Durham Birding (3 Viewers)

[rokermartin]

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.

Hi they have'nt lowered the water levels at Barmston for about 3yrs or even longer.Barmston used to be a cracking place for waders in the autumn.Makes me mad because if Barmston was properly managed if would be a excellent little nature reserve.

 

[ian hamilton]

Hi they have'nt lowered the water levels at Barmston for about 3yrs or even longer.Barmston used to be a cracking place for waders in the autumn.Makes me mad because if Barmston was properly managed if would be a excellent little nature reserve.

hi,thanks for that,i suppose it all boils down to money,i totally agree it could be a excellent nature reserve,it also makes me mad to see it being neglected.

 

[ian hamilton]

Timber Beach 0535-0705;
8 Grey Heron
4 juv Shelduck
party of 7 f Goosander on the river close to the bank before they all flew off the the se
f Sparrowhawk flew low and north
Oystercatcher flew se
40 Lapwing
10 Curlew
36 Redshank
Common Sandpiper
5 Turnstone
2-3 Common Tern
2 Willow Warbler singing briefly

 

[Ray.Scott]

Washington WWT today.

Most of the regulars at the Hawthorn hide, even though quite a lot of the perches have been scorched by the rescent fire, it dosen't have seemed to put the birds off with GS Woodpecker, bullfinch, chaffinch, great,blue & willow tits, robin etc still attending the feeders.

Not much on the wader lake, with a few common tern, BH Gulls, shell duck with young, canada geese, pied wagtail, mallards and single LBB Gull and egyption goose.

Also quite a few damsels, the odd darter and a couple of southern hawkers.

 

[Ray.Scott]

A few dragon fly picks from today.

 

[Jumpin 4 Joy]

Out of all the places you expect to see a Harris Hawk, would the Galleries Shopping Centre, Washington, be on your list ? Well I saw one today there, and, no, I'm not mistaken. While I was in the library perusing some books, I saw it flying away from its keeper (or whatever you call the person who looks after it). The keeper tried to bring it back with the lure of a bit of meat, but the bird preferred to cling onto the windowsill of the library, much to the bemusement of me, my mam, and 4 librarians. The Harris Hawk was so close you could see the breath steaming up the window.

The bird then got the piece of meat from the woman's hand, before - much to her frustration - flying off again into the trees next to the road that separates the car park and the bowling alley. Again, she tried to bring the Harris Hawk down, only this time herring gulls were getting a bit wary of its intentions. A quick mob from the aforementioned gull, and that sent the bird of prey towards the woman, only for the Harris Hawk to land on the grass next to the large staircase.

By now, there was quite a crowd gathering. Men, in Newcastle replica shirts, women, clutching their handbags in fear, and children, pulling faces and making noises, were all watching this Harris Hawk. Probably out of fear, the hawk started to squawk at its audience, although it isn't surprising when a fat little boy was trying to scare it. I felt sorry for it, and I'm not talking about the lad's BMI.

Eventually, the Harris Hawk flew back to its keeper. Phew.

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Eventually, the Harris Hawk flew back to its keeper. Phew.

They are quite commonly seen in the wild and are obviously escaped birds. I am sure you'll know there quite vicious birds but then again a Goshawk can pack a punch! Goshawks will kill other birds of prey to gain the birds territory. Don't be fooled by the eagle owl either, I watched a documentary once and they had found that an eagle owl had killed a buzzard. There was once a woman walking her dog somewhere in Perthshire I think it might have been the high street and an eagle owl came down and took her dog.

I am sure it was good to watch but it's a shame to hear the bird was getting a little bit distressed. The gulls where right to be wary....it's a shame there wasn't a Great-black backed Gull there.....that would be interesting! I wonder what would happen?:h?: The reason I am wondering is that Great-black backed Gulls are quite brutish and I am wondering if the Harris Hawk would get some stick of one and what would happen to the poor Harris Hawk.

 

[Derek Polley]

Will be over on a family visit next week. Have been told that red kites are breeding in the Tesco Car Park at Gateshead. Is this a wind up? If it is true is it easy enough to drive in and see them or are they all up and away by now? I know it is dead boring for you but it is a good tick for me!!

 

[IanF]

Seaton Snook this afternoon for the high tide - Dunlin c.100, Sanderling x8, Ringed Plover x10, Knot x8, Common Tern c.50, Sandwich Tern c.30, Littler Tern x1, Arctic Tern x4. Adult Gannet diving for fish in Seaton Channel but seen off by around a dozen Comorant. Headed of towards South Gare. Teal female flying up Seaton Channel.

Greenabella Marsh - Whinchat x4 (two juv), Stonechat x3, Reed Bunting x2, Dunnock x2, Pheasant x2.

Photos: 1. & 2. Arctic Tern - 3. Common Tern - 4. Dunlin, Sanderling, Knot - 5. Teal

 

[June Atkinson]

Red Kites in Gateshead

Will be over on a family visit next week. Have been told that red kites are breeding in the Tesco Car Park at Gateshead. Is this a wind up? If it is true is it easy enough to drive in and see them or are they all up and away by now? I know it is dead boring for you but it is a good tick for me!!

Derek,
Have a look at the new thread entitled Friends of Red Kites -in the North East of England. Go to Forums/Birds of Prey/FoRK. It will give you an idea of what's been happening in the Derwent Valley. It's true that red kites have nested within a stone's throw of the Tesco Store in Rowlands Gill, which is only a few kilometres from the centre of Gateshead!
Go to Thornley Woods Visitor Centre, between Winlaton Mill and Rowlands Gill. and you will find all the info you need. If you are National Trust members, go to Gibside, where you often see the kites.
Tesco is now sporting a beautiful Red Kite Mural along its fascia, done by a local artist. The opening ceremony was on the local TV and hopefully will be in Countryfile sometime. Look for the Red Kite Collage in Flower Design's window, opposite Tesco; it's beautiful!
Lintzford Garden Centre is also a good centre, and has a pleasant Café.
If you need help with accommodation send me a PM for a excellent B&B in this area.

 

[IanF]

Seaton Snook this morning for a look around at low tide. Plenty of birds about but as expected well spread out over the beaches.

Lots of Common Tern and Sandwich Tern but only one Arctic Tern seen today - they're a lot easier to view at high tide when they're all pretty much together.

On the end of the Snook were Sanderling x2, Turnstone x2 with the odd Oystercatcher and Redshank.

Walking up the edge of Seaton Channel around two dozen Cormorant were flying down the channel and out to sea. Meanwhile several flights of around 20 Teal were flying up the channel towards Seal Sands. Also several flocks of waders, one comprising around 20 Knot but mostly Sanderling and a Turnstone. Around a dozen Curlew as well though some could have been Whimbrel as viewing was difficult directly into the sun. A Bar-tailed Godwit was on the edge of the channel with a few more Oystercatcher, Sanderling and Dunlin.

Stopped off at Greenabella Marsh again where quite a few birds were alongside Tioxide fence - Whinchat x4, Stonechat x4, Whitethroat x2, Reed Bunting x4, Dunnock x2, Wren x1, Sedge Warbler x3.

RSPB Saltholme - only Saltholme Hide visited - Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Ruff all opposite bank from the hide on Back Saltholme.

Still lots of Meadow Pipit but no Yellow Wagtail seen today and only the odd Sand Martin around the visitor centre.

 

[IanF]

Dormans Pool - am - in trees/bushes at bottom of track from top car park - Reed Warbler c.12, Sedge Warbler x4, Willow Warbler x3, Chiffchaff x1, Reed Bunting x2, Linnet x2, Whitethroat x3, Chaffinch and Greenfinch. A little strange that they should be more or less all in one tree - maybe due to the heavy rain last night as many were preening whilst others collecting bugs.

Greenabella Marsh - same as last visit with Whinchat & Stonechat families, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Wren, Goldfinch, Pheasant and Dunnock.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - Southern Hawker x2 mating and ovipositing on weed covered pond by car park plus Common Hawker x3. Brown Hawker x2 and Emperor Dragonfly x1 on lake in front of hide. Common Hawker x2 on scrapes by hide. Sparrowhawks quite vociferous again with juveniles practicing flying. Sedge Warbler family by car park pools catching damselfies and Common Darter.

 

[ColinSev]

Re quote from a few weeks ago about playing a recording of corncrake to attract it (wasnt me!)
A question about the use of tapes on attracting birds! Are you saying it is illegal to use mimicking sounds to attract birds - or is it just rare birds it is illegal. The reason I ask I was at Foxglove in Catterick recently and they use a continous loop of bird calls to attract birds into the nets for ringing. Surely this is just as illegal - because its the BTO doing it is no excuse. Also on a number of wildlife programs I have seen presenters using this technique for attacting woodpeckers, and tawny owls. There does not seem to be any law applied here either. - Just seeking some clarity

 

[IanF]

Re quote from a few weeks ago about playing a recording of corncrake to attract it (wasnt me!)
A question about the use of tapes on attracting birds! Are you saying it is illegal to use mimicking sounds to attract birds - or is it just rare birds it is illegal. The reason I ask I was at Foxglove in Catterick recently and they use a continous loop of bird calls to attract birds into the nets for ringing. Surely this is just as illegal - because its the BTO doing it is no excuse. Also on a number of wildlife programs I have seen presenters using this technique for attacting woodpeckers, and tawny owls. There does not seem to be any law applied here either. - Just seeking some clarity

Tape luring/playback in itself isn't illegal however it can be depending on the species and timing when it's used.

As far as I'm aware there's no legislation on tape luring but of course there are laws relating to any disturbance of nesting birds and in particular Schedule 1 species such as the Corncrake incident. Used for any bird in the breeding season I'd say is very bad practice.

Proper use of tape luring is a technique regularly used by ringers such as those at Foxglove Covert. I've seen it used a few times to attract passage migrants to nets as well.

Tape luring has been discussed previously on Bird Forum on several occasions - these links take you to some of those threads -
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=31961&highlight=tape+luring
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=31916&highlight=tape+luring
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=31916&highlight=tape+luring

 

[Davethetrimdonian]

ID help

Snapped this bird in hawthorn tree at Hurworth Burn.
My Inspector Clouseau skills tempt me to Sedge Warbler (probably wrong):-C
Opinion would be appreciated

 

[rokermartin]

ID help

Snapped this bird in hawthorn tree at Hurworth Burn.
My Inspector Clouseau skills tempt me to Sedge Warbler (probably wrong):-C
Opinion would be appreciated

You are right its a Sedge Warbler. There are a few Sedge Warblers at Hurworth Burn.

 

[Davethetrimdonian]

You are right its a Sedge Warbler. There are a few Sedge Warblers at Hurworth Burn.

Many thanks for the quick reply.
I can add it to Wood, Willow & chiffchaff

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Osprey, Curlew Sandpiper & Whimbrel

At Hurworth Burn I finally got the Osprey on Thursday the 6th. Then along to Greatham Creek where myself and Spuggy got a Whimbrel.

Then myself and 2 other members had a very enjoyable afternoon in Teeside area on Friday the 7th. Managed a photo of the Curlew Sandpiper and the Whimbrel which was showing extremely well.:t:

The photos are a little bit better than what they used to be as I have been getting a new scope.

 

[IanF]

Greenabella Marsh this afternoon - Whinchat x4 giving pretty good views for a change. Also Whitethroat, Dunnock, Wren, Goldfinch, Linnet, Swallow x3, Swift x5.

Also a family of stoats x4 tumbling about by the car and one later carrying what looked to be a rat.

 

[ColinSev]

Re- tape recordings

Thanks for your reply Ian.
I spent a good few minutes stalking this bird at foxglove before tripping over the tape recorder - lol.