Teesmouth Bird Club

From photos as the Caspian Tern flew off over the road I managed one photo where the lettering could just about be read. I thought it was HDX. This was sent off to the Swedish Ringing scheme. there reply suggested the bird must be HOK, presumably the only viable match.

Details below:-

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia

Stockholm
Sex/status:
Age: Nestling wing: 115 mm weight: 380 g
Date: 2017-06-20
Place: SWEDEN, SÖDERMANLAND, OXELÖSUND, LÅNGA HÅLLET
Coordinates: 58º 36´N 16º 59´E
Other marks: Colour ring H0K RED/WHITE

1st ringing recovery of this bird since it was ringed

There have been a number of concerns raised over the past few months regarding RSPB's management of Saltholme Reserve, in particular, cutting back vegetation on the Dorman's Pool Hide access path at a time when young birds were still present and using this vegetation for cover.

The latest concern relates to the English Coast Path built next to the A178 alongside Salthome East Pool. The final element of this work was completed this week, when a barbed wire fence was added, segregating the path from the pool.  

For anyone unsure of what barbed wire fences can do, please read this BBC News article from Spurn Point recently.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-44211629

I have seen a similar incident myself first hand. Believe me it's not a pretty sight. Locally, we had a similar incident on Long Drag a number of years ago.

I raised concerns via Twitter today. RSPB Saltholme have replied that "it wasn't them it was Stockton Council".

Lets make things clear, this fence is on part of RSPB Salthome Reserve. I accept that there are a lot of barbed wire fences in the local area, including many fences on the reserve itself. Removal of the barbed wire would take a lot of time and money. I am amazed however, that barbed wire is still being used on new fences, and that the RSPB seem happy to sit back and do nothing about it.

As both a member of Teesmouth Bird Club & the RSPB, I ask that this matter can be taken up by both the Bird Club and RSPB, with Stockton Council and have the barbed wire removed as soon as possible

Thank You
Martyn Sidwell

The Hooded Merganser's right leg was seen clearly by a number of birders through telescopes when it had a lengthy scratch shortly after we first arrived. No ring was seen by anyone present.

I've attached a couple of photos. I have studied a series of 12 frames, with the right leg stretched forward, back and down. Photos checked on my 26" ProArt Professional Graphics monitor in close detail and I can 't see the "ring" that Derek is seeing in his photos. If there is a ring, where has in gone in my photos? Opinions seem divided, but the vast majority are of the clear opinion that there was no ring. I have discussed this with Derek and we have agreed to disagree. We'll see what the Rarities Comittee make of it.

Martyn

Nice one Ian, a good read. It also prompted me to carry out a quick analysis of the 28 species I haven't seen in Cleveland.

I started birding locally when I moved to the area in July 1986. The very same Locke Park Greenish Warbler was also my first BB Rarity. A few weeks later I self found a Yellow Browed Warbler, also in Locke Park as this was clearly the best place to look for rarities. I was hooked.

Following the same categorisation as yourself, the first nine species not seen by anyone active today are of course the same.

Birds not seen since I started are the same, but with the addition of the Ivory Gull.

Fly By's not seen are Wilsons Petrel, Black Stork (I really should have met you to show you the Essex Skippers that day Ian), Black Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Little Swift, also Serin as the last twitchable bird was the Locke Park individual a few months before I moved into the area.  More recent records have all been fly overs.

There are five untwichable birds:- Black Grouse, Cliff Swallow, Olive Backed Pipit, Pallas's Grashopper Warbler and Aquatic Warbler. I was very close to Olive-backed Pipit, driving past Burger King on my way to the headland when RCT paged out the bird by the car wash. I was there within a minute of the news breaking but  it had already gone.  I was at South Gare first thing the morning of the Cliff Swallow, but had left to go to Hartlepool for some reason. Two near misses.

I was away for the twitchable Black-Winged Pratincole, South Gare Roller and Melodious Warbler.

That accounts for all 28 species. I suppose the closest I came to these was the second sighting of the Pratincole. I was out birding that day, driving as far as the North Gare Car Park. I had a quick scan of the nearest fairway before stopping halfway back to the road to photograph a Pink-footed Goose. Geoff Iceton stopped for a chat & I recall moaning that there wasn't anything about as usual  

I remember your Raven disaster well. We both set off around the same time and recall being baffled as to your chosen route. Surely via Kildale was the quickest route? This proved the case as I had a good few minutes watching the Ravens on the carcass before they flew off  

I won't mention the Accentor, Pallas's Warbler, really!!  

Cheers
Martyn

Adult Herring Gull at work today, Lackenby Steelworks.

Dark Red Colour Ring with Black Lettering on left leg - W9DFT - not quite 100% certain as trying to read with the naked eye. Any ideas?

Martyn 

Exactly!

Wiping out the Essex Skipper colony in the process

A few more.

Cheers
Martyn

phoenicuroides is the latin name for the sub-species. Paradoxus means it is a 1st winter showing some adult male features, roughly speaking! It's all latin to me.

Showed really well in sunshine today. No need to chase of feed with mealworms. Just picked a good spot and sat and waited

Superb and showy bird. My 350th species for Cleveland

Another great find by Damian Money, Many thanks!

Jewish Cemy this evening

In a residential garden in Nunthorpe today

Showed well with patience this afternoon on Cabin Rocks