Targeted Surveys
@lymnocryptes.bsky.social
TTBSG: Only just scratching the surface
Working this interim study up, it is highly likely there will be thousands of pairs of Tree Spugs in Old Durham, not just hundreds
This ought to come as no surprise to those keen fieldworkers & conservationists who have nurtured this species for decades🎯👍🏻
4/4
This ought to come as no surprise to those keen fieldworkers & conservationists who have nurtured this species for decades🎯👍🏻
4/4
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Working this interim study up, it is highly likely there will be thousands of pairs of Tree Spugs in Old Durham, not just hundreds
This ought to come as no surprise to those keen fieldworkers & conservationists who have nurtured this species for decades🎯👍🏻
4/4
This ought to come as no surprise to those keen fieldworkers & conservationists who have nurtured this species for decades🎯👍🏻
4/4
*NB* The last Durham population figure we read was an estimate of between 400 & 700 pairs in the County.
Whilst juvenile mortality can be as high as 85% in the first year, I think we can be a bit more optimistic about the numbers & extent of range.
3/4
Whilst juvenile mortality can be as high as 85% in the first year, I think we can be a bit more optimistic about the numbers & extent of range.
3/4
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
*NB* The last Durham population figure we read was an estimate of between 400 & 700 pairs in the County.
Whilst juvenile mortality can be as high as 85% in the first year, I think we can be a bit more optimistic about the numbers & extent of range.
3/4
Whilst juvenile mortality can be as high as 85% in the first year, I think we can be a bit more optimistic about the numbers & extent of range.
3/4
Whilst there may be some duplication & movement of birds between locations, figures at selected sites were similar in both October & November.
Max day count in NZ34 was 214 & largest flock located 124.
2/4
Max day count in NZ34 was 214 & largest flock located 124.
2/4
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Whilst there may be some duplication & movement of birds between locations, figures at selected sites were similar in both October & November.
Max day count in NZ34 was 214 & largest flock located 124.
2/4
Max day count in NZ34 was 214 & largest flock located 124.
2/4
Tree Spug tally for Oct / Nov gives 889 birds in NZ34 alone from the 80 out of 100 monads visited
This equates to c11 birds per occupied 1km square or 44 birds per occupied Tetrad
There are around 820 of these Tetrad squares in the County & the TS range covers around two thirds of this area
1/4
This equates to c11 birds per occupied 1km square or 44 birds per occupied Tetrad
There are around 820 of these Tetrad squares in the County & the TS range covers around two thirds of this area
1/4
November 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Tree Spug tally for Oct / Nov gives 889 birds in NZ34 alone from the 80 out of 100 monads visited
This equates to c11 birds per occupied 1km square or 44 birds per occupied Tetrad
There are around 820 of these Tetrad squares in the County & the TS range covers around two thirds of this area
1/4
This equates to c11 birds per occupied 1km square or 44 birds per occupied Tetrad
There are around 820 of these Tetrad squares in the County & the TS range covers around two thirds of this area
1/4
The cold snap provides an ideal opportunity for picking out Jack Snipe.
This one, a Snipe & a Woodcock all sharing the same pathside ditch this morning.
#NEBirding
This one, a Snipe & a Woodcock all sharing the same pathside ditch this morning.
#NEBirding
November 22, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The cold snap provides an ideal opportunity for picking out Jack Snipe.
This one, a Snipe & a Woodcock all sharing the same pathside ditch this morning.
#NEBirding
This one, a Snipe & a Woodcock all sharing the same pathside ditch this morning.
#NEBirding
It’s Looking VERY Positive for Tree Spugs in Durham atm
*These are our current winter registrations*
Nice flock of 120 in NZ34 wild bird cover yday (c90 in pic) where at least 70% of monads have registrations
142 Durham Tetrads is already close to the Atlas total
#NEBirding
*These are our current winter registrations*
Nice flock of 120 in NZ34 wild bird cover yday (c90 in pic) where at least 70% of monads have registrations
142 Durham Tetrads is already close to the Atlas total
#NEBirding
November 19, 2025 at 9:54 AM
It’s Looking VERY Positive for Tree Spugs in Durham atm
*These are our current winter registrations*
Nice flock of 120 in NZ34 wild bird cover yday (c90 in pic) where at least 70% of monads have registrations
142 Durham Tetrads is already close to the Atlas total
#NEBirding
*These are our current winter registrations*
Nice flock of 120 in NZ34 wild bird cover yday (c90 in pic) where at least 70% of monads have registrations
142 Durham Tetrads is already close to the Atlas total
#NEBirding
Oops deleted the Tree Spugs post
Update as at 16/11/2025
x207 1km registrations
In x121 Tetrads from x24 10km squares
Only 5 months to go to map our Winter populations
Update as at 16/11/2025
x207 1km registrations
In x121 Tetrads from x24 10km squares
Only 5 months to go to map our Winter populations
November 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Oops deleted the Tree Spugs post
Update as at 16/11/2025
x207 1km registrations
In x121 Tetrads from x24 10km squares
Only 5 months to go to map our Winter populations
Update as at 16/11/2025
x207 1km registrations
In x121 Tetrads from x24 10km squares
Only 5 months to go to map our Winter populations
As it stands 16/11/25 for Tree Spugs
x207 1km registrations
In x121 Tetrads
from x24 10km squares
5 months left to map the winter distribution as accurately as possible 🎯🤓👍🏻
x207 1km registrations
In x121 Tetrads
from x24 10km squares
5 months left to map the winter distribution as accurately as possible 🎯🤓👍🏻
November 17, 2025 at 12:56 PM
As it stands 16/11/25 for Tree Spugs
x207 1km registrations
In x121 Tetrads
from x24 10km squares
5 months left to map the winter distribution as accurately as possible 🎯🤓👍🏻
x207 1km registrations
In x121 Tetrads
from x24 10km squares
5 months left to map the winter distribution as accurately as possible 🎯🤓👍🏻
Called in at Budle Bay on our journey home, just as the tide was just receding
Superb selection of wildfowl & waders & great views
Pictured are Greenshank, Brents & both Godwits
Superb selection of wildfowl & waders & great views
Pictured are Greenshank, Brents & both Godwits
November 16, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Called in at Budle Bay on our journey home, just as the tide was just receding
Superb selection of wildfowl & waders & great views
Pictured are Greenshank, Brents & both Godwits
Superb selection of wildfowl & waders & great views
Pictured are Greenshank, Brents & both Godwits
Just a pencilled in record for now then…
You can go over it in pen next time 😀
We’d get an unexpected high flying record between tributaries about every 2-3 years
It’s a “I know that call” but it takes a second or 2 for the penny to drop 😄
Looking for any info on a BTO Whitburn record 10/5/2003 🧐
You can go over it in pen next time 😀
We’d get an unexpected high flying record between tributaries about every 2-3 years
It’s a “I know that call” but it takes a second or 2 for the penny to drop 😄
Looking for any info on a BTO Whitburn record 10/5/2003 🧐
November 11, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Just a pencilled in record for now then…
You can go over it in pen next time 😀
We’d get an unexpected high flying record between tributaries about every 2-3 years
It’s a “I know that call” but it takes a second or 2 for the penny to drop 😄
Looking for any info on a BTO Whitburn record 10/5/2003 🧐
You can go over it in pen next time 😀
We’d get an unexpected high flying record between tributaries about every 2-3 years
It’s a “I know that call” but it takes a second or 2 for the penny to drop 😄
Looking for any info on a BTO Whitburn record 10/5/2003 🧐
A great record !
Quite a distinctive call !
They can & will move overland away from any watercourses contrary to literature.
Since the last Atlas the Dipper in VC66 has come on tremendously, breeding in x7 new Hectads & at least x64 additional Tetrads (22% & 44% increases).
🙂
Quite a distinctive call !
They can & will move overland away from any watercourses contrary to literature.
Since the last Atlas the Dipper in VC66 has come on tremendously, breeding in x7 new Hectads & at least x64 additional Tetrads (22% & 44% increases).
🙂
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
A great record !
Quite a distinctive call !
They can & will move overland away from any watercourses contrary to literature.
Since the last Atlas the Dipper in VC66 has come on tremendously, breeding in x7 new Hectads & at least x64 additional Tetrads (22% & 44% increases).
🙂
Quite a distinctive call !
They can & will move overland away from any watercourses contrary to literature.
Since the last Atlas the Dipper in VC66 has come on tremendously, breeding in x7 new Hectads & at least x64 additional Tetrads (22% & 44% increases).
🙂
3/3
There were active nests at the back end of 2024 & into early part of this year, but not a particularly busy season.
We tend to start our breeding Crossbill searches in early December, so it’s not too long before the season starts over.
Collage by TonyMigwire 🪺
There were active nests at the back end of 2024 & into early part of this year, but not a particularly busy season.
We tend to start our breeding Crossbill searches in early December, so it’s not too long before the season starts over.
Collage by TonyMigwire 🪺
November 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
3/3
There were active nests at the back end of 2024 & into early part of this year, but not a particularly busy season.
We tend to start our breeding Crossbill searches in early December, so it’s not too long before the season starts over.
Collage by TonyMigwire 🪺
There were active nests at the back end of 2024 & into early part of this year, but not a particularly busy season.
We tend to start our breeding Crossbill searches in early December, so it’s not too long before the season starts over.
Collage by TonyMigwire 🪺
2/3
The vast majority have moved South 72 or South West 11, with 3 moving North, 21 heading West & 7 North West.
Not surprisingly none moving East.
October has been the best month with 26 birds on 10 days.
The vast majority have moved South 72 or South West 11, with 3 moving North, 21 heading West & 7 North West.
Not surprisingly none moving East.
October has been the best month with 26 birds on 10 days.
November 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
2/3
The vast majority have moved South 72 or South West 11, with 3 moving North, 21 heading West & 7 North West.
Not surprisingly none moving East.
October has been the best month with 26 birds on 10 days.
The vast majority have moved South 72 or South West 11, with 3 moving North, 21 heading West & 7 North West.
Not surprisingly none moving East.
October has been the best month with 26 birds on 10 days.
Angry William
It’s been a productive few months for Crossbill passage.
Away from breeding sites I’ve had 111 Crossbill moving on 28 dates since June (That’s a 158 day period = so a record around every 5.5 days).
🧵1/3
It’s been a productive few months for Crossbill passage.
Away from breeding sites I’ve had 111 Crossbill moving on 28 dates since June (That’s a 158 day period = so a record around every 5.5 days).
🧵1/3
November 8, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Angry William
It’s been a productive few months for Crossbill passage.
Away from breeding sites I’ve had 111 Crossbill moving on 28 dates since June (That’s a 158 day period = so a record around every 5.5 days).
🧵1/3
It’s been a productive few months for Crossbill passage.
Away from breeding sites I’ve had 111 Crossbill moving on 28 dates since June (That’s a 158 day period = so a record around every 5.5 days).
🧵1/3
Surprise Ringtail HH hunting at Garmondsway Nr Kelloe during our Tree Spug recce
#BirdingNE
#BirdingNE
October 30, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Surprise Ringtail HH hunting at Garmondsway Nr Kelloe during our Tree Spug recce
#BirdingNE
#BirdingNE
After a rather uninspiring start despite a few late Sept birds, Jacks have picked up this week.
By 22/10, a total of x37 birds from a doz sites, with several locs still blank.
20 birds from x9 sites in core study area in NZ35/34
The regions max is 9 at Rspb Saltholme
Pics MH & pair by TM
#Birding
By 22/10, a total of x37 birds from a doz sites, with several locs still blank.
20 birds from x9 sites in core study area in NZ35/34
The regions max is 9 at Rspb Saltholme
Pics MH & pair by TM
#Birding
October 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM
After a rather uninspiring start despite a few late Sept birds, Jacks have picked up this week.
By 22/10, a total of x37 birds from a doz sites, with several locs still blank.
20 birds from x9 sites in core study area in NZ35/34
The regions max is 9 at Rspb Saltholme
Pics MH & pair by TM
#Birding
By 22/10, a total of x37 birds from a doz sites, with several locs still blank.
20 birds from x9 sites in core study area in NZ35/34
The regions max is 9 at Rspb Saltholme
Pics MH & pair by TM
#Birding
Tree Spugs after 3 weeks
Registrations from just over 100 locations
We’ve got out randomly from our core to find birds on the edge of Gateshead (looking down onto the Angel) & in rural East Durham at Trimdon where birds seem plentiful.
#Birds #TreeSpugs
Registrations from just over 100 locations
We’ve got out randomly from our core to find birds on the edge of Gateshead (looking down onto the Angel) & in rural East Durham at Trimdon where birds seem plentiful.
#Birds #TreeSpugs
October 22, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Tree Spugs after 3 weeks
Registrations from just over 100 locations
We’ve got out randomly from our core to find birds on the edge of Gateshead (looking down onto the Angel) & in rural East Durham at Trimdon where birds seem plentiful.
#Birds #TreeSpugs
Registrations from just over 100 locations
We’ve got out randomly from our core to find birds on the edge of Gateshead (looking down onto the Angel) & in rural East Durham at Trimdon where birds seem plentiful.
#Birds #TreeSpugs
A couple of good cross country 8-noon rambles & some afternoon drive by’s has filled out a few more registrations.
All bar 3 Tetrads in our best Study Hectad now have birds logged so far in October.
A few nice flocks c30 mark now, but we need a good blow to get these leaves off ! 💨🍃
All bar 3 Tetrads in our best Study Hectad now have birds logged so far in October.
A few nice flocks c30 mark now, but we need a good blow to get these leaves off ! 💨🍃
October 15, 2025 at 10:11 PM
A couple of good cross country 8-noon rambles & some afternoon drive by’s has filled out a few more registrations.
All bar 3 Tetrads in our best Study Hectad now have birds logged so far in October.
A few nice flocks c30 mark now, but we need a good blow to get these leaves off ! 💨🍃
All bar 3 Tetrads in our best Study Hectad now have birds logged so far in October.
A few nice flocks c30 mark now, but we need a good blow to get these leaves off ! 💨🍃
Tree Spug registrations after a fortnight
Tricky to count accurately with lots of leaves on
Still a good provisional indication of presence, however several known colonies yet to be visited
We have several nest box schemes & thankfully the population is interlinked
#NEBirding
Tricky to count accurately with lots of leaves on
Still a good provisional indication of presence, however several known colonies yet to be visited
We have several nest box schemes & thankfully the population is interlinked
#NEBirding
October 14, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Tree Spug registrations after a fortnight
Tricky to count accurately with lots of leaves on
Still a good provisional indication of presence, however several known colonies yet to be visited
We have several nest box schemes & thankfully the population is interlinked
#NEBirding
Tricky to count accurately with lots of leaves on
Still a good provisional indication of presence, however several known colonies yet to be visited
We have several nest box schemes & thankfully the population is interlinked
#NEBirding
We do quite a bit with Dippers
These Shopping Trolley nest sites allow them to nest safely & above the flood level
These Shopping Trolley nest sites allow them to nest safely & above the flood level
October 13, 2025 at 8:50 AM
We do quite a bit with Dippers
These Shopping Trolley nest sites allow them to nest safely & above the flood level
These Shopping Trolley nest sites allow them to nest safely & above the flood level
Eventually!
First morning of steady Winter Thrushes passing
Flocks of up to 80 each of Redwing & Fieldfare heading SWest
#NEBirding
Smaller nos of GWag Crossbill Redpoll Lark Mipit.
Obvious increase in grounded Robin Blackbird SongThrush etc
First morning of steady Winter Thrushes passing
Flocks of up to 80 each of Redwing & Fieldfare heading SWest
#NEBirding
Smaller nos of GWag Crossbill Redpoll Lark Mipit.
Obvious increase in grounded Robin Blackbird SongThrush etc
October 13, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Eventually!
First morning of steady Winter Thrushes passing
Flocks of up to 80 each of Redwing & Fieldfare heading SWest
#NEBirding
Smaller nos of GWag Crossbill Redpoll Lark Mipit.
Obvious increase in grounded Robin Blackbird SongThrush etc
First morning of steady Winter Thrushes passing
Flocks of up to 80 each of Redwing & Fieldfare heading SWest
#NEBirding
Smaller nos of GWag Crossbill Redpoll Lark Mipit.
Obvious increase in grounded Robin Blackbird SongThrush etc
Looking closely this season has revealed a few secrets
This is one example of interesting behaviour on our local Beck.
This is one example of interesting behaviour on our local Beck.
September 26, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Looking closely this season has revealed a few secrets
This is one example of interesting behaviour on our local Beck.
This is one example of interesting behaviour on our local Beck.
September 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Steve Egglestones Pic from a Bird Club WhatsApp
Must be a rare event to have one on UK mainland 🧐👍🏻
Must be a rare event to have one on UK mainland 🧐👍🏻
September 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Steve Egglestones Pic from a Bird Club WhatsApp
Must be a rare event to have one on UK mainland 🧐👍🏻
Must be a rare event to have one on UK mainland 🧐👍🏻
Such a familiar sight & sound nowadays.
September 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Such a familiar sight & sound nowadays.