Out in the sticks

Highlights of a couple of  visits out onto the limestone to the south-east of Durham City.

Cassop Vale

Mistle Thrush building
Buzzards displaying, talon grapling etc
Chaffinch & Willow Tit singing
Signs of recent activity outside Badger sett
mixed bunting flock with 200 Yellowhammer, 50Tree Spug & a couple of Corn Bunting
Green Woodpecker yaffling on a nest hole tree
at least 6 Woodcock but no Snipe at all

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Old Wingate

Tawny in Ivy
new territorial pr of Leo, part of a 5 roost
a dozen White-fronts over
single covey of  28 Grey Partridge
evidence of Barn owl

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Kelloe ( Kella )

pair of Peregrines interacting & hunting in tandom
Green Woodpecker
4 hunting Short-eared Owl
pair of Leo at a 'trad loc'
singles of Red-legged Partridge & Waxwing yeartick.

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Closer to semi-civilisation....

Frankland

a noisy herd of 78 Mute Swans
dozen & a half Goldeneye - with several 'kickeroonies'

drake Goldeneye displaying - thanks to JBee for this image ( & adjective ! )

Dipper nest building on the Wear, Browney & smaller becks- the outer dome of this one not yet complete