Second week Dec 2017

South Shields was the place to be this week, with an excellent selection of winter species, the following images by local patchers Stuart Thompson / Laurence Younger :-

Grey Phalarope (StuT)

Slavonian Grebe(StuT)

Glaucous Gull(StuT)

Phalarope feeding(StuT)

Drake Long tailed Duck (Laurence Younger) - photo credit edited.

During the week further Glaucous Gull were noted from Whitburn (PHi) & Blackhall(RR), Iceland Gulls were much more difficult to come by with a first calender year bird on the ice at Hetton Lyons (CW).

Raptors were prominent this week, with Marsh Harriers & Merlins wintering on the N.Tees marshes, the Gateshead Kites performed well on windy evenings. The Houghton patch had a good week for raptors & owls with Merlin watched catching prey, Short-eared Owls were at 2 locations but only appearing right on dusk, more than usual was seen of Barn Owls - hunting when weather allowed, but the best was reserved for the end of the week, a stunning ring tailed Hen Harrier drifting north at Chilton (MH).

The snow resulted in good concentrations of thrushes being seen in central areas.

2-300 Fieldfare seen at Bolam (the Durham one), Middridge & West Auckland.

Additional Jack Snipe were located by surveyors at Quarrington & Team Valley. A lot slower than last winter, but the graphic displays the results of activity around our core study sites.

The sole Hawfinch of the week was noted in large private gardens at North End, Durham City - the single bird being seen on 3 out of 5 days. (SE).

At Teesmouth the excellent selection remained, the Twite flock pulling in a Merlin, 2 other Twite south at Seaham were a good local record (GS).

There were a number of sightings of "black-capped tits" (no this does not refer to photographers in dark hats)

Low Barns provided a good opportunity to observe both species at the same site (DPh) & the South East of the County also gave watchers the opportunity to study both species. IanF picking up Marsh Tits in the very western most part of Hartlepool borough,

Marsh Tit (IanF)

whilst Willow Tits made a welcome return to the Cowpen Bewley feeding station.

Willow Tit (IanF)

The Club is close to officially commencing our County wide search for Willow & Marsh Tits, in the New Year.

In the mean time you can find out about the project on the Clubs Projects & Surveys Twitter account @DBC_Surveys

This initiative is now gaining national interest - we are very lucky to still retain a healthy population.

The survey will cater for all levels of experience & the club is aware that some will need to be best recorded as "black capped tits".

Thank you for all you information & images.

Keep wrapped up & we hope you have a bird filled weekend.

Winters here

Festive Robin by M.Heron

An Arctic blast this week with cold & snow has seen a plethora of activity at various feeding stations around the County.

Hetton Bogs as popular as ever for the showy Rails & Willow Tits.

Whooper Swans took advantage of the tail wind to continue south, the largest herd being 17 south east at Rainton (MH).

An interesting perspective on the Shields Slavonian Grebe - nowadays not such a common sight in our area. (image by Stu Thompson)

An interesting observation from Michael Eccles from the comfort of home in the North West of the County - this Wren fed around the edges of a frozen garden pond, finding this young newt to feed on hidden under the overhang.

Another piece of behaviour we seldom see

Green Sandpiper swimming - image by Steve McDonnell

Green Sands continued their presence with singles at Phil Stead hide & Billingham Beck on Teeside. At least 3 birds were at Houghton, a favoured & traditional locality.

Hawfinch activity appears to tailed off... one was seen in an area of mature gardens near Flass Vale, Durham City on 28th (SE) (a location where this elusive species has previously been recorded during the breeding season). This species is likely to be picked up again at favoured locations over the Christmas break.

After last winters bumper crop, it is disappointing that this year is below average nationally for Jack Snipe numbers. A slow & methodical approach allows the observer an excellent opportunity to study the bird without disturbing it. (SE)

Hard weather has begun to push seabirds & auks closer inshore, this Merganser one of several at Hartlepool, 2Long tailed Duck were just inland on Cowpen Bewley Tip pond today. A Grey Phalarope was on the sea off Whitburn Obs - perhaps an overwintering individual ? The weather produced some notable seawatching with White billed Diver, Leaches Petrel & Little Auks all noted. Black throated Diver isn't that common a bird in our recording area, but regular sightings from Blackhall & a record count of 5 birds passing Whitburn possibly hint at a slight upturn in records ?

The scene looks set for further winter visitors to move in - hopefully we'll see some Waxwings, perhaps a Parrot Crossbill or two, but almost certainly a flurry of wild goose sightings is surely just around the corner ?

Winter Pink-feet at Hurworth Burn (Robbie R) - another species whose fortunes have improved over recent years.

Sunny Sunday 26th NOV '17

Selected highlights from around the County today

John from Shields was in just the right spot to go eyeball to eyeball with this young Peregrine (300mm lens)

There was another sighting of the Teesmouth Shorelarks crossing the river - 4 birds left South Gare at 09:40 (KC).

Green Sandpiper reports today came from Low Butterby, New Lambton & Billingham Beck

Davy Fullerton made the most of the conditions to catch this Water Rail out in the open nr Durham

Not so many years ago, you'd be lucky to hear bird news from Blackhall once a month - nowadays its one of the County's prime coastal locations. RobbieR relocating the fine drake Velvet Scoter today, with Brian Clasper confirming the continued presence of both Black throated Divers, with Graham Stoker finding 3 Merganser close by at Warren House Gill, though his Long-tailed Duck further north at Hawthorn was an even better find.

Woodland passerines were very busy this morning after another sharp frost.

Treecreeper by Tippa

Goldcrest by Hilary

Rooks were vocal & squabbling in local rookeries at Houghton & Seaham, while the Black Grouse of Teesdale showed up well again the first snowfalls with 100 counted today by N.Yorks based photographer/birder Whitfield Benson

Little Egrets continue to expand their toe-hold with 2 at Low Butterby, Low Barns & a single at Linzford Mill in Gateshead Borough was the first site record (Gary Nicholson)

Some birds you just never tire of seeing, this Kingfisher at Rainton by Christopher Bill - another recent report confirms 1 being caught & killed by a Sparrowhawk in Gateshead.