Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[AndyEmery]

Lucky you (photo), lucky sparrowhawk (lunch), unlucky bat (lunch)!

 

[June Atkinson]

Spotted redshank

A great shot, Ron. I've never seen this one before.

Can anyone identify this bird please, I saw it today at Greenabella. I have an idea what I hope it is but thought I would ask first to be sure.

Cheers

 

[June Atkinson]

Far Pastures

If you see any wing tags or specific behaviour suggesting nesting, please PM me.
We had a nest at FP last year, but it attracted more attention than was healthy.

Many thanks!
June

Far Pastures yesterday.
At least 3 buzzards, kites, common snipe, 2 kingfisher, sparrow hawk, LT tits and the usual teal, coots etc.

Leucistic Pheasant at Houghton Gate area, seen while on our way to Far Pastures. A first for me.

 

[Michael A]

If you see any wing tags or specific behaviour suggesting nesting, please PM me.
We had a nest at FP last year, but it attracted more attention than was healthy.

Many thanks!
June

I thought a pair of Red Kites had a nest at FP last year.

 

[June Atkinson]

Nesting red kites

I received a copy of your first message Michael, but it hasn't appeared on this BirdForum page. Perhaps you deleted it?

Anyway, you are correct; there was a nest there. In the early stages kites don't appear to mind the presence of people; it's when they reach the actual nest-building and rearing of chicks that things become very sensitive and so I'll now copy in the answer which I had written ready to give to your earlier note.

Last year, the pair to which you refer, nested in the woodyard. At the point when the kites had three chicks in the nest, the adults were subjected to disturbance by photographers, who were attempting to take their photos by offering them food. This was enough to prevent them from returning to the nest to feed their young; this went on for some considerable time - almost two hours.

Red kites are Schedule One birds of prey, protected by Law and anyone who is found disturbing them at the nest site faces considerable fines. None of our forty Volunteers carrying out the region-wide Breeding Survey is permitted to go near or disturb kites on the nest. Only licensed members of our FoRK team can approach the nest.

Looking back to our posts here on BF, you can read the entries from 30June 2013 for the full exchange.

We all want the best outcome for our majestic kites and I'm sure you agree that we must respect their privacy and vulnerability at nesting time.

Go to our thread here on BF and enjoy the superb images coming in.

I thought a pair of Red Kites had a nest at FP last year.

 

[Michael A]

1. how did you know their where 3chicks in nest as leaves had covered part of nest when young had hatched (unless someone climbed up to have a look which I think would disturb birds more than passes by)
2. Was the offering of food and disturbing of birds returning to nest for two hours observed by FoRK "member" or hearsay by someone seeing a one off uneducated photographer standing approx. 150 feet away from nest site.
Birds around release site are fairing reasonably well living in close proximity to humans it's further afield (up Derwent Valley and on up to Hexhamshire) that you find unhealthy disturbance, if they where doing as well in these areas as they are locally we would have a real healthy population. It's not photographers or bird watchers causing disturbance in these locations.

 

[IanF]

Tilery Wood yesterday morning - very quiet for birds. Still a few Siskins and Redpolls but most of the birds seem to have moved on over the last few days. It was nice to get better albeit brief views still of the Crossbills when eight Common Crossbill landed in the tops of th tallest trees.

A Buzzard was soaring over the A689 near Greatham village.

Seaton Snook - only a few Red-breasted Merganser, Cormorant and Eider on the water. On the beach were Snow Bunting x12, Skylark, Ringed Plover. Around 200 waders were on the end of the Snook but as I walked down a Merlin flew past me first scattering the Snow Buntings and then the waders. They flew around a couple of times but then haded across the water towards Bran Sands when the Merlin landed on the end of the Snook. It remained there a good 20 minutes before chasing the after the Snow Buntings again which flew off north towards North Gare.

Merlin video clip - taken hand held so a little jittery - http://youtu.be/usglHGcyn9I

All but the Merlin in flight were taken with a Canon SX50 HS.
Merlin in flight with a Canon 7D + Canon 400mm f5,6

 

[June Atkinson]

Protecting nesting kites


That particular nest was being monitored by our licensed FoRK members.
Observation of the disturbance was also reported by our member/s.

This morning I spent three hours travelling up the Derwent Valley from home in Ponteland, to Medomsley, which is my survey area, to Muggleswick and Edmundbyers. I know the area well, being born and bred in Consett. I saw no kites, although I have good accounts of at least 4-5 in the Medomsley area. You are correct - up onto the moors and into Hexhamshire, our kites are at grave risk. We lost one near Haltwhistle in 2005, three at the Highland Cattle Centre and two last year. All were either shot or poisoned. People fail to realise the benefit of having these magnificent birds in our region. During the five-year re-introduction, their presence brought £2.1 million into the local economy. Go NorthEast, having painted nine of their fleet with beautiful kite images, found their profits increased dramatically on the Newcastle-Consett route.
Friends of Red Kites have given hundreds of presentations throughout the north, our Photographic Exhibition was seen by 35,000 people and we have fourteen schools actively befriending a kite. This is in addition to all the schools who took part in the original Adopt-a-Kite Scheme with 94 chicks.
Conservation and Education are the key to the survival of our majestic red kites.

Below is an invitation to our Anniversary Safari - do come along and see the kites in their habitat.

1. how did you know their where 3chicks in nest as leaves had covered part of nest when young had hatched (unless someone climbed up to have a look which I think would disturb birds more than passes by)
2. Was the offering of food and disturbing of birds returning to nest for two hours observed by FoRK "member" or hearsay by someone seeing a one off uneducated photographer standing approx. 150 feet away from nest site.
Birds around release site are fairing reasonably well living in close proximity to humans it's further afield (up Derwent Valley and on up to Hexhamshire) that you find unhealthy disturbance, if they where doing as well in these areas as they are locally we would have a real healthy population. It's not photographers or bird watchers causing disturbance in these locations.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Raft of around 40 razorbills at Souter today, also single kittiwake, first of the year for me, fulmars and a few more cormorants, some of which were mating.
4 Pink footed geese at boldon flats, far side of the pond.

 

[Mickr]

1. how did you know their where 3chicks in nest as leaves had covered part of nest when young had hatched (unless someone climbed up to have a look which I think would disturb birds more than passes by)
2. Was the offering of food and disturbing of birds returning to nest for two hours observed by FoRK "member" or hearsay by someone seeing a one off uneducated photographer standing approx. 150 feet away from nest site.
Birds around release site are fairing reasonably well living in close proximity to humans it's further afield (up Derwent Valley and on up to Hexhamshire) that you find unhealthy disturbance, if they where doing as well in these areas as they are locally we would have a real healthy population. It's not photographers or bird watchers causing disturbance in these locations.

Hi Michael.

In answer to question 1, nobody climbed the tree to the nest as it was thought that the climb wasn't safe for either the young or the climbers, I can’t remember which or if it was both. No climbing takes place unless the climb is safe for all concerned. The number of young was known from when they were and they were counted on the nest using a high powered telescope, 3 heads were counted popping up above the nest. I’ve monitored plenty of nests from a distance and have timed both parents leaving the nest for an hour at a time. The nests are visited for climbing once the parents leave the nest site, a climber goes up the tree and the young are lowered down one at a time, they are taken a short distance to an area which has been prepared with a blanket and the measuring and recording equipment. The climber stays up the tree all of the time and will have a quick look to see what food items are in the nest. The visits are timed and never take longer than necessary, the visit would be abandoned if it was taking too long.

Question 2, I saw the photographer who was trying to photograph the adult Kites with a stupidly small lens on his camera. He went to Asda and purchased a cooked chicken (yes you read right, a cooked chicken) and threw it for the Kites. 2 people sat under a tree which was much closer than 150 feet for a claimed 5 hours trying to photograph Kites which wouldn’t go near the nest. I estimated that they were a maximum of 30 yards/metres away. I don’t know if the 5 hours was true, it was claimed by one of the photographers who was bragging how long he’d tried to get a decent photograph. He later said that the Kites hadn’t gone into the tree which the birds were nesting in and I told him that he might be the reason for that. The Kites are used to people, that doesn’t mean they are used to people hanging around a nest for hours on end, they are probably used to people walking straight past.

I would say that the photographers were causing a disturbance. It’s a pity that they weren’t birders as a birder wouldn’t have been stupid enough to either feed a cooked chicken or hang around for a stupidly long period of time while keeping parent away from the young.

Here’s a link to my original post on here http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2763354&postcount=336 and hopefully June reminding birders of the laws will give them the confidence to tell people if they see things happening which shouldn’t be.

 

[degsy_safc]

Hi Michael.

In answer to question 1, nobody climbed the tree to the nest as it was thought that the climb wasn't safe for either the young or the climbers, I can’t remember which or if it was both. No climbing takes place unless the climb is safe for all concerned. The number of young was known from when they were and they were counted on the nest using a high powered telescope, 3 heads were counted popping up above the nest. I’ve monitored plenty of nests from a distance and have timed both parents leaving the nest for an hour at a time. The nests are visited for climbing once the parents leave the nest site, a climber goes up the tree and the young are lowered down one at a time, they are taken a short distance to an area which has been prepared with a blanket and the measuring and recording equipment. The climber stays up the tree all of the time and will have a quick look to see what food items are in the nest. The visits are timed and never take longer than necessary, the visit would be abandoned if it was taking too long.

Question 2, I saw the photographer who was trying to photograph the adult Kites with a stupidly small lens on his camera. He went to Asda and purchased a cooked chicken (yes you read right, a cooked chicken) and threw it for the Kites. 2 people sat under a tree which was much closer than 150 feet for a claimed 5 hours trying to photograph Kites which wouldn’t go near the nest. I estimated that they were a maximum of 30 yards/metres away. I don’t know if the 5 hours was true, it was claimed by one of the photographers who was bragging how long he’d tried to get a decent photograph. He later said that the Kites hadn’t gone into the tree which the birds were nesting in and I told him that he might be the reason for that. The Kites are used to people, that doesn’t mean they are used to people hanging around a nest for hours on end, they are probably used to people walking straight past.

I would say that the photographers were causing a disturbance. It’s a pity that they weren’t birders as a birder wouldn’t have been stupid enough to either feed a cooked chicken or hang around for a stupidly long period of time while keeping parent away from the young.

Here’s a link to my original post on here http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=2763354&postcount=336 and hopefully June reminding birders of the laws will give them the confidence to tell people if they see things happening which shouldn’t be.

This has been a very interesting debate and good read, with very valid points made by everyone who has taken part.

I watched those Kites last year for roughly 1.5 hours virtually every Sunday (always different times) for a period of approx 10 weeks, where i watched the Kites mating, nest building, watched the male bird (Wing tag 76 - Chester?) bringing food to the female, watched Chester take his turn on the nest and the female fly off for a short while, saw the 3 chicks heads appear and finally watched all 3 chicks in the area after they fledged. A fantastic sight and great experience. During my visits the site was rarely visited and i began to feel that i was likely the only observer, obviously not the case reading the content of this thread.

I certainly never fed the kites and only watched and photographed them from the access road generally from behind the large trees and fence as a form of cover, with an effective field of view of approx 2000mm for my camera lens combo this was pretty easy to do - i would estimate the distance i was stood to have been approx 130 / 150 yards from the nest.

My experience was one of the best i've ever had photographing wildlife, i felt that over the period Both 'Chester' and his partner accepted me into their domain - to the point that i could walk along the access road while he/she perched in trees without me actually spooking them. I became really attached to those Kites and regarded them as 'my Kites' - i had watched them successfully rearing 3 chicks and finally seeing the youngsters flying around the pastures before they moved away was a highlight i'll never forget.

I didn't realise that people were feeding them with cooked chicken - i did see Chester bring what looked like a raw chicken drumstick back to his favourite perch and eat it himself (last photo) - That said i've also seen Kite's carrying chicken around Rowlands Gill, so it is highly likely that people are feeding them in the village as well, once the Kites get used to this regular food source they will keep returning - like they do at Grigin & Bellymack Farms.

Anyway couple of shots from that period attached..

 

[Mickr]

This has been a very interesting debate and good read, with very valid points made by everyone who has taken part.

I watched those Kites last year for roughly 1.5 hours virtually every Sunday (always different times) for a period of approx 10 weeks, where i watched the Kites mating, nest building, watched the male bird (Wing tag 76 - Chester?) bringing food to the female, watched Chester take his turn on the nest and the female fly off for a short while, saw the 3 chicks heads appear and finally watched all 3 chicks in the area after they fledged. A fantastic sight and great experience. During my visits the site was rarely visited and i began to feel that i was likely the only observer, obviously not the case reading the content of this thread.

I certainly never fed the kites and only watched and photographed them from the access road generally from behind the large trees and fence as a form of cover, with an effective field of view of approx 2000mm for my camera lens combo this was pretty easy to do - i would estimate the distance i was stood to have been approx 130 / 150 yards from the nest.

My experience was one of the best i've ever had photographing wildlife, i felt that over the period Both 'Chester' and his partner accepted me into their domain - to the point that i could walk along the access road while he/she perched in trees without me actually spooking them. I became really attached to those Kites and regarded them as 'my Kites' - i had watched them successfully rearing 3 chicks and finally seeing the youngsters flying around the pastures before they moved away was a highlight i'll never forget.

I didn't realise that people were feeding them with cooked chicken - i did see Chester bring what looked like a raw chicken drumstick back to his favourite perch and eat it himself (last photo) - That said i've also seen Kite's carrying chicken around Rowlands Gill, so it is highly likely that people are feeding them in the village as well, once the Kites get used to this regular food source they will keep returning - like they do at Grigin & Bellymack Farms.

Anyway couple of shots from that period attached..

Hi Derek,

I'm sure I've met you when I've been out and about.

I spent a lot of time watching Kites at the viaduct a few years ago and was surprised how soon Philip came out once I arrived, probably coincidence. I took a friend from work down as he was a keen photographer with a short lens and couldn't get close enough to the Kites to get any decent photographs. As soon as we arrived Philip came straight over. My friend went down a few more times and got nothing so I took him down and again Philip was straight out. My friend commented on how this had happened both time he was with me but never when he'd gone down on his own, I think it was a coincidence but you never know.

That's a great story about your experience last year, thanks for sharing it. I've spent hundreds, possibly thousands of hours watching Kites and have been stopped so many times by people who are not interested in birds but want to know everything about the Kites. Last weekend a car passed me and the driver had noticed the Kite above the road and he reversed his car and we spent 15 or 20 minutes talking about the Kite which had him and his wife fascinated.

 

[June Atkinson]

People inspired by red kites


I remember this very well, Derek, especially the photo of the lovely perched kite looking straight at the lens!
If you've not already seen it, do go to our Home Page; at the foot there is a link to a pdf entitled "A Community inspired by Red Kites in Gateshead's Derwent Valley". I'm sure you will be impressed at what people have created.

June

This has been a very interesting debate and good read, with very valid points made by everyone who has taken part.

I watched those Kites last year for roughly 1.5 hours virtually every Sunday (always different times) for a period of approx 10 weeks, where i watched the Kites mating, nest building, watched the male bird (Wing tag 76 - Chester?) bringing food to the female, watched Chester take his turn on the nest and the female fly off for a short while, saw the 3 chicks heads appear and finally watched all 3 chicks in the area after they fledged. A fantastic sight and great experience. During my visits the site was rarely visited and i began to feel that i was likely the only observer, obviously not the case reading the content of this thread.

I certainly never fed the kites and only watched and photographed them from the access road generally from behind the large trees and fence as a form of cover, with an effective field of view of approx 2000mm for my camera lens combo this was pretty easy to do - i would estimate the distance i was stood to have been approx 130 / 150 yards from the nest.

My experience was one of the best i've ever had photographing wildlife, i felt that over the period Both 'Chester' and his partner accepted me into their domain - to the point that i could walk along the access road while he/she perched in trees without me actually spooking them. I became really attached to those Kites and regarded them as 'my Kites' - i had watched them successfully rearing 3 chicks and finally seeing the youngsters flying around the pastures before they moved away was a highlight i'll never forget.

I didn't realise that people were feeding them with cooked chicken - i did see Chester bring what looked like a raw chicken drumstick back to his favourite perch and eat it himself (last photo) - That said i've also seen Kite's carrying chicken around Rowlands Gill, so it is highly likely that people are feeding them in the village as well, once the Kites get used to this regular food source they will keep returning - like they do at Grigin & Bellymack Farms.

Anyway couple of shots from that period attached..

 

[degsy_safc]

Hi Derek,

I'm sure I've met you when I've been out and about.

I spent a lot of time watching Kites at the viaduct a few years ago and was surprised how soon Philip came out once I arrived, probably coincidence. I took a friend from work down as he was a keen photographer with a short lens and couldn't get close enough to the Kites to get any decent photographs. As soon as we arrived Philip came straight over. My friend went down a few more times and got nothing so I took him down and again Philip was straight out. My friend commented on how this had happened both time he was with me but never when he'd gone down on his own, I think it was a coincidence but you never know.

That's a great story about your experience last year, thanks for sharing it. I've spent hundreds, possibly thousands of hours watching Kites and have been stopped so many times by people who are not interested in birds but want to know everything about the Kites. Last weekend a car passed me and the driver had noticed the Kite above the road and he reversed his car and we spent 15 or 20 minutes talking about the Kite which had him and his wife fascinated.

Hi Mick - we did meet last year at the site we have been discussing, you were with another chap, cannot remember his name. I don't think it is a coincidence that the birds feel comfortable around people they 'know', i'm convinced that they probably get to know people and their traits and when they realise they are no threat then they are more relaxed and comfortable.

Of course slow approach and no sudden movement, flat coloured clothing such as dark blue / olive green (i don't bother with camo :-O) and generally i seem to do ok, you can actually see when the bird is not happy as they will get a little restless readying themselves for flight - so back off a bit and normally they stay put.

I've been keeping tabs on him through the year and have seen him regularly in a couple of locations around the borough. I love seeing him i guess its because i watched him for so long last year that i have a bond with that specific bird.

 

[Mickr]

Hi Mick - we did meet last year at the site we have been discussing, you were with another chap, cannot remember his name. I don't think it is a coincidence that the birds feel comfortable around people they 'know', i'm convinced that they probably get to know people and their traits and when they realise they are no threat then they are more relaxed and comfortable.

Of course slow approach and no sudden movement, flat coloured clothing such as dark blue / olive green (i don't bother with camo :-O) and generally i seem to do ok, you can actually see when the bird is not happy as they will get a little restless readying themselves for flight - so back off a bit and normally they stay put.

I've been keeping tabs on him through the year and have seen him regularly in a couple of locations around the borough. I love seeing him i guess its because i watched him for so long last year that i have a bond with that specific bird.

You've reminded me, the person I was with that day is Ken Sanderson. Ken is Chairman of Friends of Red Kites and one of our licence holders.

I've been out monitoring today and had a Red Kite fly so close that I couldn't get a photograph, I would guess that it was no more than 3 or 4 metres above my head and it came from behind so it was a bit of a surprise.

 

[ColinSev]

Glossy Ibis at Middleton St George

This mornings first call was the Glossy Ibis at Middleton St George, and it showed really well in the sunshine, then over to Seaton Snook for the Snow Buntings and I got well and truly sandblasted. 5 Snow Buntings were on show but I never got pics.

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

 

[degsy_safc]

This mornings first call was the Glossy Ibis at Middleton St George, and it showed really well in the sunshine.

They turned out really well Colin, the colours certainly showing well in that nice light - it was nice to have a canny natter today :t:

 

[degsy_safc]

As Colin mentioned the wind at Seaton Snook was pretty harsh. It was good to see Dave & Mark Fullerton again - always a pleasure lads :t:

I managed a couple of pics of the Snow Bunting - but due to excessive wind and the camera / lens being really buffetted they are not what i would have liked.. But beggars can't be choosers..

Also an iffy shot of one of the GC Grebe on Saltholme East, look at those waves :-O

 

[dannyboy]

Kites

You've reminded me, the person I was with that day is Ken Sanderson. Ken is Chairman of Friends of Red Kites and one of our licence holders.

I've been out monitoring today and had a Red Kite fly so close that I couldn't get a photograph, I would guess that it was no more than 3 or 4 metres above my head and it came from behind so it was a bit of a surprise.

Mick/Derek

Derek You know what I think of your photos you should put them in the FoRK photo competition -nobody else seems to be putting pictures in so you might encourage others to enter. Mind you there is no way I'm putting any pictures in if you do :-O

Mick I know what you mean I was out this morning and got one of yours flying so close over me I could not get the whole bird in the picture this was how I took it uncropped.

Paul

 

[dannyboy]

As Colin mentioned the wind at Seaton Snook was pretty harsh. It was good to see Dave & Mark Fullerton again - always a pleasure lads :t:

I managed a couple of pics of the Snow Bunting - but due to excessive wind and the camera / lens being really buffetted they are not what i would have liked.. But beggars can't be choosers..

Also an iffy shot of one of the GC Grebe on Saltholme East, look at those waves :-O

Oh yeah Crap pictures I would give up if I was you :-O