[Daniel Martin]

Originally Posted by Daniel Martin

Quite a Squacco adventure this morning! Arrived to find a few red faces, no bird and a fisherman scratching his head on the phone to plod looking at his gear in the middle of the river! I am sure a couple of the blogs will do the story justice, Inc photos, so will leave it at that for the time being.......
Went in search of the bird and eventually it flew past four of us and I saw it head back into the sailing club area.....mentioned this to those waiting on the bridge and to his credit Dunny scoured the banks and refound it roughly where I saw it land. So we could scope it there too.
No doubt about it flying Derbyshire side of the river so for those a little reluctant to go it IS a Derbyshire bird as well as a Notts one from time to time! And anyway it's a bloody good bird inland.

Mr Frost is now back on level terms with Mr Key in the County race!

Richard reliably informs me that Mr Frost now has top slot back again. It was a brief moment of triumph for Rodney after all. My mistake.

[Daniel Martin]

Picture attached of the scene that greeted us.........up turned fishing trolley and no Heron!

Poetic justice would have been to see the Heron perched on the wheel later on! and thinking about a certain blog I am quite sure there will be a doctored photo to that effect later................

Thanks to RT for the pic.

Its been fishing in the same spot today.

[Gomphus]

Got it wrong earlier the bird needs to be up to the left and on the left hand bank to be in Derbys! Still it does do this occasionally, the OS map shows it as being a straight bit of river but it actually kinks left before turning back towards the sewage farm!

ATB

Steph'

[Gomphus]

Right pleased today to have caught up with the Squacco as yesterday resulted in a dip! We arrived just after the bird had flown off towards the Trent! Spent a while looking on Barton Island to no avail so came home to listen the football... at least that cheered me up.

Fresh, if late start today saw me arrive on site to see the bird fishing then it flew left up the stream before hopping over to both sides before returning to fish on the small patch of green by the tunnels.

Attached should be a shot from earlier...

ATB

Steph'

[knotsbirder]

Originally Posted by Daniel Martin

Yes must have Sam.....were you talking to Glyn at one stage? I was here fisrst thing til afternoon so must have crossed paths. We baled out after the sailing club had kindly granted access and thought we had perhaps done enough. It was just good seeing everyone and having the crack - must have known 90% of those there so a lot to catch up on. Most local lads but Archie came up from Staffs. We did Lesvos with a few Notts lot a couple of years ago and not seen then since.

I think the best bet will be first light again as I bet it fishes the same spot before any fishing lot turn up. It was pulling loads of reasonable size fish from there.

Chris - I was supposed to be back by 11 so yes recommend blagging it! It's
cost me a few hours shopping but well worth it. Most wives just don't get it do they??!

Yep that was me! May I ask which one you were?

Thanks, Sam

PS - A few pics

[Daniel Martin]

I was with Glyn for a while (hard not to be when the text jokes need reading out at the top of his voice.....), and Richard Taylor, Des and Dave......also with Steve Dunn and Mike Feely when Steve found it again in the boats. Blue JW hoodie under a black Rab gillet, Leicas and a Swaro scope slung badly over me shoulder............if thats no good I will wear a red rose in my hair next time......!

For the locals, had a wander through Crich Lane woods late yesterday afternoon and it was remarkably quiet. I couldnt locate the tit flock so decided to hurry up to Bessalone before the sun set to see if anything was still moving. On the way up I noticed some Mipits dropping out of a sycamore into the recently harvested field on the right. I stood and watched where they landed and as I tried to count them in the stubble noticed a few Grey Partridge heads poking out. Maybe the birds I had flying down the lane were local after all? I got to 6 then a Jack Russell wandered in to view and they were up - over 20 in all. They flew up towards the water works and over the other side. Also here were 3 Yellowhammer which I havent noticed before. The field is obvioulsy providing food and will be worth keeping an eye on.
RT was in the wood apparently photographing fungi so I dashed back but couldnt find him. I went back up to the water works and scanned the fields beyond but with no joy - they had cattle in them and another dog walker so I dont know where they settled. They are getting less and less common locally so a decent group for anyone wanting a look.
Checked the tall sycamores right on the hill top - they must have something good one day!?

[Gomphus]

For anyone interested I looked up the historic Derbyshire Squacco record and it was shot on the banks of the Dove on 17th May 1874 according to Roy Frosts excellent book!

Might have to take a walk up Bessalone by the sounds of it, not see local Grey Partridge for a good while and that field sounds promising.....

Keep searching my garden tit flock but nothing good yet! Immature female Sparrowhawk dropped in today though.

ATB

Steph'

[Daniel Martin]

Originally Posted by Gomphus

For anyone interested I looked up the historic Derbyshire Squacco record and it was shot on the banks of the Dove on 17th May 1874 according to Roy Frosts excellent book!

Might have to take a walk up Bessalone by the sounds of it, not see local Grey Partridge for a good while and that field sounds promising.....

Keep searching my garden tit flock but nothing good yet! Immature female Sparrowhawk dropped in today though.

ATB

Steph'

You took some persuading to go and Squacco!! Played it very cool, and I assume you weren't around to see the first!!!! Glad to hear Rolands had a wander down for it too.

By the way, GG Shrike today at Wraggs (has been a few days) 11.05 am and one at Leash Fen 12.13pm.
Is it just me or do we have two birds on the moors? As the Wraggs one seems loyal to the spot it's possible there is another at Leash although it's quite possible to get fly there in the 40 mins.........

[Gomphus]

Originally Posted by Daniel Martin

You took some persuading to go and Squacco!! Played it very cool, and I assume you weren't around to see the first!!!! Glad to hear Rolands had a wander down for it too.

By the way, GG Shrike today at Wraggs (has been a few days) 11.05 am and one at Leash Fen 12.13pm.
Is it just me or do we have two birds on the moors? As the Wraggs one seems loyal to the spot it's possible there is another at Leash although it's quite possible to get fly there in the 40 mins.........

Now, now Dan I may be going grey but I'm not that old. I almost played it too cool Thanks for the text message, I would not have gone if you hadn't sent it as I still thought it was in Notts.....Got quite down on Saturday when it had buggered off. Mind you I was in good company in forgetting the county boundary factor, Mark Beevers was dipping too on Saturday having realised late as well. I assume he now has it too!

It was great to see Roland yesterday too and its always nice to exchange stories of the good old days too etc I know he browses our musings so he'll see this!

I was thinking we must have 2 GGShrikes as there seemed to be 2 yesterday too? However it always seems they do move around an awful lot up there and like you say a shrike can fly quite a way in 40mins

Steph'

[Clive A]

Definitely 2 GGS, me and Dave saw both today within an hour or so. Infact Mr Frost informed us there is a third one in the county, by the Grouse Inn near Froggatt.

[DaveN]

Yes as Clive says definitely 2 Great Grey Shrikes. We were watching the one at Wraggs Quarry and then drove around to Leash where RAF and TK were watching the other. The Whinchat is still present around Harland Edge area. If it's still present tomorrow there can't have been many November records of Whinchat.

Carsington was fairly quiet. 2 Yellow legged Gulls, 8 Golden Plover, 10 Dunlin, 4 Skylarks, Grey Wag, Buzzard, Kestrel and 2 Raven.

[michael23]

can anyone link to wraggs quarry on google maps? Also is the squacco still around? And is there much walking needed to see it?

[ChrisLuv]

Originally Posted by michael23

can anyone link to wraggs quarry on google maps? Also is the squacco still around? And is there much walking needed to see it?

The Squacco was showing well this morning, feeding lots (the outlflow it favours is teeming with fish), just on the Notts bank of the river. I parked on one of the laybys on the road into Attenborough just past the railway crossing, then walked along the rough track by the railway for 5 mins (roughly 500-700m) before reaching the sailing club. It isn't much further from the main car park.

The clocks going back and clear skys helped with photography so I'll post some tonight.

Its well worth the trip assuming it sticks around and continues to show as well as this. Also at times I had it to myself, which makes a change from Saturdays throng.

[michael23]

Thanks Chris, we were going to this am, but there road accidents causing heft delays, so will have to wait now.

[Daniel Martin]

Wraggs is SK2866 - not much to look at from the road by the way.

Took the dog round the patch again this morning - quite a few Skylarks heading west towards Dave at Wyver this morning, but high up. Mipits still in the field and now 4 Yellowhammers. No sign of the Grey Partridge but then I dont let my dog in there! could well be still low down. A couple of Buzzards loafing about and Jay numbers building up.

[michael23]

Thanks, will have a look where it is.

[ChrisLuv]

Glad the Squacco stuck around, thought I'd post my dubious quality pictures here as its still relevant given its on the border and the Notts thread already has some pics in the last thread. The sun was still very low, though better than I thought it could be, hence the over processed look, so apologies.

P.S> some better shots on the EVW site posted by Don, worth checking out: http://www.erewashvalleywildlife.org...0/its-squacco/

[ChinaBirds]

Some shots of the bird and its admirers

Cheers
Nick

[ChrisLuv]

Originally Posted by ChinaBirds

Some shots of the bird and its admirers

Cheers
Nick

Awesome pics

[Clive A]

Originally Posted by ChrisLuv

Awesome pics

I assume you mean the ones of the crowd, me and Dave are on the last one.

[DaveN]

Originally Posted by Clive A

I assume you mean the ones of the crowd, me and Dave are on the last one.

So we are p

[jaykay]

wow, I've been unable to get out and look at the Squacco yet, but must thank those of you who have posted in regards to it, they have kept me very well entertained. Here's hoping another will come along one day and I'll get to see that one

cheers
Jeanette

[DaveN]

Squacco showing well again this morning. But unlike Tuesday I just had it perched in a bush........in derbyshire

[Clive A]

Originally Posted by DaveN

Squacco showing well again this morning. But unlike Tuesday I just had it perched in a bush........in derbyshire

Nice one Dave, I'm claiming it for Derbys too.

[Clive A]

Originally Posted by DaveN

Squacco showing well again this morning. But unlike Tuesday I just had it perched in a bush........in derbyshire

Good stuff mate.