Durham Birding (1 Viewer)

[Michael A]

The Tawny Owl that my mate Michael and I are watching has got at least 2 chicks that must have hatched in the last few days - the male bird just sat in a nearby tree while i watched from my car - fantastic experience.

Also had a nice pair of male redstarts on the fringes of an oak woodland that borders the upland moors..

Two owlets seem to be doing well.
http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/

 

[Michael A]

I've been a keen bird watcher and also an amateur photographer for over 40 years.I've never complained about either in the past but today on my local patch (Muggleswick/Derwent Res. Edmundbyers) I observed a gentleman who was trying to photograph a Pair of Pied Flycatchers at probably the most well known site. He was obviously not a bird watcher as he was sitting on a chair out in the open not more than 4 Metres from a nest box the Pied Flys are using. He sat there for at least 2hours (as I past the area several times during the day) I stopped once and his comment was they haven't been around for quite some time. err I wonder why! Unfortunately in the digital age some people are investing in expensive gear but have never bothered to learn about the wildlife they want to photograph.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

 

[Jameswl]

I've been a keen bird watcher and also an amateur photographer for over 40 years.I've never complained about either in the past but today on my local patch (Muggleswick/Derwent Res. Edmundbyers) I observed a gentleman who was trying to photograph a Pair of Pied Flycatchers at probably the most well known site. He was obviously not a bird watcher as he was sitting on a chair out in the open not more than 4 Metres from a nest box the Pied Flys are using. He sat there for at least 2hours (as I past the area several times during the day) I stopped once and his comment was they haven't been around for quite some time. err I wonder why! Unfortunately in the digital age some people are investing in expensive gear but have never bothered to learn about the wildlife they want to photograph.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

I totally sympathise. The number of times the best bird at Rainton has been scared off by people climbing the fence or the dippers have been disturbed by people letting their dogs in the stream.
Muggleswick is still the only place I've ever seen a pied flycatcher. It was wonderful. I hope they breed successfully.
Next week I have a lot of free time in the mornings and early afternoons. Are there any good spots in cycling/busable distance from Durham I might not know about?

 

[Michael A]

The Brownie valley from Durham through Langley Park to Malton near Lanchester. There's a cycle path all the way.

 

[Jameswl]

The Brownie valley from Durham through Langley Park to Malton near Lanchester. There's a cycle path all the way.

Thanks. I've never been that way on the bike before. I'll definitely try it next week.

 

[degsy_safc]

I've been a keen bird watcher and also an amateur photographer for over 40 years.I've never complained about either in the past but today on my local patch (Muggleswick/Derwent Res. Edmundbyers) I observed a gentleman who was trying to photograph a Pair of Pied Flycatchers at probably the most well known site. He was obviously not a bird watcher as he was sitting on a chair out in the open not more than 4 Metres from a nest box the Pied Flys are using. He sat there for at least 2hours (as I past the area several times during the day) I stopped once and his comment was they haven't been around for quite some time. err I wonder why! Unfortunately in the digital age some people are investing in expensive gear but have never bothered to learn about the wildlife they want to photograph.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

Hi Michael - This is becoming increasingly frustrating, i've recently seen photos of the birds at this site which look as though they have been taken from the 'other' side of the fence, in front of the nest box shooting upward, it beggars belief when the easiest place to get shots is from within the car which acts as a natural hide.

Anyway I was there today and observed & photographed the birds from my car. What i did notice was that the male is a different bird, he doesn't have a leg ring - so whether the pair have moved on, or he has been predated and the same female has remained i don't know, what i do know is the original male has gone..

Couple of pictures, car parked about 10 feet from the RHS fence - birds regularly landing in front and to the side of me.

Nice to meet super-silly-um and have a natter :t:

 

[super-silly-um]

Nice to meet super-silly-um and have a natter :t:[/QUOTE]

Likewise.....and thanks for the directions :t:

Richard.

 

[Michael A]

Hi Michael - This is becoming increasingly frustrating, i've recently seen photos of the birds at this site which look as though they have been taken from the 'other' side of the fence, in front of the nest box shooting upward, it beggars belief when the easiest place to get shots is from within the car which acts as a natural hide.

Anyway I was there today and observed & photographed the birds from my car. What i did notice was that the male is a different bird, he doesn't have a leg ring - so whether the pair have moved on, or he has been predated and the same female has remained i don't know, what i do know is the original male has gone..

Couple of pictures, car parked about 10 feet from the RHS fence - birds regularly landing in front and to the side of me.

Nice to meet super-silly-um and have a natter :t:

Sometimes a Male may have another female elsewhere and not paying enough attention to its other mate so she picks up with another. The ringed bird may be more interested in another female and the new Male could end up bringing up his offspring. They seem to like to spread themselves around.

 

[Michael A]

Daily Mail Raptor Story

Quote:


Originally Posted by daz_martin View Post

Anyone else read this >>>>> !

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...tack-pets.html

Unbelievable, the countryside alliance will no doubt be endorsing this when they lobby to lift the ban on hunting. Wildlife could be in for a rough time with the Tories having an overall majority.

 

[Michael A]

Tawny Owlets

Two owlets seem to be doing well.
http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/

A visit today, both Owlets doing well with Male and Female Tawny close by.

 

[Jameswl]

Quote:


Originally Posted by daz_martin View Post

Anyone else read this >>>>> !

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...tack-pets.html

Unbelievable, the countryside alliance will no doubt be endorsing this when they lobby to lift the ban on hunting. Wildlife could be in for a rough time with the Tories having an overall majority.

On the topic of fox hunting, you may like to consider signing this
petition on change.org with over 200,000 signatures bound for parliament.

Also alarming to hear that the EU are thinking of scrapping the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive which protect the Natura 2000 wildlife sites across Europe. The WWT are leading a campaign here.

I plan to go for that bike ride tomorrow morning. :t:

 

[Michael A]

On the topic of fox hunting, you may like to consider signing this
petition on change.org with over 200,000 signatures bound for parliament.

Also alarming to hear that the EU are thinking of scrapping the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive which protect the Natura 2000 wildlife sites across Europe. The WWT are leading a campaign here.

I plan to go for that bike ride tomorrow morning. :t:

I've signed petition.

 

[Michael A]

Two owlets seem to be doing well.
http://www.trampsandhawkers.co.uk/gallery/

Tawny Owlets a week later doing well although one a bit larger than the other..
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trampsandhawkers/

 

[Jameswl]

Thanks Michael for the recommendation, and for signing the petitions. :t:

I had a nice time going along the cycle path to sunny Lanchester yesterday. I took over two hours getting there because I kept seeing things!
One of the best sights was a pair of Grey Wags feeding their two chicks on the Browney. Unfortunately, the parent feeding chick photos didn't work out.

 

[Ray.Scott]

South Shields - Yesterday

South Shields pier area:
Sandwich and common terns, diving for fish, cormorant, meadow pipit, couple of distant wheatear and linnets, also couple of purple sand and turnstone.

 

[Jameswl]

A Little Ringed Plover at Rainton Meadows yesterday. Nice and close.

 

[craigthirlwell]

A friend of mine has just lost a White Tailed Sea Eagle in the Rainton, Houghton area. If you see it can you please let me know. Thanks Craig.

 

[craigthirlwell]

A friend of mine has just lost a White Tailed Sea Eagle in the Rainton, Houghton area. If you see it can you please let me know. Thanks Craig.

Bird recovered from Sherburn.

 

[super-silly-um]

Corn Bunting and Quail near Sedgefield. The Bunting was a lifer.

Richard

 

[Michael A]

Short Eared Owl hunting over Weardale today.