Jumpin 4 Joy
Well-known member
Just out of curiosity, who is the other MH on the Durham Bird Club Sightings page ? |:d|
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Durham Birding (30 Viewers)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
Shaggy2070
Well-known member
A couple of quick questions if I may
.
Over the weekend I saw a Moorhen busy making a nest about 15 feet up a tree. Would this be pretty normal???, because I've only ever seen them nest in among the water plants.:h?:
Also I saw this large construction, Buzzard or Sparrowhawk nest or more likely Squirrels???
Just wonderingo
.Over the weekend I saw a Moorhen busy making a nest about 15 feet up a tree. Would this be pretty normal???, because I've only ever seen them nest in among the water plants.:h?:
Also I saw this large construction, Buzzard or Sparrowhawk nest or more likely Squirrels???
Just wonderingo
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IanF
Moderator
A couple of quick questions if I may
Over the weekend I saw a Moorhen busy making a nest about 15 feet up a tree. Would this be pretty normal???, because I've only ever seen them nest in among the water plants.:h?:
Also I saw this large construction, Buzzard or Sparrowhawk nest or more likely Squirrels???
Just wonderingo
Looks like a squirrel dray to me.
Maybe the Moorhen thinks we're in for a wet summer and doesn't want to get flooded out again
I've seen them climbing through trees and bushes often enough but never nesting at height.
IanF
Moderator
Tilery Wood this afternoon. Still a dozen or so Siskin around plus several Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Chaffinch and robin plus a singing Blackcap again. Several Peacock butterflies.
Two Common Buzzard over north side of A689 near Tilery Wood - one displaying.
Looks like two nesting Avocets at Greatham Creek plus Lapwing and a Little Ringed Plover present again today. Shelduck, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Redshank and Curlew around the pool/island.
Photos: 1. Siskin - 2. Robin - 3. Peacock butterfly - 4. Buzzard - 5. Little Ringed Plover
Two Common Buzzard over north side of A689 near Tilery Wood - one displaying.
Looks like two nesting Avocets at Greatham Creek plus Lapwing and a Little Ringed Plover present again today. Shelduck, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Redshank and Curlew around the pool/island.
Photos: 1. Siskin - 2. Robin - 3. Peacock butterfly - 4. Buzzard - 5. Little Ringed Plover
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StevieEvans
Well-known member
A couple of quick questions if I may
Over the weekend I saw a Moorhen busy making a nest about 15 feet up a tree. Would this be pretty normal???, because I've only ever seen them nest in among the water plants.:h?:
Also I saw this large construction, Buzzard or Sparrowhawk nest or more likely Squirrels???
Just wonderingo
Glen,
re Second image, difficult to be sure, but id say it was a "Witches broom" - not uncommon in Silver Birch. (shape & size in proportion to tree)
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Quick walk round Joes Pond. 4male Blackcaps singing, otherwise very little activity, other than a passage Tree Pipit behind the pumping station.
Ray.Scott
Well-known member
Weardale/Teesdale over the weekend:
Plenty dipper activity at Frosterley with at least 2 pair viewed up and down the river, not sure if one pair has young yet but they seemed to be taking food up to the nest area. Strange activity, one would fly off and come back with food the join up with the other and they seemed to pass the food between them before one of them flew to the nest area.
Other birds on and around the river area were pied & grey wagtail, mallard, heron and goosander fly over, chaffinch, chiffchaff, blackbirds etc and I think, common sandpiper, (see image).
Plenty red grouse over the moors + 1 kestrel.
Nothing at Bollihope due to trials bike meeting etc.
On to Langdon Beck: plenty common birds in the fields, lapwing, pheasants etc, but no sign of black grouse anywhere.
More or less the same at Cow Green and surrounding area with golden plover, more lapwing, red grouse skylark, mipits etc.
Plenty dipper activity at Frosterley with at least 2 pair viewed up and down the river, not sure if one pair has young yet but they seemed to be taking food up to the nest area. Strange activity, one would fly off and come back with food the join up with the other and they seemed to pass the food between them before one of them flew to the nest area.
Other birds on and around the river area were pied & grey wagtail, mallard, heron and goosander fly over, chaffinch, chiffchaff, blackbirds etc and I think, common sandpiper, (see image).
Plenty red grouse over the moors + 1 kestrel.
Nothing at Bollihope due to trials bike meeting etc.
On to Langdon Beck: plenty common birds in the fields, lapwing, pheasants etc, but no sign of black grouse anywhere.
More or less the same at Cow Green and surrounding area with golden plover, more lapwing, red grouse skylark, mipits etc.
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ian hamilton
mackem born and bred
yep it is a common sandpiper
ian hamilton
mackem born and bred
Timber Beach,0505-0625;
Cormorant
Grey Heron
4 Shelduck
Mallard flew west
Curlew
Redshank
Herring Gull
Woodpigeon
5-6 Wren
2-3 Robin
Dunnock
Blackbird
3 Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Linnet
Cormorant
Grey Heron
4 Shelduck
Mallard flew west
Curlew
Redshank
Herring Gull
Woodpigeon
5-6 Wren
2-3 Robin
Dunnock
Blackbird
3 Willow Warbler
Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Linnet
Shaggy2070
Well-known member
Like you, I've often seen them climbing but it's the first time I've seen them making a nest at a height:h?:Maybe the Moorhen thinks we're in for a wet summer and doesn't want to get flooded out again
I've seen them climbing through trees and bushes often enough but never nesting at height.
It would be interesting to see the little ones leave the nest for the first time
.
Shaggy2070
Well-known member
Cheers Steve:t:, Jaybee suggested something like that but I wasn't sure as some of the twigs looked like they were from some of the surrounding Firs and still pretty fresh ie. green:h?:
But you and Jaybee know a heck of a lot more about trees than I do, so I will bow to your superior knowledge:flyaway:
harry eales
Ancient Entomologist
I don't frequent this page often other to read the posts.
However, today I saw my first Swallow of the year in Low Westwood, and no less than three Sand Martins hawking for flies along the river Derwent at Blackhall Mill.
The latter probably based at the Sand Martin Colony in the sand quarry on Broad Oak Farm.
Harry
However, today I saw my first Swallow of the year in Low Westwood, and no less than three Sand Martins hawking for flies along the river Derwent at Blackhall Mill.
The latter probably based at the Sand Martin Colony in the sand quarry on Broad Oak Farm.
Harry
Ray.Scott
Well-known member
IanF
Moderator
RSPB Saltholme - pm - Spotted Redshank x1, Ruff x7 from Petroplus.
Wildlife Watchpoint - Pair of Little Ringed Plover giving very close views in front of the hide. Coming as close as 15-20' at times displaying every now and again but mostly just feeding. The male looks a bit tatty with very worn flight feathers. Also present Redshank, Shelduck, Gadwall, Little Grebe. Reed Bunting, Dunnock and Goldfinch coming to the feeders.
Swallow over main pond in front of centre.
Paddy's Pool hide - Great Crested Grebe pair plus quite a few Canada Goose and Greylag Goose.
I didn't bother with Saltholme Hide after seeing three kids running along the top of the bunds on the approach and everything near the hide flying off!
A few Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting and Skylark about but no Yellow Wagtail this afternoon.
Avocet x4 still on Calor Gas Pool.
Rec. Pond - Swallow x6, Sand Martin x2, House Martin x2 (first of the year for me), Gadwall 20+.
Photos: 1. Ruff - 2. Shelduck (male) - 3. Little Ringed Plover (fem) - 4. Little Ringed Plover (male) - 5. House Martin
Wildlife Watchpoint - Pair of Little Ringed Plover giving very close views in front of the hide. Coming as close as 15-20' at times displaying every now and again but mostly just feeding. The male looks a bit tatty with very worn flight feathers. Also present Redshank, Shelduck, Gadwall, Little Grebe. Reed Bunting, Dunnock and Goldfinch coming to the feeders.
Swallow over main pond in front of centre.
Paddy's Pool hide - Great Crested Grebe pair plus quite a few Canada Goose and Greylag Goose.
I didn't bother with Saltholme Hide after seeing three kids running along the top of the bunds on the approach and everything near the hide flying off!
A few Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting and Skylark about but no Yellow Wagtail this afternoon.
Avocet x4 still on Calor Gas Pool.
Rec. Pond - Swallow x6, Sand Martin x2, House Martin x2 (first of the year for me), Gadwall 20+.
Photos: 1. Ruff - 2. Shelduck (male) - 3. Little Ringed Plover (fem) - 4. Little Ringed Plover (male) - 5. House Martin
Attachments
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Houghton Local Patch 09
Very few surprises on a cold breezy afternoon round the patch.
A small new pool nr Fencehouses continued to produce passage birds, after recent Green Sand, White Wagtail & LRPlover, today it held a pair of Gadwall busy feeding in the shallows.
The only visible migrants of note were 3 small groups of Siskin moving north & a Yellow Wagtail heading south(!) close to home.
Willow Warbler (inc pr mating), Chiffchaff, Swallow, Sand Martin all well established – smaller no’s of Blackcap (10 or so singing, but another 4 non-singing males seen). Thought I may have heard a brief section of scratchy Whitethroat song, but after a 5min wait it came to nothing. Although there was no mistaking a couple of quick bursts from a Grasshopper Warbler close to the Burn.
Winter retained its grip with 2 each of Goldeneye & Redwing, 15Redpoll & a flock of 25-30 Golden Plover circling.
Couple of Willow tits singing, A pair of Snipe in suitable habitat. Grey Wagtail gathering nest material. One pair of Lapwing appeared to have hatched young already.
Very few surprises on a cold breezy afternoon round the patch.
A small new pool nr Fencehouses continued to produce passage birds, after recent Green Sand, White Wagtail & LRPlover, today it held a pair of Gadwall busy feeding in the shallows.
The only visible migrants of note were 3 small groups of Siskin moving north & a Yellow Wagtail heading south(!) close to home.
Willow Warbler (inc pr mating), Chiffchaff, Swallow, Sand Martin all well established – smaller no’s of Blackcap (10 or so singing, but another 4 non-singing males seen). Thought I may have heard a brief section of scratchy Whitethroat song, but after a 5min wait it came to nothing. Although there was no mistaking a couple of quick bursts from a Grasshopper Warbler close to the Burn.
Winter retained its grip with 2 each of Goldeneye & Redwing, 15Redpoll & a flock of 25-30 Golden Plover circling.
Couple of Willow tits singing, A pair of Snipe in suitable habitat. Grey Wagtail gathering nest material. One pair of Lapwing appeared to have hatched young already.
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Castle Lake DBC Reserve
Following birds seen on our Nature Reserve, during 2 five minute sessions from the hide during a working visit with other team members :-
First species was a Corn Bunting singing from the fence near the hide, also feeding there were 8 Yellow Wagtail (prob10+ on site).
Thick mist & drizzle hampered viewing, but it bring in a large mixed group of hirundines.
When the weather cleared we could see approx 65-70 Swallow & 110-120 Sand Martin, but only 2 House Martins - all seen nicely as they also liked the ugly old barb wire fence. Checked & checked again, but no sign of the Red Rumped nor a Crag Martin...
A single Ringed Plover was the only passage wader fresh in. Others included 3-4 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff, 8 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher & a handful of Lapwing.
On the lake, fish eaters consisted of a pair of GCGrebe, 2+pr Dabchick, 2 each of Cormorant & Heron.
4 "types" of Wagtail, along with the stunning Yella's, at least 1 White, 5+ Pied Wagtail & a Grey at the swg wks.
From the hide, passerines consisted of male Reed Bunting, pr Goldfinch coming close to the small & discreet bird table; also Chaffinch Linnet Skylark & 15+Meadow Pipit. Bigguns included Wood Pigeon Pheasant Jackdaw Crow & Rook
Others included a fly past by male Kestrel carrying prey.
On the water, banksides & islands were Pochard Tufted Wigeon Teal Gadwall Shoveller Mallard Moorhen Coot Canada Goose Cormorant LBBGull HGull CGull BHGull
Who knows what we might of seen if we'd been birding
SE DC JW JO.
Following birds seen on our Nature Reserve, during 2 five minute sessions from the hide during a working visit with other team members :-
First species was a Corn Bunting singing from the fence near the hide, also feeding there were 8 Yellow Wagtail (prob10+ on site).
Thick mist & drizzle hampered viewing, but it bring in a large mixed group of hirundines.
When the weather cleared we could see approx 65-70 Swallow & 110-120 Sand Martin, but only 2 House Martins - all seen nicely as they also liked the ugly old barb wire fence. Checked & checked again, but no sign of the Red Rumped nor a Crag Martin...
A single Ringed Plover was the only passage wader fresh in. Others included 3-4 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Ruff, 8 Redshank, 2 Curlew, 2 Oystercatcher & a handful of Lapwing.
On the lake, fish eaters consisted of a pair of GCGrebe, 2+pr Dabchick, 2 each of Cormorant & Heron.
4 "types" of Wagtail, along with the stunning Yella's, at least 1 White, 5+ Pied Wagtail & a Grey at the swg wks.
From the hide, passerines consisted of male Reed Bunting, pr Goldfinch coming close to the small & discreet bird table; also Chaffinch Linnet Skylark & 15+Meadow Pipit. Bigguns included Wood Pigeon Pheasant Jackdaw Crow & Rook
Others included a fly past by male Kestrel carrying prey.
On the water, banksides & islands were Pochard Tufted Wigeon Teal Gadwall Shoveller Mallard Moorhen Coot Canada Goose Cormorant LBBGull HGull CGull BHGull
Who knows what we might of seen if we'd been birding
SE DC JW JO.
Attachments
Skelly
Durham Birder
Durham Bird Club Indoor Meeting
Indoor Meeting - Thursday 16 April - 7.30 pm - WWWT
At the next Durham Bird Club indoor meeting, Gary Woodburn from the RSPB will be giving a talk about the conservation of Farmland Birds. The meeting will be held at Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and will start at 7:30 p.m. However, there is always someone around from 7.00pm onwards if you fancy a chat before the talk!
If you're not a member why not come along and see what the club has to offer, there's always a member available to talk to.
B
Indoor Meeting - Thursday 16 April - 7.30 pm - WWWT
At the next Durham Bird Club indoor meeting, Gary Woodburn from the RSPB will be giving a talk about the conservation of Farmland Birds. The meeting will be held at Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and will start at 7:30 p.m. However, there is always someone around from 7.00pm onwards if you fancy a chat before the talk!
If you're not a member why not come along and see what the club has to offer, there's always a member available to talk to.
B
Last edited:
will@bill
FATHER AND SON TEAM
Indoor Meeting - Thursday 16 April - 7.30 pm - WWWT
At the next Durham Bird Club indoor meeting, Gary Woodburn from the RSPB will be giving a talk about the conservation of Farmland Birds. The meeting will be held at Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and will start at 7:30 p.m. However, there is always someone around from 7.00pm onwards if you fancy a chat before the talk!
If you're not a member why not come along and see what the club has to offer, there's always a member available to talk to.
B
sounds too good to miss:t:
IanF
Moderator
Tilery Wood/A689 - am - Crossbill 20+,Siskin c.12. Also the usual Coal Tit, Goldfinch x8, Chaffinch 7+, LTT x4, Greenfinch x9, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap x2, Robin, Dunnock, GSW x3. Bank Vole giving clsoe views in the open for a change.
A shame it was such a dull day - not too good for photos - as the Crossbill were giving the best views I've had yet with 18 landing in tree by scout hut and coming down to drink in pool below giving very close views for around 40 minutes.
RSPB Saltholme - pm - a quick visit around 3.00pm on the way to collect Marmot from work - only the Wildlife Watchpoint visited - Little Ringed Plover x2, Gadwall pair, Teal pair and Redshank all close to the hide. Also Little Grebe, Little Egret, Wigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Goose. Reed Bunting and Goldfinch coming to the feeders. Meadow Pipit flitting about and the odd Swallow and Sand Martin.
A shame it was such a dull day - not too good for photos - as the Crossbill were giving the best views I've had yet with 18 landing in tree by scout hut and coming down to drink in pool below giving very close views for around 40 minutes.
RSPB Saltholme - pm - a quick visit around 3.00pm on the way to collect Marmot from work - only the Wildlife Watchpoint visited - Little Ringed Plover x2, Gadwall pair, Teal pair and Redshank all close to the hide. Also Little Grebe, Little Egret, Wigeon, Coot, Moorhen, Canada Goose. Reed Bunting and Goldfinch coming to the feeders. Meadow Pipit flitting about and the odd Swallow and Sand Martin.
Attachments
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Conservation conversation
No real surprise to see so many turn out at such a pleasant venue.:t:
Dont know Gary Woodburn, but it was great to hear from someone so enthusiastic & knowledgeable.
We heard about the Farmland Bird Initiative & the various ways in which species like :- Ring Ousel, Twite, Black Grouse, Redshank, Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Partridge, Tree Sparrow & Corn Bunting are all benefiting from schemes, training & advice
Particular mention was made of the Corn Bunting.
Parts of our Co.Durham population are now the species only stronghold in Northern England. CBC shows a 89% decline between 1970 & 2001, with only 4 singing males noted in Northumberland last year.
Rather surprisingly we were told all is not lost & studies have proven that some of these declines can be reversed.
Seven years research in Aberdeen area, resulted in the number of territorial males doubling over 3 years.
New schemes & options are to be used to target key sites. This ensures safe nesting, plentiful summer food & large acreages of unharvested cereals for winter feeding.
Gary, thanked the Recorder & the Club for our help & stressed the importance of the DBC data that was being used.:t:
Most importantly, those present were given advise on how they can continue to help in the revival of some of our farmland species .
----------------------------------------------------
Common Whitethroat at Hetton Bogs
Peregrine & 2 House Martin Houghton town
Indoor Meeting - Thursday 16 April - 7.30 pm - WWWT
At the next Durham Bird Club indoor meeting, Gary Woodburn from the RSPB will be giving a talk about the conservation of Farmland Birds. The meeting will be held at Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust . . . . . .
B
Will said:
No real surprise to see so many turn out at such a pleasant venue.:t:
Dont know Gary Woodburn, but it was great to hear from someone so enthusiastic & knowledgeable.
We heard about the Farmland Bird Initiative & the various ways in which species like :- Ring Ousel, Twite, Black Grouse, Redshank, Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Partridge, Tree Sparrow & Corn Bunting are all benefiting from schemes, training & advice
Particular mention was made of the Corn Bunting.
Parts of our Co.Durham population are now the species only stronghold in Northern England. CBC shows a 89% decline between 1970 & 2001, with only 4 singing males noted in Northumberland last year.
Rather surprisingly we were told all is not lost & studies have proven that some of these declines can be reversed.
Seven years research in Aberdeen area, resulted in the number of territorial males doubling over 3 years.
New schemes & options are to be used to target key sites. This ensures safe nesting, plentiful summer food & large acreages of unharvested cereals for winter feeding.
Gary, thanked the Recorder & the Club for our help & stressed the importance of the DBC data that was being used.:t:
Most importantly, those present were given advise on how they can continue to help in the revival of some of our farmland species .
----------------------------------------------------
Common Whitethroat at Hetton Bogs
Peregrine & 2 House Martin Houghton town
