Rainton Redpoll Bonanza ! · Mark Newsome · Added 8 January 2011

The DBC are thrilled to help both Redpolls and birdwatchers at Rainton Meadows. A fantastic flock of over 100 Redpolls is using a feeding area made and supported by DBC members, and this is offering unrivalled opportunities to watch Lesser, Mealy and Arctic Redpolls feeding at close range. 

Over 50 Mealy Redpolls, smaller numbers of Lesser Redpolls and perhaps as many as 4 different Arctic Redpolls are regularly visiting the feeding area, along with good numbers of Siskins and Goldfinches. The feeding area is best viewed from the stone seat the top of the hill behind the visitor centre, accessed from the footpath leading from the car park. The Redpoll flock is mobile and is not present all the time, but with a little patience, superb views can be obtained. 

If you visit the site, please remember to keep to the footpaths and not be tempted to walk through the plantations. Please also remember that this is a Durham Wildlife Trust reserve and they have a great coffee shop and visitor centre for warming up inside! The staff in the shop and centre would be delighted for an update on what is happening with the birds on site, and a visitors book is available to log sightings. 

The seed and feeders for this project have been provided by the DBC and feeding will hopefully continue as long as the Redpolls are present (perhaps another 6-8 weeks). It is of great benefit to the birds to have a constant supply of food, and a great benefit to DBC members in being able to have such an enjoyable Redpoll experience. 

Access and transport details can be found on the DWT website

Mark Newsome

Ian Forrest