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 […]
Local Patch Birding Really paid off to-day. Another early morning start at Carsington Water. After a walk around "Stones Island" and a visit to the main Wildlife Hide, we had seen very little. The regular adult Yellow-legged Gull and a few Chiffchaff and Blackcap. We then made our way to Sheepwash Hide and on arrival
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
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
The prolonged drought has given rise to Incredibly low levels of water at Carsington Reservoir. The above photo should show the public sailing club with water up to the grass on the left handside!! Not much about bird wise, best bird of note was a drake Red-Crested Pochard. At Willington Gravel Pits, the
March 13th 2011 – Blithfield Reservoir, Staffordshire. My second attempt for the Great White Egret, eventually paid off. Seen in flight briefly before disappearing from view in dense willow scrub. Also my first spring migrant for 2011- 2 parties of Sand Martin – 1 off 11 birds and 1 of 6 birds. Nice to see
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
