Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[IanF]

A pretty good week so far around the north side of the estuary.

RSPB Saltholme the last few days has had Arctic Tern x3, Black Tern, Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear & Avocet all from Saltholme Hide.

A Scaup was at the Phil Stead Hide but has now moved onto the east pond where it's joined the lingering pair of Long-tailed Duck one of which is reaching summer plumage now. At least three Goldeneye remain. The Black Tern seems to be sticking on that pond as well now.

Last night there were two Common Tern on Saltholme west but no sign this morning.

No sign of the Grasshopper Warbler at Dormans Pool the last few days. Sedge Warbler numbers have dropped again though at least three still present today. Also Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Linnet and Wren all singing from brambles beside the path to the hide.

Today a Wryneck was found along at North Gare on the edge of one of the fairways. A good number of Wheatear around as well plus a pair of Stonechat and the odd Yellow Wagtail. A Whinchat was reported but wasn't refound. A drake Garganey was on the North Gare access road pools.

 

[smrtyr1]

Grasshopper Warbler

Found this unusually friendly grasshopper warbler on my walk along the Castle Eden walkway south of Hurworth Burn, came so close I could not get a shot at first.

 

[smrtyr1]

Hartlepool Headland & North Gare

Good Day today even if the weather wasn't.
A beautiful wood warbler and whinchat at the Headland and a dotterel at the North Gare on the golf course.
Thanks to Chris the ringer for letting me get such a close up view of the wood warbler.

 

[IanF]

Seaton Common - am - Dotterel x2 now and still present this evening. Wryneck relocated this evening as well.

Whinchat x3 seen from Zinc Works Road and a Golden Plover calling as is circled overhead.

Hartlepool Headland - managed to catch up with the Wood Warbler this morning. Lots of Chiffchaff & Willow Warbler. Also Lesser Whitethroat x3, Common Whitethoat, Garden Warbler & Blackcap. A Black Redstart and Whinchat were relocated after I left.


BTW - Anyone lost a CF card at the North Gare Dotterel twitch yesterday?

One was picked up by a local birder Derek Clayton. Contact him on 07929138611

 

[Michael A]

Wood Warbler

A few photos from today, Wood Warblers back on nesting sites, and a pair of Red-Legged Partridge seem to be more common than Grey.
http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/

 

[degsy_safc]

A few photos from today, Wood Warblers back on nesting sites, and a pair of Red-Legged Partridge seem to be more common than Grey.

Excellent series of pictures Michael :t:

 

[sarahdurha]

Hi,

Thinking of having a look to Hamsterley and probably Stanhope at some point over the weekend, probably tomorrow. Any recommendations of good spots for bird watching around these areas? We may also go through Middleton to Barnard Castle too.

 

[dannyboy]

Hi,

Thinking of having a look to Hamsterley and probably Stanhope at some point over the weekend, probably tomorrow. Any recommendations of good spots for bird watching around these areas? We may also go through Middleton to Barnard Castle too.

Sarah
Tunstall Reservoir is always a good bet this time of year for Redstarts Warblers and Flycatchers also lots of young Geese around at the moment. Hamsterley Forest always is worth a look in. Stanhope is quite at the moment usually Dippers around but not today. If Barny doesn't grab you it's worth heading over the moors back over to Edmondbyers /Pow Hill and Muggleswick at the moment.

Paul

 

[dannyboy]

Durham today

A couple of Pied Flycatchers from Durham today

 

[dannyboy]

Rainton Meadows Today

 

[barnstormer]

Does anyone have any idea where is the best place in the Durham area to see Green Woodpeckers as I really want to get some shots.

 

[LowellMills]

I know they're at Hawthorne Dene, next to Easington. Don't know most reliable site, if there is one.

 

[Shaggy2070]

I've heard Green 'peckers in a few places like Wingate Quarry NR, Hawthorne Dene, Clara Vale NR, Low Barnes to name a few but the only "Local" Green 'peckers I've managed to see were once at Low Barnes and one while walking along the lines from Shotton to Haswell, but they were both a couple of years ago now.

 

[2slo]

A couple of Pied Flycatchers from Durham today

Nice set of images there Danny. I got a brief glimpse of the Pied Flycatchers at Low Barns (don't know if these are the same birds) but they didn't land close enough for a shot.
Hardwick park is worth a walk around at the minute. Several groups of Canada goslings, Coots and Mallards have also produced young. Watched a pair of G C Grebes displaying on the main lake, other birders there reckoned there are several pairs to be seen.

 

[barnstormer]

I know they're at Hawthorne Dene, next to Easington. Don't know most reliable site, if there is one.

Cheers lads think I will give Hawthorne a go,wonder if the old feeding station is still going.

 

[June Atkinson]

World Heritage Centre, Durham, host our Exhibition

City of Durham hosts our celebrated Photographic Exhibition
Flight of the Red Kite
10a.m until 5p.m. each day in the Visitor Centre.

Entry is FREE


https://www.durhamworldheritagesite....visitor-centre

 

[seggs]

I know they're at Hawthorne Dene, next to Easington. Don't know most reliable site, if there is one.

They keep laughing at me also..

 

[A W Gregory]

Brignall

A couple of pics from yesterday.

 

[Mickr]

From the county yesterday, not the best photograph but you can tell what it is.

 

[A W Gregory]

Bollihope Common

Emperor moth from yesterday