Durham Birding (9 Viewers)

[AndyEmery]

Thanks. I was going to check it out on my lunch break today but the weather has other plans!

 

[andyg]

What's the deal with Brasside ponds? I found somewhere saying you needed permission to visit. Is this true? If so, who do you need to ask for permission? Do you drive through the prison car park to reach the lane on which you park?

Cheers, Andy

Think those signs went up last autumn, I've been there quite a few times, rightly or wrongly without any problems. I would just listen out for any shooting tho'
Been there this morning, 6 Manderin on the smaller pond.

 

[ColinSev]

Black Grouse - Teesdale

There were 32 Black Grouse at Langdon Beck this morning - 22 male, at their usual grazing field. I had a ride further up the valley and found 3 more groups of Black Grouse giving a total of 73 birds.
At one location the birds were really close, almost too close for digiscoping, weather could have been brighter, but I am pleased with these photos. Its great to see them doing so well.

http://colsdigiscope.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[degsy_safc]

Cracking set of shots Colin, very nice

 

[A W Gregory]

Teesdale area.

A couple of Drake Mandarin shots and Grey Heron from this morning.

 

[Lamp64]

Feeling very hungover this morning and slightly regretting agreeing to lead a walk in Hartlepool we set off from Ward Jackson park. On view in the park, 5 Rose Ringed Parakeets, single Nuthatch and Treecreeper. Enroute to Summerhill a small group of Black Headed gulls lifted from the field adjoining the footpath, I had no bins with me and it had just started peeing down but something unusual lifted with them. With bleary eyes I thought it was a Glossy Ibis but wasn't sure.I phoned it in as a possible and finished the walk. As soon as I could I went back to try and confirm it and immediately on entering the field it had come closer.I was trying to phone in to confirm when a few other birders turned up and confirmed what I'd seen. First local rare I've found and should be accepted, turned out to be a good day! ..... ps. On leaving the field 4 White Fronted Geese flew over adding to what was a excellent day for me!

 

[AndyEmery]

Anybody ever seen anything exciting around Aykley Heads/Aykley Woods? I've seen plenty of species around here on my lunch time walks but nothing particularly out-of-the-ordinary. Off out now to see what I can see...

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Hi Andy,

I used to live close to Aykley heads and occasionally visit when I visit Durham. The most unusual thing I've seen there was a Harris hawk! Other more interesting stuff has included kingfisher (at the DLI pools), crossbill, merlin, willow tit, waxwing etc. Grasshopper warbler are present in summer.

Aykley woods is supposed to have purple hairstreak butterflies too - although I've never seen them there.

 

[AndyEmery]

Crossbills would be a good spot, I've never seen them before! I think I've spotted some grasshopper warblers possibly but I always forget my binoculars so have to make do with not identifying it properly! Looking forward to hopefully spotting some waxwings this winter, plenty of rowan trees around to feed them!

 

[Michael A]

Muggleswick area, Common Buzzard x6, Red Kite x1, 100+ Fieldfare, Mistle Thrush x6, Green Woodpecker x1.
http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/

 

[A W Gregory]

A few of the Glossy Ibis from this morning.

 

[degsy_safc]

A few of the Glossy Ibis from this morning.

Great pics Alan :t:

 

[Ray.Scott]

Yesterday

A few shots from Hartlepool/Teesside area, taken yesterday.

 

[degsy_safc]

A few shots from Hartlepool/Teesside area, taken yesterday.

Nice set Ray - cracking Parakeet :t:

 

[2slo]

Around lunchtime today, A68 5 miles north of castleside, c.200 Greylag Geese in a field next to the road:

 

[Adam W]

Around lunchtime today, A68 5 miles north of castleside, c.200 Greylag Geese in a field next to the road:

View attachment 471575

Nice photo, Looks like there's a few Pinkfeet in amongst them too.

 

[2slo]

Nice photo, Looks like there's a few Pinkfeet in amongst them too.

Thanks, I hadn't noticed that.
Part of the flock was in the next field down getting mobbed by Crows:

 

[ColinSev]

Black Grouse in sunny Teesdale

I couldn't resist going back up to Teesdale since it was a sunny morning. These young male black grouse were originally about 100 yards away, then they kept walking closer. Photos are about 40 yards off and digiscoped. Again I found 3 different groups of birds, excluding the usual Langdon Beck birds which were about 500 yards away.
Also saw a covey of 8 partridges a flock of 60 fieldfares and a Kingfisher!

http://colsdigiscope.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[Ray.Scott]

Well done Collin, nice to see them close fore a change, they are normally at least a field away when we go to the area.
Very nice shots :t:.

 

[ColinSev]

black Grouse

Cheers Ray, I think that because they were this years young birds they haven't got wise yet. there are good numbers up there too. Where have you been all summer, Int seen you in ages . You got a summer lodge somewhere?