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Durham Birding (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
Ray.Scott
Well-known member
I think It's just due to the weather as far as the hide goes, but having said that, there have been instances when food etc has been stolen and the chairs and other Items have gone missing or thrown in the water.
I also believe that air gun pellets have been found on some of the perches, maybe JBee can confirm this or add to the story.
JBee
Well-known member
The vandals found the feeding station quite a while ago and whilst they haven't destroyed the place they have thrown the chairs etc into the pond on a few occasions.
The hide itself, as Ray points out, is simply due to 4 years hammering from the weather.
Colin has reported slug pellets lodged in some of the perches so we can only assume the worst.
We have pretty much decided not to do anything at the station regards the hide etc for the moment - logically it would seem sensible to let the yobs think it has been abandoned and they might stay away.
I guess we did well in that we had no bother for 4 years and it's nice to think the feeding station brought a lot of pleasure (and lifers) to a lot of local people and others from as far afield as Scotland, Derby and Manchester.
I would hazard a guess it was responsible for more close up water rail photos than anywhere else in the country.
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Alan Tilmouth
Well-known member
The Darter
As there seems to be lots of interest in various insects including Dragonflies & Damselflies I thought I'd let everyone know about a new weblog just starting up that's 'open access,' essentially anyone can request to become an author and post sightings, images, site information, breeding records etc.
The new site is called The Darter and can be found here.
If you would like to become an author and be able to post information simply drop me an email at [email protected] and I'll set it up.
As there seems to be lots of interest in various insects including Dragonflies & Damselflies I thought I'd let everyone know about a new weblog just starting up that's 'open access,' essentially anyone can request to become an author and post sightings, images, site information, breeding records etc.
The new site is called The Darter and can be found here.
If you would like to become an author and be able to post information simply drop me an email at [email protected] and I'll set it up.
rentoncharman
Well-known member
Sorry to hear about The Boggs, John, your efforts in that area were appreciated by many birders far and wide. Hope you're health is better these days. I've not got much birdin' in recently but was lucky enough to catch a sparrowhawk with prey in my garden yesterday morning. In the first photo the bully appears to be offering "Get out of that"!
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FoghornKinghorn
Durham Recorder
It might interest some people that Coquet Island have all the pairs of Roseate Terns this year apart from:
1 Pair on the Farne Islands
There are 0 Pairs in Scotland this year.
The birds are still there and I got some fantastic views, however as with all birds they are not guaranteed. You should see them though, fantastic trip and well worth going on.
1 Pair on the Farne Islands
There are 0 Pairs in Scotland this year.
The birds are still there and I got some fantastic views, however as with all birds they are not guaranteed. You should see them though, fantastic trip and well worth going on.
AndyMc
Well-known member
A bit of a sad day at work today.
We came across one our young Kestrels a bit worse for wear. Flayling about unable to fly. Upon closer inspection there was no apparent injury but obviously hadn't eaten for some time. It made no attempt at all to defend itself when I approached & picked it up. A phone call to Kirkleatham Owl Centre ensued & they kindly agreed to take it in. The gentleman said that he would feed it up & hopefully release it:flyaway:.
I know that we are supposed to let nature take it's course etc, but it probably wouldn't survive for much longer with the local gull colony & the fox; that thought really tugged on the heart strings. I figured that 'any chance' would be better than 'no chance', although it could well occur that the second chance we have given it could well be turn out to be another 'no chance' if it is unable to hunt.
Thanks to the Owl Centre & Good Luck Littl'un.
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Andy
We came across one our young Kestrels a bit worse for wear. Flayling about unable to fly. Upon closer inspection there was no apparent injury but obviously hadn't eaten for some time. It made no attempt at all to defend itself when I approached & picked it up. A phone call to Kirkleatham Owl Centre ensued & they kindly agreed to take it in. The gentleman said that he would feed it up & hopefully release it:flyaway:.
I know that we are supposed to let nature take it's course etc, but it probably wouldn't survive for much longer with the local gull colony & the fox; that thought really tugged on the heart strings. I figured that 'any chance' would be better than 'no chance', although it could well occur that the second chance we have given it could well be turn out to be another 'no chance' if it is unable to hunt.
Thanks to the Owl Centre & Good Luck Littl'un.
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Andy
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barnstormer
Well-known member
I came across a young sparrowhawk on Tuesday on simonside industrial estate on a road that had been mobbed by gulls and we did the same thing and one of the guys from the factory unit returned it to near the nest.If we didn't it would have been roadkill in seconds.I have no conflict of conscience about this whatsoever.
IanF
Moderator
Tidal Pool/Greatham Creek last night - Lots of Dunlin around c.60-70, Common Sandpiper x1, Avocet x11, Black-tailed Godwit x1, Shelduck 40+, Oystercatcher 50+, Little Ringed Plover x4, Little Egret x1. Lots of Common Tern overhead.
Photos: 1. Dunlin - 2. Little Ringed Plover - 3. Black-tailed Godwit - 4. Oystercatcher - 5. Shelduck
Photos: 1. Dunlin - 2. Little Ringed Plover - 3. Black-tailed Godwit - 4. Oystercatcher - 5. Shelduck
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seehearwrite
New member
Update on Aycliffe Albino Blackbird
Further to previous post, it's returned after not being seen for a couple of weeks. Apparently surviving and thriving. Have observed it being fed still by parent and also being quite aggressive to all other birds who visit the garden.
It likes our home made scones !
Better stills and video footage now available at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zrH7-LbDVA
Further to previous post, it's returned after not being seen for a couple of weeks. Apparently surviving and thriving. Have observed it being fed still by parent and also being quite aggressive to all other birds who visit the garden.
It likes our home made scones !
Better stills and video footage now available at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zrH7-LbDVA
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IanF
Moderator
Great to see it's survived and appears to be doing so well.
IanF
Moderator
Sunny but a little windy down Seaton Snook this morning for the high tide.
One of the first birds seen was an Arctic Skua over the Estuary chasing the Common Terns. Mostly it was well out over the water though once or twice it came over the end of the Snook.
Roosting over high tide were - Grey Plover x1, Knot x32, Dunlin 150+, Curlew Sandpiper x1, Common Tern c.100, Sandwich Tern c.40, Guillemot x1, Turnstone x23, Ringed Plover x5.
Photos: 1. Arctic Skua - 2. Common Tern (juv.) - 3. Sandwich Tern - 4. Dunlin - 5. Turnstone
One of the first birds seen was an Arctic Skua over the Estuary chasing the Common Terns. Mostly it was well out over the water though once or twice it came over the end of the Snook.
Roosting over high tide were - Grey Plover x1, Knot x32, Dunlin 150+, Curlew Sandpiper x1, Common Tern c.100, Sandwich Tern c.40, Guillemot x1, Turnstone x23, Ringed Plover x5.
Photos: 1. Arctic Skua - 2. Common Tern (juv.) - 3. Sandwich Tern - 4. Dunlin - 5. Turnstone
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AndyMc
Well-known member
An update on the Kestrel:
We revisited the Owl Centre today, partly to check on the Kestrel we took in last week.
The good news is that it's on the mend :t:, now feeding for itself & should get to be released soon. It was severley underweight & probably would have died in the next 24hrs had we not stepped in, so I feel good about thatB
.
Love the baby Kookaburras, but what a racket:eek!::eek!:
We revisited the Owl Centre today, partly to check on the Kestrel we took in last week.
The good news is that it's on the mend :t:, now feeding for itself & should get to be released soon. It was severley underweight & probably would have died in the next 24hrs had we not stepped in, so I feel good about thatB
.Love the baby Kookaburras, but what a racket:eek!::eek!:
Auntystatic
Well-known member
I don't think that blackbird is albino, just white, albinos have pink eyes. There are a few white ones being reported around the country now (maybe a sign of things to come?) lots of blackbirds with white in them too.
ColinSev
Well-known member
Help with ID please
I saw this bird on top of the cliffs overlooking blast beach at Seaham. 1st off I thought of young Stonechat, but colour doesnt look right and beak seems too long. It looks too small for a young wheatear and shapes wrong. Is it a whinchat young - although it doesnt look like a young bird at all.
It does seem to have a white collar that went right round and when it flew off I though it had a white rump but can`t be sure because it was a quick glimpse.
Its probably something obvious, but can anyone help?
I saw this bird on top of the cliffs overlooking blast beach at Seaham. 1st off I thought of young Stonechat, but colour doesnt look right and beak seems too long. It looks too small for a young wheatear and shapes wrong. Is it a whinchat young - although it doesnt look like a young bird at all.
It does seem to have a white collar that went right round and when it flew off I though it had a white rump but can`t be sure because it was a quick glimpse.
Its probably something obvious, but can anyone help?
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IanF
Moderator
I'd say a young Wheatear. Size can be very deceptive but the plumage looks right.
IanF
Moderator
Another look down Seaton Snook yesterday morning. Pretty much the same seen again though no Curlew Sandpiper and no Skua. A slight increase in the number of Sandwich Tern and lots of Curlew flying in from the sea including Whimbrel x5 which landed on the side of the 'shingle' ridge. Sanderling x8 along the edge of the sand as well.
Afterwards I called in at RSPB Saltholme where I bumped into degsy_safc. We had a wander down to Saltholme Pools hide where a Little Stint and Ruff x2 were feeding along the edge of the pond opposite the hide.
Photos: 1. Sandwich Tern (juv) - 2. Dunlin - 3. Oystercatcher - 4. Common Tern - 5. Sanderling
Afterwards I called in at RSPB Saltholme where I bumped into degsy_safc. We had a wander down to Saltholme Pools hide where a Little Stint and Ruff x2 were feeding along the edge of the pond opposite the hide.
Photos: 1. Sandwich Tern (juv) - 2. Dunlin - 3. Oystercatcher - 4. Common Tern - 5. Sanderling
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degsy_safc
Well-known member
Hi Ian - great to have a good natter and many thanks for clearing up a few of the locations around the patch....
Will definitely have to try a visit to Seaton Snook soon - the shots you posted from yesterday are stunning - great work :t::t:
June Atkinson
Well-known member
Superb images
Great shots, Ian. I love the one of the fish-in-the-mouth!! I always enjoy your postings; thank you!:t:
Great shots, Ian. I love the one of the fish-in-the-mouth!! I always enjoy your postings; thank you!:t:
ian hamilton
mackem born and bred
anyone any idea if they still lower the water levels at barmston pond in the autumn,i don't think they did last year,iv got my fingers crossed for this year because last year was very poor.
