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Durham Birding (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter Skelly
- Start date
IanF
Moderator
Hurworth Burn this evening - LEO's showing well.
Adults were repeatedly flying up and down the cutting with one perched up watching over three chicks sat together in same bush. Definitely two different adults seen but could have been 3-5. The adults with the three chicks is the paler ashy coloured bird.
Two further chicks seen together, one on it's own and another two heard calling. Eight fledglings in total seen or heard.
Adults were repeatedly flying up and down the cutting with one perched up watching over three chicks sat together in same bush. Definitely two different adults seen but could have been 3-5. The adults with the three chicks is the paler ashy coloured bird.
Two further chicks seen together, one on it's own and another two heard calling. Eight fledglings in total seen or heard.
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StevieEvans
Well-known member
Great Ian, those young seem to be doing well down there.
We have 27 pair with young in Co.Durham so far this year, with 7 new pairs this season.
Had a brief view of a silhouetted asio owl break the horizon after Nightjarring last night at Knitsley Fell, too brief a view almost certainly Leo...
Steve
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StevieEvans
Well-known member
Nightjars
Had a look up last night as Derek had yet to experience the churring.
We had 3 churring birds from 22:00 outside of the main Hamsterley Forest area.
Good views of a juvvy Leo on the way across & heard at another site. Also TheHoopoe & his 4 legged friends & a noisy Roe Buck & 3 Woodcock roding prior to Njars appearing.
We heard wing clapping just after 10pm & changed position to get closer
One churred from a semi mature Silver Birch before dropping & wing clapping whilst contact calling across the tops of the mixed saplings below, showing wing & tail patterns - unfortunately DC missed this :eek!:
Another couple of bursts of churring, then to my relief DC picked up a calling bird as it came close past us, lifting up & giving prolonged flight views as it slowly went by - no acrobatics nor twists & turns to catch anything...
After 15 exciting mins all fell silent.
Id agree entirely with the
These 3 males appear to have done the "bare minimum" to define their territories, then set out into the cold, breezy air, trying to find something to eat.
Just tackled down the scope & tripod when picked up an eared owl breaking horizon.... it got away though.
We came away very pleased, but weather is certainly affecting activity.
Steve
Had a look up last night as Derek had yet to experience the churring.
We had 3 churring birds from 22:00 outside of the main Hamsterley Forest area.
Good views of a juvvy Leo on the way across & heard at another site. Also TheHoopoe & his 4 legged friends & a noisy Roe Buck & 3 Woodcock roding prior to Njars appearing.
We heard wing clapping just after 10pm & changed position to get closer
One churred from a semi mature Silver Birch before dropping & wing clapping whilst contact calling across the tops of the mixed saplings below, showing wing & tail patterns - unfortunately DC missed this :eek!:
Another couple of bursts of churring, then to my relief DC picked up a calling bird as it came close past us, lifting up & giving prolonged flight views as it slowly went by - no acrobatics nor twists & turns to catch anything...
After 15 exciting mins all fell silent.
Id agree entirely with the
bit - all these cool evenings & downpours must have a serious impact.Chair said:
These 3 males appear to have done the "bare minimum" to define their territories, then set out into the cold, breezy air, trying to find something to eat.
Just tackled down the scope & tripod when picked up an eared owl breaking horizon.... it got away though.
We came away very pleased, but weather is certainly affecting activity.
Steve
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harrier olley
Well-known member
B 
Farnless Farm Stewardship Survey
14 yellow wagtails, 10 corn buntings singing, 60 skylark, single reed bunting, 12 yellowhammer, pair of little owl dropped into their hole, 3 pair of grey partridge, single kestrel, 20 lapwing, 30 swallow, 20 tree sparrow, 10 goldfinch, 20 starling, 3 whitethroats and a pair of pied wagtails feedding their second brood. A small falcon soared very high possible Hobby?B B B
4 other corn buntings at East House farm
Farnless Farm Stewardship Survey 14 yellow wagtails, 10 corn buntings singing, 60 skylark, single reed bunting, 12 yellowhammer, pair of little owl dropped into their hole, 3 pair of grey partridge, single kestrel, 20 lapwing, 30 swallow, 20 tree sparrow, 10 goldfinch, 20 starling, 3 whitethroats and a pair of pied wagtails feedding their second brood. A small falcon soared very high possible Hobby?B
B B 4 other corn buntings at East House farm
Yes,sadly i was in the process of being eaten alive by midges at that precise moment.
Still an excellent night:t:
Good to see Corn Buntings still doing well at Bishop Middleham, 10 birds today including 7 singing males at sherburn.
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ColinSev
Well-known member
LEO at Hurworth Burn
Went to Hurworth burn to see if i could spot LEO saturday morning. Good views of 1 young one could hear another and an adult but couldnt find them -they can hide well.
Also saw Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats, Curlews and Lapwings over, 3 Bullfinch 2 Grey Partridge.
Can anyone send me the location where to spot the nightjars at Hamsterley, never seen nightjars in this country and it would be an super 1st for me.
Went to Hurworth burn to see if i could spot LEO saturday morning. Good views of 1 young one could hear another and an adult but couldnt find them -they can hide well.
Also saw Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats, Curlews and Lapwings over, 3 Bullfinch 2 Grey Partridge.
Can anyone send me the location where to spot the nightjars at Hamsterley, never seen nightjars in this country and it would be an super 1st for me.
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StevieEvans
Well-known member
Nightjars
Colin
Nightjars can be found throughout the whole forest.
They prefer to use the areas of clear fell & the young plantations.
This was a good area last year:-
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.6803&lon=-1.8728&scale=25000&icon=x
Park at Forestry Huts & walk up hill, allow 15-20 mins walking time.
If you continue on North West (from the red circle on map link) there is a family of Leos on the woodland edge.
The evening walk through the forest is an experience, although you can seen & hear them without getting out of the car.
1-2 have been churring this season along the southern boundary of the forest (close to the downhill Mountain Bike track ) and also close to Shipley Moss / Knitsley Fell on the moor edge just south east of Wolsingham.
Good luck & dont forget to send your records in.
A 4 figure grid ref or even a rough approximation of where they were would be a great help.
(PS.i can Email you a Leo site closer to where you live if you like, it hasnt been checked this season)
Cheers
Steve.
I have att'd a DBAP plan for Nightjar for info below.
Colin
Nightjars can be found throughout the whole forest.
They prefer to use the areas of clear fell & the young plantations.
This was a good area last year:-
www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.6803&lon=-1.8728&scale=25000&icon=x
Park at Forestry Huts & walk up hill, allow 15-20 mins walking time.
If you continue on North West (from the red circle on map link) there is a family of Leos on the woodland edge.
The evening walk through the forest is an experience, although you can seen & hear them without getting out of the car.
1-2 have been churring this season along the southern boundary of the forest (close to the downhill Mountain Bike track ) and also close to Shipley Moss / Knitsley Fell on the moor edge just south east of Wolsingham.
Good luck & dont forget to send your records in.
A 4 figure grid ref or even a rough approximation of where they were would be a great help.
(PS.i can Email you a Leo site closer to where you live if you like, it hasnt been checked this season)
Cheers
Steve.
I have att'd a DBAP plan for Nightjar for info below.
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ted hilland
Well-known member
Osprey
Hallo guys n gals, just wondered if anyone knows more info about the Osprey reported at Derwent Reservoir for the past couple of days, ive also posted this request on the Northumberland site as my gut instinct tells me it will be at the nature reserve end but any info regarding location would be most welcome.
Hallo guys n gals, just wondered if anyone knows more info about the Osprey reported at Derwent Reservoir for the past couple of days, ive also posted this request on the Northumberland site as my gut instinct tells me it will be at the nature reserve end but any info regarding location would be most welcome.
Mark Newsome
Born to seawatch...
Paul Hindess found the bird yesterday morning and it was still present this morning. It's best looked for at the western end of the res. by crossing over to the Northumberland side, driving along to the big layby overlooking the res. and scanning back over to the Durham side. It's been perched in trees looking over towards Pow Hill CP and has been seen successfully catching several fish. Fingers crossed it'll stay a while longer.
ColinSev
Well-known member
Steve
Thanks for the info on the nightjars - I will give them a go.
Any LEO information in the my area would be gratefully received, and I will check it out.
Indeed any owl info in my area would be useful as i do not seem to get much luck with them. (my excuse for lack of experience in finding them).
Thanks in anticipation
Thanks for the info on the nightjars - I will give them a go.
Any LEO information in the my area would be gratefully received, and I will check it out.
Indeed any owl info in my area would be useful as i do not seem to get much luck with them. (my excuse for lack of experience in finding them).
Thanks in anticipation
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StevieEvans
Well-known member
Derwent Reservoir
Hlo Ted
We came away happy this afternoon, bird was still there 16:30.
Arrived to find Pablo Hugelist showing the Osprey to birders & day trippers in the big lay-by at Nature Reserve end (although we were in Northumberland:eek!: the bird was perched up in Durham)
A downpour stopped & the bird lifted into action, stunning in flight as it went by trailed & mobbed by Lapwings & Oystercatchers.
Others around the Reservoir included several Buzzards on the wing, a distant Red Kite, a full grown juvvy D'ham Buzzard sitting on the nest was a surprise find.
4 Siskins were in North'd, with several Redpoll & a Tree Pipit at Pow Hill.
Nature Res end held 2 broods of (2 & 3) Wigeon & nice to see a brood of Teal (4 ducklings) feeding on the Durham shoreline too. ( very rarely recorded in D'ham) A family of 5 Herons in the shallows, along with 5 or so Common Sand, a pr of Redshank & a bathing Curlew. Total of 6 GCGrebes counted.
Prior to moving round to look for the Osprey, we viewed the water from a distance from Ruffside.
Two odd looking medium sized pale coloured shapes were sat on the bankside, heads tucked in..... there was quite a bit of heat haze at the time & not much to go on.... we wondered what they could be...?
I told Pablo there was a pair of what may be egyptian geese on the bankside & in a split second he carefully sped off !
He returned just as the Osprey flew up the full length of the nature reserve, saying the mystery birds werent visible......
We waited in foreign territory as he drove back round to view from Gods own country
A boring ten minutes went by & the rain finally eased off...
I realy cant think of an adjective to describe Egyptian Geese as they are very unfamiliar to us up here. Somehow they dont look real......but thats what they were, as the pair bobbed across the County boundary safely into Durham waters along with a large flotilla of Canadas & Greylags.
Stopped off for a bit to eat at Malton car park, a Spotted Fly was busy under the canopy... yes, the rain had started again !
Steve
Hlo Ted
We came away happy this afternoon, bird was still there 16:30.
Arrived to find Pablo Hugelist showing the Osprey to birders & day trippers in the big lay-by at Nature Reserve end (although we were in Northumberland:eek!: the bird was perched up in Durham)
A downpour stopped & the bird lifted into action, stunning in flight as it went by trailed & mobbed by Lapwings & Oystercatchers.
Others around the Reservoir included several Buzzards on the wing, a distant Red Kite, a full grown juvvy D'ham Buzzard sitting on the nest was a surprise find.
4 Siskins were in North'd, with several Redpoll & a Tree Pipit at Pow Hill.
Nature Res end held 2 broods of (2 & 3) Wigeon & nice to see a brood of Teal (4 ducklings) feeding on the Durham shoreline too. ( very rarely recorded in D'ham) A family of 5 Herons in the shallows, along with 5 or so Common Sand, a pr of Redshank & a bathing Curlew. Total of 6 GCGrebes counted.
Prior to moving round to look for the Osprey, we viewed the water from a distance from Ruffside.
Two odd looking medium sized pale coloured shapes were sat on the bankside, heads tucked in..... there was quite a bit of heat haze at the time & not much to go on.... we wondered what they could be...?
I told Pablo there was a pair of what may be egyptian geese on the bankside & in a split second he carefully sped off !
He returned just as the Osprey flew up the full length of the nature reserve, saying the mystery birds werent visible......
We waited in foreign territory as he drove back round to view from Gods own country
A boring ten minutes went by & the rain finally eased off...
I realy cant think of an adjective to describe Egyptian Geese as they are very unfamiliar to us up here. Somehow they dont look real......but thats what they were, as the pair bobbed across the County boundary safely into Durham waters along with a large flotilla of Canadas & Greylags.
Stopped off for a bit to eat at Malton car park, a Spotted Fly was busy under the canopy... yes, the rain had started again !
Steve
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StevieEvans
Well-known member
Colin
Ive replied in an Email.
Best on a calm night.
Dont forget insect repellant & / or a box of cigarettes to keep midges at bay -they can spoil the evening......
If you need any help completing details for the DBC records spreadsheet then feel free to get in touch.
Best of Luck
Steve.
allan rowell
Active member
Kno Knightjars at Knitsley !
It was all going well when I bumped into Stevie & Derek I knew I must be in the right place, after it turned dusk ( whenever that is, dark anyway ) the wind dropped, as Stevie said it would ( probably an agreement with HIMSELF up there ), then it happened. ............Nothing .
I can't help feeling that if I was getting bitten all over by Midges I might have fared better, but not one bite, I wonder if you can buy a product that attracts them ?, or maybe I,ll just borrow some of Dereks !.
Have you got any sites to check for LEOs up Weardale way that have'nt been checked this year Stevie ?
By the way before someone suggests that I must be blind & deaf ....Nothing...... relates to Nightjars only, there were Woodcock, Curlew, Oystercatchers, and I think 4 Goosander in a Lochan ( spent to much time in Scotland ) only got their profile..... it was dark you know !
Hoopoe calling. Which is more than I can say for the Nightjars, I spent two hours on Knitsley Fell 22:00 _00:00, not a sniff of a Nightjar.
It was all going well when I bumped into Stevie & Derek I knew I must be in the right place, after it turned dusk ( whenever that is, dark anyway ) the wind dropped, as Stevie said it would ( probably an agreement with HIMSELF up there ), then it happened. ............Nothing .
I can't help feeling that if I was getting bitten all over by Midges I might have fared better, but not one bite, I wonder if you can buy a product that attracts them ?, or maybe I,ll just borrow some of Dereks !.
Have you got any sites to check for LEOs up Weardale way that have'nt been checked this year Stevie ?
By the way before someone suggests that I must be blind & deaf ....Nothing...... relates to Nightjars only, there were Woodcock, Curlew, Oystercatchers, and I think 4 Goosander in a Lochan ( spent to much time in Scotland ) only got their profile..... it was dark you know !
ted hilland
Well-known member
Hi Steve, we dipped on the Osprey which was a shame cos i had my friend with me who is showing interest, but we did see the Egyptian Geese. I am sure we saw a female wigeon with four ducklings, we watched until they swam on to the durham side of the res., but im almost certain they were wigeon, Also a poss. juv Little Gull on Nothumberland side.The rain came so we left but Ill try again for the Osprey which is almost certainly the Whittle Dene bird ...... yes?
StevieEvans
Well-known member
Hard luck Alan...all we need are a few nice calm warm evenings - not too much to ask is it...?
(but look on the bright side - at least youve seen a Hoopoe!)
I'll Email you re owls.
Nightjar Guided Tours
FC Link :- see events - they have an expert guided tour next weekend.....
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/...ForestHamsterleyHamsterleyForestVisitorCentre
Otherwise a person could try Durham Bird Tours; they have good experience with Nightjarring & Durham RSPB members group seem to have an annual Nightjar night.
Ted said:
Ted, not sure if Osprey is one & the same ?
I dont subscribe to any bird news services, but have this from club site for yesterday....
12:13 NORTHUMBERLAND : Osprey, Whittle Dene Reservoirs - fishing on the Southern reservoir today, where it took a fish (10:00) (BirdGuides)
& Mark tells us
so maybe 2 different individuals ?
hope you catch up with it.
This isnt a common breeding bird at all in England. Co.Durhams upland reservoirs hold an important number of them during summer.
Another one to include on your DBC spreadsheet.
Cheers
Steve
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malcolm hobbs
Mind the G.A.P......
Derwent Reservoir
Osprey still at reservoir until dusk yesterday evening and thoroughly drenched. Can be viewed from either of 2 laybys on Northumberland side looking back to Durham side.
Malcolm.
Osprey still at reservoir until dusk yesterday evening and thoroughly drenched. Can be viewed from either of 2 laybys on Northumberland side looking back to Durham side.
Malcolm.
harrier olley
Well-known member
Brancepeth Beck Flood Plain NZ 237357 this afternoon 13.30 to 15.00
An excellent hour and half saw 4 kestrels hunting, a first for the site a single hobby flying through a large group of mixed hirundines and swifts, 100 linnet, 40 sedge warbler, 2 yellowhammer, 50 meadow pipit, 30 skylark, 46 reed bunting , 100 linnet, 5 reeling grasshopper warblers, 30 whitethroat, 20 tree sparrow, 3 blackcap, pair of grey partridge with 3 young, 2 young pheasants about a week old, a single whinchat, single red legged partridge, single green and great spotted woodpecker, single jay, single curlew, 3 oystercatcher, 3 grey herons together, single water rail called, 2 moorhen, 40 herring gulls, 4 great black backs and 10 lesser black backs.
An excellent hour and half saw 4 kestrels hunting, a first for the site a single hobby flying through a large group of mixed hirundines and swifts, 100 linnet, 40 sedge warbler, 2 yellowhammer, 50 meadow pipit, 30 skylark, 46 reed bunting , 100 linnet, 5 reeling grasshopper warblers, 30 whitethroat, 20 tree sparrow, 3 blackcap, pair of grey partridge with 3 young, 2 young pheasants about a week old, a single whinchat, single red legged partridge, single green and great spotted woodpecker, single jay, single curlew, 3 oystercatcher, 3 grey herons together, single water rail called, 2 moorhen, 40 herring gulls, 4 great black backs and 10 lesser black backs.
IanF
Moderator
Dormans Pool this evening - Marsh Harrier still around - though staying distant.
Several Linnet, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and young Stonechat along path to hide.
Four Little Gull present. Teal x20+, Wigeon c.3, Ringed Plover x2, Little Ringed Plover x1.
Good to see the Common Tern passing overhead so frequently and all carrying decent sized sandeels.
First time I've ever seen a ladybird as a food morsel for a Sedge warbler, but I guess it must happen.
Several Linnet, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and young Stonechat along path to hide.
Four Little Gull present. Teal x20+, Wigeon c.3, Ringed Plover x2, Little Ringed Plover x1.
Good to see the Common Tern passing overhead so frequently and all carrying decent sized sandeels.
First time I've ever seen a ladybird as a food morsel for a Sedge warbler, but I guess it must happen.
