Durham Birding (4 Viewers)

[IanF]

Can anyone kindly tell where exactly is best to view the fish quay at Hartlepool?

I was down that way this afternoon but couldnt seem to find anywhere that seemed to be the right place. About a dozen each of RB Merganser and RT Divers around the two piers also a single Shag.

Ring Necked Duck still at Cowpen Bewley this afternoon though as distant as it could get.

Here's a map link to the fish quay- the arrow marks a large car park behind the shopping parade on the Headland which is open 24/7. - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=452551&Y=533825&A=Y&Z=106 - where you can view the fish quay through the fence.

Closer views can be had from by the gate at the end of Southgate where the gulls often land on the roofs of the low buildings. If not busy and the gate is open you can walk in and view the water behind the buildings from the quayside but it's at the good will and discretion of the staff/owners. Be wary though when busy the gate closes automatically and you may get locked in. Of course if asked to leave then please do so.

 

[Adam W]

Thanks Ian much appreciated, hopefully i'll get back down soon.

 

[seggs]

I'm sure many will be aware of Brian Unwin and his contribution to bird watching in the region over many many years. Not to mention his long assocation with Durham Bird Club, birding publications and regular birding articles in the Northern Echo. He passed away on Thursday following a long battle with cancer.

A very sad loss to South Tyneside and the whole of the North east and beyond. The Echo link Mark posted was a great write up. Thoughts with Brians loved ones.

 

[Andyclose]

Hartlepool Headland:
Very close views of one of the glaucous gulls also kittiwake, BT & Rt divers, guillemot, cormorants, GBB gulls etc.
Newburn Bridge. No sign of the redstart but, med gull, RB merganser, sanderling, ringed plover, redshank, knot, turstone, purple sandpiper.
Flock of around 50 twite seen at Dormans.
Fox crossing the main road to Cowpen Bewley.
The usual tree sparrows, yellow hammers, blue, great tits etc at Cowpen car park on our way home.

Nice to have a sunny day, for a change :t:.

#######

Hi Ray, can the Twite be seen from the car park near the level crossing?

Thanks.

Andy

 

[IanF]

Hartlepool Headland - am - RT Diver x17, BT Diver x1, GC Grebe x3, Glaucous Gull x1.

RSPB Saltholme - Wildlife Watchpoint - Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit x3, Shoveler x2.

Track to Saltholme Hide - Bean Goose x2 though they relocated to the wet grassland opposite Paddy's Pool Hide.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - RN Duck, Goldeneye male.

 

[IanF]

#######

Hi Ray, can the Twite be seen from the car park near the level crossing?

Thanks.

Andy

Hi Andy,

They're by the top car park rather than the bottom one by the level crossing. There's a mixed flock of around 80-100 birds more usually seen from the top car park. I reckon it's about 70:30 split between Linnet and Twite. They feed along the sides of the grassy embankment that separates Dormans Pool from the Reclamation Pond sometimes perching in the trees tops north and south of the top car park.

 

[Ray.Scott]

#######

Hi Ray, can the Twite be seen from the car park near the level crossing?

Thanks.

Andy

Hi Andy
We saw them from the top car park, they kept appearing from over the ridge behind us before flying Eastward.

 

[Andyclose]

Hi Andy
We saw them from the top car park, they kept appearing from over the ridge behind us before flying Eastward.

#####

Ray and Ian,

Thanks guys. I'm coming down tomorrow and will look for them.

Andy

 

[Ray.Scott]

Clara Vale area yesterday.
Even though the weather didn't live up to the forcast, the Kingfisher didn't dissapoint, as It fed on and off during our visit, other birds included siskin, GS woodpecker, coal,bue,great and willow tit, bullfinch, robin, blackbird etc and fly over of sparrow hawk & red kite.
moved on to Barlow where we encountered 3 or 4 red kites, enjoying the windy conditions.
Nothing of note at Far Pastures other than the ressident robin, coal, willow, blue and great tits plus plenty crows,jackdaws and a couple of very distant kites.
Ended the day at Chester river side where we bumped into Steve:t:.
The river was in full flow, with the seats, path etc under water, and we were informed that a seal had been seen in the river.
Birds included goosander 3 drakes and 4 females, whooper swan, mute swans with signets, tufties, mallards etc and loads black headed gulls.
No seal seen by us though:eek!:.

 

[Ray.Scott]

A couple of kite shots and short video of the Kingfisher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK3AGRtfuD8&feature=youtu.be

 

[Ray.Scott]

And a few from Chester Riverside.

 

[Andy K]

Just seen a Green Woodpecker fly out of the trees between the Maxwells DIY store and Caterpillar at NW Industrial Estate,Peterlee.It flew over my head ( I was working outside at CAT ) and bobbed up and down North in flight. We are only approx 1000 metres from Castle Eden Dene but still a shock !

 

[ted hilland]

And a few from Chester Riverside.

wonderful pics mate

 

[Andyclose]

Clara Vale area yesterday.
Even though the weather didn't live up to the forcast, the Kingfisher didn't dissapoint, as It fed on and off during our visit, other birds included siskin, GS woodpecker, coal,bue,great and willow tit, bullfinch, robin, blackbird etc and fly over of sparrow hawk & red kite.
moved on to Barlow where we encountered 3 or 4 red kites, enjoying the windy conditions.
Nothing of note at Far Pastures other than the ressident robin, coal, willow, blue and great tits plus plenty crows,jackdaws and a couple of very distant kites.
Ended the day at Chester river side where we bumped into Steve:t:.
The river was in full flow, with the seats, path etc under water, and we were informed that a seal had been seen in the river.
Birds included goosander 3 drakes and 4 females, whooper swan, mute swans with signets, tufties, mallards etc and loads black headed gulls.
No seal seen by us though:eek!:.

##########

Photographs are fantastic. I admire your patience! And thank you again for the help with the Twite; I saw them today.

Andy

 

[Ray.Scott]

South Shields today.
Nothing much about, a few ringed plover, sanderling, turnstone, pied wagtail and a couple of rock pipits on Sandhaven.
Pochard, tufties etc at Marine Park and only a few GBB, herring and BH gulls on the sea, further along the coast.
Couldn't even find the ressident med gull.

 

[myoudale]

Hi Guys,

Am in the east coast tomorrow and wondered where's best to conect with the Galuc Gull. I see on RBA its been at the Fish Quay again, but is this accessible? or wheres best to veiw from?

Thanks

 

[Ray.Scott]

Hi Guys,

Am in the east coast tomorrow and wondered where's best to conect with the Galuc Gull. I see on RBA its been at the Fish Quay again, but is this accessible? or wheres best to veiw from?

Thanks

Hi,
if you look on the previous page, IanF has given directions,and included a map.

 

[seggs]

South Shields today.
Nothing much about, a few ringed plover, sanderling, turnstone, pied wagtail and a couple of rock pipits on Sandhaven.
Pochard, tufties etc at Marine Park and only a few GBB, herring and BH gulls on the sea, further along the coast.
Couldn't even find the ressident med gull.

Ray, sorry I missed you here today!.. some the best counts of waders so far this winter here- 11 Purple sands. ( 9 north end of Sandhaven, 2 on the pier), 17 Sanderling (not had double figures until the last couple of days here so far this winter), 14 Ringed plovers ( normally around 25 is average at high tide), The 50 or so Dunlin thats been around for weeks where rested up 2/3rd's along the pier with 40+ Oystercatchers and 30+ Redshanks.

A Chiffchaff has been in Marine park with a mixed tit flock the last couple of days, highest no. of Tufties so far this winter 42 and 6 drake Pochards. No sign of the wandering drake Mandarin on my last couple of visits.

 

[myoudale]

Hi,
if you look on the previous page, IanF has given directions,and included a map.

Thanks boss, I should of looked better before asking

 

[IanF]

The Headland - am - RT Diver x16 in harbour. Glaucous Gull in fish quay with Kittiwake x3, Shag x2.

Jacksons Landing - RB Merganser x23.

Newburn Bridge - Black Redstart back on rock armour a little further south than it was before.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - RN Duck & Goldeneye still present.

Tilery Wood - Marsh Tit 5-6, Willow Tit x1, Coal Tit c.15, Sparrowhawk, Bullfinch x6.

Parton Rocks - pm - Iceland Gull x2 - a first for me, Common Scoter x1, Eider x6.

Pilot Pier - Black-throated Diver.

RSPB Saltholme - 3.30pm - SEO hunting over car park.