Durham Birding (5 Viewers)

[Boy Wonder]

Digiscoping Day (Friday 23rd) and Optics Weekend (Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th)

On Friday the 23rd we will be on hand to answer any digiscoping questions you might have. Whether its how to choose what camera goes best with your scope or what adapter is best to use, Stuart will be in to answer any queries.

On Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th we will be having an optics demonstration with advisors on hand to help you choose the perfect pair of binoculars for you or provide some pointers on what to look for in a telescope if you're thinking of investing this Christmas.

Come in and see us at Saltholme from 10:00

 

[TimG]

Is there any sign of the Great Grey Shrike still around Greenabella and Greatham Creek? Am hoping to get out tomorrow weather permitting *prays*

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Is there any sign of the Great Grey Shrike still around Greenabella and Greatham Creek? Am hoping to get out tomorrow weather permitting *prays*

Tim,

The bird has not been seen for about 1 week now as far as I am aware.

 

[Ray.Scott]

South Shields today:
RT Diver close to the pier on little Haven side, which, on one occasion came up with a fair sized sand eel, first time I've seen this, as they usually eat there prey on the way up. Also cormorant, couple of shags, couple of guillemot and about 8 sanderling.
Also a couple of SE Owls seen in the area.

 

[Ray.Scott]

A few pics of the SE owls today.

 

[IanF]

RSPB Saltholme - car park - Waxwing x2, Redwing c.6, Tree Sparrows & Kestrel.

Haverton Viewpoint - SEO, Marsh Harrier juv. female, plus female RB Merganser. Scrub area - Lesser Redpoll x2.

Starling roost - twice as many birds around tonight. A huge flock eventually settled in reed bed in front of Haverton Viewpoint. Meanwhile a similar sized flock was over the Top Tank eventually settling there.

Paddy's Pool - M & F RB Merganser, Barnacle Geese.

BN Grebe reported at Saltholme Hide.

Dormans Pool - 3.00pm - Marsh Harrier x2, both females an adult and the same juv. as seen this morning at Haverton.

 

[degsy_safc]

RSPB Saltholme - car park - Waxwing x2, Redwing c.6, Tree Sparrows & Kestrel.

Ian - this Kestrel picture is a real stunner, love it :t::t:

 

[vivster]

At The Beach

A Few Pic From Today..

 

[IanF]

RSPB Saltholme - am - Phil Stead Hide - Waxwing x2 by workshops still, Redwing x6, Fieldfare x2. Also GS Woodpecker fem, Water Rail and weasel seen from the hide.

Saltholme Hide - Black-necked Grebe giving close views though difficult to see well in the foggy conditions! Also Goldeneye fem x3 giving close view.

Barnacle Geese, & Golden Plover close views from the screen.

 

[degsy_safc]

A Few Pic From Today..

Cracking shot of the SEO Vivien - well done :t:

 

[IanF]

Ian - this Kestrel picture is a real stunner, love it :t::t:

Thanks Derek. A bit of a fluke. It was taken hand held with the Canon 7D + 400mm f5,6 + 2x teleconverter. I'd been taking photos of the Waxwings when I saw it flying in and tried to keep up with it using manual focus as it approached and landed on that branch. Needless to say the Waxwings and everything else did a bunk!

 

[vivster]

Cracking shot of the SEO Vivien - well done :t:

Thanks Derek...im getting a bit better..lol

 

[vivster]

Seeing Ian's Photo of a Weasel reminded me of this one i got as well as this Fox at RSPB Saltholme couple wks ago..

 

[IanF]

RSPB Saltholme - am - car park - Waxwing still by the workshops.

Main Pool - Water Rail seen from large viewing window.

Saltholme Hide - BN Grebe still occasionally giving close views, Goldeneye fem x3 close to hide, plus two males by the island. Common Scoter fem on Back Saltholme. Lots of waders flying south towarsd Port Clarence Flood - Sanderling c.30, Redshank c.20, Dunlin c.40. Plus usual Golden Plover & Barnacle Geese.

Paddy's Pool - RB Merganser pair seen by others.


Black-necked Grebe video - http://youtu.be/IoHr-_3B4t4

 

[Ray.Scott]

Called at Whitburn for an hour, just before the rain started again, pretty good for the usual, such as sanderling, turnstone, ringed plover, rock pipits, purple sanpiper etc. Just pleased to get out in the fresh air for a bit.

 

[IanF]

RSPB Saltholme - am - Saltholme Hide - BN Grebe, Merlin, Barnacle Geese, Redshank x17, Dunlin x12.

Paddy's Pool - RB Merganser m&f.

Bittern reported flying into reeds at the Wildlife Watchpoint.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Hartlepool Headland:
Still good number of common scoter, eider, redshank, purple sandpiper, rock pipit, turnstone, Distant RT diver, GC grebe, cormorant, drake RB merganser, curlew, flock of about 50 knot.
Only redshank, oyster catcher, turnstone and the med gull at Newburn Bridge.

 

[camper9110]

Found a group of 20 waxwings, along the Teesdale way footpath mid way between Stapleton and Croft-on Tees, yesterday 28th at 14:00. They sat very still while I got some poor pictures with the old point and shoot camera, wish I had my better kit, but very nice to see and hear them up close.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Saltholme Pools Hide: female golden eye, BN grebe, golden plover, barnacle geese, little egret, teal, wigeon, lapwing etc + sparrow hawk flew low, past the hide.
single fieldfare, mistle thrush, 4 reed buntings, goldfinch, greenfinch and little egret from the path, leading to the hide.
Nothing of note from the Phil Stead hide, but one of the kestrels posed well, outside of the hide.
Also 7 waxwing in the bushes near the entrance gate to Saltholme.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Few more from Saltholme today.