeon, collared dove, stock dove, starling, robin, blue tit, great tit, rock pipit, wren, goldfinch, lesser redpoll, redwing, fieldfare, house sparrow, rook, jackdaw, carrion crow, magpie. mallard, teal, mute swan, shelduck, moorhen, coot, little grebe, eider , cormarant, shag, kestrel

BEST BIRDS OF THE DAY

pale bellied brent geese grey plover whimbrel slav grebe black necked grebe black throated diver raven buzzared peregrine merlin

53 birds in all (not bad for one day) 8)

 

[StevieEvans]

Green Local Patch Birding

Hoopoe

just read this local attempt to get folks to ditch the car for a day.....

http://http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/...ar_at_home.php

got me wondering if we could promote something similar (in the near future) & encourage as many folks on here to join in...... ?

for those who are unsure of any environmental benefits,
then think of all those Local Patch birds & hidden spots (dips) you drive by each day....
should generate plenty of extra roving records for the Atlas too..
plus, theres the added health benefits bonus............ - unless of course this is countered by being laid up on the settee nursing your saddle sores.......:eek!:

Steve

 

[StevieEvans]

Pintail(s)

Houghton area Local Patch......<snip>.......
We're still looking out for....<snip>... Pintail......<snip>....

A male Pintail has been on Boldon Flats for last 2 weeks.

( Whilst im quite sure in my own mind that Houghton is in fact THE centre of the birding universe, our Local patch doesnt quite extend as far as Boldon......:-O )

Pintails are great birds & one we dont see often enough away from the N.Tees marshes.
Im pretty sure the same B.Flats drake comes back each winter?
Theres also a resident captive released drake at Holywell Hall, nr Brancepeth.
We were lucky to have a drake at Rainton at back end of 2007 albeit for a single day only....maybe it was yours " on the way there".........?
Steve

 

[NeilF]

A Firecrest was found at Mount Pleasant,W.Boldon on Dec 4th 1997 and seen until the 6th.Its amazing another has been found at the same place.The one today was calling alot.So be good idea to learn its call before going to try and see it.Be a better chance of locating it if you know what it sounds like.

Managed to get an absolutely stunning close view of the Firecrest at West Boldon this afternoon, came within two feet of us! no need for bins!
As Martin & Jason say, listen for the frequent calls and be patient and you should connect, although it is of course quite 'flighty'. We found it on the track closest to the electricity sub station past the intersection with the parallel path.

 

[rokermartin]

Sunderland Harbour ad Yellow legged Gull, ad Iceland Gull this pm.

 

[martin kitching]

My dad took me out to holy island yesterday...

BEST BIRDS OF THE DAY

... whimbrel ... raven

On Holy Island? Yesterday?

cheers
martin

 

[DenBee]

Hi
Can anyone help with ID of this bird of prey, which flew into my garden this afternoon after birds on ground feeder, at first thought it was a Kestrel / Sparrowhawk however the head markings did not appear to correspond with such.
Head markings were cream eyebrow (supercilium), brown eyestripe. white marking on the nape and side of neck, no apparent moustache Overall body colouring Brown streaked, tail very much the markings of Kestrel.
I am querying pos Merlin although .unusual for this area "Murton".
Sorry about pic quality as distance and time of day hindered.
DenBee:scribe:

 

[One Man and His Dog]

sparrow hawk

View attachment 121574
Hi
Can anyone help with ID of this bird of prey, which flew into my garden this afternoon after birds on ground feeder, at first thought it was a Kestrel however the head markings did not appear to correspond with such.
Head markings were cream eyebrow (supercilium), brown eyestripe. white marking on the nape and side of neck, no apparent moustache Overall body colouring Brown streaked, tail very much the markings of Kestrel.
I am querying pos Merlin although .unusual for this area "Murton".
Sorry about pic quality as distance and time of day hindered.
DenBee:scribe:

 

[craigthirlwell]

Has anybody got a contact telephone number for Sandra Judd the membership secretary?

I sent a chq a good while ago now and as yet haven't heard anything, and the money is still in my account.

Cheers
Craig

 

[will@bill]

Has anybody got a contact telephone number for Sandra Judd the membership secretary?

I sent a chq a good while ago now and as yet haven't heard anything, and the money is till in my account.

Cheers
Craig

dont worry craig the dbc took about 5 months too cash mine..i think they have lots of money and dont know where to put it all

 

[will@bill]

unlucky for some

We had a trip to Rainton meadows this morning with waxyplumer .unlucky for some but not us seen 13 se owls the most any of us had ever seen. I could not id a distant big raptor? Also reed bunting, redpoll. Bullfinch, kestrel sparrowhawk fieldfare linnets big flock of siskins and goldfinches ..a few long range shots

 

[harrier olley]

Durham Bird Club Funds

The impression that Durham Bird Club have lots of money is certainly misplaced much of the this money is actually spent on the club bulletin and annual report. Now that we have a nature reserve (castle lake) to manage supported by a project called littler to glitter collecting alluminium cans from the countryside thus removing rubbish recycling and supporting the reserve which is now standing at £150.00. The club is a charity there are no full or part time staff just a devoted and commited committee and members whom are all working very hard for the counties birdlife if members were to attend the AGM then this will all be discussed and explained. Im sure Craig that your membership will be dealt with asap and the club is very grateful for all who join the stronger we are the more we can do for birds.

John Olley Conservation Officer

 

[harrier olley]

On a more practical note;

Any hardy chap club or non club member wishing to volunteer to remove reeds to transplant to Hurworth Burn please meet at Hardwick CP grid reference NZ 346288 at 09.30hrs this Wednesday the 16th.

 

[will@bill]

Durham Bird Club Funds

The impression that Durham Bird Club have lots of money is certainly misplaced much of the this money is actually spent on the club bulletin and annual report. Now that we have a nature reserve (castle lake) to manage supported by a project called littler to glitter collecting alluminium cans from the countryside thus removing rubbish recycling and supporting the reserve which is now standing at £150.00. The club is a charity there are no full or part time staff just a devoted and commited committee and members whom are all working very hard for the counties birdlife if members were to attend the AGM then this will all be discussed and explained. Im sure Craig that your membership will be dealt with asap and the club is very grateful for all who join the stronger we are the more we can do for birds.

John Olley Conservation Officer

only a joke john did you not see the winking! i dont think anyone thinks the club is awash with cash not at those low membership fees.

 

[DEREK.C.]

We had a trip to Rainton meadows this morning with waxyplumer .unlucky for some but not us seen 13 se owls the most any of us had ever seen.

:clap: 13 is some count , i can remember 7 there in mid - November.
I wonder what the biggest Winter Roost of SEOS is, in the county ?

Hopefully Steve choccy Evans will be on shortly to let us know.

 

[DenBee]

Thx One man
Although did not appear to have the typical barring of the breast, could have been imature

Denbee

 

[will@bill]

owls

:clap: 13 is some count , i can remember 7 there in mid - November.
I wonder what the biggest Winter Roost of SEOS is, in the county ?

Hopefully Steve choccy Evans will be on shortly to let us know.

hi Derek when we pulled into the car park a lad told us there was 9 there yesterday on other side of railway
I am inching to find out were the biggest roost was off the owl man…he has a good chance to be there now:t: