Durham Birding (3 Viewers)

[IanF]

I don't know Ross. I had planned on visiting Teesdale today but changed my plans due to the recent fall. Migrant chasing isn't everyone's cup of tea. Considering I live on the doorstep for Teesmouth I was out pretty early and fell lucky but I spent nearly four hours hunting just one bird! By late morning there was no sign of the Rosefinch or much else - just the odd Spotted Flycatcher. Despite early reports of Marsh Warbler at Hartlepool it pretty quickly disappeared as well.

I'm sure that if I'd ventured to Teesdale the visit would have been much more productive for bird species - though less likely to produce a lifer!

Personally I get more satisfaction from birding in areas I'm pretty sure I'll find something rather than relying on hope.

I'm sure there were plenty of birders further north along the coast who were out looking but there appears to be little to show for it. It's seldom you see reports of what's not been found. For me at least a report of what is about is just as important.

 

[ColinSev]

I agree with Ian

Its just different kinds of bird watching, both of which are important, I think what is important in both bird watching and "twitching" for lists, is the fact that the longer you spend in the field the more you will see. (of course there is skill and knowledge playing a big part too).
I think Ian spends many hours in the field and reaps the benefits, with not just great photos but with brilliant finds too, and he is so helpful to others too.
If the time one can spend in the field is limited, then it is better to go somewhere where there is good chances of seeing something.
Good watching to all.
Ross do you know anything else that has been seen in the "fall" thats of interest?

 

[IanF]

Common Rosefinch again and now Marsh Warbler reported in buckthorn bushes at North Gare this morning.

 

[IanF]

Back Saltholme this morning a pair of Spoonbill were still present - an adult and an immature. Also Yellow Wagtail x4.

Greatham Creek - Little Ringed Plover x2 and Avocet x4 still present.

Other migrants reported today - Rosefinch adult male on Long Drag today. Short-toed Lark and Red-throated Pipit around Dormans Pool and Rec Pond.

So there should be a few around for the weekend as well!

 

[Quacker]

A pretty good day down my way today apart from the weather which was pretty dull and misty following rain this morning.

Seaton Common - pm - Red-backed Shrike - a really pretty bird with a lovely rosy pink breast, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat (fem).

North Gare - Wheatear x9 and Cuckoo.

Hartlepool Headland - Icterine Warbler, Subalpine Warbler and an Arctic Skua off the Heugh Pier chasing terns plus Litte Tern c.12 feeding over harbour.

Hi Ian - stunning pics of my favourite bird. Not seen one for a year or two - I'm off work but can't get out so missed all of the migration and had to cancel various trips - the year list has stalled:-C

I mean no kind of offence, but I'm amazed when birders persist at inland sites when there's a fall on the coast. For me, there is little to rival the sight of a recently arrived migrant which you know has just crossed the North Sea.

Each to their own however!

As mentioned above Ross, I've been more or less stuck indoors fter recent hospitalisation. Just what was found at Whitburn/Marsden etc.? - I miss the old Whitburn Birding site that Mark used to run - especially the migrants.

 

[June Atkinson]

News Flash! Red Kite Trail

As announced in today's Newcastle Journal, and on the Northern Kites web site, details of this wonderful walk are available at :
http://www.northernkites.org.uk/redkitetrail/index.htm

For individuals, families and groups, this offers a circular route which can incorporate the use of the Red Kite Bus....it's up to you!:t:

 

[ColinSev]

Teesdale

Decided to head up Teesdale far from the crowds on the coast. (Was there last night).
Kinninvie showed a pair of buzzards again excellent views of one which flew quite low, the other remained high up in the thermals. A sparrowhawk tried its luck a few times and mobbed it. This is a favourite place of mine for cuckoo, and today proved excellent with 4 seperate cuckoos showing. One landed abour 50 yards away from at perched for 2 or 3 mins b4 flying to ground for a minute then back to the bush. Other cuckoos were flyovers.
Egglestone bridge - Redstart, dipper, grey wagtail, mistle thrush.
No rare species but just as enjoyable - and quiet!!

 

[IanF]

It was late evening by the time I got out yesterday.

Plenty of activity at Greatham Creek with Little Ringed Plover x2, Avocet x4, Common Tern x6, Black-tailed Godwit x1, Grey Partridge x2, Redshank x2, Oystercatcher x2, Lapwing x2, Coot x2. The Avocets were constantly challenging several Black-headed Gulls.

Swallow and House Martin were over the water with Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Dunnock in the hedge line. Meadow Pipit and Skylark over the grass.

Spoonbill x2 passed high overhead north-east towards Greenabella/Seaton Snook but I didn't see them land. Several heron as well.

I headed along to Seaton Common but had only distant views of the Red-backed Shrike. I sent about an hour looking for it after hearing it had disappeared southwards just before I arrived. Typically it ended up back on the fence line towards the North Gare car park end.

Photos : 1. Grey Partridge - 2. Skylark - 3.&4. Common Tern - 5. Black-tailed Godwit

 

[wongifer]

I mean no kind of offence, but I'm amazed when birders persist at inland sites when there's a fall on the coast. For me, there is little to rival the sight of a recently arrived migrant which you know has just crossed the North Sea.

Each to their own however!

Hi Ross, both myself and Kieran are always very keen to see new and rare birds but we tend to find once one is seen it is normally impossible to get past all the twitchers. i sometimes wonder what this does to the bird in question? if they can be viewed safley from a distance then thats great but when birds are chased or disturbed for the want of a tick then i dont agree with it,far better to walk your local patches and see everything.We will be at the obs later in year for migrants and hopefully some rarities, i think this is fine. We have just spent the weekend with Derek c and saw more than a hundred species, took at lot of time and miles but worth it. Went to holy island with the hope of seeing a migrant, we didnt, but seeing a passage marsh harrier was reward enough for the six hours spent trekking the island. In saying that we missed a hawfinch, red backed shrike, icterine warbler, barred warbler and a great snipe! All seen either side of our visit. ha ha just goes to show that its all down to luck unless you always check your local patch,we would love to be the ones to say i found a .. insert bird of your dreams (feathered) in Durham.

 

[StevieEvans]

not so local patch

I mean no kind of offence, but I'm amazed when birders persist at inland sites when there's a fall on the coast. For me, there is little to rival the sight of a recently arrived migrant which you know has just crossed the North Sea.

Each to their own however!

hiya there Ross
just been catching up on a whole heap of mail / texts / voice messages, i'll sort out your request asap.
Like ColinS & others, i too would be keen to hear about this exciting fall & what it brought to your local patch...? :t:

I had an appointment over the coast yesterday morning, so taking your post into account , we spent a couple of hours beforehand in/around Dawdon area, hoping each tree had a shrike & that the bushes would be full of warblers......
Only obvious migrants were 2 Wheatears, a steady stream of Swallows & 3 brief views of a "reed-type" warbler, with an unusual song, which appeared to be a Marsh Warbler. Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willlow warblers in song, were presumably all earlier arrivals, now on territory ?
A couple of glances offshore, noting Little, Sandwich & CommicTerns. A Peregrine drifted north, cock Stonechat carried a fat caterpillar & a Little owl glared at us.
An enjoyable look out, but next time the wind & rain blows from the east, i'll be very sure to remember "each to their own"

(Osprey @ Derwent Res yesterday).

 

[June Atkinson]

Red Kite Trail Information Panels

Use the Red Kite Bus to travel to Winlaton Mill. You will see the new Red Kite Trail Logo on the Bus Stop shelter, and an Information Panel inside.


As you begin the Red Kite Trail at Winlaton Mill, this Information Panel will get you off to a cracking start.


This Trail will bring you near to the Kitewatch Event, which begins tomorrow and runs until 3rd August. It's going to be a very interesting Summer!:t:

 

[will@bill]

As announced in today's Newcastle Journal, and on the Northern Kites web site, details of this wonderful walk are available at :
http://www.northernkites.org.uk/redkitetrail/index.htm

For individuals, families and groups, this offers a circular route which can incorporate the use of the Red Kite Bus....it's up to you!:t:

going to bool down to see the kites in the morning be there about 10ish if anyone is near by please call in:t: would love to meet a few more BF members.i know mouldy the top kite artist will be there:t:
see you there

 

[IanF]

A right miserable day to be out birding but still quite productive.

Greatham Creek - pm - Avocet x4, Little Ringed Plover x2, Common Tern x3. Swallow c.20, House Martin x3, Swift x4 feeding low over surface of water. Spoonbill x2 passed low overhead from Cowpen Marsh area towards Greenabella where disappeared into the mist behind Tioxide - possibly disturbed from top end of Holme Fleet where two people later seen. Interestingly two seen heading in the same direction last night.

 

[Ross Ahmed]

Hi Ross, both myself and Kieran are always very keen to see new and rare birds but we tend to find once one is seen it is normally impossible to get past all the twitchers. i sometimes wonder what this does to the bird in question? if they can be viewed safley from a distance then thats great but when birds are chased or disturbed for the want of a tick then i dont agree with it,far better to walk your local patches and see everything.We will be at the obs later in year for migrants and hopefully some rarities, i think this is fine. We have just spent the weekend with Derek c and saw more than a hundred species, took at lot of time and miles but worth it. Went to holy island with the hope of seeing a migrant, we didnt, but seeing a passage marsh harrier was reward enough for the six hours spent trekking the island. In saying that we missed a hawfinch, red backed shrike, icterine warbler, barred warbler and a great snipe! All seen either side of our visit. ha ha just goes to show that its all down to luck unless you always check your local patch,we would love to be the ones to say i found a .. insert bird of your dreams (feathered) in Durham.

I was still coming down from a brilliant few days on the coast when I wrote that post, and couldn't quite understand why others didn't want to share in that.

One person's cup of tea, isn't always the others though!

 

[Shaggy2070]

As things have been a bit quite here this week I have a quick question.

I have a wren nesting in a nest box in the garden with young (Yippeee!!!) and I was wondering. I've read at the end of the year you take out the old nest and clean the box out.
Should I clean it out or would the Wrens use it as a roosting box in winter???

First time anything's ever used it so I don't know what to do.

 

[great bustard]

Zoiks Shaggy, im not sure what to scooby dooby doo, However i think (which is often my problem) that they should be cleaned out around late September to October time.... im sure ill be shot right down on that one. A little tip i once heard is when its emptied give it a little clean out with a blow torch to as this makes mincemeat out of all the parisites etc as it saves using any chemical cleaners and make the box tip top clean and bristol fashion....

PS go easy on the blow torch...

 

[johnsulli]

Wrens Nest

As things have been a bit quite here this week I have a quick question.

I have a wren nesting in a nest box in the garden with young (Yippeee!!!) and I was wondering. I've read at the end of the year you take out the old nest and clean the box out.
Should I clean it out or would the Wrens use it as a roosting box in winter???

First time anything's ever used it so I don't know what to do.

I have had a Wren's nest in my garden shed for a few years which they built up in the apex of the roof, and i have just left it year after year and this year had the nest lined by the female and 3 young birds fledged yesterday pm.

Not being an expert but i would say just to leave it.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Spent a few hours at Teesside yesterday.

Saltholm Ponds: Apart from the usual geese, mallards etc, 9 ringed plover, 1 little egret, 1 grey heron, 2 yellow wagtails and at least 3 common turn, also a pair reed bunting feeding the young. Highlight for me was a few close photo's of the yellow wagtails, a first for me :t:.

Bus stop hide: 3 Avocet - unfortunately no sign of the young which hatched 2 or 3 days ago :C, 1 little ringed plover, 4 common turn, lapwing and 1 red shank.

Called at Zinkwks road and north gare. Both were very quiet with just a few regulars plus 1/2 doz linnets, 1 wheatear, 1 kestrel and quite a few starlings with young.

Called in at Crimdon on the way home to view and try to photograph the little turns, managed a few shots before returning home :t:.

Photos:-Little Turn, Reed Bunt Fem, Yellow Wag, Reed Bunt M, Linnet.

 

[IanF]

Spent a few hours at Teesside yesterday.

Saltholm Ponds: Apart from the usual geese, mallards etc, 9 ringed plover, 1 little egret, 1 grey heron, 2 yellow wagtails and at least 3 common turn, also a pair reed bunting feeding the young. Highlight for me was a few close photo's of the yellow wagtails, a first for me :t:.

Bus stop hide: 3 Avocet - unfortunately no sign of the young which hatched 2 or 3 days ago :C, 1 little ringed plover, 4 common turn, lapwing and 1 red shank............................

Been away for a few days down to Bempton and just got back.

Sunday evening no Avocet chicks but today three chicks scampering around on the tidal pool and possibly another one under one of the adults - looked like it had four legs! Far too far for photos though. Little Ringed Plover x2, Redshank x2 and Common Tern x4. A Greenshank had been present until just before I arrived as well. Looks like the Coot young have just hatched in the last day or so as well.

Great photos Ray - love the Yellow Wagtail :t:

 

[markh606]

just saying hello.

this is my first post on bird forum. birding out of peterlee. glad to be on the durham thread. looking forward to posting on here in the future. thanks