Teesmouth Bird Club

I remember seeing them ( mayby only one of them) when I was an apprentice when they were "Developing" the seal sands marshes, but that must have been 1975/76, I think they attempted to nest but cannot remember even if they Laid an egg.

story at the time was they were from Flamingo land (where else) at Pickering.

cannot remember when or where they went though.

Steve

I have not seen the Bird in the flesh but from all the Photo's it does not look in the best of health.

Must say some superb Photographs.
Steve.

In the back garden this morning and I could not believe the number of Hoverflies about.
very dificult to count I know but I have never seen so many.

loads around the Lupins Agapanthus and Valerium (I thing that is what it is called).
then in the corner of the Garden that is full of Honeysucle  (my wife calls it the messy corner) there seamed to be even more.

I like the honeysucle very easy to grow and we get Bullfinches on it in the winter.

Has it been a good year for them,? I know they like the high nectar flowers. and the young eat Greenfly.
To be honest I stopped using any slug pellets or Aphid killer years ago, and the Thrush/Hedgehog do a much better job of the slug/snails.
But I never seam to get Greenfly anymore.


Any Insect apprecianos (is that a word) know if Hoverflies have had a good year, if so is it due to the hard winter?

Steve

Thanks Stu,
sorry for late reply but been away with work,
I saw the Great Grey at Sledale in October.

Wil just have to go down as a mystery.
the size was the limiting factor for me, probably too small even for RBS if I am honest

while in Guisborough forrest this morning, the large flock of siskins with redpols mixed in with them were very vocal. suspecting a predetor I looked for the usual Srawk or Tawney Owl.   nothing obvious about and I moved away,
then the culprit came out,
the Black Mask was very obvious, with a rich brown back.
the front had flecking on it but Cream in colour.
Size is dificult to judge but it was only slightly Larger than the Robin and dunnock that were alarmed at its presence.
Red Backed Shrike was my first thought.

came home and looked at all the shrikes in my Collins guide.
the Mask was Red backed through and through but the colouring more like Grey Shrike.
It was below the Trees in the shade so my judgement of colour may be wrong.
Also the Collins says arrives in May. so a bit early

sorry No Photos but any thought anyone

Steve,

Cracking photos.
Out of interest, I have been looking at the shots, I know they are called Rough legged Buzzards for a reason, but I cannot make much out on the leggs,

What other identifying features are there.?

This morning at 07.00AM while cycling to Middlesbrough along the A171 near the Cross keys Hotel between Guisborough and Nunthorpe I thought I heard a Corncrake.
it was from a field of uncut field beans (I think that is what they are)

then comming home along the old railway line from Nunthorpe to Pinchinthorpe,
about a mile soth west from the original "hearing" I heard it again.

My questions are.
is the time of year good for migrating corncrake.
would a corncrake "Sing or call" on winter migration.

I know that the call of a corncrake is very distinct and not easily confused with anything else.

any thoughts, (other than a can of oil for my bike)

The 2 choices I would go for are
Goshawk
or femail Spawk.
Steve.

Are Little Egrets colonial nesters (is that gramaticaly correct)
where abouts is the nearest breeding pairs to Cleveland.
are there any North of Cleveland.
Steve.

What is it that defines a "Northern" as opposed to a "British/European"
Is it just size?

Last year they did the shooting in the middle of the breeding season, That is the breeding season for all birds, who knows how much dammage is done to other wildlife,
that to me seams a very Gung ho attidute.
At least this year they "Should" be able to "Just" eliminate Ruddy ducks

Just to clarify I have not made my mind up as to the Ruddy duck situation, I can see both sides to the argument,

On the sightings page there is a report of shooting at the alotment pool.
Has there been notification from DEFRA that they are shooting, or is it just an asumption that DEFRA are doing the shooting.
Or could it be that some poachers had a bag full of birds and nobody thought anything about it.
just a thought,

The one I pondered over for a long time was 2cy or 1cy usualy talking about Gulls, I take it to mean 2nd calendar year 1st Calendar year, but then Gulls are a big mystery to me, I try not to use "Seagull" though

Is it a wheatear

Thanks for the reply Steve, I have been round most days this last couple of weeks, but I did not want to turn this into a Blog. Interestingly after the resent rain I have seen much more, usualy drinking in the puddles, I have seen 1 Yellowhamer and a Grasshopper warbler (the only warbler I can recognise) also seen Greenfinch,Goldfinch,Chaffinch and a Kestral.This may be that there is water to drink or that because of the mud and puddles I am going a lot slower on by bike and have more time to look round. I have not seen a Magpie along there but this may be due to the amount of Pheasants and presumably Gamekeeper, or maybe just nothing for them to eat.

PS
If you would like a hand with the BTO survey I would like to be involved.
maybe email me on stephen.lynas@bt.com.
I live in Guisborough but work Monday to friday 8 till 5.