Dave Brown Birding

Dave Brown Birding News relating to my birding & wildlife photography experiences. Patch is within Bishop Auckland.

21/03/2026

Helping with the renovation of my son’s new house over the past few weeks since my last post, so sort of restricted to the odd walk out on patch. Redpolls, Siskin & Greenfinch have been seen on feeders 2-3 doors along from son’s house in Bishop Auckland. Egyptian Goose, Whooper Swan & Mandarin at Low Barns. Mandarin at the Batts. My first ChiffChaff of the year was heard/seen 1-2 weeks ago in Etherley Dene and have become increasingly audable since. Today (21st), there were 5-6 calling at Low Barns.

Steady start to the year with Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Taiga Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Goose,...
06/02/2026

Steady start to the year with Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Taiga Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Goose, Water Pipit & Crossbill being the best birds seen. Also nice to see Red Squirrel.

Ended 2025 with a twitch to Ludham Bridge in Norfolk for a Black-winged Kite (29th December), which was seen soon after ...
31/12/2025

Ended 2025 with a twitch to Ludham Bridge in Norfolk for a Black-winged Kite (29th December), which was seen soon after sunrise and then again later in the morning (unfortunately didn't come close enough for photo's, but was nice to see). Other birds of interest at Ludham bridge included Common Crane (4+), Cattle Egret (6), Bewick's Swan (4), Whooper Swan (10+), Bearded Tit (5+), White-fronted Goose (10+ with 50+ Greylags), Red Kite (1) and Pink-footed Goose (150+ over). Eastern Black Redstart (1) showed very well at Sheringham. Brent Goose (100+) were seen whist driving to Cley Spy to check tripods out. A single Glossy Ibis was at Warham Greens near Wells before the rain started.

A selection of birds during the 2-3 months before the twitch to Ludham included Siberian Stonechat at Hawthorne Dene, American Wigeon at Bishop Middleham, Caspian Gull at Haverton, Waxwing at Port Clarence, Smew at Hurworth Burn (1 drake) & Lesser Redpoll at Escomb.

Had a week away in Weymouth (w/c 11th August) and managed to visit Silverlake for dragonflies. Best were Scarlet Darter,...
21/08/2025

Had a week away in Weymouth (w/c 11th August) and managed to visit Silverlake for dragonflies. Best were Scarlet Darter, Lesser Emperor, Emperor, Migrant Hawker, etc. Bonus was Clouded Yellow butterfly and Wasp Spider. Full write up at https://birding.daveb.co.uk/sightings/silverlake/

July was typically very quiet where birding was concerned. Best birds included a family of Goldeney on the River Wear, B...
20/08/2025

July was typically very quiet where birding was concerned. Best birds included a family of Goldeney on the River Wear, Black-crowned Night Heron at Marden Quarry, a Hobby (also Corn Bunting) near Durham and a Common Scoter at Low Barns Nature Reserve. Dragonflies and butterflies were a bit more numerous with the best ones being Brown Hawker (5+) at Escomb and Painted Lady Butterfly at Escomb & The Batts.

Best birds for me in the final weeks of June had to be Ortolan Bunting (1) and Honey Buzzard (1) that were seen at Wykeh...
01/07/2025

Best birds for me in the final weeks of June had to be Ortolan Bunting (1) and Honey Buzzard (1) that were seen at Wykeham Forest. The Great Crested Grebes have returned to Escomb Lake. Not much happening elsewhere on the patch.

Ring Ouzel (4+, including one juvenile), Tree Pipit (2), Grey Wagtail (2), Stonechat (1, with 5+ juveniles), Cuckoo (1),...
08/06/2025

Ring Ouzel (4+, including one juvenile), Tree Pipit (2), Grey Wagtail (2), Stonechat (1, with 5+ juveniles), Cuckoo (1), Curlew (2+), Swift (1), etc. seen this morning. Weardale.

07/06/2025

Enjoyed an hour at Low Barns this morning. Kingfisher (2), Common Sandpiper (1), Swift (10+), etc. were best out of 42 different species.

A few pictures from May.
07/06/2025

A few pictures from May.

Nightjar heard and then seen between Hamsterley and Wolsingham. Another 2 heard (definitely one) close to Hamsterley. A...
06/06/2025

Nightjar heard and then seen between Hamsterley and Wolsingham. Another 2 heard (definitely one) close to Hamsterley. Also Woodcock (2+), Tawny Owl (1, possibly 2), Red Grouse (2), etc.

Nice walk around Escomb this morning with 42 different species recorded. Plenty of birds singing, but hard to see now th...
01/06/2025

Nice walk around Escomb this morning with 42 different species recorded. Plenty of birds singing, but hard to see now the trees are covered in leaves. Enjoyed watching Swift (10+), House Martin (10+), Swallow (10+) & Sand Martin (30+).

Yellow Wagtail when visiting mam at Coundon Crem this morning, 10:30. Bought her a mixture of yellow crysants as well 🤔
31/05/2025

Yellow Wagtail when visiting mam at Coundon Crem this morning, 10:30. Bought her a mixture of yellow crysants as well 🤔

Address

Etherley Moor
Bishop Auckland
DL140ST

Telephone

+447808470039

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dave Brown Birding posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Dave Brown Birding:

Shortcuts

Share