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Durham Birding (16 Viewers)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
wongifer
Kieran Lawrence
Hi stevie
Good job with the leos. We have always wanted 2 see them, but never have. Would you mind if me and my dad come with you to see them 1 time. We have tried rainton meadows but either going at the wrong time or looking in the wrong place. It would be really good if we could go with you as you know what to look for and know where to go, as we dont. It would be a life tick for us.
Thanks, Kieran Lawrence,10
will@bill
FATHER AND SON TEAM
no joy
Tried for pic of kingfishers this morning but never even seen them but did not walk the full length of the river as it was raining but did get 2 new birds for that area bullfinch and a g/s woody will have another try later before I go to back to work:C .you have probably noticed I been on my hols lately:t:
Tried for pic of kingfishers this morning but never even seen them but did not walk the full length of the river as it was raining but did get 2 new birds for that area bullfinch and a g/s woody will have another try later before I go to back to work:C .you have probably noticed I been on my hols lately:t:
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A nice surprise on my local patch at Elemore Golfcourse this afternoon, noticing 10 Greenfinch mobbing something in a hawthorn ,got a real shock when a Long Eared Owl flew out right in front of me. Flying to another hawthorn didnt make any difference ,as the mobbing continued.
Thats Barn, Tawny, Little and Long Eared there this year..
Linnets have returned to their breeding territories, in the gorse this week.
7-8 pair of Yellowhammer also there.
Still plenty of Willow Tit, Bullfinch at the feeding station, with the hand tame Cock Pheasant still there with 2-3 more nervous females, including one of those released Black Mutations that seem to be spreading everywhere..
Thats Barn, Tawny, Little and Long Eared there this year..
Linnets have returned to their breeding territories, in the gorse this week.
7-8 pair of Yellowhammer also there.
Still plenty of Willow Tit, Bullfinch at the feeding station, with the hand tame Cock Pheasant still there with 2-3 more nervous females, including one of those released Black Mutations that seem to be spreading everywhere..
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IanF
Moderator
2x2x2x2
Zinc Works Road this evening - 4:50pm - Short-eared Owl x2 battling it out - one very pale coloured.
Stonechat x2, Grey Partridge x2 and Little Egret x2 on Seaton Common.
A bit too dull for photos really - but you've got you've try still
Barn Owl nearby as well.
Birdguides shows a Spoonbill at Bishop Middleham 7:30am this morning - but not reported since.
Zinc Works Road this evening - 4:50pm - Short-eared Owl x2 battling it out - one very pale coloured.
Stonechat x2, Grey Partridge x2 and Little Egret x2 on Seaton Common.
A bit too dull for photos really - but you've got you've try still
Barn Owl nearby as well.
Birdguides shows a Spoonbill at Bishop Middleham 7:30am this morning - but not reported since.
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rokermartin
Well-known member
If anyone has'nt seen any ww gulls so far this year,head down to Teeside i have had a excellent few hours down there today,at Cowpen Bewley tip there were 100s of gulls ,including 1 Iceland Gull 1stw, 2 Glaucous Gull 1stw,LBBGull 20+,and also saw a possible 3rdw Kumlien's Gull very briefly. At Dormans pool 2ndw Iceland Gull and Seaton Tip 2ndw Glaucous Gull.Water Pipits are still showing well.
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wongifer
Kieran Lawrence
Trip To Rainton Meadows looking for l.e.os. Owl hunt started brilliant 2 little owls in rainton business park. After my dad did a virtual handbrake turn, as he missed the owls. When we got back to them 1 had landed on a post 10ft away from the car, the other had landed on a waste pile in the middle of the field. Continued on to rainton meadows. 2 seo in the first field, 2 kestrels in the nest box. Usual suspects on the ponds. Walked the entire reserve, past the railway lines got a spuggiehawk overhead. But yet again unfortenetely no leos. Walked back round nearly dark now, 4 seos hunting in the fields. A good owling trip, but still would really like to the the leos.
Kieran Lawrence, 10
Kieran Lawrence, 10
echo24
COASTAL CONSERVATION GROUP - TURNED OUT NICE AGAIN
Hi Folks - not big news for everyone, but it is to me Lol! )...... I've been in my house for just over five years and have fed my birds religiously from day one - mixed seed, niger, fat balls, sunflower hearts & scraps (cheese, bread and the likes) but have never had a Chaffinch in all that time.... untill today! ) Feeling a bit fed up as i'm decorating at the moment and therefore not being able to get out & about, I was over the moon to see a male Chaffinch feeding with the regular crowd, I get Plenty of Starlings, Gold & Greenfinch, blue & great tits, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, house sparrows, collared doves, woodpigeons etc, etc.... but this is my first Chaffie - well pleased!
Good birding everyone!
Cheers, Dougie.
PS, finished the decorating so normal service will be resumed asap!)
)...... I've been in my house for just over five years and have fed my birds religiously from day one - mixed seed, niger, fat balls, sunflower hearts & scraps (cheese, bread and the likes) but have never had a Chaffinch in all that time.... untill today! ) Feeling a bit fed up as i'm decorating at the moment and therefore not being able to get out & about, I was over the moon to see a male Chaffinch feeding with the regular crowd, I get Plenty of Starlings, Gold & Greenfinch, blue & great tits, Robin, Dunnock, Blackbird, house sparrows, collared doves, woodpigeons etc, etc.... but this is my first Chaffie - well pleased!Good birding everyone!
Cheers, Dougie.
PS, finished the decorating so normal service will be resumed asap!
)StevieEvans
Well-known member
as reported very little to get excited about on the whole at RM's; although a Peregrine went through headed West @12:30, and 2 Meadow Pipits on territory, in display flights. Also some tadpoles today.
Hurworth Burn at beginning of June will be best place to catch up with Leo's.
There are now none on the nature reserve at RM's due to repeated disturbance from various groups.
Barn Owls.
Pair of Barn Owls hunting over one small field at dusk in Browney Valley.
Other widespread recent reports come from Easington, Seaham, Shotton, Houghton, Lanchester areas.
NB.
Analysis of Durham Bird Clubs electronic data base & other record sources reveals the County Durham population is coming on strongly now with confirmation that there are at least 4 times more pairs confirmed than during its low point 25 years ago in 1983 (Hawk & Owl Trust Survey).
There are still no doubt very many pairs waiting to be discovered.......( & enjoyed...) & as a consequence, very many gaps in their known distribution......
Hopefully Club Members, BTO Fieldworkers & anyone else reading this (who's interested, or maybe wants to see Barn Owl's in Durham ) can help ensure an accurate account of the species distribution during the (next few years) ie The Atlas period.
Cheers
Steve
Hurworth Burn at beginning of June will be best place to catch up with Leo's.
There are now none on the nature reserve at RM's due to repeated disturbance from various groups.
Barn Owls.
Pair of Barn Owls hunting over one small field at dusk in Browney Valley.
Other widespread recent reports come from Easington, Seaham, Shotton, Houghton, Lanchester areas.
NB.
Analysis of Durham Bird Clubs electronic data base & other record sources reveals the County Durham population is coming on strongly now with confirmation that there are at least 4 times more pairs confirmed than during its low point 25 years ago in 1983 (Hawk & Owl Trust Survey).
There are still no doubt very many pairs waiting to be discovered.......( & enjoyed...) & as a consequence, very many gaps in their known distribution......
Hopefully Club Members, BTO Fieldworkers & anyone else reading this (who's interested, or maybe wants to see Barn Owl's in Durham ) can help ensure an accurate account of the species distribution during the (next few years) ie The Atlas period.
Cheers
Steve
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degsy_safc
Well-known member
Hi All,
Had an hour in Clara Vale and a couple in Thornley with my good pal Tom today - usual suspects in both locations, to summarise: Robin, Nuthatch, Bullfinch (male & female), Long Tail, Blue, Great, Coal & Willow Tit, Magpie, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Red Kite, Mallards (Thornley pond), Moorhen, Jay, Pheasant, GS Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Wren, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and great views of a Sparrowhawk. Later in the afternoon approx 17.30ish i also saw Buck & Doe Roe Deer :t:
Had an hour in Clara Vale and a couple in Thornley with my good pal Tom today - usual suspects in both locations, to summarise: Robin, Nuthatch, Bullfinch (male & female), Long Tail, Blue, Great, Coal & Willow Tit, Magpie, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Red Kite, Mallards (Thornley pond), Moorhen, Jay, Pheasant, GS Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Wren, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove and great views of a Sparrowhawk. Later in the afternoon approx 17.30ish i also saw Buck & Doe Roe Deer :t:
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Alan Tilmouth
Well-known member
Adult Yellow Legged Gull reported from Shibdon Pond this morning.
NeilF
Durham Bird Club Member
Avocet's back at WWT
Been away for the weekend but have it on good authority that a pair of Avocet's returned to Washington WWT yesterday, 11 days earlier than last year :t:
Over 70 Avocet's down at Blacktoft Sands this morning, don't suppose I'm being greedy in hoping we get more than one pair this year?
Neil
Been away for the weekend but have it on good authority that a pair of Avocet's returned to Washington WWT yesterday, 11 days earlier than last year :t:
Over 70 Avocet's down at Blacktoft Sands this morning, don't suppose I'm being greedy in hoping we get more than one pair this year?
Neil
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smitsel
Local Patcher.
The River Team
I had a walk along the river today hoping to see the Kingfishers. (thanks to Will and Liam for the info:t Well i wasn't disappointed, i saw 1 within a couple of minutes of getting there, then managed to get within 15 metres of it. Also saw a pair of kestrels mating on top of the scaffolding next to the old Walter Wilsons building. 2 grey wagtails, 4 teal plenty of blue,great tits and wrens.A great afternoon.
I had a walk along the river today hoping to see the Kingfishers. (thanks to Will and Liam for the info:t
Well i wasn't disappointed, i saw 1 within a couple of minutes of getting there, then managed to get within 15 metres of it. Also saw a pair of kestrels mating on top of the scaffolding next to the old Walter Wilsons building. 2 grey wagtails, 4 teal plenty of blue,great tits and wrens.A great afternoon.
IanF
Moderator
Great news. It's good to hear they made it back.
IanF
Moderator
No SEO at Zinc Works Road until 5:00pm though appearing from the north likely meant it had been over Seaton Common towards the golf course - even then there was just the one. Whilst sat waiting for the owls to appear a Water Rail flew from the ditch by the first layby straight along the road for 40yds dropping down into the very start of the ditch on the other side of the road by the ivy covered mound. First one I've seen here though one has been reported a couple of time over last year.
Also one the Common Mistle Thrush x1, Stonechat x2, Grey Partridge x2, Kestrel x2 hunting alongside the road. Large flock of Golden Plover still present plus Wigeon c.50, Lapwing, Curlew.
Little Egret x2 from North Gare Road.
Also one the Common Mistle Thrush x1, Stonechat x2, Grey Partridge x2, Kestrel x2 hunting alongside the road. Large flock of Golden Plover still present plus Wigeon c.50, Lapwing, Curlew.
Little Egret x2 from North Gare Road.
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Quacker
Well-known member
Great news, nice to have our very own sub-species Avocetus Northernus back in God's little acre
I had thought (dreamed) of an Avocet colony there, but by the time the Terns arrive, there's no room! Besides, 3 years in a row for one pair is great, more might be seen as greedy B
StevieEvans
Well-known member
west
the west today.
no sign of any Ouzels or Wheatears - not surprising as the temperature gauge read as low as 3 degrees, with snow on the tops.
Breeding waders back on territory & displaying inc:- Snipe, Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank & Golden Plovers. Some larger groups in the valley bottoms.
Lapwing pr seen mating
Others today included 30 Blackcocks & 3 Greyhens, Gos, 1,000 Fieldfare, pr Per, very many Sparhawks, 11 Stock Dove.
Most notable today were a GSW at Langon Beck & a roadside Song Thrush seemingly very much out of habitat between Langdon & Harwood.
on the way through tried at 2 Wear valley spots for Smartins & Chiffs....nil return, but LBB's. Pwags & Mpips moved northwards in the cold northerly breeze. Also seen were Red-legged Partridge, TreeSpars, GreyWags, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Jay, Siskins & Redpolls.
SE
the west today.
no sign of any Ouzels or Wheatears - not surprising as the temperature gauge read as low as 3 degrees, with snow on the tops.
Breeding waders back on territory & displaying inc:- Snipe, Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank & Golden Plovers. Some larger groups in the valley bottoms.
Lapwing pr seen mating
Others today included 30 Blackcocks & 3 Greyhens, Gos, 1,000 Fieldfare, pr Per, very many Sparhawks, 11 Stock Dove.
Most notable today were a GSW at Langon Beck & a roadside Song Thrush seemingly very much out of habitat between Langdon & Harwood.
on the way through tried at 2 Wear valley spots for Smartins & Chiffs....nil return, but LBB's. Pwags & Mpips moved northwards in the cold northerly breeze. Also seen were Red-legged Partridge, TreeSpars, GreyWags, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Jay, Siskins & Redpolls.
SE
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seggs
Alrite!
been waiting...............
hoped for the birds last week...no luck but great news..reported, on here.
so glad.............the pair have returned.
where,s the offspring gone?? from the last 2 years ..
had hoped they would bring, more birds with them...
i think the avocets can hold their own..ive seen them chase off osprey at blacktoff sands..and the terns breed later normally
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