So.... where are sites A,B,C,D please?
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Durham Birding (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
So.... where are sites A,B,C,D please?
ColinSev
Well-known member
Low Barns
WR (Water Rail) today at site X - (western hide), GSW (Great Spotted Woodpecker) and S (Siskin) at site Y (T junction) Title of James Bond Film (Goldneye) at site Z - South Hide.
Also a Little Owl at any letter you want to represent Burtree Lane in Darlington.
Had enough of that little game. time for a beerB
Happy new year to everone
WR (Water Rail) today at site X - (western hide), GSW (Great Spotted Woodpecker) and S (Siskin) at site Y (T junction) Title of James Bond Film (Goldneye) at site Z - South Hide.
Also a Little Owl at any letter you want to represent Burtree Lane in Darlington.
Had enough of that little game. time for a beerB
Happy new year to everone
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Houghton area Non motorised Local Patch
Several Pied Wagtails have suddenly reappeared around the town.
Very first bird i laid bins on was a Kingfisher on the beck at Dairy Lane (between Houghton & Fencehouses) - within seconds it dived & caught a small fish. It flew to join what looked like its mate in a water side Hawthorn, but that was a piece of blue plastic! ....Next a Grey Wagtail feeding on a busy path at the edge of the street.
A rendezvous with "greatbustard" for a pleasant afternoon producing Siskin, Woodcock, Kestrel, Redpoll, Fieldfare, Willow Tit, Jack Snipe, LTTit, Sparrowhawk etc
Late in the day we added Water Rail & a Little Owl roller-coasted down from his perch.
As the light went we held on & watched 4 Woodcock fly out to feed (including a pair coming to land side by side).
We'd just turned to head back when we caught a glimpse of a long-winged owl, a very quick sprint & we found a Barn Owl perched up on a post - allowing a close approach.
SteveE
Several Pied Wagtails have suddenly reappeared around the town.
Very first bird i laid bins on was a Kingfisher on the beck at Dairy Lane (between Houghton & Fencehouses) - within seconds it dived & caught a small fish. It flew to join what looked like its mate in a water side Hawthorn, but that was a piece of blue plastic! ....Next a Grey Wagtail feeding on a busy path at the edge of the street.
A rendezvous with "greatbustard" for a pleasant afternoon producing Siskin, Woodcock, Kestrel, Redpoll, Fieldfare, Willow Tit, Jack Snipe, LTTit, Sparrowhawk etc
Late in the day we added Water Rail & a Little Owl roller-coasted down from his perch.
As the light went we held on & watched 4 Woodcock fly out to feed (including a pair coming to land side by side).
We'd just turned to head back when we caught a glimpse of a long-winged owl, a very quick sprint & we found a Barn Owl perched up on a post - allowing a close approach.
SteveE
russ1610
Well-known member
Wonderful, just wonderful. As a visitor to Durham area, So far Locations described by Ian have got me three photo's of birds I had never seen before. It would have been another two, today, if my field craft was better EG saw two birds I didn't have photo's of and spooked them both. nothing like a clear location in my opinion.
StevieEvans
Well-known member
IanF's a great ambassador for birding :t:
Im all for sharing, but just not everything all the time ! ie, some species & habitats are sensitive in winter, not just the nesting season.... hence the lack of names...
Im interested, what and where were the two species you spooked while you were photographing....?
Missed off my report :- 16Waxwings headed north late aftnoon at Rainton:t:
Jonathan Hare
Well-known member
Seaton Carew
Monday 22nd or Tuesday 23rd December. I was (with my dad) sitting in my car in the car park of Seaton Carew Park (just behind the Seafront) when a flock of Starlings came to feed on left overs which someone had left.
One of the Starlings stood out. This one was completely black with 2 white stripes (where the brown wing edge feather is) on its left hand side, and on the right hand side there was about 4 white stripes along its body/ wings.
This was the only one in these colours. As I got the camera out of the bag switched on lining up, just about to press the shutter and a van drove by scareing the flock to fly away. I hung around for half an hour to see if it made a re appearence, but with needing to head off to work it never showed back up by the time I left.
I'm just wondering if anyone can shed any light as to why this Starling was coloured this way, or was it a different speicies altogether. Or if anyone else has been lucky enough to see this bird.
Hope anyone can help.
Monday 22nd or Tuesday 23rd December. I was (with my dad) sitting in my car in the car park of Seaton Carew Park (just behind the Seafront) when a flock of Starlings came to feed on left overs which someone had left.
One of the Starlings stood out. This one was completely black with 2 white stripes (where the brown wing edge feather is) on its left hand side, and on the right hand side there was about 4 white stripes along its body/ wings.
This was the only one in these colours. As I got the camera out of the bag switched on lining up, just about to press the shutter and a van drove by scareing the flock to fly away. I hung around for half an hour to see if it made a re appearence, but with needing to head off to work it never showed back up by the time I left.
I'm just wondering if anyone can shed any light as to why this Starling was coloured this way, or was it a different speicies altogether. Or if anyone else has been lucky enough to see this bird.
Hope anyone can help.
IanF
Moderator
Possibly a partially albinistic or leucistic bird where odd feathers lack any pigment. From the desciption is sounds like it's some primary feathers that have been affected. I have seen it in Starlings before though much more commonly in Crows and Blackbirds.
smitsel
Local Patcher.
Barmston Pond.
A lot more on the pond than has been recently, 1stw Med Gull(patch tick:t, 1 Gbb Gull, 4 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 2 Shelduck, 2 Canada Geese, 6 Teal, 21 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swans, Mallards, Coots, and Moorhen. Surrounding trees pr Chaffinch, pr Bullfinch, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Robin.
A lot more on the pond than has been recently, 1stw Med Gull(patch tick:t
, 1 Gbb Gull, 4 Gadwall, 1 Pochard, 2 Shelduck, 2 Canada Geese, 6 Teal, 21 Tufted Duck, 2 Mute Swans, Mallards, Coots, and Moorhen. Surrounding trees pr Chaffinch, pr Bullfinch, 1 Goldcrest, 3 Robin.StevieEvans
Well-known member
Superb example of partial albinistic Moorhen on waters edge the main lake at Herrington C.Pk, right in front of the car park this afternoon. Fondly known as the Pied Moorhen.
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Houghton / Durham Local Patches
2 quick local roadside stops before moving on to Brasside Pond area
Houghton Gate Pool
Surprise pr of Shelduck - they dont usually return till after N.Year, few each of Mallard & Wigeon on the water, and 120 each of Golden Plover & Curlew roosting poolside.
A scan to the SW revealed a Buzzard flapping like mad to gain height over Lumley Castle.
Lambton Bridge
First bird was a singing Dipper, second was a Kingfisher perched above it on the stonework of the road bridge. The Dippers mate arrived & the male began a wing flicking display before flying up to chase off the Kingfisher. Both Dippers pursued the Kingfisher upriver - they seemed evenly matched for speed! - as they reached the bend the Kingfisher dived into the water with the Dipper pair splash landing close to the bank. The Kingfisher was straight back up & off sharpish.
Also on the R.Wear were Grey Wagtail, 5(1m)Goosander (the male floating alone down under the old bridge). An odd one here was an adult LBBGull on the river, while another Buzzard flew across inside the estate grounds.
--------------
On to Brasside via the backroads
Brasside Pond area
excellent varied selection of species in mild calm conditions, (09:00-11:30) including:-
Kingfisher, 1hWater Rail, 11+Goldeneye, 10Pochard, 10Dabchick, 2Teal, 144Mallard, 92Tufted Duck, 133Coot, 16Cormorant, 8Canada Geese, 40Lapwing, prCurlew
Green Woodpecker, 2GSW, 1Nuthatch, 1Goldcrest, 3Treecreeper, 2Willow Tit, 6-8Jay
8Bullfinch, 11Lesser Redpoll, 21Linnet, 1Yellowhammer, hTree Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, prGrey Partridge.
Tawny Owl, Sparrowhawk, 2Kestrel
highlights being :-
Kingfisher flew the full length of the main pool only inches above the surface - none of the gulls noticed it... they tend to get harrassed when they cross large open stretches like this.
Water Rail contact calling from Typha bed in SE corner - waited 5mins but no show, but it called again after i moved off
Vocal Green Woodpecker, scoped it from NE boundary, perched in dead tree within former piggery nr viaduct.
Same area, a Mistle Thrush guarding a mass of berried Holly from 20 or so Redwings
Tail end view of a Tawny Owl as it flew off, being mobbed in far NE corner of boundary (checked a reg roost hole & a Grey tree rat shot out)
Plenty of Jays about, 6-8, but on a less positive note, only 1Yellowhammer, TreeSparrow only a single heard, no Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Goosander, Greenfinch, Fieldfare nor Little Owl & time ran out before had chance to look for the Long-eareds.
Finished off just as the rain came, with a bouncing Stoat in full ermine, my first one this winter.
approx 58 species at Brasside (68 in total)
Might have to re-assess the Patch boundary for 2009 :t:
2 quick local roadside stops before moving on to Brasside Pond area
Houghton Gate Pool
Surprise pr of Shelduck - they dont usually return till after N.Year, few each of Mallard & Wigeon on the water, and 120 each of Golden Plover & Curlew roosting poolside.
A scan to the SW revealed a Buzzard flapping like mad to gain height over Lumley Castle.
Lambton Bridge
First bird was a singing Dipper, second was a Kingfisher perched above it on the stonework of the road bridge. The Dippers mate arrived & the male began a wing flicking display before flying up to chase off the Kingfisher. Both Dippers pursued the Kingfisher upriver - they seemed evenly matched for speed! - as they reached the bend the Kingfisher dived into the water with the Dipper pair splash landing close to the bank. The Kingfisher was straight back up & off sharpish.
Also on the R.Wear were Grey Wagtail, 5(1m)Goosander (the male floating alone down under the old bridge). An odd one here was an adult LBBGull on the river, while another Buzzard flew across inside the estate grounds.
--------------
On to Brasside via the backroads
Brasside Pond area
excellent varied selection of species in mild calm conditions, (09:00-11:30) including:-
Kingfisher, 1hWater Rail, 11+Goldeneye, 10Pochard, 10Dabchick, 2Teal, 144Mallard, 92Tufted Duck, 133Coot, 16Cormorant, 8Canada Geese, 40Lapwing, prCurlew
Green Woodpecker, 2GSW, 1Nuthatch, 1Goldcrest, 3Treecreeper, 2Willow Tit, 6-8Jay
8Bullfinch, 11Lesser Redpoll, 21Linnet, 1Yellowhammer, hTree Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, prGrey Partridge.
Tawny Owl, Sparrowhawk, 2Kestrel
highlights being :-
Kingfisher flew the full length of the main pool only inches above the surface - none of the gulls noticed it... they tend to get harrassed when they cross large open stretches like this.
Water Rail contact calling from Typha bed in SE corner - waited 5mins but no show, but it called again after i moved off
Vocal Green Woodpecker, scoped it from NE boundary, perched in dead tree within former piggery nr viaduct.
Same area, a Mistle Thrush guarding a mass of berried Holly from 20 or so Redwings
Tail end view of a Tawny Owl as it flew off, being mobbed in far NE corner of boundary (checked a reg roost hole & a Grey tree rat shot out)
Plenty of Jays about, 6-8, but on a less positive note, only 1Yellowhammer, TreeSparrow only a single heard, no Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Goosander, Greenfinch, Fieldfare nor Little Owl & time ran out before had chance to look for the Long-eareds.
Finished off just as the rain came, with a bouncing Stoat in full ermine, my first one this winter.
approx 58 species at Brasside (68 in total)
Might have to re-assess the Patch boundary for 2009 :t:
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Ray.Scott
Well-known member
Teesside/Hartlepool today:
Znkwks Road: 2 cock pheasant, mallards, distant curlew and 2 stonechat.
North Gare: 1 little egret, small flock curlew, mallard, teal and 1 kestrel hunting.
Jacksons Landing: 8 RB merganser,1 oyster catcher, 1 GBB gull, common & Hering gulls, cormorant, Fem eider, turnstone and 1 GN Diver.
Znkwks Road: 2 cock pheasant, mallards, distant curlew and 2 stonechat.
North Gare: 1 little egret, small flock curlew, mallard, teal and 1 kestrel hunting.
Jacksons Landing: 8 RB merganser,1 oyster catcher, 1 GBB gull, common & Hering gulls, cormorant, Fem eider, turnstone and 1 GN Diver.
Attachments
Jonny Rankin
Formerly Jonny Crossbill
I went Brasside pond yesterday afternoon... the one next to the prison.
Was a top look out - a pair of Goldeneye on the water, one female Goosander briefly and a few Pochard along with couple Nuthatch, Bullfinch and Treecreeper in the surrounding trees.
Then walkin home from town last nite, had Tawny Owl calling from Woods by Houghhall.
Good times.
Was a top look out - a pair of Goldeneye on the water, one female Goosander briefly and a few Pochard along with couple Nuthatch, Bullfinch and Treecreeper in the surrounding trees.
Then walkin home from town last nite, had Tawny Owl calling from Woods by Houghhall.
Good times.
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Houghton Patch
Rainton Meadows 6Waxwing nr car park
Joes Pond 2 Mealy Redpoll & 2 Brambling
Hetton Bogs Chiffchaff & 1Jack Snipe
Rainton Meadows 6Waxwing nr car park
Joes Pond 2 Mealy Redpoll & 2 Brambling
Hetton Bogs Chiffchaff & 1Jack Snipe
Then walkin home from town last nite, had Tawny Owl calling from Woods by Houghhall.
That's a hec of a walk from Durham to Bury St Edmunds!
Sorry! Only jealous, don't get out too much myself (tho seven stars this wed!B)
Good flock of fieldfare in our back field this morning and I understand the Hawfinch has been seen at Croxdale today!
Paul Mc
That's a hec of a walk from Durham to Bury St Edmunds!
Sorry! Only jealous, don't get out too much myself (tho seven stars this wed!B
)Good flock of fieldfare in our back field this morning and I understand the Hawfinch has been seen at Croxdale today!
Paul Mc
barnstormer
Well-known member
Hawthorn dene
Spent a couple of hours today at the feeding station,this is one of my new fave spots as the birds come really close even when you are filling the feeders and they don't take any notice when you just sit and watch.
6+ nuthatch
8+ great tit
6 blue tit
3 robins fighting like spartans
2 dunnock
3 gsw
1 wren
6+ coal tits
1 sparrow hawk
4 blackbirds
1 kestrel
4 grey squirrells which were fun to watch........
Spent a couple of hours today at the feeding station,this is one of my new fave spots as the birds come really close even when you are filling the feeders and they don't take any notice when you just sit and watch.
6+ nuthatch
8+ great tit
6 blue tit
3 robins fighting like spartans
2 dunnock
3 gsw
1 wren
6+ coal tits
1 sparrow hawk
4 blackbirds
1 kestrel
4 grey squirrells which were fun to watch........
rokermartin
Well-known member
A single Hawfinch showed well at Croxdale for 5 mins at 12:45 today in trees next to the hall.
IanF
Moderator
I paid a visit to South Gare so not strictly speaking within the thread area. Not a great deal of difference to the north side, if anything a little disappointing numbers and range of species.
At least seven Red-throated Diver but only two close to South Gare - the rest being off North Gare and heading between Seal Sands and Hartlepool area.
Other birds Eider x1, Sanderling c.55, Oystercatcher c.15, Dunlin x1, Redshank c.20, Turnstone c.20, Ringed Plover x6, Red-breasted Merganser x8, Cormorant c.12, Shag c.12, Bar-tailed Godwit - one of the beach but another 14 disturbed by dog walker flew out to distant rocks. Pied Wagtail x1, Reed Bunting x2, Stonechat x1, Robin x1, Song Thrush x1, Starling c.40.
Four Harbour Porpoise coming out of the Estuary and heading north as the tide went out left me wishing I'd been on North Gare instead as they seeemd to pass by close to shore - it's several months snce I last saw any.
Photos : 1. Harbour Porpoise - 2. Common Gull - 3. Sanderling - 4. Pied Wagtail - 5. Bar-tailed Godwit
At least seven Red-throated Diver but only two close to South Gare - the rest being off North Gare and heading between Seal Sands and Hartlepool area.
Other birds Eider x1, Sanderling c.55, Oystercatcher c.15, Dunlin x1, Redshank c.20, Turnstone c.20, Ringed Plover x6, Red-breasted Merganser x8, Cormorant c.12, Shag c.12, Bar-tailed Godwit - one of the beach but another 14 disturbed by dog walker flew out to distant rocks. Pied Wagtail x1, Reed Bunting x2, Stonechat x1, Robin x1, Song Thrush x1, Starling c.40.
Four Harbour Porpoise coming out of the Estuary and heading north as the tide went out left me wishing I'd been on North Gare instead as they seeemd to pass by close to shore - it's several months snce I last saw any.
Photos : 1. Harbour Porpoise - 2. Common Gull - 3. Sanderling - 4. Pied Wagtail - 5. Bar-tailed Godwit
Attachments
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Houghton Patch, Co.Durham
Nice flock of 20 or so Brambling on rough ground off Seaham Road, Houghton.
Is there a hint that some of our species, that wouldnt usually be resident, are staying on breeding territory year round ?
Im only thinking along the lines of single pairs of Curlew & Lapwing at the moment, but Shelduck pr have returned 4 weeks earlier than last year (& that was a big leap in itself)
We also have 1 or 2 Oystercatchers hanging about - havnt been any wintering on this patch in recent times....(ever?) although did see a pair on & off at Bish Midd last winter. (& 3 birds recently right up inland at Lunedale)
Another i generally wouldnt have expected was the adult LBBGull on the river at Lambton, again wouldn't bat an eyelid in May...
Despite a recent cold spell of a few weeks, are some local breeding species perhaps changing their habits ?
Steve
Nice flock of 20 or so Brambling on rough ground off Seaham Road, Houghton.
Is there a hint that some of our species, that wouldnt usually be resident, are staying on breeding territory year round ?
Im only thinking along the lines of single pairs of Curlew & Lapwing at the moment, but Shelduck pr have returned 4 weeks earlier than last year (& that was a big leap in itself)
We also have 1 or 2 Oystercatchers hanging about - havnt been any wintering on this patch in recent times....(ever?) although did see a pair on & off at Bish Midd last winter. (& 3 birds recently right up inland at Lunedale)
Another i generally wouldnt have expected was the adult LBBGull on the river at Lambton, again wouldn't bat an eyelid in May...
Despite a recent cold spell of a few weeks, are some local breeding species perhaps changing their habits ?
Steve
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Jonny Rankin
Formerly Jonny Crossbill
Then walkin home from town last nite, had Tawny Owl calling from Woods by Houghhall.
That's a hec of a walk from Durham to Bury St Edmunds!
Sorry! Only jealous, don't get out too much myself (tho seven stars this wed!B
Good flock of fieldfare in our back field this morning and I understand the Hawfinch has been seen at Croxdale today!
Paul Mc
Hahaha... yep, I been racking up the miles!
Walking home last nite... from New InnB
... didnt hear Tawny, but saw it! That cut out for the road thru the woods between town and Maiden Castle... it was lit by the street light on a brach... pointed it out to the lass... & it did an exorsits... with its head 360 before flapping off without a sound! Brilliant. Was also a badger crossing the road before the New Inn.
On me way into town was Dipper under bridge by Rose Tree (a year first for me been from Suffolk!) a pair of Goosander and one Little Grebe. Top walk into town :t:
