Durham Birding (27 Viewers)

[Davethetrimdonian]

Hartlepool Area

North Gare & Zinc Works rd(broken cloud)
wigeon,curlew,moorhen,little egret,lapwing, pr. stonechat just onto the zn wrks rd (superb views on fence post unphased by my proximity)

Hurworth Burn (wind practically gale force)
chaffinch,blue,great & l t tits,robin,dunnock, house sparrow,
curlew, tufted duck, coot, gr crested grebe, wigeon,shelduck

Cowpe Bewley Woodland Park
Pochard, Goldeneye, Tufted, Mallard, Coot,
Gr & blue tits, greenfinch, goldfinch, reed bunting, tree sparrow,robin,dunnock

Thoroughly enjoyable day with 4 year ticks (I dont get out enough)

 

[Binocularface]

Had a trip across today; highlights were:

Tundra Bean Goose and Greenland Whitefronted Goose in 'Pipe-line Field' near Haverton Hole, Water Pipit opposite the Tomato Farm, 2 Iceland Gulls (both 2nd cy birds) on Dormans Pool and two Avocets at Greatham Creek.

It was my first visit to Saltholme RSPB reserve - Looks like there could be lots of potential once the newly managed areas become more established. The only dissapointment was the short opening hours (being 'kicked off' at 1600hrs was a shocker)!

 

[Cyclops]

Just been out with the kids near the farmer's fields and didnt seee too much but lots of tits, sparrows crows gulls and chaffinch about. Then I heard what I thought was a Mistle Thrush till I got the binos on it-it was a Fieldfare!
Been a while since I saw these and certainly not this late in march!
Usually February was the last month to see them when I lived in the midlands.
(See Gallery)
Also saw and heard quite a few Lapwing, which was nice!!

 

[loppydog70]

Female Goosander on the fishing lake at Herrington Country Park @1:30 this afternoon.

 

[Jamie D]

The only dissapointment was the short opening hours (being 'kicked off' at 1600hrs was a shocker)!

I was told that yesterday they stopped letting people into hides not long after 3pm so they could clear the site by 4pm. Today the car park was full so they were having to turn people away. I suspect they have underestimated the number of visitors they would get. If they stayed open longer they would get loads more passing traffic as there is a constant stream of cars pulling up after they have closed. Hopefully the sucess may lead to more staff so it can stay open to dusk......

 

[Cyclops]

Followed a trail of disgarded ham & peas pudding sarnies to a Barny roost yesterday. Arrived at the layby 6.30am, just as it was leaving for breakfast :flyaway:. Assuming it would return, I waited in anticipation . Come 9.00 my feet were numb in the morning frost thinking I might have been outwitted by the wise one.


:t:Andy

Ah,a fellow Darlintonian eh! Anywhere near Branksome?

 

[oncebittern]

I was told that yesterday they stopped letting people into hides not long after 3pm so they could clear the site by 4pm. Today the car park was full so they were having to turn people away. I suspect they have underestimated the number of visitors they would get. If they stayed open longer they would get loads more passing traffic as there is a constant stream of cars pulling up after they have closed. Hopefully the sucess may lead to more staff so it can stay open to dusk......

I was told last weekend, that whilst the car park was free at present, they were intending making it £3 a day at some point in the very near future.

I suspect that will have the effect of cutting down the 'drop-in' traffic significantly.

 

[Ray.Scott]

A few shots from Souter Point yesterday:

 

[Ray.Scott]

and a couple from today including my first Peregrine :t:.

1: Skylark
2: Pied Wagtail
3 & 4: Peregrine

 

[DenBee]

Rainton Meadows / Joe's Pond

Called over this morning quite a pleasant visit Bullfinch x 3 singing in trees at the enterance to Joe' Pond's along with LTT x 2and abundance of Robin x 13 some in full song, while males scolding other males trespassing in their territory.
On entering main site at Rainton Meadows greeted by Male Dunnocks x 2 in full song from atop of trees at the side of Visitor Centre. Pond 2 produced Ruddy Duck x 1, Oystercatcher x 5, Goldeneye x 5 (3 Drake & 2 Female) displaying well.
Also present were Willow tit x 1, Kestrel x 1 (Sitting on top of post near pond 1), Reed Bunting x 1
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[FoghornKinghorn]

Nice to hear and see first Chiffchaff of the year at Chester Sewage works today.

 

[StevieEvans]

beyond Houghton Non Motorised Local Patch 09

Walked back from Hendon via Seaham & Seaton Pond.
(09:00-17:30) 88species noted, at least 10mile.

The Hendon to Ryhope stretch producing a wide selection :-
15Purple Sand, 1mCorn Bunting, 9Stonechat, 12LBBGull, 5Rock Pipit, 1Goldcrest, 4Kestrel, 20N PFGoose, 4mBullfinch, 2Grey Wagtail, 2mReed Bunting, 25mSkylark.

Seaham
prRock Pipit, mStonechat, 1Nuthatch, prTreecreeper, prStock Dove.

Seaton Pond / Sharpley area:
1PFGoose, mGadwall, 2mShoveller, 2prPochard, 2prTeal, prDabchick, prLesser Redpoll, 1Woodcock, GSWdrumming, prOystercatcher, 2Tree Sparrow, 1Snipe, 1Heron, 34Fieldfare, prJay.

Warden Law area
25+Tree Sparrow, 100Yellowhammer, 2prGrey Partridge, 30Linnet, singing Willow Tit, 3Little Owls, prSiskin.

Houghton Biffa Landfill
4LBBGull & Adult Yellow Legged Gull on freshly top solied area at far eastern edge of site, adjacent to A690 H'ton Cut layby.

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28Waxwings in our street yesterday & 1st wint Glaucous Gull on the Cokeworks site.
Couple of Chiffchaffs knocking about, a Sand Martin through Hetton late last week.

Steve

 

[Carrion]

is it right that you can only get onto Saltholme between 10am & 4pm? Or if you get there early are there places not neccessarily on the rspb site where you can do a bit of birding nearby. May be heading down from Tyneside at the weekend, but would probably prefer to get there early if possible. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[AndyMc]

is it right that you can only get onto Saltholme between 10am & 4pm? Or if you get there early are there places not neccessarily on the rspb site where you can do a bit of birding nearby. May be heading down from Tyneside at the weekend, but would probably prefer to get there early if possible. Any tips would be appreciated.

OOOOOOOH Yes :t:
The RSPB came to the birds, not (as some perceive) the other way round.
I suppose the hides are good for getting out of any inclement weather:-O

Look up http://www.teesmouthbc.com/main.aspx & click on the site guide. There's plenty to do. Recommend comparing your arrival time with the tide tables on site selection.
No doubt the local experts on this forum will provide you with the best recommendations on how to enjoy your day.

:t:Andy

 

[deansmith]

is it right that you can only get onto Saltholme between 10am & 4pm? Or if you get there early are there places not neccessarily on the rspb site where you can do a bit of birding nearby. May be heading down from Tyneside at the weekend, but would probably prefer to get there early if possible. Any tips would be appreciated.

yes the reserve has opening times (unfortunatly) im not sure how they extend in the change of it being light longer in the day. there has been alot of passing traffic and a full car park has meant theyve been turning people away at 3pm.

as for other places your spoilt for choice really, you could start of at the headland, hartlepool and make your way down the coast stopping of at seaton common/north gare then greatham creek and greenabella marsh onto rspb saltholme or a detour at the roundabout to cowpen bewley woodland park or travel past saltholme onto the haverton area

all of these sites are confined to a relativly small area and theres more than a days birding in there to visit them all properly

the teesmouth bird club website has a detailed list of all the sites with directions and maps ect

hope this helps

DS

 

[Jumpin 4 Joy]

Do you think this weekend should be spent at the coast looking for migrants ? After hearing about Andrew Kinghorn's Chiffchaff, maybe it is about time we went down to the coast to look for some raritys.

Your opinions ?

 

[rokermartin]

Do you think this weekend should be spent at the coast looking for migrants ? After hearing about Andrew Kinghorn's Chiffchaff, maybe it is about time we went down to the coast to look for some raritys.

Your opinions ?

Should be worth a look for Wheatears this weekend on the coast and Chiffchaffs at the coastal denes.But it all depends on what the weather is doing.

 

[StevieEvans]

DBC Castle Lake Nature Reserve

Castle Lake Reserve:

Waders passing through during working party visit.

1 Little Ringed Plover, 2+Ruff, 1Green Sandpiper, 95Curlew, 12Oystercatcher, 110Golden Plover, 5Goosander, 4Shoveller, 2Stock Dove, Sparrowhawk, Grey Wagtail etc

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Drake Mandarin reported on the main pool at R.Meadows today (1st site record)

Steve

 

[NeilF]

local patch

Birtley Reedbeds/STW
2 Mute Swan, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Redwing, 4 Chiffchaff (3 singing plus the grey 'Eastern race' individual), 2 Goldcrest, 2 Willow Tit.


Lamesley Meadows;
1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover.


Bishops Pool near Kibblesworth;
1 Grey Heron, 1pr Oystercatcher, 1 Green Sandpiper.

Patch year list now 91.

 

[StevieEvans]

Drake Mandarin reported on the main pool at R.Meadows today (1st site record)

No obvious sign this morning, though misty

Quite a few Budpeckers about

Patch year list now 91.

Maybe that Mandarin is slowy heading back up Burdon way ?