Wyver Lane Nature Reserve (DWT)

[DaveN]

I've been meaning to start a thread on Wyver Lane Nature Reserve for quite a while now. The reserve is situated in Belper (Derbyshire) just to the North of the town. I've been going down there on a regular basis now for over 8 years so have a fair bit of knowledge of what the place is all about.

Lying on the West side of the River Derwent, the reserve is one of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts (DWT) most important wetland reserves,
consisting of two pools, one main one and a smaller pool, water meadows and reed beds. A good selection of birds have been recorded there over the years.

Although the lane itself is out of the recording area birds recorded here include Wood Warbler, Firecrest, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Crossbill and Hawfinch. The latter two coming from Coppice Woods at the very end of Wyver Lane...an area with good potential.

Other more significant sightings over the years include all 5 species of Grebe, Bittern, Great White Egret, Smew, Pectoral Sandpiper, Ring-Billed Gull and Common Crane. Over 170 species have been recorded.

Breeding water birds include Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot and Lapwing (has bred in the past). Many other smaller birds do breed include Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Stock Dove and many more common species.

Here's a full checklist of birds recorded. Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Red-Necked Grebe, *Slavonian Grebe*, Black-Necked Grebe, Cormorant, Bittern, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, Bean Goose, Pink Footed Goose, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Mandarin, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pintail, Garganey, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Smew, Goosander, Ruddy Duck, Sparrowhawk, Rough Legged Buzzard, Common Buzzard, *Marsh Harrier*, Osprey, Kestrel, Hobby, Peregrine, Red Kite, Red Legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Pheasant, Water Rail (has bred), Moorhen, Coot, Common Crane, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Little Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Snipe, Woodcock, Black Tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Redshank, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull, Black Headed Gull, Ring Billed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Herring Gull, Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Kittiwake, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black Tern, Woodpigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Ring Necked Parakeet, Cuckoo, Barn Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Swift, Kingfisher, Wryneck, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Dipper, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Redstart, Whinchat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Wood Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Long Tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, Brambling, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Linnet, Twite, Lesser Redpoll, Crossbill, Bullfinch, Hawfinch, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting.
A couple of escapes have recently been recorded including Cape Shelduck and Black Swan.

*denotes unconfirmed.

I get down there several times a week so will update this as and when I can.

[DaveN]

Wyver is also a good place for seeing hunting Hobbies and the first one of the year was seen on Wed 22nd April.

[Clive A]

Glad you started this thread,should be interesting.

[DaveN]

Glad you started this thread,should be interesting.

Cheers, Clive. I thought it was about time I started it.

[michael23]

nice to see his thread, not been there in a long while, really must get back there soon.

[DaveN]

nice to see his thread, not been there in a long while, really must get back there soon.

Thanks Michael. Good to see somebody else gets down there too....though not that often ;) Apparently the DWT have been given a grant to build a viewing mound to make it easier to view the top pool. I had a Wood Sand on there last year but at the moment you can only see part of the pool from the hide or the lane itself. I think a lot of birds get missed on there because of the restricted viewing.

[DaveN]

A few of my recent photos from Wyver Lane.
Male Reed Bunting, female Goosander, Robin, Black Headed Gull.

[Gomphus]

Thanks Michael. Good to see somebody else gets down there too....though not that often ;) Apparently the DWT have been given a grant to build a viewing mound to make it easier to view the top pool. I had a Wood Sand on there last year but at the moment you can only see part of the pool from the hide or the lane itself. I think a lot of birds get missed on there because of the restricted viewing.

That top pool is probably better for stuff than the main one at times, be nice to see over it!

Have you heard anything on the sale of the site by the council, Dave? I heard a while back it was mooted...

Cheers

Steph'

[DaveN]

That top pool is probably better for stuff than the main one at times, be nice to see over it!

Have you heard anything on the sale of the site by the council, Dave? I heard a while back it was mooted...

Cheers

Steph'

The top pool certainly has its moments when the water is quite low. It's ideal for waders but you can only see a little of it from the hide and that's using a scope. Again, from the lane you can only see a little of it so a viewing mound would be a great addition to the site.

Not heard anything on the sale for some time now.

[DaveN]

Managed a few hours down Wyver today before the weather deteriorated.
Good to see and hear a few more migrants now with at least 3 Sedge Warblers and 2 Whitethroats in song. Also a Chiff Chaff and 2 Blackcaps.
A few Hirundines passing through with 15+ Swallows, 10+ Housemartins and 3 Sand Martins....no Swifts yet.

Very little in the way of wildfowl now the winter visitors have all but left. Just a pair of Tufties, pair of Teal, drake Goosander, drake Gadwall and numerous Mallards. The pair of Oystercatchers still remain so fingers crossed they attempt to breed down there....would be the first time.

Plenty of male Reed Buntings flitting about with the females presumably on eggs. The only raptor seen today was a male Sparrowhawk carrying prey. The first Kingfisher sighting of the year made a brief appearance around the main pool before heading back towards the river. A lone male Mute Swan which lost its mate in mysterious circumstances last year is back on the scene and is still seeing off the resident Canada and Greylag Geese.

Attached are several photos of the reserve taken from the hide plus a Mute Swan and Greylag Goose.

[Clive A]

Nice shots Dave, thought you might have got a Swift.

[DaveN]

Nice shots Dave, thought you might have got a Swift.

Cheers. I thought I might get a Swift too but they've not quite reached us down there yet.

[DaveN]

Spent another few hours down Wyver today. Nice to see some warm sunshine today and it certainly brought out the Sedge Warblers who were singing their hearts out seemingly everywhere (photos attached)

Pair of Oystercatchers were very vocal today and would not tolerate anything going near them. Got me wondering if they're in the process of laying/sitting. A single Snipe also seen which surprised me as I thought they had all left for their breeding grounds now.

Not much of wildfowl again except today there were 6 Tufted Ducks and 2 pairs of Teal.

A couple of Buzzard soaring around looked fantastic with the blue sky backdrop, and one even got me thinking it could be a Rough Legged but I dismissed it as Common in the end.

Still no Swifts but 11 Swallows and a single Sand Martin moving through.

Lots of Butterflies today making the most of the weather. Nearly all whites but 3 Small Tortoiseshells also.

Attached photos include 3 of Sedge Warbler and a drake Goosander.

[Clive A]

Had an hour down Wyver yesterday, usual warblers present-Chiff, Sedge,Whitethroat. A male Sparrowhawk carrying prey at the end of the lane by the butts pools.Very quiet on the main pool 2 Teal and a single Tuftie, with the usual Mallards.Large number of Green veined White in fields by the butts pools.

[DaveN]

Had an hour down Wyver yesterday, usual warblers present-Chiff, Sedge,Whitethroat. A male Sparrowhawk carrying prey at the end of the lane by the butts pools.Very quiet on the main pool 2 Teal and a single Tuftie, with the usual Mallards.Large number of Green veined White in fields by the butts pools.

Cheers for that, Clive. I also saw a male Sparrowhawk with prey in the same area.

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane Bird Notes
April 2009

A fairly quiet month but Warblers return and the first Hobby of the year
also makes a brief appearance.

Very little Wildfowl to report as ever at this time of year as birds leave
for their breeding grounds. Maximum counts include 18 Teal on 6th,
6 Tufted Ducks on 29th, drake Gadwall on 28th, a pair of Mandarin
on 20th, the last report of Wigeon was of a single bird on 6th,
a brood of 8 Mallard young on 24th although three had been lost by
the following day, drake Goosander on 28th.

The first Hobby of the year was of a single bird on the 24th,
a Peregrine flew through on 4th, 2 Buzzards were in the air
on 24th and 29th with singles on many dates, a male
Sparrowhawk with prey on 28th.

c40 Swallows flew through on the 4th, 12 House Martins on 28th,
3 Sand Martins on 6th and 28th.

2 Blackcaps and 2 Whitethroats on 28th, the first Sedge Warbler
was seen on the 20th with at least 3 birds in song on the 29th,
2 Chiff Chaffs also on 29th.

3 Oystercatchers on 4th and a pair seen most days through the
month. A Curlew on 20th, a Common Sandpiper on 17th 3
Lapwings on 28th, a single Snipe on 29th. A Raven on 4th,
a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming on 20th, 2 Pied
Wagtails on 20th, 4 Grey Herons on 25th, 6+ Reed Buntings
on 28th, 3 Cormorants on 29th, 2 Stock Doves on 28th,
The first Kingfisher of the year was seen on 28th, 4 Pheasants
on 6th.

[DaveN]

A belated report for 5th May.

At least 4 Sedge Warblers and 3 Whitethroats. A pair of Gadwall still knocking about, Mallards with 8 young. The pair of Oystercatchers are still there and a third appeared and was quickly chased off by the male.
Apparently the lone male Mute Swan is not alone afterall, a female has been sitting but very hard to see through the reeds.

At last my first Swits of the year with 5 birds and 5 were also reported on the 3rd. c20 Swallows, c20 Housemartins and 8 Sandmartins.

Had a walk down the lane for a look at the top pool and could see a Wader, but by the time I got my scope out it had gone. Looked good for a Green Sand but can't be 100%.

Got talking to a local who said he had a possible Yellow Wag on the 29th and 3 Common Tern also.

Other birds of note: Green Woodpecker, Great Spot Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard and Stock Dove.

[jaykay]

Firstly I need to thank both of you for posting on this thread;) I've never been to Wyver Lane before today but as I've been reading your posts and only live down the road in Derby thought I'd pay it a visit. Which now brings me to today, went up for a couple of hours this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My sightings were

3 Sedge Warblers
2 Reed Buntings
Magpie
4 Mallard
1 female Mallard with 4 chicks
2 Graylag Geese
10+ Canadian Geese
Dunnock
Pied Wagtail
2 (possibly 3) Lapwings
Coots
some distant Swallows
crows

I'm sure there's some I've forgotten but never mind, the Sedge Warblers made it for me.

Only one other thing, is there anywhere at the bottom of the lane to turn the car round, rather than reversing about 200 yards up the lane again? I'm limited mobility at present so I was told to park next to the hide!

thanks again
Jeanette

[DaveN]

Firstly I need to thank both of you for posting on this thread;) I've never been to Wyver Lane before today but as I've been reading your posts and only live down the road in Derby thought I'd pay it a visit. Which now brings me to today, went up for a couple of hours this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My sightings were

3 Sedge Warblers
2 Reed Buntings
Magpie
4 Mallard
1 female Mallard with 4 chicks
2 Graylag Geese
10+ Canadian Geese
Dunnock
Pied Wagtail
2 (possibly 3) Lapwings
Coots
some distant Swallows
crows

I'm sure there's some I've forgotten but never mind, the Sedge Warblers made it for me.

Only one other thing, is there anywhere at the bottom of the lane to turn the car round, rather than reversing about 200 yards up the lane again? I'm limited mobility at present so I was told to park next to the hide!

thanks again
Jeanette

Hi Jeanette,

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself down there today and pleased that you enjoyed the Sedge Warbers too. They do breed down there in quite good numbers. I had a text earlier that Grey Wagtails have bred successfuly and were seen feeding a youngster on the lane today so that's good news.

Also thanks for your sightings, I'll make a note of them. Did you manage to get in the hide with it being permit only? If not, then you are most welcome to come in If I'm in there which is fairly regular although not often at weekends.

In answer to your last question, although the lane itself is a dead end there's ample room to turn your car around.

Cheers

Dave

[jaykay]

Hi Dave

Yes thanks, I joined the DWT last week, mainly so I could visit Wyver Lane and Draycott, but thank you for your off! I made a note in the log inside the hide, but don't think I remembered to actually sign it, brain was in Sedge Warbler mode;). Cheers for the info on the turning, I'll be braver now and go to the end. Once again thanks for sharing your sightings which gave me the urge to get out there, I had a really good couple of hours, until the rain!! wasn't game to stay incase there was going to be a storm, it got really dark very quickly:eek!: Hopefully in the near future we may bump into each other and be able to say "hi".

whoops, forgot to add the heron!

regards
Jeanette

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane update for 19/05/09

I'll start with the obvious highlight. A Red Kite drifted west over the main pool at 12.20 giving me enough time just to get a rough record shot. Only the second record for Wyver with the first in March last year.

Around the main reserve was 4 broods of Mallards 8/6/6 and 3 very fresh young on the main pool. The Mute Swans and Oytsercatchers seemed to have given up nesting with neither pairs recorded in recent days.
Only wildfowl apart from Mallards were a female Goosander and a pair of Tufted Ducks.

24 Long Tailed Tits were working there way up and down the lane in search for food. A Green Woodpecker gave brief but good views at the end of the lane. At least 8 singing male Reed Buntings plus at least 3 singing Sedge Warblers.

Lots of Swifts, Swallows and Housemartins and a single Sandmartin filled the air with figures impossible to count.

Attached is the very ropey record shot of the Red Kite.

[Gomphus]

Wyver Lane update for 19/05/09

I'll start with the obvious highlight. A Red Kite drifted west over the main pool at 12.20 giving me enough time just to get a rough record shot. Only the second record for Wyver with the first in March last year.



Attached is the very ropey record shot of the Red Kite.


Oh excellent find Dave, wish I'd been looking out of the house it could have gone over my side of Belper first! Wonder when they will be resident round here, they are definitely getting more common!

Steph'

[Clive A]

Nice to get a Red Kite, as Steph says they are getting more common,even I had my Derbyshire first at Carsington on Saturday.Not a bad shot by the way mate.
Oh and Jeanette, thank Dave not me, I am only a rare visitor

[DaveN]

Oh excellent find Dave, wish I'd been looking out of the house it could have gone over my side of Belper first! Wonder when they will be resident round here, they are definitely getting more common!

Steph'

Cheers Steph, If I'd known you was at home I would have sent you a text. There certainly is a fair few sightings in the local area of late so It could well be just a matter a time.

Nice to get a Red Kite, as Steph says they are getting more common,even I had my Derbyshire first at Carsington on Saturday.Not a bad shot by the way mate.
Oh and Jeanette, thank Dave not me, I am only a rare visitor

Cheers Clive, glad you got your first Derbyshire Red Kite on Saturday.

[Gomphus]

Cheers Steph, If I'd known you was at home I would have sent you a text. There certainly is a fair few sightings in the local area of late so It could well be just a matter a time.
Cheers Dave... I got one this last winter over the garden so not too worried!


Cheers Clive, glad you got your first Derbyshire Red Kite on Saturday.

Still trying for a Carsi one though:-C

Noticed today the local birds have got quite a few young off, couple of Blackbird broods in garden along with a 30 strong Starling flock including a few youngsters.... but not as many as last year. Still no House Sparrow young around our road though.
But found a few smashed eggs (Blackbird mostly) around, with almost to hatching young in them, knocked out of the nests by the last few days heavy rain and high winds.... wonder how many others have suffered.....

Interestingly (well at least to me!;))a pair of Goldfinches have taken to stripping the foliage off my Cineraria maritima plants and using it for their nests. A few years ago a Starling almost destroyed a lavender plant doing the same thing... (both gray plants, a link perhaps? or maybe the Starling just liked the scent!).
ATB

Steph'

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane Bird Notes for May 2009

Highlights this month include Red Kite and Reed Warbler.

Wildfowl counts for May include 2 Gadwall on 5th, 7th
and 8th, 3 male Goosander on 7th and 4 females and
a male on 11th, 8 Tufted Ducks on 5th, 8 Mallard
young on 5th and 4 broods of Mallard by the 19th
including 3/6/6 and 8. The first Coot young was 2
on the 26th.

A Red Kite flew west over the main pool on 19th and
coincided with several other sightings in the county
of these magnificant birds. This is only the second
record of Red Kite for Wyver Lane. A Hobby on the
12th, a male Sparrowhawk on 4th and a pair the
following day.

Waders of note include a possible Green Sandpiper
on 5th, the bird was seen briefly on the top pool
and couldn't be positively identified. 3 Oystercatchers
on several dates with one on 24th, a single Curlew
on 8th.

The first Swifts arrived on 3rd with 5 birds and
12 on 5th, c 50 Swallows, c 20 Housemartins and
8 Sandmartins all on 5th.

6 Grey Herons on 11th and newly fledged bird also
seen on 11th, 51 Canada Geese on 19th.
A Reed Warbler was reported on 24 and 26th, 4 Sedge
Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, 2 Chiff Chaffs and a Blackcap
all on 5th. 2 Garden Warbler on 19th. A Raven on 26th,
Kingfisher on 28th, 24 Long Tailed Tits on 19th, 8 Pied
Wagtails were around the main pool on the evening of
the 5th, a pair of Grey Wagtails were seen feeding
one young on 16th.

[DaveN]

Wyver Update for 08/06/2009

Around the main pool today was a Reed Warbler singing well, to the right of the hide. Still plenty of Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings singing. Other Warblers include 2 to 3 Blackcaps, Chiff Chaff and Willow Warbler.13 Lapwings and 4 Grey Herons including 2 juveniles around the island. Nature in its raw form today as an adult Grey Heron picked up a fair sized juv Malllard from the waters edge and flew off into the meadow with its lunch and made light work of it.

Raptors of note was at least 3 Buzzards and a male Sparrowhawk.
Not a lot happening from the hide so I decided to have a walk down the lane. Lots of juv birds now emerging including a family of Blue Tits, Coal Tits feeding at least 3 young, at least 6 Whitethroats with adults feeding young and juv Dunnock.

By the hide was a female Pheasant with two very vulnerable youngsters. Did get a few photos but It wasn't easy due to the long grass.

Attached is a photo of two juvenile Grey Herons and a juv Pheasant.

[Clive A]

Had an hour down Wyver this morning, of interest were;
9 Grey Herons (6 on the top pool and 3 further up the lane).
5 singing male Reed Buntings plus some females.
Reed Warbler still singing, though briefly.
Green Woodpecker,yaffling in the fields.
Grey wagtail on the lane and also a Pied Wagtail carrying food.
2 families of Long tailed Tit and 1 of Coal Tit.
1 Buzzard ,1 Kestrel, several Whitethroat and Blackcaps.

[DaveN]

Pretty quiet down Wyver Lane today. Of note was 2 Buzzards, 13 Lapwings, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warblers, 3 Garden Warblers, 3 Whitethroats, Green Woodpecker, 2 Stock Doves and 4 Grey Herons.

[Clive A]

Pretty quiet down Wyver this afternoon, though I only had 45 minutes.
30+ Mallards,a few Coots and Moorhens including 1 well grown Moorhen juv,plenty of Reed Buntings as usual,Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat,Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker yaffling and a few Hirundines and Swifts.
I was hoping for a few Dragonflies but only a few Damsels were about.
Butterflies of note were Small Tortoiseshell and Meadow Brown.

[Daniel Martin]

Quick visit yesterday evening showed it as still quiet - 4 juv Herons feeding in the south end of the main pool were concentrating hard and I was amazed to see two very large Carp circling them and occasionally breaking the surface. They must have been confident that they were not about to be eaten?!
Still many Swallows "pond dipping", Whitethroat and Great Tits feeding young, and many Reed Bunts (must be an important site locally for this bird?).
A few well grown Mallard young around, along with Moorhen and Coot but little else.

[DaveN]

There're certainly a few large Carp down there and one or two unidentified fish also. Reed Buntings are indeed breeding in good numbers down there. I'm not sure of the actual figures though. Just got back from Wyver where I had a Red-Legged Partridge down the lane sitting on a wall. Also a singing Skylark and 2 Linnets.

On the advice of the DWT I've put a sign on the hide door regarding around 20 wasps frantically building a nest above the notice board. I was also advised not to enter the hide until it has been removed.

[DaveN]

A single Hobby over the main pool today. Also 3 Shoveler and a female Teal on main pool. Water level dropping nicely so hopefully by autumn migration we could get a few Waders dropping in. Something we've not really had for a few years due to wet summers. A female Blue-tailed Damselfly landed on the hide ledge long enough for me to get this photo.

[Clive A]

Nice to see a few Shoveler again Dave, not seen one for a while.Lets hope that water keeps dropping and we get some waders down there in a month or two.

[DaveN]

Can't believe we're talking about autumn migration when we are currently experiencing a mini heatwave. Forgot to add that I had a male Broad-Bodied Chaser and a Brown Hawker.

[Daniel Martin]

A few dragons on the wing will encourage Hobby to linger maybe..........

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane Bird Notes June 2009

Highlights include Red Legged Partridge, Reed Warbler, Shelduck

At least 9 Grey Herons present on the 9th and 15th which included 5 juveniles.
This bird has bred nearby for the first time.
A single Gadwall recorded on 15th. 2 Shelduck on the 2nd and 3rd.
A female Goosander on the 1st. A report of 2 Wigeon
on the 8th would be an early record for this normally wintering bird.
Although one or two records have been recorded in the county of late.
3 Shoveler on the 30th, 2 Teal on 29th and 43 Mallards also on 29th.
30 Canada Geese on 2nd.

Lapwings have started to return already with up to 30 on 27th. Black Headed
Gulls were noted on several dates with 5 on 8th.
Raptors this month include a Hobby on 15th and 30th, 4 Buzzards on 15th
and 3 on 2nd and 8th. A male Sparrowhawk on 8th, a Kestrel on 2nd.

A Red-Legged Partridge was seen on 22nd and is the first record for many
years. A Reed Warbler was heard singing on 8th and 15th.
5 Whitethroats on 8th including adults feeding 3 young. 2 Blackcaps also
on 8th. 3 Garden Warblers on 15th.

Other sightings include 3 Stock Doves on 2nd, 2 Linnets on 22nd. A
Skylark on 22nd, a Green Woodpecker on 11th and 30th, 5 male Reed
Buntings singing on 11th.

A family of Coal Tits was noted on 8th and two families of Long-Tailed
Tits on 11th.

[Daniel Martin]

I had a meeting with a farmer Belper Lane End this morning, and he has 3 pairs of Curlews with young in his fields, two of which I saw this morning.
Then did Wyver for ten mins inbetween showers.......water high again, and little around, but did see parents of G Tits, Reed Bunts and Whitethroat feeding young. The Whitethroats had 3 very recently fledged young in the Hawthorn next to the layby all begging for food; but nice to see breeding success.

[DaveN]

I've been down there myself most of the morning, will post short report soon.

[DaveN]

Went down for a few hours today despite the weather. 4 Grey Herons around the main pool including 2 juveniles. c70 Lapwings around the top pool. Also heard a Redshank but didn't see it. 3 Kestrels across the river which I think two were youngsters. 2 Linnets and a Stock Dove. Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings all feeding young. Only Wildfowl of note was 2 Teal and 3 Tufted Ducks.
Photos attached include juvenile Grey Heron, 2 BH Gulls and a stand off between a Reed Bunting and a Sedge Warbler.

[Daniel Martin]

Visited last night during a brief sunny, still spell and was entertained by a family of local Kestrels. I thought Hobby was around to start with as the Martins started mobbing a falcon, but as it approached, 2 young Kestrels started screaching to attract the parents attention. They flew short distances from pylon to pylon, and the parent seemed to be encouraging them in to the air. However, they were reluctant and eventually were passed food whilst sat on the top of the pylons. Both male and female were attending the youngsters.
These are surely very locally bred birds. Buzzard briefly and female Sparrowhawk were other highlights.

[DaveN]

Not had much chance to get down for a couple of weeks so I went down for a few hours on Tuesday morning. Persistant rain meant I was confined to the hide all the time I was there. On the main pool of note was just 2 Teal and a female Gadwall. Lots of Geese around, 110 Canada and 29 Greylag.

Difficult to see most of the time but c150 Lapwings kept making an appearance as they flew up from around the top pool presumably spooked by something. Most of the action was confined to the hedgerows around the hide. There were Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, Reed Buntings and Great Tits all feeding young. Also a family of Willow/Chiffs, I couldn't get enough on them to decide which. Also Dunnocks, Robins, Wrens and a female Bullfinch.

Just before I left a male Great Spotted Woodpecker with one juvenile appeared in a dead tree across the river.

[ColonelBlimp]

I got down to Wyver Lane yesterday, during the pouring rain. Pretty much nothing around. Dull.

However, why on earth is the hide, described as "public" on the noticeboard, actually locked??? What exactly are visiting birders unaware of it supposed to do, or those that can't afford to shell out £8 each time you go to another county for a permit? People that want to deck the hide would do it regardless of a padlock.

Anyway, I was able to pick two numbers on the combination lock, but the last two foxed me. Must be getting rusty in my old age...

[DaveN]

I got down to Wyver Lane yesterday, during the pouring rain. Pretty much nothing around. Dull.

However, why on earth is the hide, described as "public" on the noticeboard, actually locked??? What exactly are visiting birders unaware of it supposed to do, or those that can't afford to shell out £8 each time you go to another county for a permit? People that want to deck the hide would do it regardless of a padlock.

Anyway, I was able to pick two numbers on the combination lock, but the last two foxed me. Must be getting rusty in my old age...

I think you summed up Wyver Lane well in your first paragraph. It can be a hard place to bird and, 99% of the time you just sit there (or stand there in your case as you couldn't get in the hide) for hours without nothing much happening. Like anywhere, patience will often be rewarded with something or other.

I agree that the noticeboard should be updated and state that a permit is required to access the hide. Although, the majority of the reserve can be seen from the lane anyway and often gives better views than the actual hide itself.

Regarding people would 'deck' the hide regardless of a padlock.
When the hide was open to the public it was often full of crap including syringes, used nappies, empty beer cans and just general rubbish. Also it was often attacked by vandals. Since the hide was made permit only this has been nipped in the bud and we haven't seen any real problems.

You don't need to try and pick the lock if you go down there again. Just use these 4 numbers **** :t:

[DaveN]

Another few hours spent down Wyver Lane didn't produce anything too special. Sat in the hide for a while with nothing really happening, just a few Geese and Ducks, of note amongst them was one Teal. A little later on and three female/juvenile Goosander flew onto the main pool. Although females and juveniles are similar I was leaning towards them being young birds.

I counted 45 Black Headed Gulls on the main pool and 32 of them were a mixture of either juveniles or juveniles already moulting into first Winters.

As the sun was shining for once I went for a walk down the lane although it was eerily quiet down there today. An adult and a juvenile Kestrel the only thing that stuck out. A young Badger had recently been found dead on the lane and although I didn't see it, judging by the smell it wasn't far away.

Around the hide last week I had Whitethroats, Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings all feeding young but today there was just one adult Reed Bunting and 2 Chiff Chaffs.Hirundines are now moving through in good numbers but not many young birds around.

Plenty of Butterflies about enjoying the morning sunshine, Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns, Speckled Woods, Green-Veined Whites, Large Whites, Small Whites and 2 Commas.

Got talking to a chap down there who had 7 Kestrels in the air together last week, 5 and 2 and a Common Sandpiper yesterday.

[ColonelBlimp]

When the hide was open to the public it was often full of crap including syringes, used nappies, empty beer cans and just general rubbish. Also it was often attacked by vandals.

Surely that just adds to the atmosphere of the place! o:D

[DaveN]

Surely that just adds to the atmosphere of the place! o:D

Well the beer cans are all mine anyway so that doesn't bother me;) I recenlty had a bad experience with a used needle so I'm glad to see the back of them.

[DaveN]

One word...stunning. Got down Wyver around 09.30 to find some DWT volunteers on the reserve. If it had not been for the fact I had to write some bird notes down for July then I would probably have left.

Not a lot around for obvious reasons apart form some Hirundines moving through, 3 Stock Doves, Kestrel and some Greylags and Canadas.

Around 10.40 I looked out of the small hide window to the left and saw a Raptor heading straight towards me. Seeing a light colured head I initially thought Marsh Harrier. It then came closer and I realised It was an Osprey (my first in Derbyshire).

It then swooped down over the pool skimming the water but not really going for a fish. It then hovered several times over the pool and made several plunges into the pool without success. One attempt was made just in front of the hide giving me absolutely stunning views. After about 15 minutes it caught the attention of a Corvid who chased it around for a further 5 minutes before the Osprey drifted west.

Amazing to see and probably my best ever birding experience.
Attached are several not too good photos as it flew towards me and then one or two over the pool.

[Clive A]

Nah, that's a Buzzard!.....only kidding.
Great stuff,and brilliant that you got it on your patch, about time mind!

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane Bird Notes July 2009

Wildfowl this month include 2 Teal on 7th, 21st and 26th and 4
on 18th. A drake Gadwall on 9th, 15th and 18th and a female
on the 21st. 2 Tufted Ducks on 7th and 21st, 44 Mallards on 21st,
3 Female/juvenile Goosander on 28th. 110 Canada Geese on 21st
and 50+ Greylag Geese on 26th and 27th.

Raptors this month include a male Peregrine with prey on 8th,
7 Kestrels in the air on 17th including 5 together, a Sparrowhawk
on 27th. A Little Owl was heard calling on 7th.

Waders include c70 Lapwings on 7th rising to 300+on 27th, a Snipe
on 23rd and a Common Sandpiper on 27th.

A report of 300 Black-Headed Gulls on the 18th would probably be
a July record as these kind of figures are generally recorded in the
winter months. 42 was observed on 28th including 35 juveniles and
some already moulting into 1st winters. A single Lesser-Black Backed
Gull on 30th. 2 Common Terns made a brief stay on 30th.

Other records this month include 4 Grey Herons on 7th, 2 Linnet also
on 7th, 2 Stock Doves on 9th and 21st, 2 Sedge Warblers on 21st
and an adult feeding a youngster on 7th. A Kingfisher and a Green
Woodpecker on 7th and a male Great Spotted Woodpecker and a
juvenile on 21st.

[Daniel Martin]

Spent a few hours on the reserve yesterday morning, hoping the volunteers down there would mean we get another Osprey!
But no. The main pool was very quiet, with only a couple of Buzzards overhead as noteworthy (only!? - used to be really rare round here!)
Abandoned the hide due to limited viewing and walked to the far end of the lane - this turned up Green Woodpecker, a large post breeding Tit flock containing many young Coal Tits and a lovely Lesser Whitethroat fuelling up on blackberries - not a bird recorded often down here.
The fields beyond Lawn Cottage had been ploughed and attracted 6 Grey Herons, loads of LBB Gulls and a few GBB Gulls. Numerous attendant crows included 2 partial albinos.
Finally I stood and listened in the area where Sparrowhawks are known to be nesting. The young birds were calling incessantly at the adults, and when the adults returned they were encouraged off the nest. I had 4 together at one stage, and then saw a wonderful food pass as 2 females exchanged a fresh victim. There are at least 2 young females present - I saw adult male and female too.
An enjoyable few hours with only the odd dog to break the peace and quiet.

[DaveN]

Pity about the Osprey, Dan ;) Great news about the Sprawks having young. I'm not sure exactly where the nest is so can you let me know please? Via a PM if you like, cheers.

[DaveN]

A brief visit to Wyver Lane as I had my lad with me. Nothing on the main pool except 2 Grey Herons, c30 Mallards and a few Coots and Moorhens. c250 Lapwings in field between the two pools. A couple of distant Buzzards, and a Sparrowhawk as we were leaving. A Kingfisher perched briefly on the water mark post in front of the hide and a Willow Warbler was calling near the hide. Also 2 Stock Doves flew into trees by the river.

[michael23]

Had a walk down today, fairly quiet, but included, kestrel, buzzard, sparrowhawk, c50 greylag geese, 20 mallard, 10 coot, 2 heron, 3 cormorant, a few pied wagtails, plenty of juvenile bluetits, a willow warbler or chiffchaff (not decided yet!) calling around the hide, brightish and lost its tail! Around about 250 lapwing flew in about 16:30 (ish) Pretty much it really,
Dragonflies were represented by a lovely mature male southern hawker-didnt stay still long enough for a decent pic, a darter sp which is on the id thread, im a little unshore of this one.(see pic below)
Butterflies, Speckeled Wood c10, Gatekeeper c10, Painted Lady c5, Plus plenty of small and large whites,

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv283/michael23_photo/067crop.jpg

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv283/michael23_photo/063.jpg

[Clive A]

Had a walk down today, fairly quiet, but included, kestrel, buzzard, sparrowhawk, c50 greylag geese, 20 mallard, 10 coot, 2 heron, 3 cormorant, a few pied wagtails, plenty of juvenile bluetits, a willow warbler or chiffchaff (not decided yet!) calling around the hide, brightish and lost its tail! Around about 250 lapwing flew in about 16:30 (ish) Pretty much it really,
Dragonflies were represented by a lovely mature male southern hawker-didnt stay still long enough for a decent pic, a darter sp which is on the id thread, im a little unshore of this one.(see pic below)
Butterflies, Speckeled Wood c10, Gatekeeper c10, Painted Lady c5, Plus plenty of small and large whites,

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv283/michael23_photo/067crop.jpg

http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv283/michael23_photo/063.jpg

Female Common Darter for me Michael.

[michael23]

Hi clive, thanks for that, I have only ever seen the males,- as far as i can remember anyway.:-O

[DaveN]

Some half decent birds down Wyver Lane today. Around the main pool was 3 female/juvenile Mandarin which flew in just as I was leaving. c20 Teal, female Gadwall, Shoveler, 16 Greylag Geese, Little Grebe, 2 Grey Herons and a Cormorant.

A Sparrowhawk flew straight through upsetting 200+ Lapwings and 4 Buzzards were over the woods. A Kingfisher perched long enough on the watermark post for me to get some shots. 3 Stock Doves were on the wires near the river. Lots of Swallows and Housemartins moving down the valley and also 4 Swifts.

There were quite a few Warblers on the lane, mainly Chiff Chaffs and Willow Warblers but also a single Whitethroat. At the bottom of the lane a flock of 30+ Goldfinches were feeding on the thistles, many of them juveniles. In the distance a Kestrel was hunting over the fields and a flock of around 20 Starlings were also flying around.

A few photos attached. Apparently, the reason why the Kingfisher's bill is open is because it had just spat something out but I was adjusting the scope at the time and didn't see it do it.

[Mad_Sunday]

Were you able to take these photos from the hide and at what range were they taken?

Pete

[DaveN]

Were you able to take these photos from the hide and at what range were they taken?

Pete

All the photos were taken from the hide. The Kingfisher was on the post in front of the hide so I'd say that's about 12/13 yards. The other photos probably range between 20 and 30 yards.

[Mad_Sunday]

Thanks Dave, I'm going to join the Derbyshire WT so I'd like to visit this place occasionally.

Pete

[DaveN]

Not often I manage to get down Wyver at weekends but I thought i'd pop down for a few hours today. Literally 100's of Housemartins and a some Swallows feeding around the reserve plus a single Swift. I was thinking that with all the Hirundine activity I might get a Hobby but had to settle for a Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel.

Lots of Mallards plus two Shoveler, Tufted Duck and a few Teal. 3 Grey Herons, 3 Cormorants with one catching many fish in front of the hide including a Perch. 200+ Lapwings. A small flock of Long-tailed Tits around the hide plus a Willow/Chiff. A possible Meadow Pipit over and 2 Stock Doves.

[DaveN]

Popped down for an hour this afternoon. I wasn't really birding as I had the family with me but did see 15+ Teal, 15 BH Gulls, 10 Swallows, Shoveler, Goosander, lots of Mallards and several Grey Herons and Cormorants.

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane Bird Notes August 2009

Wildfowl counts for August include 3 Gadwall on 13th and a female most of the month, 3 'redhead' Goosander flew up river on 25th and a single 'redhead' on 31st, c20 Teal on 25th, 2 Shoveler on 29th and 3 female/juvenile Mandarin on 25th, 50+ Mallards on 29th, c50 Greylag Geese on 3rd. A single Little Grebe has been present on and off throughout the month.

An Osprey gave excellent views on 4th as it unsuccessfully made three attempts at catching a fish. The bird was around the reserve for around 20 minutes and eventually flew off west after catching the attention of a Crow. This is only one of a handful of records of Osprey for Wyver Lane and could well be the only record of a bird actually fishing here. The sighting also coincided with several other sightings in the county in early August. On the 11th, 4 Sparrowhawks were seen together and prior to this, young were heard calling from a known nestsite nearby. Buzzard sightings have been regular all month with 2 to 3 birds seen almost daily but 4 were seen on 25th.
A Hobby was seen on 17th.

With water levels being high all month the only species of Wader was Lapwing which were often found in the surrounding fields with 250 most days and c300 on 1st. An adult and a juvenile Common Tern were present on 5th and a probable Common Tern on 7th.

Several Willow/Chiffs have been feeding up along the lane including a Chiff Chaff in song on 25th, a Whitethroat on 25th and a Lesser Whitethroat on 11th.

16 Long Tailed Tits were counted on 11th, also 6 juvenile Coal Tits on 11th. 100's of Housemartins were feeding around the reserve on 29th and 15 Swallows on 31st, 4 Swifts on 25th a single Swift on the 29th could well be the last record until next year. A Green Woodpecker has been seen or heard most days, as has a Kingfisher. 3 Grey Herons on 13th and 29th, 3 Cormorants on 29th and 4 Stock Doves on 4th and 25th.

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane today produced 40 Teal, 4 Shoveler, Mandarin, Little Grebe, 3 Cormorants, 2 Grey Herons, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Stock Doves, 4 Mistle Thrush, 6 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 70 Mallards, 200+ Lapwings, Snipe, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, 6 Greylag Geese, lots of Swallows and Housemartins....all the above seen from the hide.

Took a walk down the lane where I encountered a tit flock which consisted of 20+ Long Tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tits and 10+ Willow/Chiffs.

[DaveN]

Received an email from a friend who had been down Wyver Lane yesterday evening. He had 60+ Teal, 70 Mallard, 3 Redhead Goosander and 4 Snipe. A male Sparrowhawk took a Blackbird, but the obvious highlight was 1000+ Swallows in a pre roost gathering. Must have been an awesome sight.

[DaveN]

Down Wyver today and it at times felt like winter with the first Wigeon on the main pool, and a cold NE wind to boot. Teal building up with 67 counted. Also about were 6 Shoveler, redhead Goosander, Tuftie, 3 Grey Herons, Cormorant, 14 BH Gulls, 1st winter Common Gull, 5 Snipe, 6 Stock Doves, 2 Mistle Thrush, 5+ Swallows, 5+ Housemartins, 3 Chiff Chaffs including singing.

Had a walk down the lane and there was a bit of a commotion coming from a large oak tree. Got my bins on it and there were 2 Sparrowhawks being hassled by 6 Magpies, at least 3 Jays and a few Jackdaws.

[DaveN]

Pleasant few hours down Wyver today. Very still and some warm sunny intervals. Around the main pool was 68 Teal, 60 Mallards, 5 Shoveler, 2 Goosander, drake Mandarin, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Cormorants, 5 Snipe, c50 Lapwing and Water Rail (first of the autumn). Still a few Hirundines knocking about in the shape of c40 Housemartins, c20 Swallows and one of the latest Sand Martins I've ever seen.

Also from the hide was a Green Woodpecker heard yaffling and then briefly in flight, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker, several Jays, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Buzzard, Mistle Thrush, Reed Bunting and 3 Starling.

Took a walk to the bottom of the lane where in the past some good migrants have been found, though unfortunately not by me. Plenty of Blackbirds and Tits down there, plus a Goldcrest, Wrens, Robins, 3 Siskins over and 2 Chiff Chaffs. A couple of Coal Tits were by the car as I was leaving.

[michael23]

as it has been confirmed, i thought i would put the link here to my chiffchaff pics.

http://s692.photobucket.com/albums/vv283/michael23_photo/Warblers/

[DaveN]

Down Wyver Lane today and the water levels are fairly low after the recent dry spell. There's some work being carried out down there at the moment with some heavy machinery on the upper pool developing some scrapes. They've also sorted out the drainage that affects the main pool. The only problem is, is that the big machine doing the work broke down at the weekend and has yet to be fixed.

Of note today: 67 Teal plus a dead female on the far side of the pool, 65 Mallard, 6 Shoveler, 4 Cormorant, 3 Grey Herons, 6 Snipe, Water Rail, 185 BH Gulls. Not often we get Gulls other than BHG so it was nice to see 29 Lesser Black Backed Gulls today. 10+ Swallows, 10+ Housemartins, Green Wood, Great Spot Wood, Jay, 2 Stock Doves, Chiff Chaff singing, Little Owl, 3 Grey Wags. A few flyovers including singles of Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Siskin.

I reckon Wyver is due a goodie soon. I reckon either a Glossy, Sabines, a good Wader or a rare Egret of some sort. You heard it here first.

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane bird notes September 2009

Wildfowl counts for September include 70+ Teal on 22nd, 120 Mallards on 19th and 12th, 2 drake Gadwall on 26th and 28th and a female on 1st and 5th, 3 female Goosander on 10th and 19th and 1 on 1st, 2 males on 22nd, 6 Shoveler on 15th and 29th, a female/juvenile Mandarin on 8th and a male on 19th, the only record of Wigeon was of a single bird on 15th. c100 Pink-footed Geese flew west on 27th. 9 Cormorants on 22nd, 4 Grey Herons on 19th. A single Liitle Grebe on 8th.

Raptors include 2 Buzzards regularly seen, Kestrel seen almost daily, 2 Sparrowhawks on 15th, a male on 1st and a male caught a Blackbird left of the hide on 10th. A Little Owl was heard calling on 29th.

Water Levels are now quite low after a very dry month but Waders have still been few and far between. c200 Lapwings recorded on several dates and Snipe numbers are slowly building up with a maximum of eight on 27th.

A 1st winter Common Gull was among the Black Headed Gulls on 15th, Black Headed Gulls peaked at 185 on 29th and 29 Lesser Black Backed Gulls also on 29th.

At least 5 Jays were seen on 15th, c20 Long-tailed Tits on 8th plus c10 Willow/Chiffs, 3 Chiff Chaffs on 15th including one singing, Chiff Chaff singing on 29th, a Whitethroat on 1st. Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker were both seen regularly throughout the month. 40 Housemartins on 19th, 20 Swallows on 19th and also 1 Sand Martin on 19th. 9 Swallows and 7 Housemartins on 29th. The Hirundine highlight was a 1'000 plus Swallows around dusk on 10th. A Water Rail on 19th, 28th and 29th, 4 Mistle Thrushes on 8th, 2 Stock Doves also on 8th, 3 Siskin on 19th and 1 on 29th, 22 Jackdaws on the island on 26th, 3 Grey Wagtails on 29th, and a Skylark and Meadow Pipit both over on 29th.

[DaveN]

A brief visit to Wyver this morning so I could get the bird notes done for September. A bit of disturbance due to a work party but still managed to see 3 Water Rails. One stayed still long enough by the water mark post for me to get a few photos, and 2 more were only a few feet apart on the far side. Who knows, there could well be more.

2 Sparrowhawks including close views of a female in front of the hide. 9 Snipe, singing Chiff Chaff, 3 Grey Wagtails and 4 Swallows.

[Daniel Martin]

very satisfying pics those mate...................low water could well mean they show reasonably well when foraging for food.
I have seen most in front of hide and also just across from layby in southern end of pool.
Hope the water remains low for a little longer - has the digger gone yet?

[DaveN]

very satisfying pics those mate...................low water could well mean they show reasonably well when foraging for food.
I have seen most in front of hide and also just across from layby in southern end of pool.
Hope the water remains low for a little longer - has the digger gone yet?

Cheers Dan, I was thinking the same thing about them showing well due to the low water levels. Let's hope there's something else lurking in the reeds that decides to show itself. The digger has been out of action since the weekend but they finally got it working again today. There was quite a big working party down there today putting in posts, strimming, mowing etc between the two pools. Still not entirely sure what they're doing though.

[Daniel Martin]

Called in this evening after work and it was bathed in warm sunshine. The work party were still around, and as I stood and chatted a Water Rail showed in the open for ten minutes at the south end. I scoped it for one of the guys - his first! We counted 22 Snipe around the perimeter, and had 4 Swallows and 2 HouseMartins. Also around were 8individual soaring Buzzards, plenty of Teal and 36 Wigeon.
We chatted about the new scrape and it sounds good with the excavated material being used to build a viewing mound.

[Clive A]

Like the sound of what is happening down there,that top pool has bags of potential to me, and a viewing mound is just what is needed. Great shots of the Rails Dave.

[DaveN]

Just an update on the work that is being carried out down Wyver Lane. I received an email from a friend who had been talking to the digger driver down there.

Went down to Wyver this evening what a smashing eveing.

Spoke with the digger driver, great chap.

Another 4 days work left to do he thinks.

The viewing mound is coming on but DWT decided today that it will be changed around so it will look different.

Apparently as edging to the platform they are not doing a sleeper edge like at Carr Vale but post and rail with hedging and planting infront of it (?) So it will take a while to mature and be quite open for a while.Also the ditches and troughs had been designed so from the mound you could look down them however with the alterations it we will now look off scue ...never mind!

We will be able to view the scrape too from outside the hide looking over the near corner of the scrape, and this is where the water vole bank has been built.

The scrape is certainly taking shape, it has been designed to hold water through the seasons with a series of ridges and troughs to maximise edge effect and therefore good feeding opportunities for waterbirds. Plenty of area for birds to patrol up and down. Within it at least 20 pools have been created so that what ever the water level there will be habitat available. Though quite a bit of it will not be viewable.

Max depths about 1.5 to 2 metres ( good to keep invertebrates going ) so in winter when it floods it will be a large open pool then as levels drop it will be classic scrape (fingers crossed)

As the guy has been digging he has come across field drains every 15 foot parallel across the field so they have now gone!
Some of the risings that have been used to cover the ''Garganey'' pools to provide level grazing, however I think the habitat created will compensate for their loss plus we may see a few pools develop as the risings slump ( I hope!!)

So things are looking good. I think Wyver could turn into quite a hotspot with these habitat improvements.( again we can hope!!)

[DaveN]

Beautiful October day today with a frosty start but later in the day the sun was quite pleasant and warm. The work is going well and would already have finished but for the starter motor packing up on the digger. They had to send off for the part from Germany and then wait 5 days for it to arrive.

Quite a good selection of birds today but a Jack Snipe is the obvious stand out bird. I scanned the muddy edges to the pool on the far side and picked out 12 Common Snipe. Then, in the left hand corner behind the island I spotted a Snipe sp and said to myself 'that's a bit short billed'. With the sun shining down, the yellow stripes on its back looked positively golden. I realised then that I was looking at a Jack Snipe, and my first for the county. Then It did what the two previous Jack Snipe I had seen never did.....the characteristic bobbing. It sat there for a while bobbing up and down like someone was controlling it on a piece of elastic. If I'd have known it was going to stay in the open for so long then I would have got a photo or two, but I was just so intent in watching the bird that I never even thought about getting a photo.

A Water Rail was seen on several occasions and could well have involved several birds. 135 Redwings in total including two flocks of 75 and 60. Other sightings include 2 juv Mute Swans, 200 Bh Gulls, 25 Lapwings, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, 3 Grey Herons, Cormorant, 4 Shovelers, Reed Bunting, Skylark over, Green Woodpecker, 20 Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, 3 Pied Wags, 2 Grey Wags, Jay and 62 Greylag Geese.

40 Species in total which I don't think is bad haul for Wyver Lane.

[Gomphus]

B****er I need Jack for Wyver, and I went past earlier and thought about calling late afternoon...... Figured it would be disturbed from works.....

Cheers

Steph'

[DaveN]

B****er I need Jack for Wyver, and I went past earlier and thought about calling late afternoon...... Figured it would be disturbed from works.....

Cheers

Steph'

Never mind, Steph;). There was no real point in putting it out at the time unless anybody was within a few hundred yards. The work is being carried out around the top pool so the main pool isn't really being affected. There has been some work on the main pool but that seems to have finished now.

[Clive A]

Well believe it or not, I need Jack Snipe for a lifer! Funny how I said, last time we were down there Dave, that we should check all the Snipe, never mind I will get one soon.

[DaveN]

Well believe it or not, I need Jack Snipe for a lifer! Funny how I said, last time we were down there Dave, that we should check all the Snipe, never mind I will get one soon.

Yeah I remember talking about it last tuesday morning. If only it was today you was down and not last week. Well at least we know there's Jack Snipe down Wyver so we can keep our eyes peeled now.

[Daniel Martin]

No Jack Snipe on view this morning, but great numbers of Common Snipe and a very showy Water Rail again - must be the best place in Derbyshire to see these right now? standing scoping them from the layby does not upset them at all.
Also had a Green Sand disturbed by the digger - will be keen to check the results which we hope to be any day, of the work completed.

[DaveN]

Good stuff, Dan. I'm pretty sure that's the first Green Sand down there this year. Ironically, I had a possible on the upper pool earlier in the year but I couldn't get enough on it and then it disappeared from view.

[DaveN]

This post is a little later than planned but I had a couple of hours down Wyver on thursday morning. The digger was still hard at it and should be finished quite soon. Around the reserve was 91 Teal which is an increase on recent numbers, 5 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon, 12 Snipe, Water Rail, 22 Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Cormorant, 62 BH Gull and a Common Gull. Attached is a photo of the progress of the viewing mound.

[Gomphus]

Well dipped Jack Snipe this pm.... but did see 26 Snipe, 2plus Water Rails, 90 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon plus other stuff... oh and a single female Goosander....

They were still working this PM with the digger... looks interesting doesn't it!

ATB

Steph'

[DaveN]

A good number of Snipe there, Steph. Shame you didn't see a Jack though ;).

Yep It's looking very interesting and I'm looking forward to seeing it when completed.

[Gomphus]

A good number of Snipe there, Steph. Shame you didn't see a Jack though ;).


Yes with that sort of number I really thought I was in with a chance...... still never mind, I enjoyed the Water Rails immensely!
Note the Glossy's are getting closer!!:-O

ATB

Steph'

[DaveN]

Well Steph, I've been saying for a while that we are going to get a 'goodie' down Wyver and Glossy Ibis has been mentioned. Mind you, so has around half of the birds in Collins:t:

What chance the Little Bittern making its way over from Leicestershire? Now that would be nice!

[DaveN]

Down Wyver for around 5 hours in total today. Didn't take long to pick up a couple of Water Rails and a dozen Snipe. When the rain set in, more and more Snipe came out onto the mud and I counted at least 27. At 09.05 a large Skein of c300 Pink feet were flying NW.

Around the main pool was 94 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 4 Wigeon, 53 Canada Geese, 2juv Mute Swans, 3 Grey Herons and 3 Cormorants.

Took a walk down the lane and all was pretty quiet apart from a few Blackbirds and some Blue and Great Tits. A couple of Linnets and a Skylark flew over calling. Walking back up the lane and a small flock of birds were flitting around the piles of mud that's been excavated by the digger. I got my scope on them and they were all Meadow Pipits....8 of them.

Got back in the hide and 6 Redwings were heading south. On the pool were 162 BH Gulls and 2 Lessers, 2 juv Mute Swans, a Pied Wag and a Grey Wag. A male Sparrowhawk flew through chasing a small Passerine but failed to catch its quarry. I looked up towards where I had the 8 Meadow Pipits and there were at least 20 birds flying around. I managed to scope them briefly and they all looked like Meadow Pipits.

[DaveN]

Not seen by myself but a Jack Snipe was again seen down Wyver today feeding at the south end of the main pool. Also 11 Common Snipe.

[DaveN]

Wasn't planning on going down Wyver today but decided to go down for a few hours. A bit more water around the main pool but still enough mud for some Waders. No Jack Snipe but 15+ Common Snipe and 2 Water Rails, also 62 Lapwings. Wildfowl of note was 6 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon and 60 Teal.

All the machinery that was working around the top pool has now gone so I guess the work is now completed. All that needs to be done is some hedge laying which I believe is being done this week. The lane was quite active today with lots of Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Robins, Tits, Wrens and a couple of Reed Buntings. The viewing mound is still just a huge pile of mud and clay so I presume there's still a bit more work to do on that. I did have a look from the top of it but I found that if you stand in one spot too long then you start sinking. I almost had to call out mountain rescue but managed to pull myself out.

A Meadow Pipit was feeding on the old tip and a Skylark flew over. Also a couple of Grey Wags were feeding in a shallow pool that has formed after the recent rain. Lots of small birds were flitting about and many stayed unidentified, although I did identify a flock of 15+ Siskins flying over.

Back to the hide and I managed to catch up with a male Stonechat posing well in front of the hide long enough to get a few photos. Singles of Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel and 58 Canada Geese the other birds noted.

What I did notice was a dead BH Gull on the pool and another BH Gull with a broken wing with a little blood on it. Can't be certain but I did wonder if someone's been down there taking pot shots at the birds. Anyway, I've attached a photo of the Gull and a couple of the Stonechat.

[Gomphus]

A brief visit this PM down Wyver Lane produced the usual fare.... Teal numbers seemed a bit down with 64 birds present along with 4 Wigeon, 5 Shoveler (3 males 2 females), 47 Lapwings, 25 plus BHG and 22 Snipe.... still no Jack tho'! A single Water Rail showed very well in the corner of the pool, enabling a bit of shaky video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5A5teP17kE

A pity was that I saw it very well about 3 times, and then just as a couple who really wanted to see it arrived it vanished. Sadly they didn't wait around long enough and strolled off up the lane...then predictably just after they got out of sight it showed again, and thats when I got the video!!.

3 Cormorants flew through and 2 Grey Herons showed well, one catching a quite large fish..... Also of note were a single Raven heading towards Crich Lane and a nice Grey Wagtail. Jays were very vocal today!

I was hoping to catch up with the Stonechat...but I reckon that was a bit disturbed by conservation work on going, with a few workers laying a hedge near the new scrapes and having a good fire going!

ATB

Steph'

[DaveN]

I think quite a few birds have been disturbed by the current work. It will all be worth it in the end though. I might nip down Wyver early in the morning. That Cattle Egret has to be somewhere and where better than Wyver?

Regarding the Jack Snipe. I got an email from Eddie and he reckons he had one on the 2nd opposite the hide but he only had his bins so couldn't be certain.

[Gomphus]

I think quite a few birds have been disturbed by the current work. It will all be worth it in the end though. I might nip down Wyver early in the morning. That Cattle Egret has to be somewhere and where better than Wyver?

Regarding the Jack Snipe. I got an email from Eddie and he reckons he had one on the 2nd opposite the hide but he only had his bins so couldn't be certain.

The Cattle Egret was my thought on heading down Wyver rather than Carsi yesterday, but no white carrier bags present:-O

Reckon I'll know those snipe by name soon..... all except the Jack of course;)

ATB
Steph'

[DaveN]

Well I couldn't get out this morning so I really hope the Egret isn't down there because I'll be kicking myself after missing out on the Great White in 2005.

[DaveN]

I see a Jack Snipe has been reported down Wyver again. One was seen on Thursday with 9 Common Snipe.

[Gomphus]

I see a Jack Snipe has been reported down Wyver again. One was seen on Thursday with 9 Common Snipe.

AAAARRRRGGGGGG.......

thats all I can say really:-O:-O:-O:-O:-O:-O

ATB

Steph'

[DaveN]

Your time will come, Steph. Although with the rain that is forecast it will put pay to any mud around the main pool so it will certainly limit any possible sightings.

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane Bird Notes October 2009

Wildfowl for October include 36 Wigeon on 1st (this figure is down on recent
years and was no doubt due to the ongoing work causing disturbance around
the upper pool area), 8 Shoveler on 7th, 94 Teal on 20th, 12 'redhead'
Goosander on 19th, 100 Mallard on 8th, 62 Greylag Geese on 13th, 58 Canada
Geese on 23rd. c300 Pink-footed Geese were flying North West on 20th, 2
juvenile Mute Swans have been present for most of the month. 3 Water Rails
were seen on 1st, 6 Grey Herons on 5th and 14th, and 9 Cormorants on 23rd.

8 individual Buzzards were in the air on 1st, 2 Sparrowhawks also on 1st with
singles of both male and female seen regularly, a Little Owl on 4th.

Because of a very dry month some good areas of mud formed so Waders have
been much easier to see. The highlight has been several records of a Jack
Snipe on 13th, 23rd and 29th. Common Snipe have been seen in good numbers
with a high of 30 on 15th and many other counts in the high twenties. A Green
Sandpiper on 14th, 68 Lapwings on 8th and a possible Dunlin heard on 14th.

Gulls this month include 200 Black-headed Gulls on 13th, 140 Lesser Black
Backed Gulls on 25th and a Common Gull on 15th.

The last of the Hirundines was 4 Swallows and 2 Housemartins on 1st. A Chiff
Chaff was singing on 1st. 50 Redwings on 12th and 135 on 13th, 3 Grey
Wagtails on 1st, 6 Pied Wagtails on 5th, 2 Stock Doves on 13th, 2 Green
Woodpeckers on 8th, 20 Long-tailed Tits on 13th, Skylark on 13th, 20th and
26th, 3 Goldcrests on 15th, a Stonechat on 23rd and 26th, 8 Meadow Pipits
on 20th, 2 Linnets on 20th, 15+ Siskin on 26th, 15 Goldfinches on 4th, 2 Jays
on 11th and a Treecreeper on 13th.

[DaveN]

Wyver highlights today....

Water Rail, 5 Shoveler, 9 Wigeon, 4 Grey Herons, 29 Lapwings, 89 Canada Geese, 95 BH Gulls, 8 LBBG, Common Gull, 2 Skylarks, 5 Reed Buntings, 5 Redwings, 2 Grey Wags, 2 Buzzards, and a Green Woodpecker.

No mud around the main pool owing to the recent rain so only one Snipe seen. The Lapwings were around the new design upper pool so at least when the main pool is full they have somewhere else to go. Looks like most of the work has now been completed apart from the actual viewing mound which is still just mud. I heard that they've got to wait until it solidifies before they can do something with it. Not sure how long so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The new viewing mound and screens.

[Clive A]

Wyver highlights today....

Water Rail, 5 Shoveler, 9 Wigeon, 4 Grey Herons, 29 Lapwings, 89 Canada Geese, 95 BH Gulls, 8 LBBG, Common Gull, 2 Skylarks, 5 Reed Buntings, 5 Redwings, 2 Grey Wags, 2 Buzzards, and a Green Woodpecker.

No mud around the main pool owing to the recent rain so only one Snipe seen. The Lapwings were around the new design upper pool so at least when the main pool is full they have somewhere else to go. Looks like most of the work has now been completed apart from the actual viewing mound which is still just mud. I heard that they've got to wait until it solidifies before they can do something with it. Not sure how long so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The new viewing mound and screens.

Better get yer wellies out mate!

[DaveN]

What I can't understand is, if it's just mud then how is it going to solidify?

[Clive A]

What I can't understand is, if it's just mud then how is it going to solidify?

I guess the water will gradually drain away, due to gravity? Wonder if they put some hard core under there? Looks like it will not be useable for a few months at least, more like next summer. How high is it?what do you recon the viewing will be like?

[DaveN]

I guess the water will gradually drain away, due to gravity? Wonder if they put some hard core under there? Looks like it will not be useable for a few months at least, more like next summer. How high is it?what do you recon the viewing will be like?

The mud might contain clay and silt that they have dredged from the top pool, that might harden over time. Not sure if they've put any hardcore under there. Don't know the exact height, maybe 4ft to 5ft but that's a guess. It should be high enough as I've had a quick look. The only problem I envisage is when the vegetation between the screen and the pool starts to shoot up next year.

[DaveN]

Not a bad day at Wyver today. Some half decent wildfowl on the main pool. Shelduck, 5 Pochard, 2 Gadwall, 2 Goosander, 2 Shoveler and 25 Teal. Also 4 Snipe, 3 Grey Herons, 3 Cormorants, Little Grebe and 33 Lapwings.

Quite a lot of common birds around the reserve including c100 Fieldfares over, c40 Goldfinches, 10 Redwings, 6+ Blackbirds, c5 Dunnocks, c5 Wrens, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Grey Wagtails, 2 Mistle Thrushes, Song Thrush, Bullfinch, Treecreeper and Green Woodpecker.

[DaveN]

Tough going today down Wyver but I guess that it comes with the territory of 'local patching'. Didn't get chance to walk down the lane due to the persistant rain so just sat in the hide for around 4 hours.

25 Teal, 3 Shoveler, 3 Goosander, 6 Wigeon, 8 Tufted Duck, 108 Canada Geese, 28 BH Gulls, c30 Fieldfare, 10 Redwings, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, 3 Snipe, c50 Lapwing, Water Rail heard, Reed Bunting, Little Owl and Grey Wagtail.

Scoping around the upper pool and I'm getting the impression that it could just be a smaller version of the main pool. The banks are quite steep and to me don't benefit anything. I'm not sure where all the channels and troughs are supposed to be but I can't see any around there. Only time will tell but my earlier optimism has faded slightly.