Targeted Surveys
@lymnocryptes.bsky.social
TTBSG: Only just scratching the surface
Winter Waders
Two cracking winter birds on the tidal stretch of the R.Wear just up from Sunderland
Common Sand & Spotted Redshank on the WWT / Offerton stretch.
#NEBirding
Two cracking winter birds on the tidal stretch of the R.Wear just up from Sunderland
Common Sand & Spotted Redshank on the WWT / Offerton stretch.
#NEBirding
December 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Winter Waders
Two cracking winter birds on the tidal stretch of the R.Wear just up from Sunderland
Common Sand & Spotted Redshank on the WWT / Offerton stretch.
#NEBirding
Two cracking winter birds on the tidal stretch of the R.Wear just up from Sunderland
Common Sand & Spotted Redshank on the WWT / Offerton stretch.
#NEBirding
Ex tenebris lux
From darkness comes light
It doesn’t take much
First song from Willow & Great Tits, Blackbird & Bullfinch this week
Meanwhile Song Thrush are planning on world domination in 2026 !
Singing in good numbers- mild & damp suits them.
Just 1 more week & we’re past the shortest day ☀️
From darkness comes light
It doesn’t take much
First song from Willow & Great Tits, Blackbird & Bullfinch this week
Meanwhile Song Thrush are planning on world domination in 2026 !
Singing in good numbers- mild & damp suits them.
Just 1 more week & we’re past the shortest day ☀️
December 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Ex tenebris lux
From darkness comes light
It doesn’t take much
First song from Willow & Great Tits, Blackbird & Bullfinch this week
Meanwhile Song Thrush are planning on world domination in 2026 !
Singing in good numbers- mild & damp suits them.
Just 1 more week & we’re past the shortest day ☀️
From darkness comes light
It doesn’t take much
First song from Willow & Great Tits, Blackbird & Bullfinch this week
Meanwhile Song Thrush are planning on world domination in 2026 !
Singing in good numbers- mild & damp suits them.
Just 1 more week & we’re past the shortest day ☀️
A good day in Sunlund 😊🔴⚪️🔴⚪️
Our first burst of Willow Tit song this morning & even a brief burst of excitable warbling 🎶
This date creeps forward every couple of years, it’s generally New Year before we hear them proclaiming territory strong
#Wilti25
Our first burst of Willow Tit song this morning & even a brief burst of excitable warbling 🎶
This date creeps forward every couple of years, it’s generally New Year before we hear them proclaiming territory strong
#Wilti25
December 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
A good day in Sunlund 😊🔴⚪️🔴⚪️
Our first burst of Willow Tit song this morning & even a brief burst of excitable warbling 🎶
This date creeps forward every couple of years, it’s generally New Year before we hear them proclaiming territory strong
#Wilti25
Our first burst of Willow Tit song this morning & even a brief burst of excitable warbling 🎶
This date creeps forward every couple of years, it’s generally New Year before we hear them proclaiming territory strong
#Wilti25
A surprise Starling roost
4,500 in 2 small rural Phragmite fringed pools
Leadgate Nr Consett.
Couple more Wilti up there too
#NEBirding
4,500 in 2 small rural Phragmite fringed pools
Leadgate Nr Consett.
Couple more Wilti up there too
#NEBirding
December 13, 2025 at 12:29 AM
A surprise Starling roost
4,500 in 2 small rural Phragmite fringed pools
Leadgate Nr Consett.
Couple more Wilti up there too
#NEBirding
4,500 in 2 small rural Phragmite fringed pools
Leadgate Nr Consett.
Couple more Wilti up there too
#NEBirding
Not many about so far
This is our best field
It can hold 20+, more usually around a dozen, just x5 Scolopax tonight, but that’s the most this year…. so far….
#Scolopax25
This is our best field
It can hold 20+, more usually around a dozen, just x5 Scolopax tonight, but that’s the most this year…. so far….
#Scolopax25
December 11, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Not many about so far
This is our best field
It can hold 20+, more usually around a dozen, just x5 Scolopax tonight, but that’s the most this year…. so far….
#Scolopax25
This is our best field
It can hold 20+, more usually around a dozen, just x5 Scolopax tonight, but that’s the most this year…. so far….
#Scolopax25
Yes, in all seriousness I can imagine that being the case !
It seems like several species are retracting North & East…
Folk seem sceptical when we talk about the numbers we have & of regional increases & range expansion into new community woodlands etc
Hope we’ll enjoy them for a good while yet
It seems like several species are retracting North & East…
Folk seem sceptical when we talk about the numbers we have & of regional increases & range expansion into new community woodlands etc
Hope we’ll enjoy them for a good while yet
December 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Yes, in all seriousness I can imagine that being the case !
It seems like several species are retracting North & East…
Folk seem sceptical when we talk about the numbers we have & of regional increases & range expansion into new community woodlands etc
Hope we’ll enjoy them for a good while yet
It seems like several species are retracting North & East…
Folk seem sceptical when we talk about the numbers we have & of regional increases & range expansion into new community woodlands etc
Hope we’ll enjoy them for a good while yet
Having looked at this species (side by side with Leo & Woodcock for 30 years) I still stand by my theory that Durham could well hold 2,000+ pairs of Wilti in 2025. 🎯
5/5
5/5
December 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Having looked at this species (side by side with Leo & Woodcock for 30 years) I still stand by my theory that Durham could well hold 2,000+ pairs of Wilti in 2025. 🎯
5/5
5/5
I have a lower 2.6 pair/monad average for the very well known NZ34 with 250 pairs.
Since 2000 Willow Tit have been recorded in 454 1km squares in VC66 whilst some of those records are 25y/o traditional territories are way older than that & several areas have seen increases in range & no’s
4/5
Since 2000 Willow Tit have been recorded in 454 1km squares in VC66 whilst some of those records are 25y/o traditional territories are way older than that & several areas have seen increases in range & no’s
4/5
December 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I have a lower 2.6 pair/monad average for the very well known NZ34 with 250 pairs.
Since 2000 Willow Tit have been recorded in 454 1km squares in VC66 whilst some of those records are 25y/o traditional territories are way older than that & several areas have seen increases in range & no’s
4/5
Since 2000 Willow Tit have been recorded in 454 1km squares in VC66 whilst some of those records are 25y/o traditional territories are way older than that & several areas have seen increases in range & no’s
4/5
In good quality habitat, nationally we can expect to find 6-7 pairs in a 1km square. (we have higher densities than that in Durham).
The average for occupied squares in uk is said to be c4 pairs.
3/5
The average for occupied squares in uk is said to be c4 pairs.
3/5
December 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
In good quality habitat, nationally we can expect to find 6-7 pairs in a 1km square. (we have higher densities than that in Durham).
The average for occupied squares in uk is said to be c4 pairs.
3/5
The average for occupied squares in uk is said to be c4 pairs.
3/5
This is a simple map of our widespread sightings during 2025, & includes records from numerous other sources
The map shows 392 registrations from x324 Monads (1km x1km) / x162 Tetrads (2km x 2km) for this year alone.
2/5
The map shows 392 registrations from x324 Monads (1km x1km) / x162 Tetrads (2km x 2km) for this year alone.
2/5
December 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
This is a simple map of our widespread sightings during 2025, & includes records from numerous other sources
The map shows 392 registrations from x324 Monads (1km x1km) / x162 Tetrads (2km x 2km) for this year alone.
2/5
The map shows 392 registrations from x324 Monads (1km x1km) / x162 Tetrads (2km x 2km) for this year alone.
2/5
Boring LBJ
Our WillowTits are to receive a lot of attention in 2026
Durham County Council, Durham Wildlife & Natural England are some of those undertaking projects
Thankfully they’re still a familiar everyday bird for us here 😊
#NEBirding
@durhambirdclub.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
🧵1/5
Our WillowTits are to receive a lot of attention in 2026
Durham County Council, Durham Wildlife & Natural England are some of those undertaking projects
Thankfully they’re still a familiar everyday bird for us here 😊
#NEBirding
@durhambirdclub.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
🧵1/5
December 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Boring LBJ
Our WillowTits are to receive a lot of attention in 2026
Durham County Council, Durham Wildlife & Natural England are some of those undertaking projects
Thankfully they’re still a familiar everyday bird for us here 😊
#NEBirding
@durhambirdclub.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
🧵1/5
Our WillowTits are to receive a lot of attention in 2026
Durham County Council, Durham Wildlife & Natural England are some of those undertaking projects
Thankfully they’re still a familiar everyday bird for us here 😊
#NEBirding
@durhambirdclub.bsky.social
@teesbirds.bsky.social
🧵1/5
This pair embellished their Lichen dome with tiny pieces of Polystyrene
They’d laid their first egg by 26March & fledged c10 young
They’d laid their first egg by 26March & fledged c10 young
December 10, 2025 at 1:41 AM
This pair embellished their Lichen dome with tiny pieces of Polystyrene
They’d laid their first egg by 26March & fledged c10 young
They’d laid their first egg by 26March & fledged c10 young
Yesterday’s #BirdoftheDay was something to do with Side views
Here’s our first incubating Scolopax from earlier this year, viewed from both sides ☺️
We’ve had our first chicks hatched & away in previous years, even before the national survey had started 😀🎯👍🏻
Here’s our first incubating Scolopax from earlier this year, viewed from both sides ☺️
We’ve had our first chicks hatched & away in previous years, even before the national survey had started 😀🎯👍🏻
December 10, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Yesterday’s #BirdoftheDay was something to do with Side views
Here’s our first incubating Scolopax from earlier this year, viewed from both sides ☺️
We’ve had our first chicks hatched & away in previous years, even before the national survey had started 😀🎯👍🏻
Here’s our first incubating Scolopax from earlier this year, viewed from both sides ☺️
We’ve had our first chicks hatched & away in previous years, even before the national survey had started 😀🎯👍🏻
OTD 2024
Barnie in his Limestone cavern
They’re the perfect colour match
Guessed thats where some of them lived before man built barns (& put up boxes)
#NEBirding
Barnie in his Limestone cavern
They’re the perfect colour match
Guessed thats where some of them lived before man built barns (& put up boxes)
#NEBirding
December 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
OTD 2024
Barnie in his Limestone cavern
They’re the perfect colour match
Guessed thats where some of them lived before man built barns (& put up boxes)
#NEBirding
Barnie in his Limestone cavern
They’re the perfect colour match
Guessed thats where some of them lived before man built barns (& put up boxes)
#NEBirding
Totting up some numbers
Linnet - a total of 6860 found so far during the TreeSpug census
(week 10 update 2moro)
3K of those are in NZ34 which had most coverage
A benefit of digital images is being able to check flock counts at home over a coffee ☕️😊
#NEBirding
Linnet - a total of 6860 found so far during the TreeSpug census
(week 10 update 2moro)
3K of those are in NZ34 which had most coverage
A benefit of digital images is being able to check flock counts at home over a coffee ☕️😊
#NEBirding
December 9, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Totting up some numbers
Linnet - a total of 6860 found so far during the TreeSpug census
(week 10 update 2moro)
3K of those are in NZ34 which had most coverage
A benefit of digital images is being able to check flock counts at home over a coffee ☕️😊
#NEBirding
Linnet - a total of 6860 found so far during the TreeSpug census
(week 10 update 2moro)
3K of those are in NZ34 which had most coverage
A benefit of digital images is being able to check flock counts at home over a coffee ☕️😊
#NEBirding
Here’s one nesting in a Phragmites reed bed.
Unclear how regular an occurrence this is…
Very tricky to confirm
Herrington Country Park & Shibdon Pond are 2 places this has been documented 🎯
Unclear how regular an occurrence this is…
Very tricky to confirm
Herrington Country Park & Shibdon Pond are 2 places this has been documented 🎯
December 7, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Here’s one nesting in a Phragmites reed bed.
Unclear how regular an occurrence this is…
Very tricky to confirm
Herrington Country Park & Shibdon Pond are 2 places this has been documented 🎯
Unclear how regular an occurrence this is…
Very tricky to confirm
Herrington Country Park & Shibdon Pond are 2 places this has been documented 🎯
Any mixed farmland in Durham holds breeding Grey Partridge, moorland edge holds good numbers, as can a seemingly monoculture of oil seed rape.
Still a commonplace bird.
Easy to locate nowadays with Thermal imaging 🎯
Still a commonplace bird.
Easy to locate nowadays with Thermal imaging 🎯
December 7, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Any mixed farmland in Durham holds breeding Grey Partridge, moorland edge holds good numbers, as can a seemingly monoculture of oil seed rape.
Still a commonplace bird.
Easy to locate nowadays with Thermal imaging 🎯
Still a commonplace bird.
Easy to locate nowadays with Thermal imaging 🎯
We can find as many as 10 nesting pairs in a Monad in good quality habitat.
21 active nests is our best Tetrad total in recent years for the Co.Durham area.
21 active nests is our best Tetrad total in recent years for the Co.Durham area.
December 7, 2025 at 9:02 PM
We can find as many as 10 nesting pairs in a Monad in good quality habitat.
21 active nests is our best Tetrad total in recent years for the Co.Durham area.
21 active nests is our best Tetrad total in recent years for the Co.Durham area.
Another special Durham resident whose numbers & range has increased dramatically.
Less than 20 years ago Durham Birders would “twitch” showy Barnies for the Year List.
Lack of snow cover, conservation initiatives & nest boxes has all helped Barnies make an epic comeback back 😀👍🏻
Less than 20 years ago Durham Birders would “twitch” showy Barnies for the Year List.
Lack of snow cover, conservation initiatives & nest boxes has all helped Barnies make an epic comeback back 😀👍🏻
December 7, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Another special Durham resident whose numbers & range has increased dramatically.
Less than 20 years ago Durham Birders would “twitch” showy Barnies for the Year List.
Lack of snow cover, conservation initiatives & nest boxes has all helped Barnies make an epic comeback back 😀👍🏻
Less than 20 years ago Durham Birders would “twitch” showy Barnies for the Year List.
Lack of snow cover, conservation initiatives & nest boxes has all helped Barnies make an epic comeback back 😀👍🏻
Hurworth Burn
Target TreeSpugs & WillowTits at the car park
GWEgret, calling WRail & Cettis added interest
Nice to get a Harrier trio with 2 cc Marsh & a ringtail Hen.
#NEBirding @teesbirds.bsky.social
Target TreeSpugs & WillowTits at the car park
GWEgret, calling WRail & Cettis added interest
Nice to get a Harrier trio with 2 cc Marsh & a ringtail Hen.
#NEBirding @teesbirds.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Hurworth Burn
Target TreeSpugs & WillowTits at the car park
GWEgret, calling WRail & Cettis added interest
Nice to get a Harrier trio with 2 cc Marsh & a ringtail Hen.
#NEBirding @teesbirds.bsky.social
Target TreeSpugs & WillowTits at the car park
GWEgret, calling WRail & Cettis added interest
Nice to get a Harrier trio with 2 cc Marsh & a ringtail Hen.
#NEBirding @teesbirds.bsky.social
All too often we hear negative news about birds & wildlife.
We have been fortunate to witness dramatic positive changes in Durhams Dipper population over the last 2 decades with 7 additional Hectads colonised in lowland Eastern areas, with confirmation in NZ33 just this season
Pic of Moulting bird
We have been fortunate to witness dramatic positive changes in Durhams Dipper population over the last 2 decades with 7 additional Hectads colonised in lowland Eastern areas, with confirmation in NZ33 just this season
Pic of Moulting bird
December 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
All too often we hear negative news about birds & wildlife.
We have been fortunate to witness dramatic positive changes in Durhams Dipper population over the last 2 decades with 7 additional Hectads colonised in lowland Eastern areas, with confirmation in NZ33 just this season
Pic of Moulting bird
We have been fortunate to witness dramatic positive changes in Durhams Dipper population over the last 2 decades with 7 additional Hectads colonised in lowland Eastern areas, with confirmation in NZ33 just this season
Pic of Moulting bird
1K
NZ34 has at least 982 Tree Sparrow in a preliminary Oct/Nov census.
The last 2 days we have noted 2 flocks at opposite ends of the Hectad have an extra 120 individuals between them.
c1K in just one Hectad….
How many are actually out there 🧐🧮🎯
@durhambirdclub.bsky.social
NZ34 has at least 982 Tree Sparrow in a preliminary Oct/Nov census.
The last 2 days we have noted 2 flocks at opposite ends of the Hectad have an extra 120 individuals between them.
c1K in just one Hectad….
How many are actually out there 🧐🧮🎯
@durhambirdclub.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 11:21 PM
1K
NZ34 has at least 982 Tree Sparrow in a preliminary Oct/Nov census.
The last 2 days we have noted 2 flocks at opposite ends of the Hectad have an extra 120 individuals between them.
c1K in just one Hectad….
How many are actually out there 🧐🧮🎯
@durhambirdclub.bsky.social
NZ34 has at least 982 Tree Sparrow in a preliminary Oct/Nov census.
The last 2 days we have noted 2 flocks at opposite ends of the Hectad have an extra 120 individuals between them.
c1K in just one Hectad….
How many are actually out there 🧐🧮🎯
@durhambirdclub.bsky.social
Returned to a TreeSpug flock in a wild bird seed plot
By 15:45 they gradually started to move to leave for roost sites, allowing accurate count of *171 as they went
Small groups got up & stuck together but each group headed in different directions
Presumably to roost at respective colonies 🧐
By 15:45 they gradually started to move to leave for roost sites, allowing accurate count of *171 as they went
Small groups got up & stuck together but each group headed in different directions
Presumably to roost at respective colonies 🧐
December 3, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Returned to a TreeSpug flock in a wild bird seed plot
By 15:45 they gradually started to move to leave for roost sites, allowing accurate count of *171 as they went
Small groups got up & stuck together but each group headed in different directions
Presumably to roost at respective colonies 🧐
By 15:45 they gradually started to move to leave for roost sites, allowing accurate count of *171 as they went
Small groups got up & stuck together but each group headed in different directions
Presumably to roost at respective colonies 🧐
December 2, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Whispers of a couple of Durham/ TyneTees WillowTit Projects on the cards…
Better late than never
#NEBirding
Better late than never
#NEBirding
December 2, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Whispers of a couple of Durham/ TyneTees WillowTit Projects on the cards…
Better late than never
#NEBirding
Better late than never
#NEBirding