Durham Birding (21 Viewers)

[IanF]

Looking for a bit of local info if anyone can help.

Has the Black Throated Diver finally cleared off or has it simply not been reported in the last few days?

Appreciate it isn't in Durham but has South Gare attracted a flock of Snow Bunting this year?

Apparently the BT Diver was giving good views this morning from beside the Premier Inn around 12 o'clock. I didn't see it myself yesterday but it was seen there early morning. Sometimes it can be hard to find, you have to check the whole of the marina, but also it takes breaks heading out onto the sea.

Snow Buntings are at South Gare again this year, also at North Gare and at Seaton Snook but you're not guaranteed to see them anywhere. I'd say South Gare is more likely though.

 

[James Thomas]

That's great, thanks.

 

[IanF]

Dormans Pool - yesterday - Marsh Harrier present around lunchtime.

RSPB Saltholme today - main pool - male Long-tailed Duck but only a stubby tail. Hopefully it will stick around until the light improves. Merlin flew over lake and one again over the top of the car as I was getting into it in the car park.

Bittern seen by others from the Wildlife Watchpoint.

Marsh Harrier video taken from the repositioned hide at Dormans Pool - it's now where the screen was -

Video clip - http://youtu.be/5GTqbjhoGqs

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

For anyone trying to access the DBC website, we are waiting for the hosting company to fix their server. Updates on their progress can be found here:

http://status.seem.co.uk/

We got a bad gate or something, I've ordered a new one from B&Q (see attached)

As Steve has said, nothing we can do. Sorry folk!

 

[IanF]

A689/A19 - am - Waxwing x27. Not many berries left now.

Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - trees above car park - Waxwing x1, Redwing x2, GSW x1. Lots of Tree Sparrows on the tables.

Goldeneye x11 on the lake.

Seaton Snook - Snow Bunting 47+, Twite x17.

Dormans Pool - Bittern seen from top car park by others. Pintail x2.

Popped briefly into RSPB Saltholme - LT Duck not reported this morning.

 

[NeilF]

Anyone planning to visit Bishop Middleham in the next few day's might like to consider arriving from the West, as the road leading into the village from the Sedgefield (A177) direction is under water as Stoneybeck Lake has continued to expand.
Still it was worth the detour with a good selection here and at Castle Lake.

 

[FoghornKinghorn]

Anyone planning to visit Bishop Middleham in the next few day's might like to consider arriving from the West, as the road leading into the village from the Sedgefield (A177) direction is under water as Stoneybeck Lake has continued to expand.
Still it was worth the detour with a good selection here and at Castle Lake.

Thanks for heads up! I'll be taking a visit tomorrow, can't think why?

 

[Ray.Scott]

The Dales

single goosander, 2 muscovey ducks, plenty red grouse, at least 20 black grouse which were very distant, as were the two buzzards. Also the usual pheasants etc.

 

[Bonsaibirder]

Yes, sorry to anyone trying to access the DBC website, I am trying to solve the problem as fast as I can.

We got a bad gate or something, I've ordered a new one from B&Q (see attached)

As Steve has said, nothing we can do. Sorry folk!

 

[degsy_safc]

Same Durham location as DCJ mentioned on his post from Christmas morning..

Lapland Buntings x 2 very mobile and not giving any views allowing photographs..

Snow Buntings x 5 very tolerant and coming within 8 feet at times - closer than the minimum focus distance of the camera lens set up :eek!:

1 x SEO Owl quite approachable, although quite happy to drop out of sight and settle for long periods..

Hope everyone has a great 2013 :t:

 

[LowellMills]

Have seen Waxwings while back in the county for xmas this fortnight; both times in berry trees by motorways, A19 north of Seaham and A1231 by Pattinson/WWT. First time I've seen the species in Durham though I'm aware they've been everywhere!

 

[DCJ]

Durham.

Snow Buntings from Saturday.

.

 

[DCJ]

Durham.

Record shots of Lapland Buntings, first one 29th, others from today.

C yuz next year.

.

 

[IanF]

A good find with the Lapland Buntings. I've seen seen or heard of any down my way yet this winter.

 

[DCJ]

I think Keith Mcalpine found these two a couple of weeks ago then Michael Eccles spotted them the other day, sparked a looong trek.

(I cant even fasten the velcro on me byutts man)

 

[Bonsaibirder]

DBC website

For anyone who is interested, the DBC website is now running again.

However, previously set-up bookmarks probably will not work. So please use the URL: www.durhambirdclub.org and then re-bookmark any pages that you are particularly interested in.

One exception is that the club Forum is still down and I will provide an update if/when that is fixed.

Best wishes and happy new year,

Steve

 

[NeilF]

For anyone who is interested, the DBC website is now running again.

However, previously set-up bookmarks probably will not work. So please use the URL: www.durhambirdclub.org and then re-bookmark any pages that you are particularly interested in.

One exception is that the club Forum is still down and I will provide an update if/when that is fixed.

Best wishes and happy new year,

Steve

Hi Steve,
Tried to upload some sightings earlier but they havn't appeared yet. :h?:

 

[Bonsaibirder]

Hi Steve,
Tried to upload some sightings earlier but they havn't appeared yet. :h?:

Hi Neil,

Thanks for flagging up this problem. I have added a test sighting and that also failed to appear. I will get on the case.

I would be very happy for anyone else who identifies new problems with the website to send me a PM and then we don't fill up the Durham Birding thread with website trouble shooting.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[ALFIE TEMPLE]

Washington Waxwings

52 at Donwell Washington-very mobile, but pinned them down eventually to their feeding spot (largr Cotoneasters)

 

[IanF]

A689/A19 - Waxwing flock still.

Dalton Piercy - Peregrine low overhead flying SW towards the village.

Ward Jackson Park - Goosander x4, colour ringed Cormorant, Parakeet x3.

Jacksons Landing - BT Diver.

Seaton Snook - Snow Bunting x34, Twite x11, Brent Geese x2 seen by others.


RSPB Saltholme - Green-winged Teal reported seen from the hide.