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Ring-necked Duck - Cowpen Bewley -
February 2010
(Ian Forrest) |
Welcome to the Teesmouth Bird Club website.
The TBC is a thriving bird club with a very active membership. It is responsible for the annual publication of the Cleveland Bird Report, produces a newsletter three times a year and has recently opened a new hide for members at Dormans Pool.
Details of the TBC's activities and of birds and birding in the Cleveland area can be found on these pages.
Whether you are an expert or beginner, the door is always open to new members. If you are interested in birds in Cleveland, or would like to be, why not join us.
Next Meeting
Monday 12th April - Annual
General Meeting followed by "A review of the Birds of 2009" and TBA. Please
note that indoor meetings will now take place at Ebsworth Building, Queen's Campus,
in Stockton until the Summer. The directions are posted in the December
newsletter. Visitors are welcome.
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Announcements (latest added 05/03/10)
OUTING TO HARTLEPOOL HEADLAND SUNDAY 7TH MARCH
(added 18/02/09)
Join Chris Sharp for a walk around the Headland
meeting at 9.30 a.m at Heugh Gun Battery. A good variety of waders, including Purple
Sandpiper, is guaranteed. There should be a number of sea duck still present, including,
hopefully, Velvet Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser, along with grebes and divers.
For further details ring Chris on 01429 865163.
TEES VALLEY BIODIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP WILDLIFE WORKSHOPS 2010
(added 05/03/10)
For details of the workshops please click
here.
SABIC PARTICIPATION IN THE ANNUAL BTO BIRD RACE
(added 05/03/10)
SABIC has joined Northumbrian Water and Huntsman Tioxide in this annual event run
by the British Trust for Ornithology. Essentially there are a variety of business
categories within each of which there is a competition to see which company has
the highest annual total for bird species seen on their site. “ On “ means actually
on the ground, trees or water bodies, however air bourn birds of prey and species
feeding on flying insects can be counted as they are regarded as utilising the site.
The club is inviting members to assist SABIC in their endeavours and submit details
of all species seen “on” their site. SABIC themselves already review the monthly
WEBS counts for the area together with any sightings logged on the club’s web site.
However these are by no means a total for example, I doubt if Woodpigeon is ever
formally recorded by anyone. On the other hand, House Sparrow would be something
of a rarity.
The area to be recorded is bounded on the north by Greatham Creek; the west by the
A178; the south by Seal Sands access road and the east by the Long Drag. Outside
these boundaries is a strip of land east of the Long Drag and also part of the area
in question. This includes the Tidal Pool and the reed beds and willow scrub running
to the south. This strip terminates at the start of the sandy Maram Grass habitat.
See the Google World picture of the site by clicking
here. All viewing should be from the existing access routes
of the Long Drag and the Greatham Creek pathway, only. Records to >> stewart.l.swales@sabic-europe.com
<< and of course also to the club’s recorder if deemed appropriate.
Thanks Alistair McLee ( chairman).
WADER AND DUCK COUNTER – A VOLUNTEER REQUEST
(added 22/02/09)
On a particular
Sunday of each month the BTO operates a count of water fowl in the Tees estuary
– WEBS. In parallel to this, separate populations of birds are also counted at other
areas within the county in a scheme run by Chris Sharp. Over the last two years
the club has counted birds at a further variety of sites not covered by either of
these enumeration programmes and found large numbers of individuals and species
at the water bodies at Bowesfield by the Tees, between Ingleby Barwick and Stockton.
At present this population is ignored and not routinely counted by either programme.
It would be useful to the club and rewarding to the individual to survey this area.
Anyone considering volunteering to study this area should contact our secretary,
Chris Sharp for further information. Thank you.
Alistair McLee (Chairman)
BTO NORTH EAST CONFERENCE
(added 22/02/09)
This will be held at Beverley on 10th April. For more details click
here
and
here.
TBC ROOKERY SURVEY 2010 (added 27/01/10)
Following my recent request for volunteers, from novice level upwards, there has
been a somewhat muted response because I believe that members are unsure where the
nearest rookery is located to where they live. To make things easier I have prepared
a list of the known sites from 1999-2006 as contained in 'The Breeding Birds of
Cleveland', which can be downloaded
here,
and I would be grateful if volunteers could select a convenient rookery. I am not
expecting the same surveyors who counted the original sites for the Atlas to do
the same ones again, unless they specifically wish to, and I am keen that new and
novice members are involved, as well as experienced ones. Please could you let Ted
Parker know which site(s) you have chosen. The original instructions for this survey
and the recording form are contained elsewhere in this 'Announcements' section of
the Website. Rooks are earlier breeders, so an early response would be very much
appreciated. If we cover all of Cleveland's rookeries this should throw up some
fascinating results. Thank you.
Ted Parker
TBC ROOKERY SURVEY 2010
(added 5/1/10)
In the last Newsletter a request was made for members to take part in a Rookery
Survey in Cleveland. The details of the survey and the recording form can
be downloaded here. The main purpose
of this project is to establish the current number of Rookeries in Cleveland
and the number of occupied nests and to compare the results with those from the
TBC's Breeding Birds Survey 1999-2006. This is a project which can involve
beginners and experts alike and will provide vital information which can be used
in the 'Cleveland Bird Report'. I am managing the project and its success
clearly depends on a reasonable number of members taking part. Since the Newsletter
was published in early December, I've had one response and would be really grateful
if other members could contact me to let me know which Rookery they would like to
cover. It is not an onerous commitment and only requires a few visits to count
occupied nests before the leaves come out. The Rookeries at Skelton Castle
and Nunthorpe (Church Lane) have been allocated.
Ted Parker
COACH TRIP TO MARTIN MERE (added 15/1/10)
The planned coach trip to WWT Martin Mere on Sunday 28th March 2010 has been cancelled
due to lack of numbers.
Julie Mason
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER AVALIABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
(added 05/12/09)
It is avaliable via the main menu (Main...Publications...Newsletters)
or by clicking
here.
A178/GREATHAM CREEK BRIDGE – VEHICULAR ACCESS TO REDUNDANT ROAD
(added 02/12/09)
Natural England ( NE ) intends to refurbish the foot path
opposite the designated Cowpen car park,
which leads onto the stretch of redundant
road . Having done the work, they do not wish vehicles driven along
it. Traffic bollards are to be erected. The basis for this activity is a perception
by N E that there is a potential safety hazard when pedestrians and vehicles use
this access route to the viewing point at the creek. Disabled parking places will
be marked off in the car park on the west side of the road. It is not clear however,
how disabled will cross the busy road, which has a permitted speed of 60 mph. Having
crossed the road, the same disabled persons will have to climb up to the favourite
birding view point. Of course the reverse process will require to be performed as
the disabled return to the car park. ( Birding from a wheel chair is not an option
given the exposed nature of the site).
N E have pointed out that they have an obligation to maintain
the path which was built in
2000
and they have the support from Stockton Borough
Roads Dept. In this undertaking.
Your club has objected strongly to this development on the basis that the safety
concerns raised by N E are spurious and in fact are more perceived than actual.
Disabled access will be denied to the birding enjoyment of the location by preventing
vehicular access.
Individual members may wish to air their personal views with N E or their SBC elected
member.
Alistair McLee ( chairman)
INFOMATION ON OUT-OF-HOURS
ACCESS TO SALTHOLME (added 30/11/09)
Shortly, details of out of hours access to RSPB
Saltholme will be posted in a dedicated section of this web site's "Forum". This
"Announcements" section will no longer display this information and members wishing
to visit Saltholme, out of hours should visit the "Forum" for information.
Alistair McLee ( chairman)
NORTH EAST MAMMAL RECORDS WANTED (added 11/11/09)
Northumbria Mammal Group is embarking on a project
to produce a publication on the mammals of the north east. It is intended to be
a summary of what we know about the current status of each mammal species in the
north east plus any historical changes in distribution and any other points of interest
or contextual information.
It isn't meant to be primarily an
atlas but distribution maps for each species would form an important part of it.
Consequently one of the first tasks is to try and blitz as many verified mammal
records as possible. As you will be aware many mammals are woefully under recorded,
including such ubiquitous ones as Wood Mice, which is why I am asking if you could
let us have any mammal records that you have or that you come across.
A blank recording form for entering any records can be accessed by clicking
here (press cancel when asked for username and password). The minimum info
required is species (must be sure of ID to that level); date (year would do); grid
ref (4 figure is fine) and your name. As well as using the records for the mammal
group project I will pass a copy of the records on to the relevant County recorders,
including North Yorkshire, unless you have any objections to me doing that. Please
send me your records to ian.bond105 at ntlworld.com (replace at with @)
Ian Bond
ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUT
OF HOURS VISITING TO SALTHOLME POOLS HIDE RSPB SALTHOLME
(added 20/10/09)
A system has been set up to enable club members
to access the Saltholme Pools hide at Saltholme Reserve out of hours, for a trial
period over this winter.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only, the Saltholme
Pools hide can be utilised before the reserve itself officially opens at 10am. The
actual opening dates and times will be dependant upon the volunteer hide wardens.
Details will be posted on the TBC website by the reserve wardens.
The main reserve gate will be unlocked on these mornings, but will remain closed.
After entering through the gate, please shut it behind you. Cars are to be parked
in the bottom bay section of the main car park.
Pedestrian access to Saltholme Pools hide will be solely via
the gate and track to the east of the play area and then onwards towards the Saltholme
Pool hide only. The hide wardens will keep records of all visitors in a hide log.
( NOTE : Members wishing to volunteer as either hide wardens or key holders should
contact Emma Birnie (Reserve Warden) on 01642 546625).
This is the first stage of a trial that will hopefully lead to further access during
the evenings throughout the spring and summer.
Saltholme is a great asset to us all and we appreciate that the RSPB have invested
significantly in it. We all know of the potential trouble from local villains. The
security of the site is of paramount concern and key to the continuation of this
initiative.
On behalf of the club I would like to thank the management of the reserve in setting
up this facility and I am sure that club members will be as anxious as I that the
operation is both smooth and to the satisfaction of all parties.
Alistair McLee
WARNING - CAR BREAK IN DORMANS POOL 27TH SEPTEMBER
(added 28/09/09)
A members car was broken into whilst it was parked in the club car park
for the Jeff Young hide at Dorman's Pool on Sunday 27th September. Please be alert
and hide anything from view which might attract unwanted interest. Police have been
informed.
LOCAL WILDLIFE SITES
(added 11/09/09)
The club has been asked by the four boroughs which comprise
“Old Cleveland “ and Darlington Borough, to draw up a list of sites which have significant
bird interest. During the survey work for “The Breeding birds of Cleveland”, we
did indeed find places of significance in terms of breeding species. However for
the purposes of this survey which we have been asked to undertake, there need not
be specifically breeding taking place to have a significance. For example, there
could be large numbers of one, or even several, species using the site at any time
of the year for feeding or roosting. Many areas are already recorded as being of
significance and the location designated as a SSSI or National Nature Reserve or
a local country park. However there are areas with no formal protection or even
recognition, and it is these we wish to know about. Do not get too hung up about
the definition of “ significant “ at this stage in the recording exercise – there
will be opportunity later to review the information . What is required at present,
is to flag up sites which members consider worthy. In the first instance let me
know about locations – thanks.
Alistair McLee.
TEESVALLEY BIODIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP “BIRDS FOR BEGINNERS”
(added 05/09/09)
Your club
is an active member of this partnership which seeks to conserve, enhance and promote
biodiversity in this area. Three practical sessions on mammals, plants and, of course
birds, are to be run in October. The event involving birds will take place on 25th
October.
For more information and application forms please click
here.
Alistair McLee (chairman)
DURHAM BIRD CLUB HIDE AT BISHOP MIDDLEHAM / CASTLE LAKE
(added 12/6/09)
Keys are now available to members of both our bird clubs.
£6 with s.a.e. Cheques to " Durham Bird Club" at c/o 4, Leyburn Close, Houghton
- Le - Spring, County Durham, DH4 5EF. Any queries to Steve Evans 07979601231 or
stevieevans@btinternet.com
CLEVELAND WATER BODY SURVERY
2006-7 RESULTS
(added 13/5/09)
Results,
Sites and
Analysis can be downloaded by clicking each link. If you get asked for
password just click cancel and document will load
ACCESS TO THE ‘TRIANGLE’ AND CAUSEWAY, BACK SALTHOLME
(added 22nd March)
Following discussions between TBC and RSPB, we have been informed that the ‘Triangle’
at Back Saltholme, where birders have traditionally parked for many years, is to
be closed off to vehicles. Advance notice will be given and it is possible that
closure may occur in April 2009. This area now belongs to the RSPB, which has grave
concerns over how unsafe this area is in relation to the very busy A178 Seaton Carew
Road. In the event of a serious accident, the RSPB would carry some liability as
landowner.
Regarding access to the causeway, this will be closed to all people during Reserve
opening times. Dave Braithwaite, Site Manager, however, is keen that access at other
times is maintained for TBC members only for scientific bird recording, with all
relevant records being submitted to Tom Francis, the Cleveland Recorder. Access
will be solely to the causeway and not to other parts of the Reserve. Club members
will be expected to ‘police’ this as far as possible to prevent unauthorised access,
though such policing should not be ‘heavy-handed’. Any significant incidents should
be recorded and sent to Emma Birnie, Reserve Warden.
All members wishing to visit the causeway outside Reserve opening times will need
to undertake a brief health and safety induction and should submit their names to
Emma Birnie at RSPB Saltholme (Tel: 01642 546625; email: emma.birnie@rspb.org.uk).
Members wanting to do this must hold a valid membership card.
BIRD RECORDING ON RSPB SALTHOLME OUTSIDE OPENING
HOURS
(added 22nd March)
Club members visiting the Reserve outside of normal opening times are requested
to report immediately to the RSPB any important sightings of scarce or rare birds,
such as uncommon waders (eg. Broad-billed, White-rumped and Pectoral Sandpipers),
egrets and herons (eg. Great White and Cattle Egrets, Purple Heron), wildfowl (eg.
American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck), raptors (eg Honey Buzzard, Montagu’s Harrier)
and other birds. Visitors wanting to see mega rarities, such as the recent Glaucous-winged
Gull, will need to be managed on site and it is vital that early reporting of such
birds is adhered to so that the necessary arrangements can be made to ensure that
all birders get to see and enjoy good birds.
In the event of a rarity being found, members should contact Emma Birnie (tel: 07872
157735) email: emma.birnie@rspb.org.uk) or Toby Collett (tel: 07595 654912. The
number of the Visitor Centre is 01642 546625.
GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING POLLUTION INCIDENTS
I note from recent
comments on the 'Sightings' page, my own recent observations and comments made by
a number of members I have met in the field that, over the past few weeks, the amount
of rubbish blowing off the Teesmouth tips is excessive and unacceptable to say the
least. The Seaton Meadows Tip is particularly bad and rubbish has seriously polluted
large areas of Seaton Common and Dunes and the wider areas beyond, reflecting poor
waste management. Fence lines, shrubby vegetation and even the water-filled creeks
and pools are choked with plastic bags and other rubbish. This is both highly unsightly
and damaging to wildlife. In instances such as this, the Club has agreed a reporting
procedure with the Environment Agency, as follows: please ring the Agency's Incident
Hotline as soon as possible on their freephone number 0800 807060
(free from landlines only, not mobiles). It is open 24 hours a day and they will
take details of the incident, including its location, nearest road number/name,
nature and extent of the problem and your name and address (if you wish to give
these, otherwise you can remain anonymous). If you give your name, the Agency will
ask you if you require any feedback from them on the action taken. I know that incidents
involving the Seaton Meadows Tip have been reported to the Agency on a number of
occasions during the past several weeks, the latest being yesterday. As every report
is logged, please ring the Hotline when you see something: don't assume someone
else has done so and the more people who ring in about an event, the better. The
Agency also wishes us to report other incidents, including water pollution, illegal
salmon fishing, fly-tipping, dumping of fridges and freezers (such as at South Gare),
illegal burning of waste (eg wire burning, old tyres, etc) and poaching. Please
report all incidents you see - if you don't, the incident won't be logged and nothing
will be done. Thank you for your co-operation.
Ted Parker (Chairman)
THE BREEDING BIRDS OF CLEVELAND - NOW AVALIABLE
The 'The Breeding Birds of Cleveland' is now hot off the press and available for purchase. Everybody associated
with this project is delighted with the quality of the
book, which has been produced
to a very high standard, with full colour maps. The book is the
culmination of a monumental effort by a large number of people over the past 10
years and is the biggest project ever undertaken by the Club. It is a ground-breaking
work and covers all 127 species that bred in Cleveland during the survey period
(1999-2006 inclusive), along with those that have bred in the past or may breed
in the future. The species accounts, written by a diverse team of authors, are beautifully
embellished with full colour distribution maps and monochrome sketches. There is
an informative introductory section, which traces the history and development of Cleveland's landscape since the last Ice Age and the book is liberally illustrated with high quality photographs. Adverts have been appeared in 'Birdwatch' (October)
and 'British Birds' (November) and we are going to issue press releases in November.
Five thousand specially designed fliers are being circulated and we are hoping to
have a BBC TV slot, courtesy of Adrian Pitches, at the end of November. The special
offer price of £20 (plus £5 postage and packaging for those who can't collect their
copies) has been extended to 31st December 2008. The price thereafter will be £25 (plus £5 postage and packaging). Anyone who would like to order a discounted
copy, please contact John Fletcher at 43 Glaisdale Avenue, Middlesbrough, TS5 7PF (Tel:
01642 818825; Email: jnofletcher@lineone.net).
Individual local arrangements can also be made for delivery of 5 copies or more
if you contact John Fletcher direct.
Don't miss this opportunity
to secure your copy of this superb book - it
will make an excellent, good value Christmas present for yourself or someone else.
A copy of the flier and order form can be downloaded by
clicking here.
Ted Parker
TBC BEACHED BIRD SURVEY
At an initial hearing at the High Court in London on 30th June and 1st July 2008
regarding the Teesside Offshore Windfarm, a High Court Judge refused Redcar and
Cleveland Borough Council a Judicial Review or a Public Inquiry. It is now almost
certain that the windfarm will go ahead and in view of this, the Club is going to
conduct its own beached bird survey before, during and after construction to monitor
its impact on collision risks to seabirds, which we consider to be a key environmental
concern.
The regular counters for the national Beached Bird Survey have kindly agreed to
undertake at least one visit per month to their existing designated sites, in addition
to their normal counts. However, for completeness, we need all members to send in
records of birds found dead on Cleveland’s beaches, starting on 1st November 2008
until further notice. If you find a dead bird, please make brief details of the
species (if identifiable), date, time, weather, location (as precisely as possible),
state of the sea/tide and any visible signs of damage to the corpse, such as missing
body parts, lacerations, etc., excluding those you think may have been caused by
scavengers, such as gulls. If appropriate, photograph the corpse. A special form
has been devised to help you record your sightings and this can be downloaded off
the Website by clicking here or
obtained from Vic Fairbrother (tel 01287 633744). All records should be sent to
Vic at 8 Whitby Avenue, Guisborough, TS16 7AP (or email: vic.fairbrother@ntlworld.com)
This information is vital, as monitoring of offshore windfarms is still very much
in its infancy in the UK and is normally undertaken solely by consultants employed
by the energy industry. The forms only take a few minutes to complete, so please
send in your records.
Ted Parker
ACCESS TO POWERSTATION FIELD
On 5th June
2008, I had a meeting with representatives of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC)
and Harbour Police to try and resolve past and ongoing issues regarding access to
the Power Station Field and Seaton Snook, which are owned by PD Teesport.
PD Teesport are happy for us to go on to their land and have made this clear to
the CNC. The farmer who leases the field for horse grazing is also happy for
us to use it. The meeting was very useful and a copy of the Minutes can viewed
here. Please
read these and I would be grateful if members could adhere to the actions agreed.
Please carry a valid TBC membership card with you, as you may well be asked
to produce this. We have to respect the fact that power stations are COMAH
sites and the police have a statutory duty to protect them. Please be courteous
at all times and if there are any incidents which give cause for concern, please
contact me and I will raise them with Sgt Elliot.
Ted Parker
CHAIRMAN
ACCESS TO DORMANS POOL AND RECLAMATION POND - MEMBERSHIP CARD NOW NEEDED
At the
instigation of Impetus Reclamation Limited, the Club has just signeda 5-year, legally-executed
Licence Agreement, valid from 11th December 2007, which allows access to the Reclamation
Pond and Dormans Pool for Teesmouth Bird Club members only. This replaces the former,
unwritten access arrangement, which was rarely enforced. From 11th December, a current
TBC membership card must be produced when requested by security personnel and any
persons who fail to comply will be requested to leave the site. The Licence has
been drawn up by Impetus's legal advisers and has been favourably modified following
consultation with the Committee. I would be grateful if all members could comply
with these new arrangements. Thankyou
Ted Parker (Chairman)
BTO BIRD ATLAS 2007-11
TEESMOUTH BIRD CLUB
CONTRIBUTION TO MAPPING BRITAIN AND IRELAND’S BIRDS
Bird Atlas 2007-11 aims
to produce maps of distribution and relative abundance for all bird species breeding
and wintering in Britain and Ireland. It will enable assessment of changes in bird
distribution since the previous breeding atlases in 1970 and 1990 and since the
last winter atlas of the early 1980’s. Fieldwork will span four winters and four
breeding seasons, starting on 1st November 2007, during which the whole of Britain
and Ireland will be cumulatively surveyed. To fulfil these objectives there are
two core methods.
- Roving Records -
For distribution
maps to be comprehensive, we need complete species lists for every 10km square for
the breeding season and for winter. Roving Records are a means of submitting lists
for grid squares, one off records of hard to find species, and anything in between.
They are also a means of accumulating evidence of breeding and for providing records
of nocturnal species. Everyone can take part by supplying Roving Records.
- Timed Tetrad Visits
- These are
principally concerned with discovering the broad patterns of relative abundance
by counting birds for fixed periods in tetrads (2km x 2km squares). These visits
do not aim to produce a complete species list for the tetrad but a sample of what
one can find during two visits in winter and two visits in the breeding season.
Timed visits can be for one hour or for two hours. The aim is to cover at least
eight tetrads in each 10km square.
HOW TO HELP
Anyone and everyone can
take part by completing Roving Record forms. These are available from Regional Representative
Vic.Fairbrother, (01287 633744), from BTO HQ or can be printed off directly from
the website (www.birdatlas.net). Locally we need to produce the records that will
give complete species lists for each of the ten 10km squares that feature Cleveland.
In addition, we need to make Timed Tetrad Visits to a minimum of eight tetrads in
each 10km square. Records can be submitted on paper or on-line If you would like
to take on one or more local tetrads for Timed Tetrad Visits or require more information
please contact Vic Fairbrother or visit the website.
Vic Fairbrother
SITE GUIDE
I have started to add a site guide to Cleveland birding locations to the website
but it needs volunteers to write the guides for the various locations. If you are
willing to write one please let me know at James_Duffie@Hotmail.com and I will then
confirm that nobody else is writing that one.
Civil Nuclear Constabulary
patrols at Teesmouth
As regular visitors to
Teesmouth will be aware, police officers of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC)
regularly conduct counter-terrorist patrols in the vicinity of Hartlepool Nuclear
Power Station. They often stop members of the public and ask them to account for
their presence, particularly if they are in the possession of cameras or optical
equipment. Recently, on a number of occasions, officers have encountered people
who have stated that they are members of the Teesmouth Bird Club and, whilst the
police have no concerns over Club members' presence, they would like membership
cards to be carried as proof of identity. The Chairman has given an undertaking
to the CNC that he will make Club members aware of the situation and request them
to carry their membership cards. Ted Parker (Chairman)
Instructions for
reporting poaching can be found
here
Please read this document
and print a copy out to take into the field with you and please follow it to report
any poaching you see.
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