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Local updates – February 2022

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Apr 042022

A walk around the local fields on 3rd February produced a flock of 4 and another flock of 9 Yellowhammer. Good to see they are still close by, although none at Staunton Harold Res so far this winter. 2 Brambling at Staunton Harold on 5th Feb, 9 Red-legged Partridge, c200 Fieldfare and c50 Redwing and a Little Egret on 12th Feb. The Feb WEBS count produced following highlights on 23rd Feb – 105 Great Crested Grebe, 103 Tufted Duck, 3 Goosander, a Great White Egret, but not a single Teal anywhere. A drake Goldeneye and the juvenile Peregrine still around on 25th Feb. A Red Kite, 2 Oystercatcher, Great White Egret and c 50 Brambling on 27th Feb.

A photo session at Melbourne Pool during the month was productive, as a confiding female Goosander was a bonus. The two feral (dubious origin) Red-crested Pochards still present, still looking spectacular though. Plenty of Gadwall and a few Wigeon.

One of the two dubious origin Red-crested Pochards – drake

Winter Returns – Briefly – 18th March 2012

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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)

Dances with Grebes – Sunday, 27 March 2011

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Mar 272011

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 unpredictable. However, there were still small numbers of Redwing though.

Willington Gravel Pits produced my first Little Ringed Plover of the year, several Sand Martin,

2 Goosander & 6 Goldeneye, 12 Shoveler, several Willow Tit and another 6 singing Chiffchaff.

There were many Queen Buff-tailed Bumble Bees about to-day looking for suitable nest sites.

Year List moves on to 150.

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

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Feb 062011

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 moves on to 137.

Belowv- Robin & Mute Swan – Willington Gravel Pits.

Local Derbyshire Year Ticking – Sunday 23rd January 2011

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Jan 232011

A very poor day for photography so no new bird pictures I’m afraid.

Instead a day out year ticking some of the local species around my county at this time of year.

Cromford Wharf is now the traditional site for Hawfinch and eventually 5 birds gave themselves up. On the River Derwent Dipper was singing and 2 birds showed well. Also Nuthatch, 2 Goosander and a party of 14 Long-tailed Tit.

Moving onto the tops at Beeley we had 30+ Coal Tit, Tree Creeper & Nuthatch at a local feeding station, also several Red Grouse on the Moor.

Next stop was Carsington Water for the 2 Great Northern Diver, Very few wildfowl for this time of year. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was near the Paul Stanley Hide.

Finally finishing off at Bradley for Mandarin. Year list is 132.

A New Birding Year – 1st January 2011

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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.