Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[Mark Newsome]

No real surprise to see so many turn out at such a pleasant venue.:t:
.....
Gary, thanked the Recorder & the Club for our help & stressed the importance of the DBC data that was being used.:t:
Most importantly, those present were given advise on how they can continue to help in the revival of some of our farmland species .

I think everyone came away from the meeting with more than just a glimmer of hope for Corn Buntings. An excellent talk by Gary and an excellent insight into the work of the RSPB and Natural England (amongst others) in our area.

It can't be stressed highly enough how important bird records are, particularly of the affected farmland species. As Gary explained, without data being supplied by the DBC, they wouldn't know which areas in the county were strongholds of at least 4 out of the 5 affected target species (Corn Bunting, Lapwing, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Sparrow and Grey Partridge). The amount of money being channelled into conservation/farming changes in target areas (such as Bishop Midddleham) is superb; we will see huge beneficial changes of land use and hopefully results by way of increased Corn Bunting populations (along with many other species). And hopefully the farming incentives available and results seen will balloon out to surrounding areas with a similar effect.

So when BF members are marvelling at increasing numbers of farmland species around Bishop Middleham over the coming year or so, remember that it was only possible by birders recording the species there to start with. If you find any of the 5 targetted species in the breeding season anywhere in the county this year, let the DBC know - it only takes a few minutes of your time and it makes an enormous difference.

For anyone not a DBC member, the club isn't about ticking, listing and local cliques. It's about studying the birds in Durham and doing what we can to help them so others can enjoy them in the future. If you're not a member, consider joining please.

 

[andyg]

Mink?

Hello folks, i've been an avid reader of the forum but never really posted. I have met some of you at Hetton Bogs and other places.

I've a question, if you see a mink should they be reported? I know how destructive they are. Do any wildlife groups try to control them?

I've seen one at Malton picnic area(lanchester) where the 2 rivers converge, kingfishers are regularly seen at this spot. Can anyone help?

 

[StevieEvans]

Hello folks, i've been an avid reader of the forum but never really posted. I have met some of you at Hetton Bogs and other places.

I've a question, if you see a mink should they be reported? I know how destructive they are. Do any wildlife groups try to control them?

I've seen one at Malton picnic area(lanchester) where the 2 rivers converge, kingfishers are regularly seen at this spot. Can anyone help?

Hi andyg
As you will know, thats a Durham County Council owned site - best contact them.
If you can get in touch with the County Ecologist, Terry Coult, then he'll be well placed to advise, he's an expert on Otters - and its very much his local patch.:t:

Have you seen / heard of many Mink on the Browney there ?
I used to see them on & off, but they seemed to disappear when the Otters began to increase.

Always used to be / still is an excellent, compact, easily accessible birding site, especially when combined with the DWT reserve; although things always seem to be rosier when you look back.....the breeding Pied Flys & Tree Pipits of the early '90's, have sadly tailed off to next to nothing.....
cheers
Steve

Very detailed Mink info here:-
http://www.gct.org.uk/text03.asp?PageId=272

 

[IanF]

Pretty much the same again at Tilery Wood this afternoon. Only 3-4 Crossbill whilst I was there but a short while earlier 21 had been counted in the trees near the scout hut.

Several singing each of Blackcap, Wren, Willow Warbler,Chiffchaff in the same area. GSW x2 chasing each other around. Sparrowhawk passed overhead.

Siskin c.30 today which are probably new birds moving through the area. Siskin c.130 have been ringed here in the last couple of weeks but none of the ones seen today had rings.

Buzzard x1 over the wood NE side of the A689.

Photos: 1. Crossbill - 2. Crossbill - 3. Siskin - 4. Robin - 5. Goldfinch

 

[StevieEvans]

Houghton area Local Patch

Some evidence of waders passing through today

Seaton: singles of Ruff & LRPlover
Hetton: singles of Common Sandpiper, Yellow Wagtail & Tree Pipit
Rainton: 5Whimbrel calling constantly as they headed north this evening, 5Goldeneye, 3Snipe & 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler

Steve

 

[IanF]

Grasshopper Warbler and Reed Warbler reported at Dormans Pool on TBC sightings page yesterday afternoon plus Swift and Whimbrel on Back Saltholme.

 

[IanF]

Dormans Pool - 9.00am - Marsh Harrier x2 flew in from Saltholme Ponds by hide with one hunting over reeds before both headed off east towards Rec. Pond. Common Whitethroat by lower car park and several Linnet and Wren along track to hide screen. Several Reed Warbler opposite/from top car park northwards along track.

Back Saltholme from road - Ruff x7, Lapwing, Redshank.

RSPB Saltholme -

Wildlife Watchpoint - Greenshank x1, Little Ringed Plover x1, Gadwall, Heron, Swallow x2.

Paddys Pool Hide - Green Sandpiper x1, Greenland WF Goose, Great Crested Grebe x2, Little Grebe x1.

Saltholme Hide - Wheatear x2, PF Goose x9, Yellow Wagtail 6-7, several Swallow.

Photos: 1. Marsh Harrier - 2. Ruff - 3. Ruff - 4. Wheatear - 5. Greenshank

 

[[email protected]]

got this grasshopper warb at marsden quarry this morning

 

[Alan Tilmouth]

Were both Marsh Harrier immature/female types?

 

[IanF]

Were both Marsh Harrier immature/female types?

Yep! Both cream crowned. Two reported again at 14.30 at Dormans Pool passing through.

 

[IanF]

got this grasshopper warb at marsden quarry this morning

Great find and photos. I was out looking for them down my way this morning but no joy.

 

[StevieEvans]

Houghton Local Patch 09

Great find and photos. I was out looking for them down my way this morning but no joy.

Good increase in Grasshopper Warblers over the weekend, 3 males reeling at RMs late this afternoon during a brief family visit; 1 of males chasing another through the grass & weeds. Also there 1 Whitethroat & what is probably the first GCGrebe of the year - nowadays a scarce local bird hereabouts.

Male Redstart at Seaton Pond yestday & 1 LRP today.

 

[Ray.Scott]

A few hours at Hetton Bogs today:

Nice meeting Bill, Mick and Joanne again :t:.

Blue, great, willow, coal & LT Tits, bullfinch, dunnock, G,S, woodpecker, reed bunting, chaffinch, cock pheasant, coot, moorehen, mallard with 7 young, wood pigeon, blackbird, crows etc and kestrel + sphawk fly over, also jay touched down once.

 

[Ray.Scott]

A few more from Hetton bogs.

 

[Alan Tilmouth]

Good increase in Grasshopper Warblers

It's interesting that there still doesn't seem to be many reports across the Tyne. I could only find a couple of reports online over the last couple of days whilst pulling sightings together for our daily regional reports.

 

[StevieEvans]

Houghton area Local Patch

A prowl this evening produced another 3 reeling Grasshopper Warbs.
Surprisingly a Magpie roost still held 40+ birds & a dozen Reed Buntings were doing the same. A dozen Fieldfare dropped in to roost.

From a raised vantage point, late in the day, i watched a Woodcock come out out of cover & fly close by. It circled twice gaining height, before belting off high to the North East - followed it for several kilometres & it was still heading onwards & upwards when it vanished from view. Presumably heading back over the North Sea ?
( ps: excellent set of Woodcock images on TBC common birds gallery )

A male Long-eared displayed before flying out to hunt - waited 20mins with only limited calling from his mate; i was just about to head off when she picked up calling again, within a couple of mins the male bird came back in. Got a nice view of him holding prey, while he perched. on a bare branch - before dropping down to the nest.

Others heard included singles of Tawny, Little Owl & Water Rail. An additional male Leo was singing briefly.
Pretty sure i heard Dunlin going over after dark

 

[Lapland mull]

Thanks Stevie - Have attached the Woodcock pic's to save trawaling around the web. Pity they are on the Cleveland/Yorkshire boundry but the area of Sledale is definately worth a visit if anyone is in the area.

 

[ian hamilton]

Grasshopper Warbler reeling off queens road ,southwick at 0435
and was still reeling at 0630.

 

[IanF]

Back Saltholme flood - 8.30am - Ruff x6, Avocet x1, Redshank, Curlew & Lapwing.

Dormans Pool - 9.10am - Short-eared Owl, Common Whitethroat and Linnet c.20 by lower car park. Sedge Warbler (1st of the yr), Grasshopper Warbler (1st of the yr), Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler along track east side.

Photos: 1.-3. Ruff - 4. Short Eared Owl - 5. Sedge Warbler

 

[Jumpin 4 Joy]

I note SE, who we know as Stevie Evans, has reported an osprey flying over Houghton Gate. Does this birder have any photos of the bird ?

In my birding news, a first male Blackcap of the year signing yesterday. A house martin yesterday at Lambton Estate, also.

At home, dunnocks nesting.