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.

Quick round up - SAT 25th Nov '17

Greyhens in Weardale image by Dave Brown

Some local movements of wildfowl & waders were evident after the recent heavy rain followed by a sharp freeze. Black tailed Godwit appeared on Boldon Flats, 3Whoopers were at Bish Middleham & 4 Shoveller at Lyons Park.

Blackhall produced an excellent selection, all 3 diver species & 8Goldeneye on the sea. Water Rail & Jack Snipe again on the beach pool. 2Barn Owls, 6Stonechat & a Lapland Bunting moved south.

Seaton Snook Twite flock has risen by 100 birds since the end of October, now numbering 120 birds - which attracted the attention of a hunting Merlin today (IF)

Twite image by IanF.

Close by the Shorelarks in the North Gare area appear to be split in 2 separate groups of 4 & 3, although Snow Bunting seem to still be in short supply.

Chiffchaff image by D.Fullerton

A further sharp frost seems to have pushed any remaining Chiffchaffs into sheltered waterside locations with 2 at Jarrow & Ch-le-Street, with singles at Pittington & Hetton Lyons. These ar not such a common sight over recent winters.

An unusual bird on the Sedgeletch local patch - Red-legged Partridge. The first one here for MH since April 2004 ! This is all the more surprising given that a regular breeding area exists just 3,000 metres away - showing just how sedentary these birds can be.

Regular fieldwork in the NZ34 area & surrounds (GS RR SE CW MH et al) shows Jack Snipe returning to regular winter haunts, Woodcocks back in limited number & Short-eared Owl seemingly restricted to just 2 individuals in the whole Houghton/Wellfield areas. It seems many of our northern visitors are 'bad to get' this season.

Warm sun encouraged Great Tit & Mistle Thrush to further brighten the mood despite the days getting shorter.

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....