Durham Bird Club at 50
The county avifauna, The Birds of Durham (Bowey and Newsome, 2012) records that “A public meeting in late 1974 at Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery to discuss bird watching and recording was well-attended. This was followed on 8 January 1975 by another meeting and enrolment for membership of the Durham Bird Club began shortly afterwards.”
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We shall be organising various projects and events during the year to commemorate this special anniversary. These include a "Bird of the Week" feature, the first of which appears below.
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Bird of the Week - Week 1
Black Grouse – A Symbol of Durham Bird Club
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What better way to begin our 50th anniversary celebrations than with the Black Grouse? This magnificent bird is the emblem of Durham Bird Club, perfectly capturing the rugged beauty of our uplands and the enduring connection we share with our county’s birdlife.
Black Grouse are truly remarkable. The males, with their glossy black plumage, striking red wattles, and elegant fanned tails, are unforgettable. In spring, they put on a mesmerising show at dawn during their famous courtship displays, known as leks. To witness a lek is to experience nature at its most dramatic - males posturing, bubbling, and hissing to impress the quietly watching females.
County Durham remains one of the last strongholds for Black Grouse in England. Their success here is partly thanks to their ability to thrive in our heather-dominated uplands.
That said, this iconic bird faces challenges. As a Red List species, Black Grouse populations are under pressure, and it’s vital that we do what we can to support their conservation. One of the most important things we can do is take care not to disturb them, especially during the lekking season. If you’re lucky enough to observe them, please keep your distance and enjoy the spectacle from afar.
The Black Grouse is a reminder of the wildness that still exists in County Durham and a symbol of the need to protect it.
This week, we’d love to hear your Black Grouse stories. Have you seen them on a frosty morning? Or watched the drama of a lek from the sidelines?
Share your memories with us and celebrate this iconic species and its place in Durham’s natural heritage -
E-mail: durhambirdclub@gmail.com
Social media tags: #DurhamBirdClub #DBC #DBCat50 #Durham #Birding
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