'Tit-bits from Temperley' - Durham Bird Club

Tit-bits from Temperley 

The Birds of Durham Heritage Project 

‘Bringing the wildlife of the past, to the people of tomorrow’ 

‘Tit-bits from Temperley’ 

Introduction 

2011 marks sixty years since the publication of George Temperley‟s ground-breaking 

‘A History of the Birds of Durham’, in 1951. Amongst natural historians of the north 

east region, his book bears that rare accolade, it does not go by its title, it is known 

simply as „Temperley‟. At the time of publication, Temperley's work was at the 

„cutting edge‟ of documenting the natural heritage of the area and, in part, for his 

efforts on this work, George W. Temperley (GWT) was awarded the British Trust for 

Ornithology's highest award, the Bernard Tucker medal. 

George Temperley (on the far left), birdwatching with colleagues, meeting the challenges posed before the 

advent of tripods for telescopes. 

Image courtesy of Joan Proudlock and the NHSN 

The ‘Titbits’ 

These snippets of information are all drawn or distilled from Temperley‟s work, which 

was published in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, 

Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne (now the Natural History Society of Northumbria, 

the NHSN). The „titbits‟ are not whole species accounts but have been chosen to 

illustrate either particularly interesting stories or to highlight changes in status or 

distribution since the mid-20 th century period of Temperley‟s authorship, or from his 

research into earlier times. 

The sequence of titbits here is presented in the order in which they appear in A 

History of the Birds of County Durham with little or in most cases, no, modern 

contextualisation. In many respects these extracts provide a „taster‟ for the fuller, 

more authoritative texts presented in the book itself. Any reader captivated by the 

historical perspectives detailed in these snippets will find very much more to be




fascinated by in the book itself, and they are heartily recommended to seek out a 

copy. 

Copies of A History of the Birds of Durham by George W. Temperley are available 

(for £15) from the Natural History Society of Northumbria based at the Great North 

Museum at the Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne www.nhsn.ncl.ac.uk/ 

The illustrations in this article have been contributed by the Durham Bird Club and 

include drawings by Ken Baldridge, Chris Donald, Chris Gibbins amongst others. 

This document has been developed by volunteers from the Natural History Society of 

Northumbria and the Durham Bird Club, as a contribution to The Birds of Durham 

Heritage Project. 

The Birds of Durham Heritage Project (2010-2011) is a multi-faceted project that 

sets out to „bring the wildlife of the past to the people of tomorrow’. The Birds of 

Durham Heritage Project is a joint initiative between, the: 

o Durham Bird Club (the Lead Partner) 

o Durham Upland Bird Study Group 

o Durham Wildlife Trust 

o Natural History Society of Northumbria 

o Teesmouth Bird Club 

As part of the Birds of Durham Heritage Project Durham, it is the Partners‟ aspiration 

to create an all-new, „Temperley‟ fit for the 21 st century, ready for publication in 2011. 

The Birds of Durham Heritage Project Durham is a partnership project supported by 

the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Siskin 




Temperley said that it was noted, “in winter in varying 

numbers, it has bred” and it was often associated with 

redpoll. The first reference to the species in the County 

was from the „Allan document‟ of 1791, when it was 

referred to as a winter visitor, though not known to breed. 

By the first half of the twentieth century, Temperley said, “a 

pair or two, occasionally remains to breed.” In ‘A History’, 

George Temperley documented that, Hancock (1874) 

reported that a nest had been „taken‟ on 7 th May 1848 near 

Brancepeth, it contained four eggs. 

Hornemann’s (Arctic) Redpoll 

George Temperley called this a very rare vagrant. A bird was „taken‟ on sea banks at 

Whitburn on 24 April 1855 with a „clod of earth‟. It had been observed for a few days 

before this. This was the first spring record of the species for Britain. 

Twite 

In Temperley‟s time this was an “irregular winter 

visitor in small numbers”. He thought that „a few 

pairs may still breed on western moors‟ but there 

were, then, no recent records. Hancock (1874) 

said it was not an uncommon breeder on heather 

moorlands in both Durham and Northumberland. 

Pine Grosbeak 

The first British record of this species was once collected at Bill Quay (in modern 

Gateshead) „sometime before 1835‟. It was a female-type bird, of a yellowish colour, 

possibly a first winter male. 

Crossbill 

Temperley said that the first reference to the species in Durham was from Hogg 

(1827), who recorded that a „hen bird‟ was taken sometime „before 1810‟ in a garden 

at Norton on Teesside. Some years later, on 14 July 1810 a male and a female were 

shot in a garden at the same place. Hutchinson, 1840 said, “flocks…not infrequently 

met with from July to September”. In July, 1828 it was said to be abundant in 

woodlands near Lanchester, birds were met there until the following March; a female 

killed there 23 rd April and three pairs said to be there on 25 th April. A family party, 

including young birds thought to be bred in that area were noted around this time, but 

no definite proof of breeding in the County was obtained until 27 years later. Thomas 

Grundy found the first nest in Durham on 

24 February 1856, at Coalburns near 

Greenside, in what is now west 

Gateshead. On 1 st March, this 

contained three eggs. On July 14 th 

1856, the same Thomas Grundy found a 

pair nesting at High Marley Hill. 

Two-barred Crossbill 

The first record for Durham was of a party of five at Forest Lodge, Wolsingham from 

10 th to 28 th January 1943. They were often in the company of common crossbill, 

which were there throughout the winter.




Brambling 

A regular autumn and winter visitor, in varying numbers often found where beech 

mast was abundant or most available. It was particularly numerous in the winter 

1934/35, with a flock of at least 500 being seen near Blanchland on 23 December 

1934. Nelson (1907), documented the species‟ arrival at the Tees estuary in 

October. Temperley mentions Dr Blair‟s observation of a male singing (presumably 

at South Shields) on March 17 th 1929. 

Corn Bunting 

Described by Temperley as a „resident of local occurrence‟, and he commented on its 

being „less numerous than formerly‟. 

Little Bunting 

C. Braithwaite shot a female on the sea walls at Seaton Snook, Teesmouth on 11 

October 1902, the first county record. The specimen was later exhibited at a meeting 

of the British Ornithologists‟ Club on 22 nd October and was at that time, only the 

second record for Britain. 

Lapland Bunting 

At Temperley‟s time, it was considered by him a very rare vagrant, with just a single 

occurrence in the region, as noted by Hancock 1874. One was shot out of a flock of 

„snow flakes‟ in the neighbourhood of Durham in January 1860. This specimen went 

to Durham University Museum. The actual place of shooting, as revealed by William 

Proctor of the Museum, was Whitburn, near Sunderland in January 1860, a location 

that still attracts the species today. 

Snow Bunting 

“Regular winter visitor in varying 

numbers”, usually coastally distributed 

though less regularly noted on the 

moorlands in the west of the county. 

GTW thought it less regular inland, 

though he highlighted Backhouse‟s 

(1885) description of it as “a winter 

visitant of regular occurrence” in upper 

Teesdale. 

House Sparrow 

Called an “abundant resident and winter visitor” by Temperley, he identified some 

decreases as a result of a change from horse-drawn to motor vehicles in the first part 

of the 20 th Century. 

Woodlark 

Edward Backhouse (1834) wrote, “Occasionally killed near Durham”. Hancock had 

two specimens, of three killed by Thomas Robson near Swalwell in 1844. One, at 

South Shields on 3 rd May 1929, found by George Bolam and Dr H.M.S. Blair, stayed 

a few days, whilst another was found the following day at Hebburn Ponds. 

Tree Pipit 

A “summer resident” said Temperley, “well distributed and numerous in areas where 

there are deciduous trees”, arriving in late April.




Blue-headed Wagtail 

“Very rare summer visitor”. Temperley said of it, „no records of breeding in Durham 

since the end of the 19 th century‟, though he did note that it had been recorded on 

spring migration in the 20 th Century. Thomas Robson shot the first specimen, a 

male, on 1 st May 1836 at Dunston Haugh, with a second bird there being possibly an 

attendant female. This was the first British record of the sub-species. Two nests 

were collected at this location some years later, in May 1869, birds were suspected 

of breeding. Another nest was found on 13 June 1870 at the same place, but this 

was trodden on by a horse, on July 5 th . Hancock visited the site, observed the 

crushed nest and he saw two or three young birds of another brood, the parents 

feeding them. Two of these were shot in the next couple of days, and went to 

Hancock. A nest was found on Shibdon Flats, near Dunston Haugh in 1892, the 

female being shot „off the nest‟. 

Nuthatch 

This was a “Resident in very small but increasing numbers” at Temperley‟s time of 

writing. The first reference to the species in the county was made by Selby (1831), 

who said “I have frequently seen the Nuthatch”, “in the neighbourhood of Durham”. 

Edward Backhouse (1834), presumably writing of Teesdale, said it was “not very 

common”. Hutchinson (1840) considered it “very scarce”. He recorded its 

occurrence around Durham in woodlands, including Marsden Castle, Houghall, Great 

High and Little High Woods, and noted that it was still found in Auckland Park, where 

trees of a “great age” occur. Hogg (1845) wrote, “for many years I have observed it 

near the City of Durham”. He thought that the species 

was at its northern limit in Britain in Co. Durham. 

Hancock documented its regular breeding in Auckland 

Park „30-40‟ years ago ... but that it was now “a rare 

casual visitant”. From then, until the early part of the 

20 th century, it remained a „casual visitant‟, with no 

reports of breeding, most sightings were of single birds 

in the south of the County, until in 1901 at least one, 

possibly, two pairs bred near Wynyard. 

Crested Tit 

“In the second week of January 1850 a male specimen of the crested tit was shot on 

Sunderland Moor”, the record was published in the Zoologist in 1850. It was in the 

possession of Mr Calvert of that place, the record was placed by Joseph Duff of 

Bishop Auckland 11 March 1850. Calvert was the author of „The Geology and 

Natural History of Durham, 1884‟. William Proctor had, previous to the above 

occurrence, described crested tit as „very rare‟. In Ormsby‟s „Sketches of Durham, 

1846’, there were vague reports from Proctor of three or four birds seen near Witton 

Gilbert, „some twenty years ago‟, i.e. around 1825. Hancock‟s later researches 

indicate that Duff also had a specimen of crested tit shot at Sunderland Moor, in his 

possession so presumably more than one had been obtained. Calvert originally lived 

at Sunderland, he later moved to Bishop Auckland. Nelson (1891), corresponding 

with Calvert on the topic of crested tit, had learned that two had been shot in 1850, 

one was presented to Nelson and this found its way into the collection in the Hancock 

Museum. 

Willow Tit 

Temperley called it a “resident in small numbers”. At Temperley‟s time, the 

distribution of this species was very imperfectly known. W.B. Alexander, who saw 

two birds at Crimdon Dene on 17 November 1929, first identified it in the field in the




county. G. Robinson recorded it near Neasham on 1 August 1930. The first 

observation documentation of breeding was actually made by George Temperley 

himself, at Ravensworth in the Team valley. In April 1934, he observed a pair 

building and nesting in the woods at Ravensworth. Temperley felt that it had bred, 

“undetected in the County for an unknown period”, its eggs had been collected under 

the name of marsh tit. For example, a clutch of eggs taken at Wild‟s Hill, Rowlands 

Gill on 20 th June 1888 from a „bored hole‟ was undoubtedly those of willow tit. 

Red-backed Shrike 

This was a “very rare summer visitor, of which breeding records are few”, according 

to George Temperley. In the nineteenth century there were records of the species 

nesting at Ravensworth, sometime before 1831. One was shot near Ushaw College, 

Durham on 10 th September, 1824, this had previously been described as a Woodchat 

Shrike, by Thomas Bewick. James Backhouse recorded its having bred near 

Newbiggin in Teesdale. The nest was built low in a bush, four or five years before 

1885. He recorded a male in the same area in 1885 and again in 1887. 

Spotted Flycatcher 

George Temperley called it a “summer resident, widely distributed over the eastern 

part of the County, wherever there are open woodlands, parks and gardens”. 

Temperley also noted that its status did not appear to have changed during the last 

century. 

Red-breasted Flycatcher 

A “very rare and irregular passage migrant”, the first record occurred on 24 th October 

1947. This was a day of continuous drizzle at Whitburn Bents, to the north of 

Sunderland, where a bird was found by J.R. Crawford. At this time, the species had 

been recorded 11 times in neighbouring Northumberland. 

Firecrest 

Temperley described it as a “very rare straggler”, with “only 

one really well authenticated record” at his time of writing. In 

1905, Canon H.B. Tristram wrote of possessing a bird shot 

by a keeper at Brancepeth, in April 1852. There was an 

earlier record documented by Hutchinson, of one shot by 

William Proctor near Countyhose, Bowbank on October 

1835, but this record was not mentioned in Proctor‟s list of 

birds of the county, published in 1846. 

Great Reed Warbler 

Temperley told of a single record dating from the nineteenth century. One was shot 

by Thomas Robson of Swalwell, in the mill race which runs down to the Derwent, at 

Swalwell, on 28th May 1847. This was the first documented record of the species in 

the British Isles. 

Reed Warbler 

George Temperley documented this as a “rare casual summer visitor”, “records for 

County Durham only three in number”. The first records of nesting in the region come 

from between Blaydon and Derwenthaugh, whilst the second breeding record was at 

Ravensworth, in the Team valley. The third breeding record was of a nest, exhibited 

at a meeting of the Darlington and Teesdale Naturalist‟s Field Club on 12 June 1894, 

this had been found near Hell‟s Kettles, Darlington that summer. At Temperley‟s 

time, it was widely accepted that reed warblers did not usually breed further north 

than Yorkshire.




Mistle Thrush 

Temperley said of it, “a common resident”. “In autumn and winter, flocks visit more 

open country to feed on the field”. Hogg (1827) said that Bewick had reported that 

this species was rare in the north around 1800, though numbers had increased very 

much by Hogg‟s time of writing. In the bad winter of February/March 1947, this 

species suffered major losses, being almost wiped out in some areas. It was still 

decidedly scarce by 1950. 

Whinchat 

Described by Temperley as a “widely-distributed and, in places, fairly common 

summer resident; also a passage migrant”. He said it bred on clear fells, thickets and 

hedgerows in the low country and scrubby land on the fringes of the moors. At his 

time of writing, George Temperley described it as particularly numerous in the middle 

and upper portions of Teesdale, where it bred to an altitude of 1000 feet. 

Black Redstart 

“Once a rare vagrant, now a regular winter visitor” is how Temperley described it. He 

noted that it was more frequently noted in the 1940s and early 1950s. Prior to Selby 

(1831), there were no known records in Northumberland or Durham and Hancock 

(1874) thought it extremely rare as a winter visitor; however he 

also documented a record of its breeding in Durham the first 

such occurrence in Britain. This concerned a pair that nested 

in 1845, in the garden of the Rev. James Raines in Durham 

City. The nest site was at Crook Hall on the north bank of the 

Wear, half a mile below Elvet Bridge, in Durham City. Proctor 

took the nest and he documented it as containing five eggs, in 

the summer 1845. The nest had been built in a cherry tree 

trained up a wall of the garden. Canon B. Tristram noted, in the vice-county history 

of Durham, that the birds had been shot. The identification of the nest and eggs was 

confirmed by Guy Charteris at the British Museum. 

Nightingale 

Temperley thought that there were no reliable records of truly wild birds but he 

documented an account of breeding birds at Stampley Moss. In the summer of 1931 

a Nightingale was found singing at Stampley Moss (adjacent to Thornley Woods), 

close to Rowlands Gill. It was heard singing from 24th April to 23rd June. The 

singing bird was seen by many observers, including George Temperley himself, and 

on a few occasions a pair were seen, indeed one rumour suggested that the birds 

nested but that the eggs were taken. Over 100 people were said to have come to 

hear the birds, which led to rowdy scenes and stones being thrown at the birds. This 

probably constitutes the first birdwatching „twitch‟ in the region. It was later found 

that the Reverend Father F. Kyute of St. Agnes, Crawcrook had, on more than one 

occasion, lost or released captive Nightingales. In a letter written in 1932, he stated 

that he had released two pairs at Alnwick in March 1931. Later in 1931 a bird was 

reported singing at Bradley Hall close to Crawcrook, and Father Kyute said that he 

had released birds there in both 1928 and 1929. This is the only known breeding 

attempt by the species in the Vice-county of Durham. 

Alpine Swift 

Temperley called it a “rare migrant”. The first county record, one on the coast near 

Souter Point, was seen by Abel Chapmen on 24 July 1871. Chapmen was 

accompanied at the time by his uncle George Crawhall, who was familiar with the




species from the continent. In the preceding months birds had been noted in Norfolk, 

Essex and Kent. 

Nightjar 

It was called a “summer resident; not numerous and very 

local in its distribution” by Temperley. He said, “breeds about 

the fringes of the moorlands in the western part of the 

County”, “less frequently on scrubby open ground, amongst 

heather, gorse or young trees”, in the east. He said that it 

was probably more common in Hutchinson‟s time (1840s) but 

George Temperley thought it unlikely to have been common 

in the previous 150 years. A nightjar breeding on the 

outskirts of South Shields in 1933 and 1943 was seen every 

night within three miles of the town. Temperley also said that on the Derwent it can 

still be found at favoured spots a few miles from its confluence with the Tyne. 

Blue-tailed Bee-eater (Meriops superciliosus philippinus) 

This species was recorded by Hancock as having been shot near Seaton Carew in 

1862, but Temperley said that it was not admitted to the British list and he believed 

that the specimen was shot at Branch End on the Yorkshire side of the Tees, 

presumably an escaped bird or a deliberate hoax? This sub-species is native to 

India, south east Asia east to New Guinea and has not been recorded in Britain. 

Roller 

There were two records in the Victorian period. One, according to Selby (1831) was 

shot near South Shields, sometime before 1831. The second record, was also of a 

bird that was shot, in the Hunwick Estate, in the Wear valley, on the 25 th or 26 th May 

1872, by H. Gornall of Bishop Auckland. 

Kingfisher 

Temperley said, “A resident, more common than is usually 

supposed”. He mentioned its moving to the coast in the autumn and 

winter, and records sightings of, presumably dispersing juveniles, in 

autumn at unusual locations such as Hebburn Ponds, Saltwell Park 

Lake (Gateshead) and Darlington South Park Lake. A bird found on 

Back Redheugh Road, Gateshead on September 1943 had been 

ringed at Kirkley Mill near Ponteland, Northumberland. 

Green Woodpecker 

George Temperley said of it a “not uncommon resident in wooded districts”. He 

recorded a change in its status during his „recorded times‟. Until the early 1800s, he 

thought that it must have been a common and widespread species, this was followed 

by a severe decline, after which it was considered „rare‟ for quite a period of time. 

Not until well into the 1900s did a significant increase in numbers occur again, and, 

from then on, the species spread quickly after its first burst of population expansion 

during the first two or three decades of the 20 th century. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 

George Temperley said that it was rare in the early part of the 1800s, and it was not 

included in some early catalogues of species, e.g. Hogg (1824) had never seen one 

in north Cleveland, indicating that it was genuinely scarce in that area. Edward 

Backhouse thought it less plentiful than green woodpecker Picus viridis which was 

then not uncommon. Hogg (1840) stated that it was “an exceedingly rare bird in the 

County”. Sclater, at Castle Eden, saw one there on 10 February 1876, only the third




he had noted in that area in 16 years. By Hancock‟s, time of writing, it appeared 

somewhat more common, and by then he thought it more common than the green 

woodpecker. From specimens in the Hancock Museum, it is clear that it bred at 

Maiden Castle, Durham City in 1863 and at Cleadon (a juvenile) by 1880. By 1905, 

Tristram reported that it was “occasionally met with at all times of the year in the 

wooded parts of the County and breeds regularly in some localities”. Temperley 

thought that this was the beginning of the spread of the British race into County 

Durham, where it was established in the Derwent valley during the early 20 th century. 

Temperley, himself, first saw it at Ravensworth in 1921 and by the early 1950s; it was 

found in all of the County‟s major woodlands. 

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 

It was documented as a „very rare visitor‟, with „one 

record of breeding‟. “One shot ‘some years ago’ at 

Stockton Bridge”, according to Hogg 1845. Robson 

recorded one that one had been obtained in Gibside, 

with no definite date, but „about 1888‟. There were 

anecdotal reports of birds in Gibside and Bradley Park 

during the mid 1880s. Temperley‟s only breeding record 

was of a pair nesting in West Cemetery, Darlington in 

1934. 

Wryneck 

George Temperley thought it “now a rare casual visitor”, though it was formerly a 

summer resident. “Used to be pretty common”, said Selby in 1831. Hutchinson 

(1840) said that woods near Durham were a „favourite resort‟. A number of authors 

recorded it being persecuted in the northeast. Edward Backhouse (1835) said it was 

„not uncommon‟ in the Sunderland area. Hogg (1845) thought it „not uncommon‟ in 

south east Durham, and still not uncommon around Durham in 1846 (Proctor, 1846r). 

The species bred in a garden in Cleadon House between 1813 and 1818, and it also 

occurred as a passage migrant around South Shields/Whitburn/Cleadon at the time. 

Robson (1896) said it was common in the lower Derwent valley up to 1842, breeding 

took place in 1834 at Swalwell, with a male shot in 1836 in Axwell Park. From the 

middle 1800s, it was much less common as a passage migrant The last records in 

Temperley refer to its loss as a breeding bird in Cumberland, Westmorland and 

Lancashire, and of its being much less common even further south. 

Snowy Owl 

One record in Temperley, courtesy of Hancock, who said that on 7 November 1858, 

„a fine specimen‟, was shot at Helmington near Bishop Auckland, and it was in the 

possession of Henry Gornall „of that place‟. 

Tengmalm’s Owl 

There were three records of this species for the County documented in Temperley. 

Hancock reported buying a fresh specimen in a poulterer‟s shop in Newcastle, which 

had been shot near Whitburn on 11 th or 12 th October 1848. This was reported in the 

Zoologist of 1850, as being killed on the sea coast near Marsden in October 1848. 

The specimen is in the Hancock Museum. Hogg recorded that one was shot in 

November 1861 near Cowpen, to the northeast of Norton. One was shot at North 

Hylton on 4 October 1929. This specimen was presented to the Natural History 

Society and the specimen is in the Hancock Museum.




Little Owl 

Temperley said that at his time of writing, it was “a resident in increasing numbers, as 

yet chiefly confined to the east of the County”. He said at 1951, that it was 

“spreading rapidly”. The first specimen of a bird in Durham was shot at Chilton Moor 

near Fencehouses in April 1918.by T. Harrison a gamekeeper of New Seaham, and 

was identified by Dr. H.M.S. Blair. In 1931, F.J. Burlenson and J. Bishop reported 

that a pair had attempted to nest near Rushyford, two to three years previously, the 

actual date being 1926. 

Merlin 

A “resident in small numbers”, “breeding sporadically on the moors in the western 

portion of the County” according to George Temperley. Once persecuted, as noted 

by Hancock (1874), “this beautiful little falcon is rapidly disappearing, by the hands of 

the gamekeeper”. James Backhouse (1885) said, “still every year, one pair or more 

of these elegant little falcons nest on the high moors, both on the Yorkshire and 

Durham side of the Tees”. Temperley mentioned an estate in Weardale, where birds 

were tolerated, up to three pairs, and likewise an estate in the Derwent valley. 

Red-footed falcon 

Temperley called this a “very rare vagrant”. There were two records up to George 

Temperley‟s time, an adult male shot at Trow Rocks, South Shields in October 1836, 

the specimen going to the Hancock Museum. Secondly, there was a record of a 

female or an immature male that was seen at Seaton Carew on 30teh October 1949, 

a fortnight previously two red-footed falcons had been on Holy island in 

Northumberland. 

Golden Eagle 

Temperley thought that in the days when golden eagles bred on Cheviot and in the 

Lake District, i.e. in the 18 th Century, that wandering birds would have occasionally 

visited Durham. He mentioned several examples of this but was uncertain as to 

whether „the eagle‟ referred to in some records was golden eagle or white-tailed 

eagle. Some early examples were proven to be „white-tails‟, e.g. that of Hogg at 

Teesmouth on 25 th November 1823. A definite record came from the „Gentleman‟s 

Magazine‟ for 1756, which, according to George Temperley, on p.490 reads, “on 17 

October 1765, a golden eagle was shot at Ryhope, Sunderland, wing span 7 feet and 

six inches”. Canon H.B. Tristram, writing in 1905, recounted the tale of some 30 

years previous, when in November he was crossing from Teesdale to Nenthead on 

foot, over Killhope Fell, when fog cam down and he sat down to rest. On rising as 

the fog lifted, he realised that an eagle was perched on a post within a few feet of 

him. 

Buzzard 

Temperley said that it was a “rare occasional visitor, except in upper Teesdale, 

where of late years, it has occurred fairly regularly”. Temperley thought that it would 

breed in Teesdale if not „molested‟. Hutchinson (1840) highlighted the contrast in its 

status from elsewhere in England, saying specimens of rough-legged buzzard… and 

honey buzzard…. were more frequently encountered in Co. Durham than was 

common buzzard. Hancock in 1874 further highlighted the persecution of this 

species. He told of several specimens, in the collections of Mr Smurthwaite of 

Staindrop, which had been taken in that neighbourhood. Hancock himself had one 

that was taken at Ravensworth in February 1837. The only suggestion that buzzard 

was ever common, comes from Canon Tristram (1905), who said, within living 

memory, “it regularly bred in many parts of the County but has been exterminated by 

game preservers aided by egg-collectors”. At 1951, Temperley said that it was not




an uncommon sight for a single or even a pair of birds to be seen in the breeding 

season. Nest building had taken place, but not continuing to the egg-laying or 

incubation stage. 

Montagu’s Harrier 

“For many years merely a very rare casual visitant, but for the last four (written by 

Temperley in 1951) a summer resident”. This species was probably a rare passage 

migrant and rare intermittent breeder in the 19 th century. In the 20 th Century, in May 

1929, an unidentified hawk was at Wolsingham Park Moor. The bird was trapped on 

15 th May and proved to be an adult male Montagu‟s Harrier; there was no sign of a 

second bird. Subsequently, successful breeding took place in 1947, 1948, 1949 and 

1950 and then onwards for a few more years. Possibly two pairs were present in 

1947, keepers reported three juveniles present until the latter part of August. In 

1948, three pairs bred on same moors and in 1949, one pair bred successfully, with 

single birds elsewhere in other parts of the County. In 1950, one pair raised four 

young with at least one other nest built. 

White-tailed Eagle 

Temperley said of it, “a very rare casual visitor”. Selby (1831) stated that several had 

been killed in Northumberland and neighbouring counties. Hogg told of one shot at 

Teesmouth 5 th November 1823 by L. Rudd, this bird was shot on the Yorkshire side, 

but Edward Backhouse stated that it had been previously recorded at Norton, near 

Hartlepool. This bird was originally reported as a golden eagle but re-identified from 

the corpse. A possible sea eagle was reported in September 1837 near Cocken on 

the Wear….‟but it could never be approached within gunshot‟, the probability is that 

this was a white-tailed eagle. Hancock (1874), gave a Durham record from 

Ravensworth Park. In a letter to George Bolam, in January 1916, C.E. Milburn talked 

of two white-tailed eagles at Teesmouth in October 1915, for a few nights they 

roosted on a headland like slagheap near Grangetown, on the Yorkshire side of the 

Tees. Milburn said he watched one of these cross over to Greatham without it once 

flapping its wings. 

Honey Buzzard 

This was called “a rare casual visitor in spring and 

autumn, formerly an occasional summer resident”. 

George Temperley documented that Selby had 

considered it “one of the rarest of the Falconiidae”, 

and he gave no Durham records. Edward 

Backhouse, in 1834, wrote of „several specimens of 

this elegant bird “having lately been shot in various 

parts of this county”. Hutchinson (1840) said that 

autumn honey buzzards, were “frequently met with” in 

September and October, but their stay was short; it 

was seldom observed at other times of the year. In 

1874, Hancock, said, “It is certainly now, according to my experience, one of the 

commonest large birds of prey”, but this may rather better reflect the scarcity of other 

large birds of prey at the time. He documented the „taking‟ of 25 specimens between 

1831 and 1868 in the two counties of Northumberland and Durham. He also noted 

that “it occasionally breeds in the district”, but gave no details of this breeding in 

Durham. However, it was well documented as breeding in the Derwent valley in 

1897. The Honey Buzzard is mentioned at some length by both Robson (Birds of the 

Derwent Valley, 1896) and Temperley in their respective texts. The first nest was 

found in the autumn of 1896, though according to local anecdotes birds may have 

been present for some years previously. In 1897 Thomas Robson himself found the




nest „some 60 feet up‟ a beech tree, it apparently contained two young honey 

buzzard and three pieces of wasp's nest. A pair was once again present in 1898, 

though they did not nest. However, in 1899 the locally nicknamed "Big Hawks" 

produced two young. This proved to be the last confirmed breeding in the area. It is 

conceivable that birds may have nested a little higher up the Derwent valley in 1898, 

for birds were noted at Shotley Bridge and a bird of the year was shot nearby. 

White Stork 

Classified as a “very rare vagrant” by Temperley, at his time of writing, there were 

just three documented records. Two birds were at Cowpen Marsh in the spring of 

1830, one of these was shot. The second occurrence was of a bird shot at Morton 

Tinmouth, near Gainford on 14 th February 1884. The third bird was one that 

frequented the southeast Durham and northeast Yorkshire areas from October to 

December 1938, most of the time it spent on the south side of the Tees, but it was 

also seen at Hurworth Burn Reservoir and at Hartlepool. 

Black Stork 

Temperley documented two records, of this species which he called a “very rare 

vagrant”. One of these was shot at Greatham Creek in August 1862, the specimen 

being sent to the Hartlepool Museum and the second was of one caught alive, after a 

gale, at the South Docks, Sunderland in October 1880. 

Spoonbill 

“A very rare vagrant” according to Temperley, the first 

record, was recorded by Hogg (1845), “a single spoonbill 

having been killed on the Tees Marshes and this was 

some years ago”. The second record was of a female in 

its first year plumage, which was shot at Seal Sands in 

1929. The third record was of one passing within 60 

yards of Seaton Carew golf links, on 11 th April 1941. 

This bird was well-observed and seen to be a full adult. The final record in 

Temperley‟s time, was of one in the Tees Estuary on 19 th April 1951. 

Glossy Ibis 

This was a “very rare vagrant” at the time of the publication of ‘A History of the Birds 

of Durham’ (1951) with just two records at that time. The first of these was of a bird 

killed near Sunderland, in 1831; it was actually shot at Ryhope to the south of 

Sunderland and the specimen sent to the Sunderland Museum. The second one 

was shot at Billingham Bottoms, on 25 th November 1900, this was reported to have 

been an adult, but the sex was not noted. 

Mute Swan 

Temperley called it “a common resident wherever there are suitable lakes, ponds or 

rivers, breeding freely where protection is afforded”. He said that at that time, 1951, 

it was increasing in numbers. He pointed out that for many centuries the mute swan 

was semi-domesticated in England though originally of wild stock, he pointed out that 

at his time of writing, few birds were kept in pinioned flocks, most birds being „wild‟ or 

„feral‟. 

Red-breasted Goose 

Temperley, did not officially include this species in his list of birds for Durham, but he 

mentioned it on the strength of Hancock (1874) documenting two Durham records. 

Marmaduke Tunstall had a specimen in collection, but also mentioned a bird taken 

alive in the neighbourhood of Wycliffe-on-Tees. This later bird was kept alive until




1785. it is not known exactly where the individual was captured. Many of Tunstall‟s 

specimens went to the Hancock Museum. The second of Hancock‟s records came 

from John Hogg (1845), who said that two specimens had been seen at the mouth of 

the Tees „of late years‟. One of these was shot at Cowpen Marsh, though the exact 

details are not known. Temperley expressed his doubts about the veracity of this 

record. 

Canada Goose 

Temperley recorded that this introduced species was then 

living in a feral state in the County, with some birds being 

escapes from captivity. 

Ruddy Shelduck 

George Temperley thought that this was a very rare vagrant. One was shot from a 

“small flock” in the „interior‟ of the County‟ and brought to a Mr. Cullingford for 

presentation on September 23 rd 1892. There was a reported influx to Britain during 

June-September 1892. 

Blue-winged Teal 

Temperley told of Nelson recording a specimen that was shot at Cowpen Marsh on 

3 rd September 1881. 

Garganey 

Temperley said of it, a “summer visitor in very small but 

increasing numbers, which breeds occasionally”. Nelson 

(1907), recorded it as breeding at Teesmouth between 

1880 and 1887, and again in the same place some years 

later in 1914. It bred at Teesmouth again in 1927 and 

1928, and in 1933, Bishop saw three males together in 

April and was „sure it was nesting‟. 

Pochard 

Temperley called it “a rare summer resident”, “common as a spring and autumn 

visitor” but rare in winter, he thought it a species of „inland waters‟. Hogg (1845), 

quoted it as being „not uncommon‟ at Teesmouth in winter, but never numerous. 

Slightly later, Tristram (1905) wrote of its being „frequently met with during winter‟. 

He also said it had bred at Teesmouth. The first definite breeding record came from 

a pond on an old brickfield site in south east Durham in 1903. The nest was found 

there by J. Bishop (Bishop, 1904). It also bred at the same site in 1919, then on an 

annual basis for some years afterwards, one or two pairs being present, but the site 

was lost in the early 1940s. Before the draining of the west Rainton Marsh, in 1928, 

a few pairs of Pochard bred there, young being noted in 1924, nests in 1925, 1926, 

1927 and 1928. In 1946, two pairs, reared young at a brick-field in northeast Durham 

these birds were seen by Temperley, and bred again in 1948. 

Ferruginous Duck 

There was just one record of this species at Temperley‟s time. On April 3 rd 1948, a 

male was found on Hebburn Ponds, associating with a pair of Tufted Duck. It was 

seen by Temperley on 7 th April, it was wary and he believed it to be a wild bird; it was 

not present on 8 th . 

Cormorant 

Temperley called this “a very common resident on the north-east coast” but that it did 

not normally breed on the Durham coast. He quoted the earliest records as being




from 1544, by William Turner, who stated “I have seen mergi nesting on sea cliffs 

about the mouth of the Tyne river”, this is not a specific reference to the Durham side 

of the river, and may refer to Tynemouth, but possibly the Marsden area. 

Manx Shearwater 

“Passage migrant off the coast”, with “one 

record of attempted breeding”. The 

attempted breeding took place at Marsden 

Rock. During the summer of 1939, an egg 

was collected from under over-hanging 

vegetation on top of the Rock. It was 

identified by Dr HMS Blair, some five years 

later as being that of a „manxie‟. Temperley 

speculated that birds might have bred on the 

summit for years without being known about. 

Fulmar 

Temperley described it as “a resident, breeding on the coast in increasing numbers”. 

For many years, up to the early part of the 20 th century, it was a rare casual migrant. 

The first record is referred to by Edward Backhouse (1834), who said, that one was 

killed near Sunderland in 1814. Around 1919, the pattern of occurrences changed, 

with odd birds „haunting‟ the cliff tops of the north-east coast, birds being noted onshore 

on the Farnes and Bempton that spring. In 1924 or 1925, birds began to 

frequent cliffs at Marsden Bay and Frenchman‟s Bay at South 

Shields; there were 12 there in spring of 1926, most of these 

were shot. In 1927, 22 were counted and one nestling noted on 

the mainland cliff of Marsden Bay. In 1928, 24 adults were 

present, eight pairs laid eggs and seven well-grown young were 

seen on the Rock, with others on the main cliffs. There was 

then a period of steady growth and colony expansion. A survey 

in June 1945 found 36 adults on ledges; 48 young on ledges in 

mid-August 1945. 

Black-necked Grebe 

Temperley said that this was “normally a very rare winter visitor” however he also 

recorded a then, „recent breeding record‟. He said that it was the rarest of the grebes 

in County Durham and related that after „recent‟ summer records in Northumberland 

and North Yorkshire in the early 1940s, he was not surprised when black-necked 

grebes bred in County Durham in 1946 and 1947. On 3 rd June 1946, two adults were 

present on a flooded brick-field in north east Durham. On 23 rd July they were feeding 

a juvenile, with two juveniles there on 28 th and a third adult present on 9 August 

1946. Birds were still present on 22 August. On 18 August 1946, at another site in 

north east Durham, two fledged juveniles were seen by Dr H.M.S. Blair. These were 

not believed to be the birds from the other breeding site. In 1947, a pair again bred 

at the first of these sites, rearing two young. In 1948, just one of the adults appeared 

at the site, likewise, in 1949 and 1950. 

Stock Dove 

Temperley called this a “common resident”, though he felt it “rather local” as a 

breeding species. He said that it was unknown in Durham until around 1860, as in 

the rest of northern England, though at his time of writing, 1951, it had become a 

well-established resident. This species was not mentioned by the early chroniclers 

and authors. It was first documented by Tristram (1905), having been recorded in 

1862 or 1863 at Elton, and it was possibly breeding there by 1865, and definitely so




by 1867. Gurney (1876) said he discovered it at Castle Eden Dene in May 1866, 

describing the taking of specimens at Darlington and High Coniscliffe, he speculated 

on its becoming abundant in the County, “before long”. Hancock (1874) found a nest 

at Castle Eden Dene in 1871, shortly after it was noted breeding at Brancepeth and 

the Ravensworth Estate, in 1874. By 1877, stock doves were considered fairly 

common in Castle Eden Dene. 

Turtle Dove 

Temperley called it “a rare and irregular passage migrant”. He said it was suspected 

of breeding occasionally in the South of the County, though this was not proven. 

Edward Backhouse (1834) described it as “rare”. He reported that it was 

occasionally killed near Darlington and he documented one caught alive at West 

Hendon, Sunderland. Hogg (1845), said it was „very rare‟ in south east Durham, but 

that he had a female that had been shot on 14 September 1829 at Norton and he 

also recorded one shot 26 years before in the same area, which may have been the 

first documentation of the species for County Durham. 

Pallas’ Sand-grouse 

Temperley called it “a very rare irregular summer visitor”. He documented two main 

invasions, both in the 19 th century, these occurred in 1863 and 1888. The first 

records of the species in the County occurred in May 1863, when Hancock 

documented the „taking‟ of 22 or 23 specimens in Northumberland and Durham. 

These included: a female at Ryton on 2 nd June, out of a flock of about 16 birds; on 

30 th June, a male was shot at Cowpen out of a flock of around 12; on 24 November 

1863, a female was taken to William Proctor, in Durham, after being killed by flying 

into wires. This bird came from one of two flocks near Whitburn in the middle of 

June. There was also a flock of 16 or 17 birds at Port Clarence on 13 May 1863. 

Tristram described the 1863 invasion “from the month of May to July many more 

were seen and taken on the coast, and on the sand hills of Seaton and Cowpen 

Marshes. I saw a flock of very nearly twenty for several days, but I regret to say that 

most of them were shot”. Nelson (1907) recorded three birds were taken “on the 

sand near the Teesmouth” in late August 1876. 

In 1888, a larger scale influx than in 1863 took place. Large flocks occurred in 

Yorkshire and Northumberland, and at least two pairs bred in Yorkshire. Detailed 

records included: six at Teesmouth about the middle of May; two shot at Whickham 

during May 1888; two seen about half a mile out of Durham on 25 May; two shot at 

Warden Law, May; and, six in a field between Bishop Auckland and Byers Green on 

3 June. Tristram (1905), writing of the 1888 invasion, said that numbers were shot all 

over the County. One taxidermist, Mr Cullerford, of Durham, had over 60 specimens 

brought to him. A note in the Zoologist for 1888, told of “sand-grouse breeding in 

Durham”, “a nest with three young is near here”. Temperley had no confirmation of 

this breeding record but it seemed credible as birds bred in Yorkshire. In 1890, a 

further small invasion occurred, with one bird being shot near Swalwell on 28 May 

1890. Three days previously a male was shot at Whickham and around the same 

time a female was picked up alive near Blaydon. 

Woodcock 

Temperley called it a “resident and winter visitor”. The first 

evidence of this species in County Durham comes from 

Tunstall‟s manuscript, which recorded the shooting of a young 

bird, two-thirds grown, in September 1782 near Durham. 

Selby (1833) thought it mainly a winter visitor, though „regular‟




at other times of the year. By 1840, Hutchinson was documenting it as having bred 

in Durham, with three young out of a brood of four being shot near Allensford on the 

Derwent in May 1830. In the 1860s and 1870s, Temperley recorded that several 

nests were found in the Derwent valley and elsewhere. By 1874, Hancock said it 

was breeding in the area of the Tyne, around the confluence with the Derwent and 

was not as uncommon as previously supposed. By Temperley‟s time of writing, he 

noted it as nesting in all suitable woodlands, often close to centres of population, e.g. 

at Ravensworth Castle, in the Team valley and at Gibside. An enquiry into its status 

as a breeding bird in Britain, reported that 12 pairs nested in 7000 acres near 

Stockton-on-Tees and 10-12 pairs nested annually in a 2000 acres estate near 

Chester-le-Street. 

Great Snipe 

Temperley said it was a “very rare passage migrant”, though in relative terms, much 

more common in the past than in modern times. The first county record is one 

mentioned by Hogg (1827) of one shot flying over the Tees, “about four years ago”. 

Selby (1831) recorded it as a rare and occasional visitant; several were shot during 

the dry autumn of 1826 in a marsh near Sedgefield. Hutchinson (1840) wrote that 

„solitary individuals had been shot in other parts of the County in autumn and winter‟. 

Hancock (1874) gave ten records for Northumberland and Durham, three of these 

from Durham. One was near Thornley in September 1874; one was near Witton-le- 

Wear in October 1830 and one near Bishop Auckland in 1893. In addition, one was 

shot in early October 1885, at Burnledge in Weardale and another shot „about 

fortnight ago‟. Tristram (1905) said that it was very occasionally seen at Darlington 

Sewage Farm in September! 

Red-necked Phalarope 

Temperley said it was “a very rare autumn passage migrant”. None of the Victorian 

chroniclers of Durham‟s birds mentioned this species. Hancock (1874) gave no 

records but there was by Temperley‟s time, a specimen, of a juvenile, in the Hancock 

Museum that was labelled as taken at South Shields, but no date was attached to 

this. The first definite record of the species seems to be from 23 October 1881 at 

Teesmouth. Nelson (1907) picked up a dead bird on that date. One, an immature 

was shot on a pond near the Golf-house at Seaton Carew on 6 September 1901. 

Another one was near Graythorp Shipyard on 2 October 1943. 

Temminck’s Stint 

Temperley described it as a “very rare spring and autumn passage migrant”. The 

first documented record for Durham was by Edward Backhouse (1834), who said it 

was „rare‟ though one had been shot at Seaton Snook in the autumn of 1833 it was 

shot in the company of a small flock of grey plover. One was also killed on the Kings‟ 

Meadow, an island in the middle of the River Tyne near Dunston, on 25 th May 1843. 

Pectoral Sandpiper 

Temperley, called it “a very rare casual”. He documented three records and 

discussed the doubts over the first of these, a bird shot in October 1841; very near 

Hartlepool by Dr. Edward Clark, which was documented by Yarrell in his volume on 

British birds. Consequently, Temperley assumed that this added authenticity to the 

record. It was certainly a good time of the year for such a record of the species, but 

there is no known specimen from the incident. One was recorded as shot at 

Teesmouth on 30 August 1853. The third record, documented by Hancock (1874), 

was of one shot near Bishop Auckland,‟ a few years before 1873‟. Temperley 

expressed his concern about this specimen and where it was shot, but felt it was 

acceptable, but with some reservations.




Ruff 

Temperley called it a “fairly regular autumn passage migrant, in small numbers”, “has 

been known to breed”. He gave no evidence to state that breeding was ever regular 

in the past. Sharp (1816), described it as a „very rare‟ bird in the Hartlepool area; 

Hogg (1827) said it was „extremely rare‟, though he noted its passage status at 

Teesmouth. By contrast, Edward Backhouse (1834) described it as „not uncommon‟ 

at Teesmouth, rarely met with in breeding plumage. He did note that one was shot at 

Whitburn Moors, „a few years ago‟. Hutchinson (1840) noted it as occasionally found 

in small parties in September and October. Breeding occurred at Teesmouth 

„probably, 1901‟ and definitely in 1902 (two nests), in 1903 birds possibly bred, but 

there were no birds in 1904. Tristram (1905), had it on good authority that ruff 

formerly bred at Boldon Flats. 

Kentish Plover 

Temperley called it “a very rare vagrant”. Three records up to 1951, Temperley‟s 

time of publication. The first record of the species was of one at Teesmouth on 8 

June 1902, observed by J. Bishop, and C.E. Milburn. The second record was on 20 

May 1904, Bishop found one at Seaton Carew – an adult female was picked up dead 

near the North Gare breakwater at the end of May, and this was presumably, the 

same bird. The third record was on 11 th May 1924, when a pair was at Teesmouth, 

found by the same pair of observers who had found the first bird almost 22 years 

earlier. 

Dotterel 

Temperley said that it was “a passage migrant in very small numbers”. He said that it 

was mainly a spring migrant, annually recorded in the late 1940s and early 1950s at 

Teesmouth, though records elsewhere in County Durham, he called „exceptional‟. 

Three birds were noted at Darlington Sewage Farm on 3 September 1929 but it is 

very rare in the autumn in the County. Temperley commented that when the species 

nested more regularly in the north Pennines and the Lake District, then he felt it was 

then more commonly documented as occurring in Durham, particularly in the west of 

Durham. Hutchinson (1840) reported its passage in autumn as rapid, but more 

lingering in spring, with the greatest numbers in May. He said that it had not been 

recorded breeding in Durham, but he speculated on where successful breeding might 

occur, these included Burnhope, Killhope and Wellhope. Temperley observed that 

since 1840, the Durham Moors had been extensively searched „in vain‟ by 

ornithologists, including Temperley himself, but no Dotterel were found breeding, and 

passage birds were rare on moorlands by Temperley‟s time of writing. 

Stone Curlew 

Temperley documented that this “was a very rare vagrant”, his first record was one 

taken in the neighbourhood of Wycliffe-on-Tees in August 1782. The second record 

was of one killed at Saltholme Pool in 1843. The third was courtesy of Hancock 

(1874), who told of one shot in a grass field near Frenchman‟s Bay, South Shields, 

on 4 February 1864, the first winter record. Tristram stated that one was at 

Teesmouth on 11 November 1901. 

Little Bustard 

Temperley said one was shot at Harton, South Shields in December 1876, the 

specimen was sent to Hancock to „improve the stuffing‟ on 9 March 1877. A 

specimen was presented to the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham 

and Newcastle upon Tyne in 1935; the details of this indicate that it had been shot at




Marsden about 1860. Temperley thought it possible that this was the same bird seen 

by Hancock in 1877. 

Common Crane 

Temperley said that it was “a very rare vagrant, of which 

there is only one record for the County”. A specimen 

was shot on the Hart Estate, at Dyke House Farm in 

1865. Temperley said that at one time, there is little 

doubt that the Crane was a once regular winter visitor to 

Durham, a couple of centuries or so ago. 

White-winged Black Tern 

Temperley called it “a very rare vagrant”. There was one documented record, by 

Hancock (1874), an adult bird shot on 15 May sometime before 1871at Port 

Clarence, Teesmouth. Nelson (1907) said it was killed on 15 May 1869. 

Common Tern 

Temperley highlighted the Cott manuscript (1670), which recorded “a shelf of sand, 

raised above the highe water marke that entertaines an infinite number of sea-fowle, 

which lay their Egges here and there”. 

Herring Gull 

First known to breed in 1943 on Marsden Rock. Birds were recorded breeding in 

1943 when the coast was closed off to the public, at least one nest, possibly more 

pairs, bred then. Birds then bred annually after that on Marsden rock, from then until 

1951. 

Kittiwake 

Temperley said that it was, “a common summer resident and passage migrant”, 

“winter visitor in small numbers”. Hutchinson (1840) said that it didn‟t breed in 

Durham. In 1934 a small colony was established on the seaward side of the 

Marsden Rock, spreading to other ledges and faces as the colony grew in 

subsequent years. By 1937, there were an estimated 300 nests and by 1944, about 

1000 pairs were estimated to be present, with the mainland cliffs now occupied. 

Ivory Gull 

Temperley said it was a “very rare winter visitor”. There were four records of the 

species up to Temperley‟s time of publication, only of one of which was felt to be fully 

and completely authenticated. One, an immature was shot at Seaton Carew in 

March 1837. Hogg (1845), reported one found dead at Cowpen Marsh, the date 

unspecified; the specimen was considered too decayed for preservation. Another 

was shot off the mouth of the Tyne prior to 1874 (Hancock, 1874), but was thought 

by some e.g. George Bolam, to be „not above suspicion‟. One was reported by 

Lofthouse (1887), as being shot at Teesmouth on 14 February 1880. 

Great Auk 

An upper mandible of a specimen of Great Auk was discovered alongside other bird 

and mammal remains “in some old sea caves in the limestone cliffs at Whitburn 

Lizard”. In fact, these remains were found in a cave in a quarry on Cleadon Hills, not 

actually on the coast. Essentially the cave contained a midden of food remains 

(alongside human remains), including those of red deer, roe deer, badger, marten 

amongst others. This discovery was made in 1878.




Corncrake 

In 1951, Temperley called it “a summer resident, once abundant, now scarce”. He 

said that „most had been lost „in recent years‟. Late in the 19 th century and early in 

the 20 th century, Temperley said that it was to be found breeding in “almost every 

meadow” of Durham, even on the outskirts of towns. However, numbers fluctuated 

from year to year. In 1861, Hogg noted a scarcity of these species around Norton 

over a 3-4 year period. Nationally, the major decline commenced earlier, further 

south, around 1907 this became marked and widespread. In Durham, decreases 

were noted from around 1915, continued through 1929 and from that time it was a 

scarce bird in Durham. Temperley, in 1951, said that it was quite usual to “live in the 

County and not to hear the call of the corn-crake once in a season”. 

Baillon’s Crake 

This species was called a “very rare vagrant of which only two records”. Hancock 

(1874), told of Thomas Thompson shooting one on the side of the Derwent on, or 

about, 12 July 1874; it was in breeding plumage and the specimen is in the Hancock. 

One in the Dorman Museum was shot at „Saltholme Marsh‟, in September 1882, it 

was shot by T.H. Nelson on 16 September 1882. 

Capercaillie 

Extinct but Temperley noted that, in 1878, numerous bones of this species were 

found in a limestone cave on the Durham side of the Tees in upper Teesdale, at 

about 1600 feet above sea level. 

Black Grouse 

Temperley said that it was “a resident; less common now than formerly”. He said, at 

1951, that it had a very local distribution, being found on the fringes of the western 

moorlands – where woodland, birch scrub provides cover. 

Red Grouse 

“Plentiful on the heather moors to the west of the county, 

where it is encouraged...by game preservers”. Only moves in 

exceptionally cold, snow-covered weather as on 24 November 

1884, when a heavy snowstorm was followed by a thaw and 

re-freeze, leading to a „glazing‟ of the moors. Birds were 

consequently driven off the moors and twelve were seen at 

Ferryhill, and single birds seen as far east as Heworth and 

even Seaham (at the Durham coast). 

Serin 

“A very rare vagrant”, said Temperley and he documented the first county record, a 

bird found in a garden near Westoe, South Shields, by John Coulson on 12 

November 1950. It was seen again on 19 th and 26 th of the month and was an adult 

male. 

Aquatic Warbler 

On 28 August 1951, one was found by John Coulson, in Frenchman‟s Bay, South 

Shields. It was reported to Fred Grey, who saw it and concluded that it was an 

aquatic warbler. It was later also seen by Dr. H.M.S. Blair. This was the first record 

of the species for the northeast of England. 

Prepared by the Natural History Society of Northumbria and the Durham Bird Club, as a contribution to 

The Birds of Durham Heritage Project, from A History of the Birds of Durham by George W. Temperley, 

published in the Transactions of the Natural History Society of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle 

upon Tyne Vol. IX

'Tit-bits from Temperley' - Durham Bird Club

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