Club news - 2010
DBC Picture Gallery Now Updated! · Stephen Addinall and Derek Charlton · Added 20 August 2010
The gallery has been updated with a selection of images taken in the county during Spring 2010. Enjoy!
Northern Experience Pelagic Trip Programme 2010 · Martin Kitching · Added 13 July 2010
The Northern Experience Pelagic Trip Programme for 2010 is as follows. As usual DBC members qualify for discounted prices, and these are outlined in the schedule below.
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Have you seen any reptiles in South Tyneside? · Mark Newsome · Added 13 July 2010
Have you seen any reptiles in South Tyneside? Econorth, an ecological consultancy company, are undertaking a survey on behalf of South Tyneside Council on the reptiles of South Tyneside (the area from South Shields to Seaburn and across to Hebburn).
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Castle Lake Hide Keys - 28th June 2010 · John Olley · Added 8 July 2010
Keys for the Castle Lake Hide are now available from John Olley, 11 Alston Way, Meadowfield, Durham DH7 8XF. Cheques for 6 pounds payable to DBC.
DBC Picture Gallery Now Updated! · Stephen Addinall and Derek Charlton · Added 24 June 2010
The gallery has been updated with a selection of images taken in the county during Winter 2010. Enjoy!
Cats ! · Mark Newsome · Added 17 June 2010
The BTO have produced a very useful leaflet on how to reduce the negative impact of cats on garden birds. Please click HERE to view the leaflet and feel free to print off/forward on to others if needed. The more house owners taking such precautions, the better it will be for our suburban garden birds.
Birds of Durham Heritage Project - 2010 to 2011 · Paul Anderson · Added 13 June 2010
The club invites applications for the position of Project Coordinator for the The Birds of Durham Heritage Project, which is an exciting new venture for the club. Full details of the project and instructions for applicants can be downloaded by clicking HERE. Applications must be received by 5pm on 18 June, 2010.
Whitburn Observatory Keys - £12 or £13 by post · Mark Newsome · Added 13 June 2010
As announced previously, keys for Whitburn Observatory are available from the National Trust for £12 and can be purchased at the NT shop at Souter lighthouse (open daily except Fridays, 11am-5pm) or by post from The Warden, The National Trust, Souter Lighthouse, Coast Road, Whitburn, Sunderland, SR6 7NH (cheques payable to "The National Trust").
Our previous announcement omitted to mention that an extra £1 is required if you want to receive your key by post.
Invitation to DBC members - Newcastle RSPB Group - 13 July - 6.30pm to 9.00pm · Paul Anderson · Added 13 June 2010
Newcastle RSPB group would like to invite Durham Bird Club members to their upcoming presentation, get-together and buffet. The evening will begin with a buffet including wine or soft drink available from 6.30pm. The buffet will be taken out of doors if weather allows. The talk will begin at 7.30pm. Tickets are 5 pounds and must be purchased in advance, before 3rd July 2010, as we need to know numbers.
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Password Changed · Added 30 May 2010
The password required to access the members-only areas of the website has changed. If you are a member you will be able to follow the instructions on the login screen to find the password in your latest Lek. If you are not a member of the DBC, why not join?
Dawn chorus walk - Tunstall Hills in Sunderland - 5.30am - Sunday 2 May 2010 · Paul Anderson · Added 28 April 2010
For the early risers among you, DBC chairman Paul Anderson is leading a dawn chorus walk for Tunstall Hills Protection Group which is also open to DBC members.
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Field Trip to Leighton Moss - Sunday 25 April 2010 · Paul Anderson · Added 20 April 2010
Members are asked to note that there are still places available on Sunday's coach trip to the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss. The weather forecast looks good for the weekend so we would expect to enjoy an array of incoming summer visitors together with specialities of the area such as several Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit, and maybe even Bittern.
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The Great Durham Birdwatch - May 2010 · Paul Anderson · Added 5 April 2010
Conservation of the birds of our County and of their habitats is one of the prime functions of the Durham Bird Club but, whilst we do have a good record in this regard with our flagship being the Castle Lake reserve, and new developments currently taking place at Hurworth Burn Reservoir, we are limited by funds as to what we can do as opposed to what we like to do.
To help raise more money which will go directly towards conservation projects in the county members are invited to take part in the Great Durham Birdwatch. The rules could not be simpler (see below). [click HERE for a sponsorship form.]
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Northern Experience Pelagic Trip Programme 2010 · Martin Kitching · Added 5 April 2010
Northern Experience Pelagic Trips (in association with Northumberland & Tyneside Bird Club) are being run again this year from Royal Quays. As before, we are happy to pick up from Mill Dam, South Shields. The prices advertised here are substantially discounted for DBC members as usual.
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Whitburn Observatory locks have changed! · Mark Newsome · Added 16 March 2010
Please note that the locks for both doors of the Whitburn seawatching hide have been changed. Although the hide is owned by South Tyneside Council, the National Trust has responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep and now has full responsibility for the issue of keys.
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Photoshoot with the Northern Echo - Castle Lake, Bishop Middleham - 14 March, 3 pm · John Olley, Conservation Officer · Added 11 March 2010
Calling all club members who would like to be part of a photoshoot, on Sunday 14th March at 1500 hrs, to promote Castle Lake and the club! The photoshoot is to publicise County Durham Foundation who have supported us with a grant for further habitat work on the lake.
Laurieston and WWT Caerlaverock Sunday 28th February 2010 · Derek Charlton · Added 9 March 2010
Raptors and much more were seen on a very enjoyable club trip to Laurieston and Caerlaverock.
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The Birdwatchers Code · DBC Committee · Added 27 February 2010
With spring fast approaching, the committee would like to remind members about the Birdwatchers Code. A summary is shown on the club website here and fuller details are held on the BTO website here. We encourage you to follow the principles of the code, enjoy your birdwatching and ensure that you always put the welfare of the birds first.
Hurworth Burn Reservoir, reed planting day - 24 February · John Olley. · Added 22 February 2010
Of interest to those who plan to attend the reed planting day at Hurworth Burn on 24th February at 0930, there is a diversion in place at both ends of the Hurworth Burn Bridge.
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DBC Picture Gallery Now Updated! · Stephen Addinall and Derek Charlton · Added 18 February 2010
The gallery has been updated with a selection of images taken in the county during Autumn 2009. Enjoy!
Durham Bird Club Annual General Meeting 2010 - Thursday 18 February 2010 · Paul Anderson · Added 14 February 2010
A reminder to members that the 2010 Annual General Meeting will take place at 7.30pm in Room CG83 on the Durham University Science site. This is your opportunity to comment on the running of your club. Please come along and make your views known!
Cetti's Warbler at Lamesley reedbeds · Paul Anderson · Added 9 February 2010
Northumbrian Water have asked us to pass on this message regarding access arrangements for the Cetti's Warbler at Lamesley reedbeds (NZ257568). Please only park in safe areas off the adjacent minor roads and do not block any gates or access points. Please stick to the main footpath through the centre of the site and under no circumstances climb over the fences or walk around the reedbeds themselves. Thank you.
Please send your subs, but please send the right amount ! · Derek Lawrence · Added 7 February 2010
All members will probably be aware that DBC membership runs from January to January each year and so subscriptions became due on January 1st 2010. Many of you have already sent your subs either by post or through your existing Standing Orders - thank you! But can I please send out a request to you all to make sure that you are sending (or have sent) the correct amount? Normal membership is £20, concession is £15 and junior is £5 (as explained on the membership rates page. Unfortunately, chasing members up for subscription shortfall becomes a time-consuming and potentially expensive task each year and therefore it detracts from conservation and other activities. Thank you very much for your help.
Volunteer Day at Hurworth Burn Reservoir - 24 February · John Olley · Added 20 January 2010
The reed bed creation Volunteer Day has now been arranged for Wednesday 24th of February at Hurworth Burn reservoir.
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Indoor Meetings Page Updated · Derek Charlton. · Added 12 January 2010
The Indoor Meetings Page has been updated with the latest information regarding the upcoming Annual General Meeting and DBC/BTO Fieldworkers' Meeting.
Guided Walk Bishop Middleham - 23rd January 2010 · John Olley. · Added 12 January 2010
A walk and identification day has been organised visiting Bishop Middleham wetlands. We will visit key sites around the village including Castle Lake NR. Key species such as wildfowl and waders with the chance of various raptors will hopefully be seen. Meet in the car park next to the school and bungalows (NZ 329313) at 10.00am.
Volunteer Day Hurworth Burn Reservoir Cancelled - 20th January 2010 · John Olley. · Added 12 January 2010
Unfortunately we have had to cancel the reed planting volunteer day at Hurworth Burn Reservoir, planned for 20 Jan, due to the inclemant weather conditions. This event will be re-organised for February.
Emergency Feeding of Farmland Birds · John Olley Gary Woodburn. · Added 11 January 2010
Gary Woodburn, RSPB Farmalnd Bird Initiative Officer, is looking for DBC members who know of flocks of farmland birds which would benefit from emergency feeding. Volunteers interested in this scheme would have access to grain which can be collected free from Farnless farm (NZ 335323 - please take your own sacks and contact Stuart Anderson, the farmer, for collection). Please contact either Gary Woodburn [Tel:0191 233 4300 Mobile:07894 173144 email: Gary.Woodburn@rspb.org.uk] or John Olley [mobile:07771 988541 e-mail: anne.olley@btinternet.com] for further details. Gary has provided some recommendations for how best to feed, below:
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