Durham Birding (2 Viewers)

[Steve Chinnery]

North Marine Park. S Shields

On a quick walk around the park there were a few Goldcrests, 2 Chiffchaff and a YB Warbler which called twice but was not seen. The bird called from a stand of sycamores at the north end of the park. A second look later was fruitless.
Also of interest, 2 Speckled Wood butterflies were also seen. My first for there.
Steve

 

[Julie Hogg]

Maybe of interest, some places left:

Durham RSPB Local Group
Coach Trip to Holy Island - Saturday 6th October 2007
Price: £13 Durham RSPB Group Members, £15 non-members, £6 juniors
Departure: 8.15 am, University of Durham Science Site, Stockton Road, Durham
Return: Arrive back in Durham between 6.30 pm and 7 pm.
Bookings: Contact David Sowerbutts (0191) 3867201

 

[wongifer]

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...

We are already members of the dbc. Could you please tell me who the contact is within the dbc from whom i can purchase a key from?

 

[IanF]

I had a ride down to North Gare this afternoon 2:00pm-4:00pm just about on low tide.

No sign of the Lapland Bunting that Colin found - in fact very few birds - just two Meadow Pipit and two Linnet seen.

Whilst sat on the end of the Gare I counted RT Diver x5 a long way out, several Great Crested Grebe, Guillemot 12+ of which one passed right beow where I was sat, Cormorant. On the mudlflats were Redshank x3, Golden Plover x1, Grey Plover x2,

A check of Zinc Works Road produced no birds at all in any of the migrant bushes - not even a Goldcrest. Greenfinch x2 and a couple of Meadow Pipit landed on the fence briefly.

Roadside Pond at Greatham Creek held Little Egret x2 viewable from the hide and there were still a few Migrant Hawker and Common Darter about.

 

[StevieEvans]

Monk ?

........<snip>....................
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,

Steve ive seen Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus on a few dates in the past at Hawthorn
SE

 

[matthall]

im a young birder (13 years old). dcan anyone reccomend any birding sites locally that i can persuade my dad to take me to ?
any help will be muchly appreciated.

 

[Bonsaibirder]

Thanks Steve, I'll check it out.

Cheers,

Steve ive seen Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus on a few dates in the past at Hawthorn
SE

 

[wongifer]

im a young birder (13 years old). dcan anyone reccomend any birding sites locally that i can persuade my dad to take me to ?
any help will be muchly appreciated.

Hi my name is Kieran i am aged 10. I found lots of reserves to visit by becoming a member of the durham bird club. Once your a member they give you a handbook containing lots of birds and where you can see them. I like to go to low barnes which offers lots of different birds. There are several hides to view from. Another good place is Thornley woods. Which is just next to the metro centre. You can see anything from coal tit to red kite.

 

[IanF]

im a young birder (13 years old). Can anyone reccomend any birding sites locally that i can persuade my dad to take me to ?
any help will be muchly appreciated.

I agree, Low Barns is still a good place for a wander around - it's near Bishop Auckland. Thornley Woods is a must especially with winter coming so from November the feeding station will be open. It gives very good close views of birds. Also in the Derwent Valley is Shibdon Pond behind the swimming baths and further up the valley Far Pasture hide which has a pond holding birds like Kingfisher, Grebe, Teal and is usally good for seieng Red Kites and even Buzzard. All have hides but if someones around the hides are open else a key can be bought for a couple of pounds at the Thornley Woods visitor centre which opens 12:00-2:00pm most days.

A walk along the Derwent Valley near Rowlands Gill can be quite good as well. If you park by the tennis courts there's a heron roost on the opposite side of the valley and down by the river by the weir Kingfisher are often seen as well as otter. We visited last December and we saw Redpoll and Water Rail there as well.

St.Mary's Island can be pretty good as well. It has a nature reserve and a n ice walk along the casuseway to the light house over low tide where Guillemot, divers, Cormorant etc can be seen.

Durham Bird Club has a few sites listed on the web site, but watch this thread to find out where birds are being seen.

 

[Mark Newsome]

Steve ive seen Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus on a few dates in the past at Hawthorn
SE

Monk Parakeet hasn't previously been reported in Durham. I know many escaped species may not be reported but this demonstrates the importance of sending records in, not matter what. Monk Parakeet is on the verge of following Ring-necked as an established feral species in the UK (it's quite a common species in some parts of Spain, Tenerife etc). It's important that we monitor any trends in species trying to become established (and also identify them correctly). Chris Bell has written an excellent paper on naturalised and feral species in Durham (to be published by DBC shortly) and any additional info would make his review even more complete.

 

[Shaggy2070]

A couple from Last week.

Redshank and Sanderling from inside the Heugh.

Little Grebe and Darter at Low Barnes. Water Rail showed well in front of the hide on the hill which was nice, first time I've seen one there:t:

 

[harrier olley]

Mat Durham Bird Club has lots going on with field trips, voluntary days, indoor meetings and general birding have a look at the web site and try to get to an event then you will certainly become much more in the loop so to speak and meet many like minded people who will be very willing to pass on information and give you the best advice as to where to go etc.

John Olley Conservation Officer

 

[Bonsaibirder]

Hi Matt and Wongifer,

Since I have been involved with the DBC we have been very keen to provide help and encouragement to young birders in our area. Unfortunately we have had very few young members to cater for. Consequently we have not run many events specifically targetted at young birders. It is a sort of vicious circle!

So, it is fantastic to see both of you contributing to this forum and expressing your enthusiasm for getting out and seeing birds in County Durham. And we at the Durham Bird Club would be delighted to organise field trips specifically for our younger members (plus their parents, of course).

If either of you - hopefully both - are interested, then PM me and we will make it happen.

Regards,

im a young birder (13 years old). dcan anyone reccomend any birding sites locally that i can persuade my dad to take me to ?
any help will be muchly appreciated.

 

[coastline]

Blyths Reed Warbler in Whitburn...bottom of Church Lane and park area.
Still present this afternoon.

 

[geordie121]

Hello does this thread cover the Gateshead area? i.e The Derwent Valley. I am from Gateshead and that used to be my local patch but now live in Berkshire due to work but whenever i'm up home i always try to get along there.

Geordie

 

[IanF]

Hello does this thread cover the Gateshead area? i.e The Derwent Valley. I am from Gateshead and that used to be my local patch but now live in Berkshire due to work but whenever i'm up home i always try to get along there.

Geordie

There is another thread entitled Gateshead Birding but it's nothing like as active as this one. Any Durham birders are more likely to add sightings in the Derwent Valley on this thread.

Gateshead Birders have their own web site as well but I find it's layout is a little confusing. It contains details of locations and local sightings and usually well worth checking out if visiting the area.

 

[IanF]

I had another ride up to Hetton Bogs this morning. I nearly went across to Whitburn instead - maybe I shlould have done!

Much the same species as seen on Monday. A Sparrowhawk flew through a couple of times and nearly landed on the hide screen - until it saw me. A weasel carried a mouse or vole through the left side of the feeding station. A couple of Chiffchaffs were present today and a Spotted Flycatcher on and around the first dead tree in front of the feeding station. At least six Water Rail were present though a lot more skittish than my last visit - maybe down to the Sparrowhawk and weasel.

Other birds present were Reed Bunting x4, Long-tailed Tit x5, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock x4, Robin, Moorhen and Bullfinch x2.

 

[harrier olley]

Gateshead Geordie is certainly in county Durham and very much part of this forum Durham bird club have a good number of members from that area.I was up in the upper derwent Valley yesterday radio tracking hen harriers and had a good day with lots of buzzards a signal of a red kite in the lower derwent area, stonechat, crossbill, golden plover on the upper derwent moors.

 

[geordie121]

Thankyou ian, i regularly check that site. I agree its layout is rather confusing. I shall check out the other thread aswell. Anygood spots in county Durham that you could recommend for when i come home around xmas. I usually either just do the Dewernt Valley or head up into northumberland but im looking for something new.

Geordie

 

[geordie121]

Hen harriers in the Derwent Valley, i didnt know they could be around there.