Birds of the Pontburn Valley - Information Update
We hope this section can be a gateway for the avid bird watchers out there to pass on their abundance of information to the mere mortals like me. We have a basic knowledge of the wildlife and birds in our valley and as yet our list of birds sighted regularly is over 70. We are in no doubt there will be many more we haven't yet seen and would appreciate it if those who have can drop us a note with details so we can add it for all to experience and enjoy. Hopefully we have made it easy for people to tell us what they know with our various contact options. We can reply to comments from our website contact us section within 48hrs, our new established facebook page is instant, and our emails are maintained weekly.
The RSPB and various trusts are much more expert than most of us in many ways, save in one key regard. They don't live here and can't witness at first hand the things you see and hear. What we need to do therefore is to work with these organisations through their own websites and e-newsletters which we bring to you regularly. All this information can be found on our weblinks pages.
Something we would be very interested in being able to do is take part in the BBC's Spring Watch and Breathing Spaces programmes by getting out on our own spring-walk. Let us know what you would think about this perhaps or possibly an autumn watch event?
Before we can move forward with these ideas we do know that we have a couple of keen twitchers amongst our members who have offered to help in whatever way they can. Perhaps if they can get back in touch again with a comment or email we can make sure that the informatiuon we have is updated on a regular basis.
And in the meantime, please keep using our various communications options and give us your updates! We have many members who are happy to go out of their way to get in touch and if we could get this feedback from every village and community across the valley we will be a font of useful information in no time.
Birds of the Pontburn Valley
At different times of the year, 74 species of birds occupy the villages, fields and woods of the Pont Burn Valley. The last published survey undertaken on behalf of UK Coal in 2000 listed only 23 though you might notice, if you visit our archives document .......... (CMA/1/37) shows that even their environmental consultants are now getting closer to the mark.
The re-introduced Red Kite is now a common site overhead and sightings are clearly worth recording. But even the common house sparrow has been under threat elsewhere in recent years and might be sometimes worth reporting. We can also count Crossbills and Whitethroats as recent sightings through these reports. Why not take part yourself, either as an individual or part of an organised activity or group? Tell us what you know and let the facts speak for themselves.
Red Kite
The Red Kite presence in this area is still tenuous, its habitat fragile. Thanks to the Red Kite Project 94 birds were released in the Derwent Valley between 2004-2007 and although the progress across the valley is becoming more visible they are still being monitored and sightings can be reported with www.friendsofredkites.org.uk
Buzzard
Not to be confused with the less common Red Kite, with which they often associate in small groups elsewhere, but still a rare visitor to
these parts. Look for the characteristic wing form and typical effortless circling as this big bird rides thermals and updrafts searching for carrion. Last seen on 21 May 2007 overhead St Ives Road, Leadgate. Does anybody have a more recent sighting or information about these beautiful birds in our area?
Kestrel
A relatively common sight at any time of the day. One breeding pair occupies territory covering both woods and road verges close to Bradley Cottages.
On most days one or other of the adult birds can be seen in their characteristic hover close to the Jolly Drovers.
Do you know of any more in territories elsewhere?
Sparrowhawk
Less common that formerly and easily confused with the more common Kestrel, sightings are definitely worth reporting!
Sparrow hawk, early 2009 D Shields
I was out in the garden when there was a commotion at my fruit cage, I looked up (I was less than 2 yards away) and a Sparrowhawk was on top of my fruit cage, just dis-entangling him/herself from the netting. It flew off as soon as it could. Later we noticed bloody feather marks on the kitchen window just next to the fruit cage. It had obviously struck something near the window but lost it. When our houses were being built one of the workmen (who is well up on birds) said they were often about.
Our location DH8 0BX, so I can't see why they aren't around the Pont Valley
The RSPB and various trusts are much more expert than most of us in many ways, save in one key regard. They don't live here and can't witness at first hand the things you see and hear. What we need to do therefore is to work with these organisations through their own websites and e-newsletters which we bring to you regularly. All this information can be found on our weblinks pages.
Something we would be very interested in being able to do is take part in the BBC's Spring Watch and Breathing Spaces programmes by getting out on our own spring-walk. Let us know what you would think about this perhaps or possibly an autumn watch event?
Before we can move forward with these ideas we do know that we have a couple of keen twitchers amongst our members who have offered to help in whatever way they can. Perhaps if they can get back in touch again with a comment or email we can make sure that the informatiuon we have is updated on a regular basis.
And in the meantime, please keep using our various communications options and give us your updates! We have many members who are happy to go out of their way to get in touch and if we could get this feedback from every village and community across the valley we will be a font of useful information in no time.
Birds of the Pontburn Valley
At different times of the year, 74 species of birds occupy the villages, fields and woods of the Pont Burn Valley. The last published survey undertaken on behalf of UK Coal in 2000 listed only 23 though you might notice, if you visit our archives document .......... (CMA/1/37) shows that even their environmental consultants are now getting closer to the mark.
The re-introduced Red Kite is now a common site overhead and sightings are clearly worth recording. But even the common house sparrow has been under threat elsewhere in recent years and might be sometimes worth reporting. We can also count Crossbills and Whitethroats as recent sightings through these reports. Why not take part yourself, either as an individual or part of an organised activity or group? Tell us what you know and let the facts speak for themselves.
Red Kite
The Red Kite presence in this area is still tenuous, its habitat fragile. Thanks to the Red Kite Project 94 birds were released in the Derwent Valley between 2004-2007 and although the progress across the valley is becoming more visible they are still being monitored and sightings can be reported with www.friendsofredkites.org.uk
Buzzard
Not to be confused with the less common Red Kite, with which they often associate in small groups elsewhere, but still a rare visitor to
these parts. Look for the characteristic wing form and typical effortless circling as this big bird rides thermals and updrafts searching for carrion. Last seen on 21 May 2007 overhead St Ives Road, Leadgate. Does anybody have a more recent sighting or information about these beautiful birds in our area?
Kestrel
A relatively common sight at any time of the day. One breeding pair occupies territory covering both woods and road verges close to Bradley Cottages.
On most days one or other of the adult birds can be seen in their characteristic hover close to the Jolly Drovers.
Do you know of any more in territories elsewhere?
Sparrowhawk
Less common that formerly and easily confused with the more common Kestrel, sightings are definitely worth reporting!
Sparrow hawk, early 2009 D Shields
I was out in the garden when there was a commotion at my fruit cage, I looked up (I was less than 2 yards away) and a Sparrowhawk was on top of my fruit cage, just dis-entangling him/herself from the netting. It flew off as soon as it could. Later we noticed bloody feather marks on the kitchen window just next to the fruit cage. It had obviously struck something near the window but lost it. When our houses were being built one of the workmen (who is well up on birds) said they were often about.
Our location DH8 0BX, so I can't see why they aren't around the Pont Valley