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Winter Returns – Briefly – 18th March 2012

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

Mar 182012

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; 4 Curlew and 3 Redshank were of note. Also 2 singing Chiffchaff and a Willow Tit. On our way back south we discovered a superb Red Kite soaring over the valley near Mercaston. It is not every day you see a Red Kite in Derbyshire, let alone find one.The third Red Kite I’ve found in my county, the first being one over the old Eggington Gravel Pit complex in South Derbyshire, back in 1968, when Red Kite was a major rarity!! A fine sight nevertheless but just a little distant for the camera.

Upon arrival at Willington Gravel Pits the weather started to make significant improvements and we soon had some warm spring sunshine. A good selection of birds here – 18 Shoveler; 4 Shelduck; 15 Goosander; 1 drake Goldeneye; 11 Curlew; 2 Redshank; 5 Chiffchaff and 5 Sand Martin.

A Grey Wagtail at Melbourne Pool later in the afternoon was another year tick.

The year list moves on to 149..

IMAGES – No:1 Red Kite ; No:2 Great Crested Grebe (Melbourne Pool); No:3 Canada Geese (Willington GP); Nos: 4, 5 & 6 – Moorhen (Mlebourne Pool) No:7 Mute Swan (Melbourne Pool) No:8 Male Tree Sparrow (Carsington Water Field Centre)

Attenborough – A Local Nature Reserve – 11th March 2012

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

Mar 112012

At the crack of dawn this morning, we were watching and listening to a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, drumming away and really knocking hell out of some dead ash trees.

It was a superb morning, clear blue skies and bright spring sunshine. The celandines and primroses were out and bluebells are well on their way, shooting through the leaf litter. Spring Wood is not far from my home and is superb for woodland birds. All three woodpeckers, plus Nuthatch & Tree Creeper can all be seen here relatively easy, provided one puts in time and is patient. A Curlew flew over and several Bullfinch were about. Also several Buzzard and a pair of Mandarin flew over the Dimmingsdale end of Staunton Harold Reservoir. Mandarin seem to be more frequently seen in this area of South Derbyshire. What a great start to the morning.

During the previous week there had been several Bittern giving views at Attenborough Nature Reserve, only a 20 minute drive away. Attenborough is an excellent place for wildlife and regularly gets several over wintering Bittern. It is also a good place to photograph a variety of common birds. It is easy to spend a full day here, especially in the spring, when the first migrants begin to arrive.

To-day, however, it was to be a brief visit. Four Red Crested Pochards were on the first pit, these birds seemed a bit suspect to me.

Several Cetti’s Warbler were in full song and one particular bird was very showy. Quiet unusual for a Cetti’s, they are usually skulking and present only by a blast of their powerful song. As we were watching the Cetti’s and a nearby pair of Long-tailed Tits building a nest, the Bittern appeared and showed well for about 5 minutes, before quietly merging back into the bull rushes and reed bed.

Several Year Ticks to move my list on to 146

IMAGES – No:1 Bittern / No:2 Red Crested Pochard / No:3 & 4 Long-tailed Tit / No:5 Magpie/ No:6 Reed Bunting- male

A New Birding Year – 1st January 2011

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

Jan 012011

The first bird for 2011 was a Wood Pigeon, rapidly followed by Collard Dove, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Starling and Blackbird all in the garden and so the new years Bird List began.

Throughout the day a total of 67 species was seen. Highlights included – Yellow-legged Gull; Caspian Gull, Goldeneye and Yellowhammer all at Staunton Harold Reservoir. White-fronted Goose & Little Owl at Ambaston. Kingfisher, Water Rail and Peregrine at Willington. Redhead Smew, Curlew, Goosander and Dunlin at Foremark Reservoir.