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Gateshead birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter salty
- Start date
Mouldy
skywatcher, dragonhunter
Not just birds
Had a fascinating couple of hours at the river Derwent 'salmon leap' today, apologies for long-winded report, this is one for insomniacs only I think!
Walking up from Winlaton Mill I stopped at the site where Water Rail and Otter had been seen recently. I could see the overnight rain had swelled the river dramatically, making it look like fast moving tea. A 15 minute wait produced a flypast Kingfisher, 2 Grey Heron, Kestrel and If I was brave I would claim the first Waxwings of the new season, was caught unawares by a flock of 10 birds from the trees over the road. In poor light I thought they were Starlings but as they passed overhead I could see the colouring appeared more or less a uniform light grey rather than darker and flecked, and through bins I’m sure the odd glimpse of crest could be made out as they changed direction. Before I could be absolutely sure though, they were heading up river and away in the distance. Obviously need to get my eye in again with Waxwings in flight. Never mind.
I moved on to the weir by the tennis courts. The Salmon and Trout were leaping still, some absolutely massive, but their task was made nigh on impossible by the torrent of muddy water flowing against them. It was fascinating to watch them make the leap over the falls then inch up the slope, only a shark-like dorsal fin showing above the waterline. (pic 1) A quivering shape powering against the flow could be seen, only eventually to come to a halt and slide defeated back over the falls.
All sorts of flotsam was gathering at the foot of the weir, dead branches, massive logs, cans, bottles, a football and then what looks like a pink armchair got stuck at the top of the weir, showing just how powerful the current was today.
An adult and young Grey Heron (pic 2) had been watching from the sidelines, the older bird twice chased the youngster along the path where I was standing and both flew past within inches of me. The older bird left the scene after a while and the young was foolhardy enough to attempt some fishing in the weir (pic 3), but soon lost its balance in the torrent and flew back to the safety of the riverbank at the bottom of the waterfall.
A Sparrowhawk paid a brief visit but was escorted from the area by a large crow.
I was all but ready to leave and typically I’d just packed my camera away when I glimpsed an Otter by the railings at the top of the weir on the far side of the river. It disappeared with that undulating stride into the undergrowth and I thought that was that, but then my attention was caught by the young Heron which was now struggling to control an eel it had just fished out of the slow moving pool at the side of the waterfall.
As it did so, the elusive Otter lunged out from the reeds causing the Heron to leap up into the air and up onto the weir, but tucked in against the wall where the current wasn’t so strong (pic 4) where it eventually managed to control and swallow its slippery prey. But again, the Otter had disappeared out of sight.
A leaping fish close to my side of the river came right into the side under where I was watching, I photographed it (pic 5) before it struggled back into the deeper water and was taken back down by the current (no expert on fish but it looks like a trout to me).
I was now totally immersed in the fishes struggles, willing them on each time one made the leap only to fail time and again and now couldn‘t bring myself to leave, and just as well, for half an hour after its first appearance, the Otter swam into the river below the falls. Three times I saw it come up for air but these brief sightings were all I got. The rain started to get heavy, the light was fading and so I reluctantly took my leave. But a great couple of hours of fascinating nature watching.
Cheers :flyaway:
PS The fish pictured was about 2 feet long
Had a fascinating couple of hours at the river Derwent 'salmon leap' today, apologies for long-winded report, this is one for insomniacs only I think!
Walking up from Winlaton Mill I stopped at the site where Water Rail and Otter had been seen recently. I could see the overnight rain had swelled the river dramatically, making it look like fast moving tea. A 15 minute wait produced a flypast Kingfisher, 2 Grey Heron, Kestrel and If I was brave I would claim the first Waxwings of the new season, was caught unawares by a flock of 10 birds from the trees over the road. In poor light I thought they were Starlings but as they passed overhead I could see the colouring appeared more or less a uniform light grey rather than darker and flecked, and through bins I’m sure the odd glimpse of crest could be made out as they changed direction. Before I could be absolutely sure though, they were heading up river and away in the distance. Obviously need to get my eye in again with Waxwings in flight. Never mind.
I moved on to the weir by the tennis courts. The Salmon and Trout were leaping still, some absolutely massive, but their task was made nigh on impossible by the torrent of muddy water flowing against them. It was fascinating to watch them make the leap over the falls then inch up the slope, only a shark-like dorsal fin showing above the waterline. (pic 1) A quivering shape powering against the flow could be seen, only eventually to come to a halt and slide defeated back over the falls.
All sorts of flotsam was gathering at the foot of the weir, dead branches, massive logs, cans, bottles, a football and then what looks like a pink armchair got stuck at the top of the weir, showing just how powerful the current was today.
An adult and young Grey Heron (pic 2) had been watching from the sidelines, the older bird twice chased the youngster along the path where I was standing and both flew past within inches of me. The older bird left the scene after a while and the young was foolhardy enough to attempt some fishing in the weir (pic 3), but soon lost its balance in the torrent and flew back to the safety of the riverbank at the bottom of the waterfall.
A Sparrowhawk paid a brief visit but was escorted from the area by a large crow.
I was all but ready to leave and typically I’d just packed my camera away when I glimpsed an Otter by the railings at the top of the weir on the far side of the river. It disappeared with that undulating stride into the undergrowth and I thought that was that, but then my attention was caught by the young Heron which was now struggling to control an eel it had just fished out of the slow moving pool at the side of the waterfall.
As it did so, the elusive Otter lunged out from the reeds causing the Heron to leap up into the air and up onto the weir, but tucked in against the wall where the current wasn’t so strong (pic 4) where it eventually managed to control and swallow its slippery prey. But again, the Otter had disappeared out of sight.
A leaping fish close to my side of the river came right into the side under where I was watching, I photographed it (pic 5) before it struggled back into the deeper water and was taken back down by the current (no expert on fish but it looks like a trout to me).
I was now totally immersed in the fishes struggles, willing them on each time one made the leap only to fail time and again and now couldn‘t bring myself to leave, and just as well, for half an hour after its first appearance, the Otter swam into the river below the falls. Three times I saw it come up for air but these brief sightings were all I got. The rain started to get heavy, the light was fading and so I reluctantly took my leave. But a great couple of hours of fascinating nature watching.
Cheers :flyaway:
PS The fish pictured was about 2 feet long
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One Man and His Dog
GATESHEAD BIRDER
good report!
i couldnt drag myself away aswell! so much going on in this area, have you noticed that theres some great views of birds in the tennis courts aswell ! mind theres also a few short-skirted wobblers aswell. straight opposite on river (back to serious note) theres a pair of kingfishers, heres a few pic of this part aswell.
thanx
i couldnt drag myself away aswell! so much going on in this area, have you noticed that theres some great views of birds in the tennis courts aswell ! mind theres also a few short-skirted wobblers aswell. straight opposite on river (back to serious note) theres a pair of kingfishers, heres a few pic of this part aswell.
thanx
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Gill Osborne
Well-known member
Good report there...I really MUST venture south of the Tyne 
I'm sure the locals don't bite! :'D
Gill
I'm sure the locals don't bite! :'D Gill
June Atkinson
Well-known member
Thornley Woods and Barlow Fell
Whereabouts is the salmon leap? Sounds the right place to be. Another good place - for you Gill too - is the river up at Ingram Valley. We once saw nearly 100 salmon leaping at the little weir - brilliant! :clap: :clap:
Leonard and I went to Thornley Woods and stopped at the Centre to view the very impressive work by both you Steven, and Alan M. Lovely, lovely shots! and what a diversity of subject! :clap:
Then at Barlow Fell, we bumped into Ian F, who was having a quick tour. We saw six kites and Ian saw seven. The weather turned rainy and visibility was pretty poor, but a good outing, nevertheless. :flyaway:
fastshot1 said:
Whereabouts is the salmon leap? Sounds the right place to be. Another good place - for you Gill too - is the river up at Ingram Valley. We once saw nearly 100 salmon leaping at the little weir - brilliant! :clap: :clap:
Leonard and I went to Thornley Woods and stopped at the Centre to view the very impressive work by both you Steven, and Alan M. Lovely, lovely shots! and what a diversity of subject! :clap:
Then at Barlow Fell, we bumped into Ian F, who was having a quick tour. We saw six kites and Ian saw seven. The weather turned rainy and visibility was pretty poor, but a good outing, nevertheless. :flyaway:
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One Man and His Dog
GATESHEAD BIRDER
June Atkinson
Well-known member
Wonderful changes
As a youngster I regularly travelled along what we called the Low Road from Consett to Newcastle. I hated the Derwenthaugh section where both the smell and cokeworks filled the landscape.
Now, what a transformation - Derwent Walk is a wonderful asset; the superb photos by Steven and Alan prove that it is a magical place to visit. :t:
Not knowing it very well however, I'm not sure where the tennis courts are - could you give me a reference point e.g. do we park at Winlaton Mill or at the Caravan Park? Any directions would enable us to go before the salmon have finished their acrobatics! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
The thought of possibly seeing kingfishers and otter is very attractive too.:flyaway:
fastshot1 said:
As a youngster I regularly travelled along what we called the Low Road from Consett to Newcastle. I hated the Derwenthaugh section where both the smell and cokeworks filled the landscape.
Now, what a transformation - Derwent Walk is a wonderful asset; the superb photos by Steven and Alan prove that it is a magical place to visit. :t:
Not knowing it very well however, I'm not sure where the tennis courts are - could you give me a reference point e.g. do we park at Winlaton Mill or at the Caravan Park? Any directions would enable us to go before the salmon have finished their acrobatics! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
The thought of possibly seeing kingfishers and otter is very attractive too.:flyaway:
Mouldy
skywatcher, dragonhunter
June Atkinson said:
Hi June,
Theres a car park off the A694 entrance to the cricket ground. The Dam and weir are just upstream from there. I was there for an hour today but the water level has gone down a lot and I fear the best of the action is over.
A Heron was picking off the smaller fish and only a couple of big'uns were seen.
Kingfisher is pretty regular just up from the weir (again today), seeing the otter is more a stroke of good fortune.
Thanks for the nice comments re artwork and photos, bump into you soon no doubt.
Cheers :flyaway:
salty
geordie birder
i was up hollinhill lane for an hour today, got some kite shots, and watched about 5 birds in all, no-where near as many as usual, as i tend to see 12+ on a typical day!
i also popped into far pastures just before dusk, and saw 2 kites there, as well as long tailed tits, and the usual suspects.
i also popped into far pastures just before dusk, and saw 2 kites there, as well as long tailed tits, and the usual suspects.
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Mouldy
skywatcher, dragonhunter
Was at Far Pasture about 2.45pm yesterday. Had 7 Kites over which is the most I've seen there for a while, also Common Buzzard over. 3 Little Grebes was 50% more than usual and female Goldeneye still present.
Had 3 sightings of Kingfisher on the river though 2 probably of the same bird, couple of Goosander, 2 Little Grebe also on the river and 8 Grey Heron in various places, one fishing top of the weir was picking off small trout as they jumped. Couple of sparrowhawk sightings too.
Had 3 sightings of Kingfisher on the river though 2 probably of the same bird, couple of Goosander, 2 Little Grebe also on the river and 8 Grey Heron in various places, one fishing top of the weir was picking off small trout as they jumped. Couple of sparrowhawk sightings too.
Keith Reeder
Watch the birdie...
Wow!Mouldy said:
Do you normally see 1 and a 1/2 little grebes??
Sorry mate, couldn't resist. Great report, by the way...
Mouldy
skywatcher, dragonhunter
Keith Reeder said:Do you normally see 1 and a 1/2 little grebes??
QUOTE]
I just KNEW someone would see it like that
Anyway I heard that in Northumberland the way they keep a tally on the sheep is by counting all the legs and dividing by four!! :brains:
But cheers mate all the same, glad to know somebody actually reads my wafflings. :flyaway:
salty
geordie birder
Mouldy
skywatcher, dragonhunter
Had a walk up Hollinhill Lane yesterday aft. for a bit of Kite spotting - on foot a bit scary walking up the road in certain places but found some good vantage points for viewing Kites, with some good close views and great views against the backdrop of the valley. From 2.30 - 3.20 Kites were in view just about all the time, weather was a bit of a spoiler though, the wind was biting at times, rain threatened or the sun was so bright in my face I couldn’t watch. Numbers of Kites though well into double figures.
A highlight for me was stumbling across two Red-legged Partridges, a county tick for yours truly, and 16 cock pheasants counted but strangely no hens, anyone know of any reason why this might be or was it just one of those things? :flyaway:
A highlight for me was stumbling across two Red-legged Partridges, a county tick for yours truly, and 16 cock pheasants counted but strangely no hens, anyone know of any reason why this might be or was it just one of those things? :flyaway:
June Atkinson
Well-known member
Cameras your opinion please
I met someone at Bolam Lake yesterday. He was showing me his Canon EOS 350 SLR camera, but he had a Sigma zoom lens (18-200mm).
He is obviously pleased with its performance.
Have any of our talented photographers any comment on this combination.
I really would appreciate your thoughts as I have been on the point of going digital for the past 2 years!!
I met someone at Bolam Lake yesterday. He was showing me his Canon EOS 350 SLR camera, but he had a Sigma zoom lens (18-200mm).
He is obviously pleased with its performance.
Have any of our talented photographers any comment on this combination.
I really would appreciate your thoughts as I have been on the point of going digital for the past 2 years!!
