Durham Birding (3 Viewers)

[birding maniac]

Great morning at rainton yesterday, met a couple of birders who pointed out where the stint was- thanks very much. One bird was constantly on the far side and my mum picked up another in the 'scope, so two seen in total. Also 2x drake shoveler, 2 so of hirindines round-a-bout, swifts and a few commoner waders and coot chicks also warmed up our time in the bitter hide (I assume that was the freezer?)
Sadly overwhelmed with coursework and gcses until the end of June so unless something special turns up there won't be any county birding.

 

[NeilF]

Hoped the stormy weather might have dropped a few waders into Bishop Middleham this afternoon but certainly wasn't expecting to find this, first on Stoneybeck Lake then later it relocated to Castle Lake.

 

[joe1969]

well done neil,good find,and a cracking bird

 

[NeilF]

well done neil,good find,and a cracking bird

Cheers Joe, May's turning out to be a good month, lets hope it continue's :t:

 

[Adam W]

As I was putting my bins back in my bag, I found this empty shotgun cartridge in one of the corners on the floor:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckivitt/5751339111/
Hopefully just blown in by the wind, but you never know!!

I very much doubt it would have been fired inside the hide,even if someone was up to no good i doubt they'd be doing it from inside the hide.
Its really a Clay pigeon cartridge 1oz of 71/2's is not much of a game load.

Looks like its been used recently,Maybe just dropped out of someone's pocket?

 

[mckivitt]

I very much doubt it would have been fired inside the hide,even if someone was up to no good i doubt they'd be doing it from inside the hide.
Its really a Clay pigeon cartridge 1oz of 71/2's is not much of a game load.

Looks like its been used recently,Maybe just dropped out of someone's pocket?

That would make perfect sense then - there's a clay pigeon shooting place on a farm that's visible from there, and in that wind I wouldn't have been surprised if a few guns hadn't been blown across...

Cheers for the response and putting my (overactive) mind at ease!

 

[Adam W]

That would make perfect sense then - there's a clay pigeon shooting place on a farm that's visible from there, and in that wind I wouldn't have been surprised if a few guns hadn't been blown across...

Cheers for the response and putting my (overactive) mind at ease!

Ah that would seem to make sense then,lets hope thats the answer.

 

[agamiheron]

Quick visit to Rainton Meadows at dinner didn't produce anything new. Looks like the Stints have all departed now (McKivitt didn't see any this morning either on his fleeting visit) but did have Ringed Plover, Redshank, 2 LRP's, 2 Oystercatchers and a Curlew.

 

[JBee]

Quick visit to Rainton Meadows at dinner didn't produce anything new. Looks like the Stints have all departed now (McKivitt didn't see any this morning either on his fleeting visit) but did have Ringed Plover, Redshank, 2 LRP's, 2 Oystercatchers and a Curlew.

I was in from 9am to 11.15am with nothing of note other than what you listed above.

 

[agamiheron]

I was in from 9am to 11.15am with nothing of note other than what you listed above.

Hope our post (and boasts) of last week haven't cursed us John!!! :eek!:

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Come on agamiheron surely there's a chance of a Skua or Petrel today? Winds are right HAHA

 

[JBee]

Come on agamiheron surely there's a chance of a Skua or Petrel today? Winds are right HAHA

We'll let you know when we find anything Klingon - after all, as a full blooded ticker we know your time is precious and you can't affort to waste any actually looking for birds

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

We'll let you know when we find anything Klingon - after all, as a full blooded ticker we know your time is precious and you can't affort to waste any actually looking for birds

Why did you put the: on the end?

 

[JBee]

Why did you put the: on the end?

You mean it's true???????

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

You mean it's true???????

You know me John; the answer is no. But I was playing along with your joke.:t:

 

[zing]

Durham visit

Hi Guys,
coming up to Durham for 3 days from Yorkshire staying at Bowburn anything of interest in the area that i should get to see? have got transport.

 

[Andy K]

Durham

Hi Guys,
coming up to Durham for 3 days from Yorkshire staying at Bowburn anything of interest in the area that i should get to see? have got transport.

Depends on how much time you have each day and how far you are willing to travel from Bowburn. You are very close to a number of really good local sites such as Castle Lakes at Bishop Middleham,Rainton Meadows,Marsden Rock,Durham Dales etc. Let us know how mobile you want to be and the time you have and I am sure many who read this forum will help you.We are a friendly bunch up here !

 

[zing]

Depends on how much time you have each day and how far you are willing to travel from Bowburn. You are very close to a number of really good local sites such as Castle Lakes at Bishop Middleham,Rainton Meadows,Marsden Rock,Durham Dales etc. Let us know how mobile you want to be and the time you have and I am sure many who read this forum will help you.We are a friendly bunch up here !f

Many thanks Andy i knew i could rely on you guys.

will check my times for next week sadly got the family in tow!! B

 

[IanF]

I popped over to Bishop Middleham first thing this morning hoping the Spoonbill maybe still around but no sign. Pretty quiet really apart from lots of Coot and Gadwall. Blackcap, Meadow Pipit, Skylark and Tree Sparrow along the farm track. Also quite a few Yellow Wagtail still including brief views of a Blue-headed Wagtail in the windy conditions still.

Tilery Wood - am - Spotted Flycatcher x4, Garden Warbler x4, Bullfinch x6, Jay x2, Long-tailed Tit x6, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit, Treecreeper x2 - all within 100m either side of scout hut. Crossbill x4 and x2 seen but could have been more around in conifer stand 100m after scout hut.

For info I've seen no sign of Nightingale at Cowpen Bewley since last Friday (20th May).

RSPB Saltholme - pm - pretty quiet on the whole. Only one Oystercatcher and one Redshank at the Phil Stead Hide plus the usual Lapwing, Shelduck, Gadwall, Greylags, Swallows, Swifts, BH Gull etc. Worth looking out for the possible transitiva/savignii type Swallows, one in particular is very red underneath and at least two others are reddish buff.

Saltholme Hide - Ringed Plover x4, Redshank x6, Grey Heron, Little Ringed Plover.

Nice to see the Oystercatchers on the main pool viewed from the visitor centre window with four fluffy youngsters, though taking a beatnig in the strong winds and squally shwoers.

At least a dozen Yellow Wagtails along the track to Saltholme hide.

 

[ChrisWS]

Depends on how much time you have each day and how far you are willing to travel from Bowburn. You are very close to a number of really good local sites such as Castle Lakes at Bishop Middleham,Rainton Meadows,Marsden Rock,Durham Dales etc. Let us know how mobile you want to be and the time you have and I am sure many who read this forum will help you.We are a friendly bunch up here !f

Andy
I've PM'd you with some info you were after (even though you've just called the North Pennines the 'Durham Dales')
Regards
Chris