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11:22am 07-03-2013
Mike Henry
Have you considered Goshawk for the mystery raptor? They perch at 45 degrees have small heads compared to broad breasts, and their wings LOOK POINTED in flight not rounded,despite illustrations. On first seeing them I often think Peregrine rather than hawk bec. of shape.
2 bitterns sparring at dormans 10:15 yesterday 6/3- territorial??? Mike
10:53am 07-03-2013
Derick&Mandy Pearson
Hi Peter,
I did consider the Gyr Falcon as an option, but it does not match the bird seen at Lingdale. As well as looking at my own books I did a Google images search for the Gyr and there are hundreds available. A Normal Gyr would have suited better on the upper wings and back as the Grey was more fitting. However the breast was Not speckled / spotted as the Gyr is, or fully white either. This bird had 2 prominent bands made up of bolder spot/dashes/marks than any of the Gyr Falcons photos I have seen.
This bird also perched at an angle of about 45%. The photos of the Gyr all show it perched more upright say about 30%. It was definitely not white enough for the White Gyr, similar to the one that has been seen around here lately. I will endeavour to get the images off the lady who photographed it and if possible “post them” so the far more learned then me can access it. Regards Derick.
9:01am 07-03-2013
L Curwen
Re skylark at Warsett Hill. Skylark observed singing same location on Feb 27th.
5:25am 07-03-2013
peter
Derick and mandy, Could your sighting possibly been a white gyrfalcon ?
4:11pm 06-03-2013
peter garbutt
zinc works rd-2nd winter caspian gull,lesser black-backed gull and a single pink footed goose.seaton snook-7 snow bunting.
12:36pm 06-03-2013
GB
Skylark singing at Warsett hill Saltburn, 11am.
8:16am 06-03-2013
Brian Clasper
Hawfinch 0730 singing for 10 mins, Tilery wood on main Castle Eden cycleway 200m south of Co Durham, the sign 100m s of a689 bridge
8:01am 06-03-2013
Derick&Mandy Pearson
8.30 am yesterday at Lingdale in group of trees near old meadow A medium to large unidentified Raptor. Much bigger and broader than a Sparrow Hawk. Too broad across breast for a Peregrine. Perched on branch at about 45% angle. Yellow heavy thick feet. No white leg feathers. Slate Grey wing uppers and back. Light/almost white front and underside with 2 diagonal broken/spotted stripes each side of the breast. Unusual in flight were the pointed ends to the wings. No fingers or broad hand shaped ends but definitely going to a point. Very Buzzard like except for the wings. Eye area could not be seen for restricting branches. Bird was not alarmed by movement until closer than 30 yards unlike most raptors, and the lady living nearby took 5 photos with a point and shoot camera with no zoom. So because of distance, camera capabilities etc, photos even when blown up on the PC do not give enough detail to identify. Out of my 7 Bird Guide/Encyclopedias Uk and Europe I can find nothing to match him fully. Could it be a crossbred, or perhaps an escapee from some santuary. Did anyone else see or report it. It flew off in the direction of Claphow Bridges road.
6:55pm 05-03-2013
Gordon Douglas
A Barn Owl flew across the yearby roundabout near Kirkleatham this evening 18:03
5:20pm 05-03-2013
Tony Barnes
Hartlepool Pilot Pier-Red Necked Grebe giving excellent views this morning.Also Purple Sandpiper,Ringed Plover and Turnstone on the beach.
Greenabella-Avocet x 4,Greenshank,Little Egret,Common Buzzard,Red Breasted Mergansers,Bar tailed Godwit.
4:57pm 05-03-2013
Karen
Guisborough Forest Walkway - male Bullfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Moorhen, numerous Robin and Redpoll (the latter being a first for me, although not sure whether they were Common or Lesser!!)
4:24pm 05-03-2013
D Woodgate.
Albert Park. Park road south side.
GSWx2 M/F, Drumming. my grandaughters 1st Woodpeckers, made it all the more wothwhile.
1:54pm 05-03-2013
Toby Collett
Not a bang on dead cert record but just putting news out that we've just had a call describing two very big birds with bright red legs and a big red beak in the wetland area at the back of Wynyard Business Park...... Thinking White Stork so just letting anyone out and about to keep their peepers peeled.... They flew off but not too far.
12:55pm 05-03-2013
Ian Forrest
Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park - am - lake - Tufted Duck x31, Pochard x6, Gadwall x6. No sign of any Goldeneye today.

Car park area - Tree Sparrow x12, Yellowhammer x15, Bullfinch x6, Long-tailed Tit x2,Great Spotted Woodpecker x1, Redwing x1, Reed Bunting x8 plus usual tits and finches.
7:50pm 04-03-2013
R Earnshaw
In case anyone misses todays Forum entry ref licencing of grouse shoots and the petition that can be signed can I recomend you look at it
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