Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[IanF]

Sparrowhawk almost a resident in the garden now. It spends several hours each day sat watching the feeders.

I had a ride up to Seaham harbour this morning. More birders than birds though braving the sleet

No sign of the Black Redstart - still not seen one in the County!

On the beach/cliffs - Rock Pipit, Stronechat pair, Wren.

In the harbour - Turnstone x3, Sanderling x1 and Purple Sandpiper x1 plus a not so subtle reminder why it's called a slipway - ouch!. Landed on a well padded area though 8-P

Jacksons Landing - Great Northern Diver x2, Shag x1, RB Merganser x1 plus a Woodcock flying southwards passing barely overhead where I was stood by the Premier Inn.

 

[DenBee]

Winters First Brambling Visit

Since this cold spell started, there has been an increase at my garden feeders, This morning my first sighting of solitary Brambling amongst a group of Chaffinch, hopefully this is a good sign that I may get a return visit after a two year absence of Siskin, will have to keep my fingers crossed as well as other parts of my anatomy.

 

[balvert]

Since this cold spell started, there has been an increase at my garden feeders, This morning my first sighting of solitary Brambling amongst a group of Chaffinch, hopefully this is a good sign that I may get a return visit after a two year absence of Siskin, will have to keep my fingers crossed as well as other parts of my anatomy.

I'm envious of your brambling, DenBee!

Bird numbers in my garden have exploded so far this winter, I've never seen as many. I had a male blackcap for the first time ever this morning. I'm keeping my eyes out for brambling. Not rubbing your nose in it, but I had a solitary siskin last week. Not been seen since though.

 

[StevieEvans]

Survey Data

The DBC Long-eared Owl fieldwork has come to a close.

The Clubs Summer Atlas, published in 2000 suggested a population of 15 pairs....

Our Survey Data now reveals the population to consist of approx 90 pairs which are known to have bred in the Vice-County....

This figure may well be the highest population for any English County... we shall have to check with the experts :smoke:

There will still be a few pair no doubt, waiting to be discovered, should anyone want to continue as per usual in the New Year.

I shall review the species & summarise the survey findings for the next LEK.

Many thanks to all the survey volunteers & contributors, members & non members alike.

SE.

PS: 8 or so of the pairs are on the Ho'ton Local Patch:t:

 

[The Chairman]

The DBC Long-eared Owl fieldwork has come to a close.

The Clubs Summer Atlas, published in 2000 suggested a population of 15 pairs....

Our Survey Data now reveals the population to consist of approx 90 pairs which are known to have bred in the Vice-County....

This figure may well be the highest population for any English County... we shall have to check with the experts :smoke:

There will still be a few pair no doubt, waiting to be discovered, should anyone want to continue as per usual in the New Year.

I shall review the species & summarise the survey findings for the next LEK.

Many thanks to all the survey volunteers & contributors, members & non members alike.

SE.

PS: 8 or so of the pairs are on the Ho'ton Local Patch:t:

Very interesting to see that the spanking brand new Cleveland Breeding Atlas gives a population of just 8 pairs in total - maybe a survey there would reveal a population 6 times that estimate - 48 pairs would seem much more likely than 8 given the available habitat?

On the subject of the Atlas it is a splendid publication - well worth £25 but for DBC members I think it is still available at £20 if bought before 31 December. Adverts on DBC and TBC websites or come to the DBC quiz next week (7pm on Weds 10th at WWT Washington) when John Fletcher from TBC will be present with copies of the book for sale. Will make an excellent Xmas present for NE birders.

 

[markh606]

Jacksons Landing

great northern diver x2. red breasted merganser x7 also dabchick, shag and female eider. all showing well this afternoon. many thanks to renton for the chat and lift!

 

[StevieEvans]

Ho'ton patch

Highlights today ( SE / CW / JWa / WC / BC / IL )

5 Twite
Glaucous Gull
Jack Snipe
Willow Tit
75 redpolls
Peregrine
Water Rail
Barn Owl
Stonechat
Brambling
Little Owl
Woodcock

SE

 

[Ray.Scott]

Thornley Woods area today:

blue, great, coal & LT Tits, brambling, wood pigeon, jay, chaffinch, bullfinch, nuthatch, robin, magpie, blackbirds and a few visits from the sphawk.

Nothing at Far Pastures from the hide other than crows.
Robins, dunnock & chaffinch in the car park bushes.

Called at winlaton and viewed 6 Red Kites at a distance, one of which was being mobbed by a single crow.

 

[rentoncharman]

Jackson's Landing

More shots of birds at Jackson's Landing in the freezing cold yesterday. The divers are remarkably tame, swimming in between yachts and were seemingly undisturbed by an inflatable with 4 men ploughing up and down the dock. Hope you've recovered from the cold, Mark!

Good shots of the kites, Ray, nice and sharp.

 

[markh606]

Lovely images Renton. Indeed i have recovered from the cold and will be out doing it all again tomorrow (i must be such a glutton for punishment). Thanks again.

 

[StevieEvans]

Houghton area Local Patch

1-5pm, after the snow stopped
Only birds seemingly affected by the snow were Meadow Pipits, with 79 along a 1,500m section. No movement of thrushes, Lapwings etc
40-odd species noted including

4Sparrowhawk including a pair chasing off a second male
2GSW
2Kingfisher
12Curlew
1Jay
3Kestrel
4Redshank
1Green Sandpiper
2Snipe
7Bullfinch
20LTTit
1Water Rail
3Grey Partridge
130Siskin/Redpoll/Goldfinch
1Chiffchaff(pale bird)
1Woodcock over at dusk.
(SE/MH)

Glaucous Gull again today.

 

[Mark Newsome]

DBC Christmas Quiz night

Just a reminder about the Durham Bird Club Christmas get-together. It will be the usual social gathering to exchange news and what's about, a raffle (prizes including wine, chocs, bird books, bird food etc - any profit will go direct into bird conservation in the county), along with the main event of the evening - The Chairman's Xmas Quiz.
Tea, coffee, alcohol etc will be available through the WWT cafe and the WWT shop will also be open. Previous years have always been thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable.

When: Wednesday 10th December
Time: from 7.00pm
Where: WWT Washington (park in the usual car park)
Entry: free!

Looking forward to seeing a few new faces.

Cheers, Mark

 

[StevieEvans]

Ho'ton patch

Round the Local Patch looking for Bittern, 9-2pm

65 redpoll
12Siskin
13 Linnet
1 Brambling
8E Skylark
2 Twite
12 R.Bunting
2 Woodcock
15 Snipe
1 Jack Snipe
5 Water Rail 2seen
14 Stock Dove
1 Golden Plover
pr Gadwall
1mRuddy Duck
pr Goosander over north
1,800 mixed gulls including 1ad Yellow Legged Gull (4,000 gulls using the Houghton area on a daily basis)
30sth Redwing
2 Jay
4 Kestrel
2 Sparrowhawk
2 Grey Partridge
10+ Willow Tit
1 GSW
12 Bullfinch
1 Little Owl
1 Green Sandpiper over
50+ MPipit
900 Wood Pigeon
50 Pheasant
5 Heron
6 Curlew
12 Yellowhammer
4 Grey Wagtail
4 Mistle Thrush
11 Song Thrush

plus CW reports ad Med Gull on the ice at Lyons Pk

 

[IanF]

This morning I had a look around the Castle Eden Walkway/A689 between Billingham Sedgefield. Crossbill, Marsh Tit and Little Owl were seen there a few days ago plus a flock of Waxwing.

Skies were a bit dull but the 8cm of crunchy snow was great for plodging through and brightening things even if you had to tread carefully not to scare the birds

In the wood by the car park on the south side of the A689 - Chaffinch, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay. No sign of any Marsh Tit or Crossbill today.

North side of the A689 either side of the cycleway was full of birds - 150-200 at least. Largest group was of Waxwing with 50-60 at least feeding on hawthorn berries right through 100m-800m north from car park. Dozens of Fieldfare, Redwing, Blackbird and Song Thrush. Just one Mistle Thrush seen.
15-20 Bullfinch all feeding low down amongst the path side brambles plus Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Robin, Wren, Greenfinch, Goldfinch.

Photos - 1. & 2. Bohemian Waxwing - 3. Redwing - 4. Chaffinch - 5. Blue Tit

 

[Ray.Scott]

Just a short post to let people know that JBee was admitted to Dryburn Hospital during the week, to do with recent problems he's been having with his legs. I'm postting this here, as I know that some of you are also members of his Phocus-on site.
I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

 

[Ray_S]

Decided on a visit to the Castle Eden Walkway this morning (after seeing the writings of Master Jedi Ian yesterday). Took Lisa along to see if we could get our first look at the Waxwings. What a success, a flock of 30-40 were about 500m from the car park. Also saw, Dunnock, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch, and a single Bullfinch. Got some shots of the Waxwings before they all took off, so we headed back to the car, when we got there they were in the large tree just at the entrance to the car park (north of A689), strangely they were dropping down to the middle of the A689 to drink, narrowly avoiding the cars. The road/paths were like a skating rink, at one point I couldnt even cross the road as it was just sheet ice.

 

[Ray.Scott]

A couple from Hetton Lyons today:

Just the regulars on the ponds/ice + golfinch, greenfinch, robins and small flock LT Tits in the surrounding bushes.

 

[durham giant]

hasa anyone seen the rosefinch? where is it? is it male?

 

[IanF]

Just a short post to let people know that JBee was admitted to Dryburn Hospital during the week, to do with recent problems he's been having with his legs. I'm posting this here, as I know that some of you are also members of his Phocus-on site.
I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

Sorry to hear that John is poorly again. Hopefully he'll make a speedy recovery and be out and about again.

 

[IanF]

hasa anyone seen the rosefinch? where is it? is it male?

I've not seen it but I believe it's a juvenile.

Possibly a bit like the one below seen earlier in the year down my way. I was a little disappointed at the time as I was hoping for a male.