Derbyshire is blessed with some terrific birds. We may not have the coastal areas, mudflats and sea cliffs, but we make up for that with wild rugged moorland, peak dales and river valleys. These habitats harbour some excellent birding opportunities. With patience, local knowledge and a little bit of luck, Derbyshire’s specialists will […]
A first winter male American Common Yellowthroat was discovered last week in fields at an unpronounceable Welsh Village in Gwent called Riwhderyn (I believe pronounced something like Ruth Derran ). Nevertheless a very nice and friendly village and a totally unexpected place to find a “Yankie Passerine” in February. The bird had obviously managed
I discovered that Martin Garner was running one of his successful Gull Master Classes at Stubbers Green, near Walsall, West Midlands on 18th February, so I decided to register and join in the fun!! I was not to be disappointed. (Further information at http://birdingfrontiers.com). Martin has a unique way of passing
It was a very dull grey and cold morning as we stood on the bridge over-looking the river Derwent at Cromford. Suddenly it felt like spring as a Dipper burst into song and then four birds began staking out their territories and either side of the bridge Dippers were singing. Several Goosander were
The freezing cold temperatures on Saturday 4th February saw hundreds of Fieldfares & Redwings arrive in our gardens and trees around my village. There must have been a consolidated flock of at least three hundred birds and they spent the day frantically feeding on ornamental berries. Trying to get close to them on foot
Winter birding at Eyebrook Reservoir & Rutland Water generally produces a good selection of wildfowl and to-day was no exception. These are probably the best two waters in the midlands to see Smew. We had 3 “White Nuns” (drakes) and 6 Redheads, 2 drakes at Eyebrook and 1 drake 6 Redheads at Rutland.
A superb & very obliging male Desert Wheatear has been over wintering at Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve in East Yorkshire. I have been wanting to see this bird for sometime and some 12 weeks into it’s stay I eventually managed to see it to-day. It was found on the 19th November, a typical time
Great Grey Shrike has eluded me on several occasions recently and so one that had been faithful to an area of Cannock Chase seemed to be a good bet this morning. It was a stunning morning, bright sunshine but gale force winds were blowing across the cleared fell area and it was two &
