In AND around Sunderland (1 Viewer)

[ian hamilton]

Timber Beach 1045-1210.
11 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2prs Shelduck, 18 Teal, pr Oystercatcher, 7 Curlew, Redshank, Black Headed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch.

 

[Adam W]

Coming out of work tonight towards the top of Roker avenue when a Mandarin flew overhead with 3 Mallard,flew off north over the new Tesco site.

 

[ian hamilton]

heard my first Chiffchaff of the spring, singing from queens road/southwick area at 1140.

 

[Adam W]

Adult Iceland Gull at Acad Pools this afternoon, the second April in a row I've seen one there. Also drake Pochard and a pair of Teal.
Snipe giving fantastic views right on the road side of the flash off Moor lane.

 

[ian hamilton]

Barmston Pond 1010-1145.
pr Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, pr Mute Swan, 12 Teal, 4 Mallard, mf Pochard, 4 Tufted Duck, 6-8 Coot, 4-6 Moorhen, 1 Oystercatcher, 14 Black Headed Gull, 36 Herring Gull, 5 Lbb Gull, first Sand Martin of the spring over, Chiffchaff singing, Willow Tit calling.

1210.
c300+ Woodpigeons feeding in the field off washington road,opp cherry blossum way.

 

[Adam W]

Had my first Sand Martin of the year flying along the Leas this afternoon and 2 Wheatears distantly on Whitburn range.

Had a quick pop into Elba park this morning as I was passing,Managed to see the Little Bunting which was a lifer for me. A bit of a crowd building up today,If it hangs around I might try again see If i can get a photo or two.

 

[ian hamilton]

Barmston Pond 1020-1200.
pr Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, pr Mute Swan, pr Canada Geese, drake Teal, drake Gadwall, 4 Mallard, drake Pochard, c20 Tufted Duck, 10 Coot, 2 Moorhen, c20+ Herring Gull, 12 Lbb Gull, c4 Sand Martin over, first House Martin of the spring over, first Swallows of the spring with 2 over, first Willow Warbler of the spring singing, Chiffchaff singing, Willow Tit calling.

 

[ian hamilton]

Timber Beach 0950-1100.
2 Mute Swan, 7 Shelduck, 3 Teal, 2 Mallard, 2 Oystercatcher, 7 Curlew,Redshank, 2 Common Sandpipers were the first of the spring, 22 Turnstone, Herring Gull, Lbb Gull, Woodpigeon, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Redwing, 2 Willow Warbler, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Bullfinch.

 

[Adam W]

Had a very quick look in to SAFC Acad car park this morning to see the Wagtails but pleased I decided to go back this afternoon when I had more time as they put on an excellent show.

 

[Adam W]

As well as the Wagtails there were also several Wheaters, this rather brightly coloured Meadow Pipit and a very pale Woodpigeon with several hundred of its friends on the drillings opposite and a Swallow over.

 

[Adam W]

I wonder if anyone with more knowledge/experience of these Wagtails can explain why this bird is considered to be a 'Channel' as apposed to a Blue Headed?

I've been having a good look on the internet and almost all of the photo's I've seen of Channel Wagtails seem to have really obvious very pale heads where as todays bird to my untrained eye at least appears much more similar to most of the photo's of Blue Headed.

 

[Mark Newsome]

Durham Bird Club AGM

Durham Bird Club's AGM is taking place this coming Friday - 19/04/2013 - at 7:30 pm. The venue is Durham Wildlife Trust headquarters at Rainton Meadows. We would be delighted if you could attend and show some support for your Club.

As an extra incentive, we also have Blanaid Denman, the RSPBs "Skydancer Engagement Officer" to give a talk about the RSPB's Skydancer Project for Hen Harrier conservation. Entrance is free.

If you're not a member and want to see what happens in the club and maybe join, you're more than welcome to attend.

Mark

 

[keithmc]

Spanish wagtail?
Adam I think the blue headed has a yellow throat and channel wag has white but like you say the photos I have seen on the net all show channel wag with a much paler, washed out head where this had a very striking dark head

 

[Adam W]

Thats a good shout Keith, I see what you mean about the white throat seemingly ruling out Blue Headed but having a look at a few photo's of Spanish Wagtails and they seem to have the right combination of the white throat but darker head.

 

[pwduncan]

Spanish Wagtail still in same place this morning.


Paul

 

[HabbinAlan]

Recommend site for Saturday middayish?

I'm coming up for the match on Saturday, followed by a side-trip to Langdon Beck to catch the Black Grouse on Sunday morning. Can anyone recommend a good option for an hour's birding near Sunderland pre-match? I was thinking of Seaham or Blackhall but unsure of dog disturbance etc. at that time of day.

alan

 

[Mark Newsome]

Thats a good shout Keith, I see what you mean about the white throat seemingly ruling out Blue Headed but having a look at a few photo's of Spanish Wagtails and they seem to have the right combination of the white throat but darker head.

To me, it looks more like a Blue-headed variant showing a white throat. The Spanish I've seen generally look darker headed (particularly on the ear coverts), with a narrower trailing supercilium, rather than broad and flaring like this bird. Photo of one I took on iberiae breeding grounds here:
http://www.birdguides.com/picture?f=309496

Interesting article here:
http://www.dutchbirding.nl/content/journal/pdf/1999-5.pdf
And here:
http://www.manchesterbirding.com/flavawagtailsarticle.htm
And nice iberiae photos here for comparison:
http://www.birdsofsaudiarabia.com/2012/04/bird-showing-characteristics-of-iberian.html

From memory, the Birding World paper (Birding World 20 (3): 104-112) is also a comprehensive read with lots of photos of both pure and presumed hybrid birds, but not had chance to dig it out yet. Nice looking bird though, whatever.

Mark

 

[Adam W]

You could be right Mark, just had a look through the other Spanish photo's on Birdguides and several of them do seem to show broader white supers than your spanish bird pretty much matching the current bird. I'd also personally say that the current bird does have noticably darker ear coverts wether they are dark enough for Spanish I wouldnt really know though.
I have however noticed as you mention that some Blue Headed seem to show pretty exstensive white throats.

 

[ian hamilton]

Barmston Pond 1010-1200.
pr Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Grebe, mf Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 2m1f Pochard, c20 Tufted Duck, c10 Coot, 2 Moorhen, 1 Lapwing over, 30 Herring Gull, 9 Lbb Gull, 2-3 Swallow over, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff.

1330-1400.
took a trip up to the academy car park off moor lane and saw the yellow wagtails and channel wagtail and 4-6 wheatears showing very well.

 

[HabbinAlan]

I'm coming up for the match on Saturday, followed by a side-trip to Langdon Beck to catch the Black Grouse on Sunday morning. Can anyone recommend a good option for an hour's birding near Sunderland pre-match? I was thinking of Seaham or Blackhall but unsure of dog disturbance etc. at that time of day.

alan

In the absence of a steer, I'm going to see if I have time to fit in either Roker Beach or Hetton Lyons then park up in good time near Timber Beach for a scan then take my bins on a walk up to the Stadium of Light.

alan