Durham Birding (79 Viewers)

[IanF]

Hi Ian. I am perhaps going to see this Merlin this Saturday. Where do I go to stand a good chance of seeing it? Do you have any directions. I would be very greatful.
Andrew K

Hi Andrew,

Lately I've mostly been seeing it along the access road to North Gare Pier car park - see map link - from the A178 about 1 mile south of Seaton Carew.

It can be anywhere over the salt marsh but lately it's been along the south (right) side of the road. There's a wooden five bar gate about 50m from the car park where I often stand. Due south from there 50m away there's a wooden hand rail 3m long in front of a grassy bank which it seems to like for perching. Just look over the marsh towards the powerstation and you should see it. Also behind and to the right there's a few wooden posts which the Short-eared Owls often sit upon. Around 4:15pm they've often been in that area - but can be about from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.

If the Merlin isn't immediately in sight then it's worth waiting a while and checking all the fences including alongside the golf course especially along the fence from the car park towards Zinc Works Road. It also sits on grassy tufts on the marsh as do the owls.

Three times I've found the Merlin sat on the roadside fence at 3:40pm - which is when the photos were taken.

 

[StevieEvans]

Houghton area Non-motorised Local Patch

Last couple of hours of day cycling round patch in the sunshine
Hi-Lites inc:-
Chilton Moor / Leamside:
Buzzard, 200Golden Plover, 16-20Tree Spar, 200+Goldfinch, roadside Little Owl, Tawny Owl in thorn scrub (presumably a young bird), 18Stock Dove, 10Grey Partridge
West Rainton / RM's:
200Redwing, 125Chaffinch, 80-100LTTit, 7Kestrel, 20+Bullfinch (inc single group of 12) , 12Reed Bunting, 3Heron, Jack Snipe (up from underfoot at W.Rail feeding site), 85+Magpie, 3Jay, various small parties of Siskin & Lesser Redpoll (including vis-migging birds)

Nice surprise late on at Pool II taking my patch yrlist to 159 - family party of 3 Scaup, still present at 17:45 - excellent comparison with the scorp-look-a-likes there !

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Hi Andrew,

Lately I've mostly been seeing it along the access road to North Gare Pier car park - see map link - from the A178 about 1 mile south of Seaton Carew.

It can be anywhere over the salt marsh but lately it's been along the south (right) side of the road. There's a wooden five bar gate about 50m from the car park where I often stand. Due south from there 50m away there's a wooden hand rail 3m long in front of a grassy bank which it seems to like for perching. Just look over the marsh towards the powerstation and you should see it. Also behind and to the right there's a few wooden posts which the Short-eared Owls often sit upon. Around 4:15pm they've often been in that area - but can be about from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.

If the Merlin isn't immediately in sight then it's worth waiting a while and checking all the fences including alongside the golf course especially along the fence from the car park towards Zinc Works Road. It also sits on grassy tufts on the marsh as do the owls.

Three times I've found the Merlin sat on the roadside fence at 3:40pm - which is when the photos were taken.

Thank you very much Ian F. I really appreciate it. I will be there on Saturday. My Dad said he would take me down there in a hope I will see it.
I sure hope I do, You will find out if I have as I will certainly post it on the forum.:t:

 

[joe1969]

andrew on my last visit to teeside,i saw a merlin twice at dormans pool.it was bathing in the puddles,on the approach road to the upper parking area

 

[IanF]

Yes there's been one around Dormans Pool for a couple of months as well. I've only seen it in flight from the top car park, but it's also been seen perched in the trees half way along the track and those to the north of the car park. If down in the area though it may be worth checking out.

 

[Paul Mc]

Good views of the Barn Owl here last night.
Ian, I saw the Merlin in the exact spot you described at around 9.30 on tuesday. I had my gps with me and noted the grid ref as nz 53175 28121 - and I didn't have my bins with me!!!
Must get a compact pait I can leave in the car.

Paul Mc

 

[StevieEvans]

3 straggling flocks totalling 700 Redwing south over Houghton in ten minutes this lunchtime.

RNParakeet in private garden adjacent to H'Bogs again yestday

 

[IanF]

3 straggling flocks totalling 700 Redwing south over Houghton in ten minutes this lunchtime...............

Lol! Sure beats my three Redwing and one Fieldfare at Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park this morning!

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Thanks everyone. It sounds good.
I think I will try both places in hope I will see this Merlin!
It's the last regular falcon I have left for my falcon list.

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Where is Dormans Pool? Is that close by?

 

[IanF]

Where is Dormans Pool? Is that close by?

It's about three miles south of Seaton Common - map - it's under the point of the arrow. Worth checking Saltholme Ponds on either side of the A178 whilst you're there as well. Loads of geese and ducks there at present.

 

[Paul Mc]

As I've been in the Cleveland area quite a lot recently for work, I wondered if anyone knew when the RSPB reserve at Saltholm opens? I can't seem to find it on the RSPB site.

Paul Mc

 

[IanF]

As I've been in the Cleveland area quite a lot recently for work, I wondered if anyone knew when the RSPB reserve at Saltholm opens? I can't seem to find it on the RSPB site.

Paul Mc

They're now saying 21st January - but don't hold your breath a it's been put back so many times.

DBC have arranged a visit on 25th October for a look around the reserve. Meet at the new visitor centre car park at 9:30am.

 

[DenBee]

Ian
Do you still need a permit from Teesmouth Birding Club to access Dormans Pool, or am I thinking of another Site

 

[IanF]

Ian
Do you still need a permit from Teesmouth Birding Club to access Dormans Pool, or am I thinking of another Site

Technically yes in that only TBC have access permission for Dormans Pool but in reality access is seldom challenged. I think Reclamation Pond is more an issue due to the contruction development ongoing with works traffic as permits have to be carried at all times.

 

[DenBee]

Technically yes in that only TBC have access permission for Dormans Pool but in reality access is seldom challenged. I think Reclamation Pond is more an issue due to the contruction development ongoing with works traffic as permits have to be carried at all times.

Ian
If this is the case, can other bird club members obtain the said permits, as I very often see reports from these sites from who I believe are non Teesmouth members.
If permits are obtainable what is the proceedure for obtaining one

 

[IanF]

Ian
If this is the case, can other bird club members obtain the said permits, as I very often see reports from these sites from who I believe are non Teesmouth members.
If permits are obtainable what is the proceedure for obtaining one

Join TBC 8-P

Really that would have to be queried with TBC - contact in the details in the link below.

Likely Ted Parker or Chris Sharp would be the ones to ask - Chris's email is on the 'Joining the TBC' page. I've not heard mention of such permits but they'll be able to clairfy the position for access.

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Sounds like I better count Dormans Pool Out.

 

[NeilF]

Nice surprise late on at Pool II taking my patch yrlist to 159 - family party of 3 Scaup, still present at 17:45 - excellent comparison with the scorp-look-a-likes there !

Good one Steve, will have to take a closer look at the Tufties on Barmston Pond as this is the only locality I'm likely to get Scaup on my patch.
76 species seen on the local patch so far this month, with only very limited use of the car and the odd blister to prove it!

 

[StevieEvans]

Good one Steve, will have to take a closer look at the Tufties on Barmston Pond as this is the only locality I'm likely to get Scaup on my patch.
76 species seen on the local patch so far this month, with only very limited use of the car and the odd blister to prove it!

passing wildfowl seem to sometimes drop in late afternoon / dusk, but move on again early next day...
had this a lot at Brasside in late 80's/90's with stuff like Common Scoter, Eider, Merganser etc
No sign of the Scaup yesterday though..... im pleased there was a nice shiny drake with 'em or it'd probably be another in a long line of string to come out of there.......

late aftnoon yestday - very poor untill last 15mins till dusk (18:45)
Green Sand came in to enjoy the muddy shoreline, 27Snipe up & off (only 7 previously visible on bank), Little Owl calling unseen from pool3 area.
Most surprising were 2Daubentons bats for 5mins - first ones ive seen there.
Constant passage of emigrating Redwings as light went. (had @1,000 over at home between noon & 2pm while repairing vehicle at home -obviously missed many others)

mid aftnoon had 2 flocks of @50Fieldfares south over Felling (G'head or is it SthTyneside?)