Local patch birding in my county of Derbyshire is hard work but sometimes rewarding.
It is all down to the quality of birding one is looking for. In my view you cannot compare a days birding in Derbyshire, to a days birding at a coastal site in Norfolk or Yorkshire. These locations would win hands down, however there are exceptions and today was one of them.
The early morning was spent at Carsington Water and a Turnstone, always a good bird in our county, a Wheatear and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were the major highlights.
Yellow-legged Gull – Carsington Water, Derbyshire.
Lapwing – Carsington Water, Derbyshire.
Raven – Carsington Water, Derbyshire.
Moving on south to Willington Gravel Pits seemed like a good choice as there had been good numbers of raptors on view during the week.After an hour or so a Kestrel appeared, followed by a couple of Common Buzzard, then around 10 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 2 Sparrowhawk and a stunning dispaly of several Hobby, hawking dragonflies. A Little Egret on the main mere, numerous Chiffchaff and a Cetti's Warbler nearby, not a bad morning really.. Oh and on the way back to the car an Elephant!! that is an Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar. Good to see plenty of Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the Buddleia busshes.
Adult Hobby – Willington Gravel Pits, Derbyshire.
Elephant Hawkmoth Caterpillar – Willington Gravel Pits, Derbyshire.
