willow tit – tonydavisonphotography.com

A Surprise County Tick

2012, Birds No Responses »

Dec 022012

A Velvet Scoter in Derbyshire – A fairly mediocre kind of day turned out rather good, with an unexpected County Tick. We had decided to visit Carsington Reservoir, as there was a Slavonian Grebe and Great Northern Diver and there is always a chance of finding a good bird at this site. We eventually saw the Slavonian Grebe from the Wildlife Hide, along with a couple of Willow Tit at the feeding station and a few Tree Sparrows – but the GND's (two of them) were from Millfields, so we decided to head-off there later. From Sheepwash Hide there were […]

Winter Returns – Briefly – 18th March 2012

2012, Birds, Birds of 2012, Year No Responses »

Mar 182012

Winter Returns - Briefly - 18th March 2012

The weather this morning was a complete contrast to last weekend. Upon arrival at Carsington Water this morning, we were met with a freezing cold mixture of snow & heavy rain. The front lasted for well over an hour, then grey but very calm conditions and Carsington turned into a “Mill Pond”. The day did however produce my first spring migrants for the year. We were hoping for a Kittiwake dropping in but no such luck. In fact apart from the long staying Great Northern Diver, the numbers of wildfowl were very low. Five Goldeneye; 5 Oystercatcher; […]

Dances with Grebes – Sunday, 27 March 2011

2011, Birds, Birds of 2011, Year No Responses »

Mar 272011

Dances with Grebes - Sunday, 27 March 2011

Local birding in South Derbyshire. A very dull grey spring morning was brightened up by the courtship dances of the Great Crested Grebe. This pair were really putting on a show at Foremark Reservoir. A pity they were just a little distant for my camera lens. No luck with Lesser Pecker this morning but did manage several Grey Partridge. At least 6 singing Chiffchaff and several singing Yellowhammer. Once common birds locally, Grey Partridge & Yellowhammer are now getting exceedingly difficult to find. The woodlands around Ticknall were also unproductive for Lesser Pecker, another species that is very difficult and very […]

Chasing the Butcher – Cannock Chase – Sunday, 6 February 2011

2011, Birds, Birds of 2011, Year No Responses »

Feb 062011

Chasing the Butcher - Cannock Chase - Sunday, 6 February 2011

The morning started at Willington Gravel Pits to catch-up on the Black-throated Diver that was discovered by RMRJ on 1st February. This was the first in the county since 2005. Little else here other than 3 Goldeneye, “Redhead” Goosander & a singing Willow Tit. We then decided to head-off for Cannock Chase and hopefully a Great Grey Shrike. It wasn’t long before we were watching the bird in a little valley out on the chase sheltering from the strong wind blowing across the heathland at the time. Also here a Raven. With Tawny Owl in the week, the year list […]