Durham Birding (2 Viewers)

[harrier olley]

Hi Steve we are in the process of developing the site further by incorporating hides and interpretation the site by its nature is very open thus disturbence is a key issue but hopefully by next spring we will be able to guide people better.

John Olley Conservation Officer DBC

 

[mick moses]

Hi Stevie,
castle lake on tuesday, at least one egret fishing at the far end.

 

[Kesterel]

Two skenes of Geese (70 plus each) flying South East over Cleadon towards Roker, Sunderland. Cold winter coming?

 

[Wig131]

Castle View lake

Hi Steve we are in the process of developing the site further by incorporating hides and interpretation the site by its nature is very open thus disturbence is a key issue but hopefully by next spring we will be able to guide people better.

John Olley Conservation Officer DBC

Hi John you have done a fantastic job up to now. But to be able to sit in a hide would be a real bonus.
Steve

 

[IanF]

Zinc Works Road this morning - Spotted Flycatcher, Goldcrests, Lesser Whitethroat and Redwing still around. A few Brent Goose still on Seaton Snook. Loads down there this morning looking for the Grey Phalarope reported yesterday afternoon but no sign of it.

A trip to The Headland revealed very little A Chiffchaff and Goldcrests were in the doctors garden and four Redwing were on the bowling green.

 

[wongifer]

Had a great day, started at castle lake, first time able to find it. 3+common sandpipers, little egret, 15+little grebe all staying together, thats the most we've seen all in one place. Gadwall, 4+ringed plover, possible wood sandpiper, (can anyone else confirm? still beginner and waders are tough, was only bird field guide looked like?) We then had a hour or two at whitburn obs, door locked as no other birders, have not got key(any help with that would be great) Black throated diver, artic skua, manx shearwater, little gull, lots of auks. Lots of waders moving, three knots right next to hide. Was getting late so decided to head home,Kieran my son(10) noticed a lot of waders next to firing range, closer inspection found 50+ ringed plover, 30 curlew, large numbers of sandling and dunlin on field next to obbs, field behind shooting range held huge numbers of waders. We walked around to get a better look, the birds were spooked by three horse riders, the sky was darkened 3000+ golden plover, 100+ lapwing, what an amazing sight, we have read about it but never seen it, for new birders golden plover was a new tick and what a way to get it!!!!! Would really appreciate info for when other birders are sea watching, We can spot the birds far out but not sure what we are looking at, guess that comes with experiance and help plse.

 

[IanF]

Hetton Bogs is definitely the place to see Water Rail. At one point this afternoon there were three in view at the same time. Not only several to watch but also seen down to 12'!
Plenty of other bird activity with Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Wren, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Moorhen, Coot and Great Spotted Woodpecker. A Kingfisher had been into the feeding station just before I arrived as well.

 

[rokermartin]

Possible Whiskered Tern Saltholme Pool this evening according to my pager.If it is will be the first county record for Durham.

 

[ColinSev]

Barmpton Village and North Gare area

This morning had a walk around Barmpton village area (north of Darlington) and came across a surprise Green Woodpecker picking at ants It was so pleasing to eventually get a half decent shot of a GW.
At lunch time I went over to North Gare road and came across what I believe is a Lapland Bunting?? Checked bird books when I got back and it seems to be, can anyone confirm - It was around the base of the pier and to the right of pier.
Also saw Razorbills, guillemots, off the pier, still plenty of Meadow Pipits about, a Kestrel was also post hunting along the road to North Gare.

 

[JBee]

A few from recent days

 

[JBee]

A few more from recent days

 

[JBee]

Yet more from recent days

 

[JBee]

Guess what? - took these recently too

 

[Bonsaibirder]

Mystery photo!

Had this fellow flying over Hawthorn Quarry today - freshly arrived from the East!

 

[Mark Newsome]

...At lunch time I went over to North Gare road and came across what I believe is a Lapland Bunting?? Checked bird books when I got back and it seems to be, can anyone confirm - It was around the base of the pier and to the right of pier....

Well done Colin - it is a Lapland Bunting. Nice photos too, they can often be quite tame when they first arrive.

 

[Mark Newsome]

Had this fellow flying over Hawthorn Quarry today - freshly arrived from the East!

Hard to tell from the photos but I'd have said it was probably Ring-necked. Did it call, as there's a noticeable difference between Ring-necked and Alexandrine? The bill looks fairly small, but can't tell much from shape/plumage as the bird is so tatty. A sign of a wind battered migrant or a struggle to get out the cage...?!

 

[IanF]

................At lunch time I went over to North Gare road and came across what I believe is a Lapland Bunting?? Checked bird books when I got back and it seems to be, can anyone confirm - It was around the base of the pier and to the right of pier.
.........................

Yep! Great find and great photos! When the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was around a few were reported then but I couldn't find any. I'll have to have another look.

 

[Bonsaibirder]

Obviously the wings are tattered due to having flown non-stop from India. The bird did call - a grating "raaak" which interestingly is completely different from the other parakeet sp. I had over Hawthorn a few months ago. The previous one gave a "keoo" call. So, yes I know that Ring-necked and Alexandrine have different calls but I don't know what they are!

This bird had a red bill, a yellowish wash to the face and blue/grey primaries and forewing. Unfortunately I did not get a good look at the colour of the underwing coverts.

Cheers,

Hard to tell from the photos but I'd have said it was probably Ring-necked. Did it call, as there's a noticeable difference between Ring-necked and Alexandrine? The bill looks fairly small, but can't tell much from shape/plumage as the bird is so tatty. A sign of a wind battered migrant or a struggle to get out the cage...?!

 

[Mark Newsome]

Obviously the wings are tattered due to having flown non-stop from India. The bird did call - a grating "raaak" which interestingly is completely different from the other parakeet sp. I had over Hawthorn a few months ago. The previous one gave a "keoo" call. So, yes I know that Ring-necked and Alexandrine have different calls but I don't know what they are!
This bird had a red bill, a yellowish wash to the face and blue/grey primaries and forewing. Unfortunately I did not get a good look at the colour of the underwing coverts.
Cheers,

Changes things slightly! The plumage certainly doesn't sound like Ring-necked, but I've not got access to any ID books at moment. I'll have a look at home. Sorry to say Steve, the tatty wings are sounding more like a close shave with a cage in Peterlee rather than a tired and weary eastern vagrant.

 

[Mark Newsome]

...We then had a hour or two at whitburn obs, door locked as no other birders, have not got key(any help with that would be great) ... Would really appreciate info for when other birders are sea watching, We can spot the birds far out but not sure what we are looking at, guess that comes with experiance and help plse.

Access to Whitburn Obs is managed through Durham Bird Club. For details of how to join the DBC and get a key for the Obs, please see the DBC website. We normally seawatch from first light every weekend and also through the week if passage is good. Unfortunately we also have jobs and wives, so the Obs door is occasionally locked...