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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 4d

A couple of good cross country 8-noon rambles & some afternoon drive by’s has filled out a few more registrations.
All bar 3 Tetrads in our best Study Hectad now have birds logged so far in October.
A few nice flocks c30 mark now, but we need a good blow to get these leaves off ! 💨🍃

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 5d

Very likely
We had a very strong arrival Monday morning & then birds got up again teaming out of cover & heading on south west at dusk.
Lots of berries for them this season 👍🏻

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 5d

Sunderland’s economy is surging driven by advanced manufacturing and green investments
£1 billion gigafactory for EV batteries will create 1K skilled jobs
£1Billion Urban renewal Riverside masterplan aims to double the city centre pop’n adding 50% more jobs by 2030 includes 7K new homes citywide

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 5d

Tree Spug registrations after a fortnight

Tricky to count accurately with lots of leaves on

Still a good provisional indication of presence, however several known colonies yet to be visited

We have several nest box schemes & thankfully the population is interlinked

#NEBirding

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 6d

We do quite a bit with Dippers
These Shopping Trolley nest sites allow them to nest safely & above the flood level

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 6d

Eventually!
First morning of steady Winter Thrushes passing
Flocks of up to 80 each of Redwing & Fieldfare heading SWest
#NEBirding
Smaller nos of GWag Crossbill Redpoll Lark Mipit.
Obvious increase in grounded Robin Blackbird SongThrush etc

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 12d

Hasn’t there been some deep dredging in the Tees earlier this year ??

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 23d

A new record Day Tally of *x303* Black Grouse counted in west Durham on 23rd September 2025.
Coincides with news that translocated Pennine birds have bred successfully over on the NYMoors for the first time in 200 years. #NEBirding

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

A key species for us as we approach the Autumn is the Black Grouse.
Early indications are that birds have done well, lots of good broods seen & a loose pack of x31 yesterday in Upper Weardale all bode well.

*Our Max day count in a 5km radius is 223 birds in Teesdale 22nd September 2023.

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 23d

Looking closely this season has revealed a few secrets
This is one example of interesting behaviour on our local Beck.

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 28d

Wow that’s pretty impressive !
Really puts the sighting into perspective 🎯👍🏻
Cheers

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 28d

Nice surprise Spotted Flycatcher on the local patch this am
Found & filmed by MH.
#SpotFly25

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 28d

A North Pennines Gamekeeper has recently counted 184 in an hour, illustrating the good numbers around after another positive breeding season 👍🏻

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 28d

Steve Egglestones Pic from a Bird Club WhatsApp
Must be a rare event to have one on UK mainland 🧐👍🏻

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 17

Not often you catch them bathing
We bumped into one doing so this afternoon in a puddle alongside a back road
Nice clip

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 17

Such a familiar sight & sound nowadays.

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 13

We have a 60 pack counted in Teesdale 11th September 2025. 🎯👍🏻

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

A key species for us as we approach the Autumn is the Black Grouse.
Early indications are that birds have done well, lots of good broods seen & a loose pack of x31 yesterday in Upper Weardale all bode well.

*Our Max day count in a 5km radius is 223 birds in Teesdale 22nd September 2023.

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 13

Majority in the dales / moors, but some lower & East of A68.

Amazingly we have had pairs close to Durham City itself. A pair at Croxdale raised 2 broods.

Perhaps a tiny sign of upturn in fortunes??
(Generally westward retraction for sev ssp but TreePip back after 20yr gap too !)

Will add+ later

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 13

What was start date ?

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 12

That’s really interesting.
Can’t be too many “braided channels” around??

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 12

That’s great to see
Given the date, isn’t that your third lot there ?? 🧐

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 7

Visited the place that had a loose group of 31 & it held 42 on Friday.
Vegetation is still high, will get better counts in once we get a few nips of frost

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 7

250 counted on random roadside route through parts of Durham Pennines 5/9/25.

No big single sex packs yet, still some family parties with young not yet fully grown

No concerted national count since 2014, when English total 🟰 1437 males.

2022 ‘23 & this year have been productive seasons 🎯

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

A key species for us as we approach the Autumn is the Black Grouse.
Early indications are that birds have done well, lots of good broods seen & a loose pack of x31 yesterday in Upper Weardale all bode well.

*Our Max day count in a 5km radius is 223 birds in Teesdale 22nd September 2023.

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

A key species for us as we approach the Autumn is the Black Grouse.
Early indications are that birds have done well, lots of good broods seen & a loose pack of x31 yesterday in Upper Weardale all bode well.

*Our Max day count in a 5km radius is 223 birds in Teesdale 22nd September 2023.

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

End of August & our final Flycatcher family of fledged young being fed

2025 has been an excellent one
x240 locations, many places having multiple pairs
x90 nests found
x25 broods BTO rung

Here’s the sun setting on at moorland edge bird as it yawns
A fitting way to sign off our #SpotFly25 survey

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Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 26

A bank holiday drive out to cast an unseasonal eye over the Northumberland Goldeneye breeding area, following this years success in the Wear Valley in Durham.

There doesn’t appear to be anything special with either…

How many more disused gravel workings will they take to ? 🧐
💛👁️

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