Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 3d

Hasn’t there been some deep dredging in the Tees earlier this year ??

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 14d

A new record Day Tally of *x303* Black Grouse counted in west Durham on 23rd September 2025.
Coincides with news that translocated Pennine birds have bred successfully over on the NYMoors for the first time in 200 years. #NEBirding

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

A key species for us as we approach the Autumn is the Black Grouse.
Early indications are that birds have done well, lots of good broods seen & a loose pack of x31 yesterday in Upper Weardale all bode well.

*Our Max day count in a 5km radius is 223 birds in Teesdale 22nd September 2023.

14

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 14d

Looking closely this season has revealed a few secrets
This is one example of interesting behaviour on our local Beck.

2

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 19d

Wow that’s pretty impressive !
Really puts the sighting into perspective 🎯👍🏻
Cheers

2

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 19d

Nice surprise Spotted Flycatcher on the local patch this am
Found & filmed by MH.
#SpotFly25

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 19d

A North Pennines Gamekeeper has recently counted 184 in an hour, illustrating the good numbers around after another positive breeding season 👍🏻

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 19d

Steve Egglestones Pic from a Bird Club WhatsApp
Must be a rare event to have one on UK mainland 🧐👍🏻

1 1 11

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 23d

Not often you catch them bathing
We bumped into one doing so this afternoon in a puddle alongside a back road
Nice clip

2

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 23d

Such a familiar sight & sound nowadays.

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 27d

We have a 60 pack counted in Teesdale 11th September 2025. 🎯👍🏻

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

A key species for us as we approach the Autumn is the Black Grouse.
Early indications are that birds have done well, lots of good broods seen & a loose pack of x31 yesterday in Upper Weardale all bode well.

*Our Max day count in a 5km radius is 223 birds in Teesdale 22nd September 2023.

1 2

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 27d

Majority in the dales / moors, but some lower & East of A68.

Amazingly we have had pairs close to Durham City itself. A pair at Croxdale raised 2 broods.

Perhaps a tiny sign of upturn in fortunes??
(Generally westward retraction for sev ssp but TreePip back after 20yr gap too !)

Will add+ later

1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 27d

What was start date ?

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 28d

That’s really interesting.
Can’t be too many “braided channels” around??

1 1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · 28d

That’s great to see
Given the date, isn’t that your third lot there ?? 🧐

1 1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 7

Visited the place that had a loose group of 31 & it held 42 on Friday.
Vegetation is still high, will get better counts in once we get a few nips of frost

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Sep 7

250 counted on random roadside route through parts of Durham Pennines 5/9/25.

No big single sex packs yet, still some family parties with young not yet fully grown

No concerted national count since 2014, when English total 🟰 1437 males.

2022 ‘23 & this year have been productive seasons 🎯

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

A key species for us as we approach the Autumn is the Black Grouse.
Early indications are that birds have done well, lots of good broods seen & a loose pack of x31 yesterday in Upper Weardale all bode well.

*Our Max day count in a 5km radius is 223 birds in Teesdale 22nd September 2023.

1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

A key species for us as we approach the Autumn is the Black Grouse.
Early indications are that birds have done well, lots of good broods seen & a loose pack of x31 yesterday in Upper Weardale all bode well.

*Our Max day count in a 5km radius is 223 birds in Teesdale 22nd September 2023.

1 5

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 30

End of August & our final Flycatcher family of fledged young being fed

2025 has been an excellent one
x240 locations, many places having multiple pairs
x90 nests found
x25 broods BTO rung

Here’s the sun setting on at moorland edge bird as it yawns
A fitting way to sign off our #SpotFly25 survey

2 1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 26

A bank holiday drive out to cast an unseasonal eye over the Northumberland Goldeneye breeding area, following this years success in the Wear Valley in Durham.

There doesn’t appear to be anything special with either…

How many more disused gravel workings will they take to ? 🧐
💛👁️

2

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 23

Thanks for sharing this positive news.
We did hear from observers in Northern Ireland who similarly had multiple pairs of birds return after 7/8 years absence.
Having seen birds return to breed in lowland Durham this year, It would be nice to think they could make a comeback 🧐🙏

1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 21

23 infertile eggs laid in 2024 (no copulation).
There seems to no news how things have / are progressing this year….

1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 20

Good looking & popular…

Is this enough to get them a free pass ??
Perhaps a lack of documented problems & the belief of a minimal eco footprint may result from insufficient study ??
Eg. only x47 BTO nest records in 2023 🧐

1 1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 20

Do you know how the Hen Harriers are getting on at the ICBP down in Wiltshire ??

Hopefully we can look forward to them flourishing in lowland habitats similar to continental Europe

A captive female hen harrier sits on her eggs at the International Centre for Birds of Prey, 2024

1

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 20

We are seeing population growth & range expansion in TyneTees area each year

NB: Looking at nests we see *emerging evidence* of competition with other cavity nesters including TawnyOwl being physically usurped !

Also brood parasitism in Goosander Stock Dove & Jackdaw nests

Collage by TMcGuire.
One of our nests here held a total 32 eggs !

3

Targeted Surveys @lymnocryptes.bsky.social · Aug 20

We are seeing population growth & range expansion in TyneTees area each year

NB: Looking at nests we see *emerging evidence* of competition with other cavity nesters including TawnyOwl being physically usurped !

Also brood parasitism in Goosander Stock Dove & Jackdaw nests @teesbirds.bsky.social

British Birds @british-birds.bsky.social · Aug 20

Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata): This species is native to east Asia, but has been introduced to parts of Europe including GB. A close relative of the Wood Duck found in N.America, it feeds mainly on plants & seeds but will occasionally eat snails & insects.

1 2 5