Northumbrian Birding (1 Viewer)

[DEREK.C.]

Been up the caravan at rothbury for a few days and saw my first sand martins of the year with 20 at caistron last night also there were 18 goldeneye , 6 gadwall, 100+ oystercatcher, 25 pied wags and a few goosander. I`ve noticed some more pools have been created further along and the hides are open again , first time for ages.
Simonside hills this morning had pairs of raven , buzzard, stonechat and dozens of siskin and goldcrest , with another 15 sand martin on the river croquet this afternoon.

 

[June Atkinson]

A watchful eye

Been up the caravan at rothbury for a few days and saw my first sand martins of the year with 20 at caistron last night also there were 18 goldeneye , 6 gadwall, 100+ oystercatcher, 25 pied wags and a few goosander. I`ve noticed some more pools have been created further along and the hides are open again , first time for ages.
Simonside Hills this morning had pairs of raven , buzzard, stonechat and dozens of siskin and goldcrest , with another 15 sand martin on the river croquet this afternoon.

Sounds as though you've got off to a really good start. We often drive to Rothbury and sometimes pop into Cragside. Now that the cascade has been completely redone, it should look great.
When you are at the caravan, and tootling around, would you please keep an eye open for any of our Red Kites? They are dispersing; there was a report from Kielder, and this week, Leonard and I have done 100 miles of searching with the tracking gear, especially looking for a kite seen recently at Tranwell woods, west of Stannington. We found - zilch!! Sad!

Please either PM me or ring our Kite Office on 0191 496 1555 or e-mail to:
[email protected]


Many thanks - and enjoy the summer............ :t:

 

[Stewart J.]

Out into local Pennine patches again checking on Plovers and Grouse. Some big groups of Golden Plover in usual favoured locations in Allenheads, Sinderhope and Allendale areas, largest near Allenheads numbered 800+ many showing characteristics of Northern race, other groups totalled 50 to 500 birds. Displaying Snipe very noticeable with upto 18 in some locations.

Lapwing, Redshank, Curlew and Oystercatchers in good numbers. Blackcock again a bit thin on ground, 6 at one location, checked on Dryburn lek and had 5 males then 2 Greyhens put in an appearance and 7 males started lekking big time.

Red Grouse displaying on moors, but no passerine migrants yet (hirundines wheatears etc).

Some pics attached of Greyhens, Blackcock and Goldies (all a bit distant)

Stewart

 

[teix]

I'm assuming the kingfishers are the ones seen from the Clara Vale hide as it's only just across the river.[/QUOTE]

Very likely, on most occasions I see them on the river between Moors Court & Stephenson's cottage although they have been spotted inland at the "Reif".

 

[RobF]

Found my first Lapwing nest of the year today. Wheatears are back in force, checked the leks this morning, but they weren't really doing much.

Rob

 

[Stewart J.]

Highlights at Grindon Lough this afternoon, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Greenland White-fronted Geese, 107 Greylags plus all the usual wildfowl. No hirundines or Wheatears yet!

Stewart

 

[June Atkinson]

Future Events with Northern Kites

Here are some of the future Events with Northern Kites, courtesy of Rhianne Dixon Events Officer for Northern Kites Project..

Red Kite Ramble in Teesdale
Saturday 7th April, 10am - 12.30pm (Booking is essential)
Join Northern Kites staff and volunteers on this guided walk to see red kites in the wild while exploring the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Teesdale’s beautiful countryside. Suitable for all ages but please be aware the route is over rough ground.
Cost: FREE EVENT
(Booking is essential)
For further information contact: North Pennines AONB on 01388 528801

Red Kite Ramble in Chopwell Wood
Tuesday 10th April, 2 - 4pm (Booking is essential)
Join Northern Kites staff and volunteers on this guided walk to see red kites and other wildlife while exploring the beautiful Chopwell Woods near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. Suitable for all ages but please be aware the route is over rough ground.
Cost: FREE EVENT
(Booking is essential)
For further information contact: Chopwell Woods on 01207 542231

Saltwell Park Show
Saturday 21st April and Sunday 22nd April, 10am - 4.30pm
Northern Kites staff and volunteers will be joining the Gateshead Council Countryside Team at the Saltwell Park Show in Gateshead. Come along to enjoy all elements of the show and find out more about red kites. Children can enjoy free red kite activities.
Cost: FREE EVENT
(Booking is not required)
For further information contact: Gateshead Council Events Team: 0191 4333000

Red Kite Ramble in Gibside Estate
Sunday 6th May, starts at 12pm (Booking is essential)
Join Northern Kites for this guided walk to see red kites while exploring the beautiful National Trust’s Gibside Estate near Rowlands Gill, Gateshead. Suitable for all ages but please be aware the route is over rough ground.
Cost: National Trust admission prices apply, plus an additional charge for the event (to include refreshments).
(Booking is essential)
For further information contact: The Gibside Estate on 01207 541824

 

[salty]

goshawk, raven, crossbill (lots) and loads of buzzards yesterday.

also had peregrine displaying near last years nest site.

 

[RobF]

Had a drive up the Ingram Valley today, Chiffchaffs back in numbers, no sign of any Sand Martin on the river. There were a few other birders up there, it was a gorgeous day.

There are some huge fires on the ranges, hopefully it won't get into the forestry.

Rob

 

[LSB]

Jack Snipe at St Mary's Wetland today. A fun run is on there tomorrow so go early if your trying for it.....

 

[Julie10_10]

I had a walk along the River Walk at Wallington today and the bird song in the woods was very good to hear.

Birds seen were: GSW (3), Nuthatch (7), Treecreeper (1), Robin (10), Grey Wagtail (1), Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Wren, plus numerous Blue, Great and Coal Tits.

Also heard: Chiffchaff (7), Tawny Owl (I only heard one, but other visitors saw one in another part of the grounds) and Buzzard.

Julie

 

[RobF]

Tawny's hooting in the day is supposed to be quite rare, only recorded once in Finland according to 'Owls of Europe'. I've heard them a few times in the forestry around here in the middle of the day.

Rob

 

[DEREK.C.]

Tawny's hooting in the day is supposed to be quite rare, only recorded once in Finland according to 'Owls of Europe'. I've heard them a few times in the forestry around here in the middle of the day.

Rob

I agree , theres 5-6 pair around my local patch in durham and you hear the males calling often during the day. Septembers usually a good month and again in february/march.

 

[Vipers]

I had a trip to the Allendale area today with the missus. We met up with Stewart J who kindly showed us a Blackcock lek and a flock of about 500 Northern race Golden Plover. We saw 5 Blackcock, 3 near the lek site and two at the site near the Golden Plover, sheltering behind a wall from the howling gale. Also seen in the area were good numbers of waders, including Redshank, Curlew, Oyster Catchers, Lapwing and Snipe. I also got my first Wheatear of the year. Overall, a good day, the only problem was the gale force wind. Many thanks to Stewart for his help.

 

[RobF]

Glad to hear you had a good day in the uplands. The northern Goldies have really coloured up in the last few weeks, shame our resident birds aren't as boldly marked.

Unfortunately the fire on the range has burnt out some ground nesting raptor nest sites and 2 forestry blocks. The heather habitat should recover though and there is plenty of other available nesting areas which the ground nesters will hopefully occupy this year.

Had a walk up the Uswayford Burn today, it was very quiet, some Mipits, Wheatear, a pair of Buzzard and a drake Mallard.

Rob

 

[Stewart J.]

Thanks Gary, shame about the gale force winds, called at lek site on way back at 18.30hrs no birds, 3 males in roadside field 2-3 fields down on right hand side from where you parked earlier (pic No 3)

Out and about in Allen valley and surrounds, one sizeable flock of 250+ Fieldfare many coming into breeding plumage.

Golden Plover build ups in traditional fields continues with groups numbered as follows, 172, @500, 214, 82, 287. Wheatears at several sites including a group of 9 in a field amongst Golden Plovers.

Black Grouse again scarce not helped by gale force winds, at least 2 sites have lower numbers than previous years (disapointing as numbers had been creeping up) Swinhope Shield 13 males. 3 more at 2 other sites. Travelling back toward home we came across this fine male (pic 4) on roadside wall (taken through car side window with engine running so pleased with result - good job I washed car this morning!) This was the field boundary wall where you photo'd the Plovers Gary, shame sun was behind bird.

Stewart

 

[ukjesters]

swallow

Had my 1st swallow of the year at Jedburgh today, always a pleasure to see flying about, mind you, it was on its lonesome.

Rick

 

[patmartin]

Otterburn ranges fire,
anybody got any news on the large fire in the Otterburn ranges-Harbottle area,Pat

 

[ukjesters]

Otterburn ranges fire,
anybody got any news on the large fire in the Otterburn ranges-Harbottle area,Pat

When we came by after visiting kielder the fire was out if thats any help... :gn:

I'll get me coat...taxi

 

[RobF]

It was still burning in places today, there are folk on fire watch though. I'm going over tomorrow to check it out.

Rob