That Frida' feeling

Well, what a difference a full day of sunshine makes - Loads of Bird News from across the County today.

First news this morning was of 4Whoopers sw over Whitburn(KDs) & a further 3 adults in-off at the now well watched Blackhall beat (RR), which continued its good run, also holding 2Black Throated & 13Red Throated Divers, a single fem Velvet Scoter & a Water Rail on the beach pool - perhaps a late migrant?

Whooper Swans in-off at Blackhall - image by Rob.R

The recent flooding, quickly followed by a hard frost must have come as a bit of a shock for our first year Kingfishers - 1 at Boldon Flats (DFo) was away from regular haunts - sudden floods & discoloured water often bring birds to standing water bodies & reports today came from Hardwick(2), Far Pasture, Hurworth Burn, Rainton & Joes Pond.

Kingfisher image by Brian Smith

The North Gare Shorelark flock was reported to have increased to 7 birds, whilst the Snow Bunts up at Shields dropped to 2....

Green Sandpiper image by BrianM

Birds at RSPB Saltholme included 2Water Pipit, GSand, 2Blackwit, Marsh Harrier & Water Rail.

MH was able to join this years Hawfinch club with a bird resting close to a Houghton housing estate - a superb addition to any local patchers list.

A juv Peregrine was a fine sight moving over Lamesley (GStorey) & 2Jack Snipe were again at Shotton (RR).

Towards the end of the day a spectacular 30 Red Kites were in the air together at Gibside (GN), whilst the gull roost further up the valley at Derwent was reported as below average numbers with 6,300Common, 3,200BHeaded, 15GBB, 6HGull & 2LBB's & a fem Merlin(P.Massey).

Gull roost at Derwent Res by P.Massey

A surprise GCGrebe dropped into Low Barns late in the day -

winter plumage GCG image by GB.

nowadays more notable at this time of year than the pair of Little Egrets in the Cormorant roost ! Another Little Egret was inland on the Deerness west of Esh Winning today (DPhi)

At the end of the day Redwings & Blackbirds left the limestone escarpment at Pittington (SE) before continuing on south at height - no doubt continuing their migration.

colour ringed Curlew image by IanF

This bird on Seaton Common today was rung on Seal Sands back in 2000.

Whilst the situation regarding Curlew in some parts of the Country is worrying, it is evident that Durham continues to be an important County year round for these wading birds.

A current desk study of Curlew in the Lower Wear Valley is giving an insight into the range of these birds which roost at WWT Washington.

The simple map shows flightlines & feeding areas so far this month - it would be interesting to know how much further they range & where other Curlew roosts are located....

Wed 22nd NOV '17

a day of much rain & few birds

A first winter Iceland Gull was present on Boldon Flats 08:30 (MV) & its larger cousin, a juv Glaucous Gull headed south past Whitburn Obs around the same time.

Large numbers of wind assisted white-winged gulls have turned up on the northern isles over the last 2 days.

Hopefully we will see some more as they are not as easy to locate with any degree of certainty now that our landfill sites have gone.

Other reports today detailed a dozen Sanderling at Blackhall, Marsh Harrier & Green Sand at Saltholme and a drake Mandarin at Primrose NR, Jarrow.

News on TUES - 21st Nov '17

Whooper Swan image by G.Blackett

A couple of fresh additions today, confirming some of our winter birds are still arriving.

Low Barns held a newly arrived Whooper Swan as well as 5Goosander, 2L.Egrets & Water Rail

Small no's of non breeding diving ducks appearing, with Pochard & Goldeneye at Watergate Pk, Hurworth Burn & Rainton

Winter wildfowl image by Rev D.Atkinson

Green Sandpiper again proved popular at Phil Stead hide on Teesmouth with another on the Browney at Langley Moor - a traditional wintering location (NU) - who confirmed the continued presence of BTDiver & V.Scoter at Blackhall.

Starling image by David Fullerton.

Winter roosts are starting to build now & a pair were noted inspecting eaves & entering a roof cavity together at Roker this afternoon (SE), where a Woodcock flew West along sub-urban streets, presumably a fresh migrant.

Mr Egret image by Mr Heron

A minimum of 15 Little Egrets were seen at Saltholme (FM), as well as 70Barnacle Geese & 600Golden Plover.

Elsewhere on Teesside, Greenshank & Barn Owl were on Greenablla with 620 Golden Plover close by at Salterns.

Lamesley had a good selection today, (DG) reporting 3 unseasonal Dunlin with 1Gadwall, 6Snipe, Little Egret, female Shoveller & a Pink footed Goose.

Another 4Pinks (NU) were with 250 Greylags at Hurworth Burn, others heard at dusk at Roker (SE).

Rock Pipit image by Rev D.Atkinson

An overwintering Rock Pipit continues on the Tyne at Dunston, approx. 16km inland - one that distance inland on the Wear or Tees would be very well received.

Kingfisher image by M.Heron

Overnight rain & wet winter days result in more or less guaranteed sightings of Kingfishers on local standing waters - temporarily moving away from their clouded breeding stretches. This one photographed from the 'Freezer' at Rainton. Others here today included GCGrebe & Water Rail.

That's it for today.