Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[Boro Birder]

A Buzzards nest I was recording last year was shot from below, Mick is totally right, get in touch with the police. I have a close friend who is a wildlife crime officer for Devon and Cornwall police and one of the biggest problems they face is its not reported, especially in remote locations also Loch Garten was the first published Osprey nest site, believe me there is plenty of birders who would sit in a hide and keep watch over a BoP nest and voluntary, you could count myself and many more who would do the same. Its the way we will beat or at least make it harder for the bastards.

Damian

 

[Jameswl]

It may have been an accident by someone not realising Tawnys don't just nest in tree holes but i suppose i'll never know. Hopefully the Male will find another mate for next Winter/Spring.

That's really bad. And the Derwent Valley in that area is so beautiful and seemingly undisturbed. I hope for morality's sake the tawny was accidental.

In more positive news, the dippers in Gilesgate are still back and forth from their nest. They seemed more wary of danger today than usual, but it's still looking good overall.

 

[Ray.Scott]

South Shields today:
Meadow pipits, linnets, single distant wheat-ear and the usual gulls, cormorants at the pier area.
Good number of Kittiwake, fulmar, cormorants at Souter stack, but only 4 razorbills seen.

 

[Jameswl]

Nice Wheatear Ray. Hopefully they'll present themselves closer soon :t:

 

[Michael A]

Tawny Owl in hopefully a safer location. Passed info on to local farmer whose land it is on. Also another hole nesting bird.

http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

 

[Ray.Scott]

Cheers James,
Found some a bit closer down Teesside area today.

 

[super-silly-um]

Cheers James,
Found some a bit closer down Teesside area today.

Lovely photos there Ray :t:

Richard

 

[Jameswl]

Cheers James,
Found some a bit closer down Teesside area today.

Even better |=)| I'm at my grandparents', so just starlings and sparrows for me today.

 

[Ray.Scott]

Few record shots of Swallows etc from Far Pastures today.
Weather pretty crap this morning but good mixed flock of swallows, House & sand martins, couple of buzzards and 4 red kite from the car park and virtually nothing on the water other than little grebe, couple of teal, canada geese and the usual ducks.

 

[Michael A]

Hooded Crow

Middleton In Teesdale yesterday what looked like a Hooded Crow?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

 

[Jameswl]

I walked up to base of Tree and found (Pic 2) Female Tawny looking just like the Crow as if it had been shot through its nest. The only person who knows actually what happened is the one who did the deed.

Is there any news on the tawny Michael?

I checked up on the dippers yesterday. Still good. Sounds like the chick has hatched! :eek!:

 

[Mark Newsome]

Middleton In Teesdale yesterday what looked like a Hooded Crow?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

Nice one Michael. Last year was the first year possibly in living memory that Hooded Crow was not recorded in County Durham. A very rare bird these days.

Mark

 

[Jameswl]

Didn't realise Hooded Crows were even in Durham! They're certainly not around at home.

I went for a jog earlier. It was great to see so many Blackcaps - 4 in total. 2 G S Peckers, one in Butterby Wood and the other in the park at Sunderland Bridge.
I also saw a pair of Mandarin Ducks on the Old Durham Beck, near to where it meets the Wear. Very handsome, but is it normal to see them there?

 

[degsy_safc]

One of Gateshead's finest - couldn't resist taking her picture..

 

[Mark Newsome]

Didn't realise Hooded Crows were even in Durham! They're certainly not around at home.

I went for a jog earlier. It was great to see so many Blackcaps - 4 in total. 2 G S Peckers, one in Butterby Wood and the other in the park at Sunderland Bridge.
I also saw a pair of Mandarin Ducks on the Old Durham Beck, near to where it meets the Wear. Very handsome, but is it normal to see them there?

The Hooded Crows we get are likely to be Scandinavian birds, rather than Scottish. There has been a general decline in them as a winter visitor throughout northern/eastern England, so definintely a good bird these days.

Mandarins breed in small numbers in Durham (as they do in Northumberland and Yorkshire) and the quiet wooded stretches of the Rivers Wear and Tees are likely spots. A good chance the ones you saw are part of the population that has gathered at Brasside Ponds in the autumn. Keep an eye on that area, see if you can spot a brood of ducklings later in the spring.

Mark

 

[Jameswl]

One of Gateshead's finest - couldn't resist taking her picture..

The Hooded Crows we get are likely to be Scandinavian birds, rather than Scottish. There has been a general decline in them as a winter visitor throughout northern/eastern England, so definintely a good bird these days.

Mandarins breed in small numbers in Durham (as they do in Northumberland and Yorkshire) and the quiet wooded stretches of the Rivers Wear and Tees are likely spots. A good chance the ones you saw are part of the population that has gathered at Brasside Ponds in the autumn. Keep an eye on that area, see if you can spot a brood of ducklings later in the spring.

Mark

Thanks Mark, I go that way regularly. I'll be sure to check the beck.
Lovely photo too Derek |=)|

 

[Michael A]

Whinchats

Today in changing weather conditions at least 8 Whinchats on Burdon Moor. Actually saw more Whinchats than Wheatears, Linnets or Skylarks.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

 

[Jameswl]

Lovely photos Michael. It must be good to see Whinchats.

I had a lovely walk down Castle Eden Dene and the heritage coast today. Lots of Mipits, three skylarks in flight, blackcap, treecreeper and nuthatch stood out most. Hopefully next time I go the Little Terns will be back at Crimdon.

 

[degsy_safc]

The Tawny Owl that my mate Michael and I are watching has got at least 2 chicks that must have hatched in the last few days - the male bird just sat in a nearby tree while i watched from my car - fantastic experience.

Also had a nice pair of male redstarts on the fringes of an oak woodland that borders the upland moors..

 

[A W Gregory]

Moorland Wildlife

A Male Whinchat taken on 1-5-2015 at an upland site in Co. Durham