Cromford Canal, Derbyshire (1 Viewer)

[Clive A]

Thought I had better get down on the canal, so I cycled to Ambergate this morning.
Better news with the Little Grebes as I found 5 broods but all small 2,1,1,1,1.
8 broods of Coots as they continue to spread to all areas of the canal, 5 broods of Moorhen only.
2 broods of Tufted Duck one with 4 small young and another with 4 well grown.
A single Water Vole at HPJ, dismal phot attached!

 

[Clive A]

20 minutes on the meadows this morning, hoping for an early Hawfinch.
No Hawfinch, but I did have a Brambling over, they seem to be in good numbers this year. Also a couple of Peregrines soaring around over the river.

 

[Daniel Martin]

20 minutes on the meadows this morning, hoping for an early Hawfinch.
No Hawfinch, but I did have a Brambling over, they seem to be in good numbers this year. Also a couple of Peregrines soaring around over the river.

We tried late afternoon after the Ibis and got nothing either. Still Dipper on the river and Raven over but no Hawfinch. Did get Brambling under the trees, two with Chaffinches. They are around elsewhere so won't be long.
Should have done Wraggs but were freezing by then!

 

[DaveN]

SJR had a single Hawfinch at Upper Loads during vismigging yesterday morning.

 

[Clive A]

We tried late afternoon after the Ibis and got nothing either. Still Dipper on the river and Raven over but no Hawfinch. Did get Brambling under the trees, two with Chaffinches. They are around elsewhere so won't be long.
Should have done Wraggs but were freezing by then!

Dan, were the Brambling under the big beech in the car park? I only heard my bird, but it would be nice if they were feeding on the beech mast.

 

[Daniel Martin]

Yes Clive they were in the car park towards the rugby

 

[Clive A]

Yes Clive they were in the car park towards the rugby

Cheers Dan.

 

[Clive A]

First Hawfinch of the winter today, in the trees near the castle entrance, then dropped into the Yews to feed.

 

[Clive A]

Brief views of at least 5 Hawfinches yesterday.

 

[Clive A]

Had 10-12 Hawfinch fly down towards the station this morning, and then 1 showed briefly towards the cricket ground. Spoke to Roy Frost later today who had 11 flying towards the station so probably the same group.

 

[Clive A]

At least 7 Hawfinch in the area today, though very mobile. A few dodgy shots attached.

 

[Clive A]

At least 18 Hawfinch today, possibly as many as 20

 

[melodious]

Amazing numbers this year Clive, do you happen to have a breakdown of maximum numbers over the last few years? The most i've seen over the last few winters is 7 (in February '11) but i've not visited during this one yet.

 

[Clive A]

Amazing numbers this year Clive, do you happen to have a breakdown of maximum numbers over the last few years? The most i've seen over the last few winters is 7 (in February '11) but i've not visited during this one yet.

I don't have the exact numbers to hand, but a trawl back through this thread may help. Best I can offer is 2014-18, 2013-18, 2012-15?, 2011-15?, 2010-7, 2009-8 but I stand to be corrected. My own records have been some what sporadic of recent years.

 

[DaveN]

I don't have the exact numbers to hand, but a trawl back through this thread may help. Best I can offer is 2014-18, 2013-18, 2012-15?, 2011-15?, 2010-7, 2009-8 but I stand to be corrected. My own records have been some what sporadic of recent years.

There were at least 20 on March 10th last year.

 

[Clive A]

There were at least 20 on March 10th last year.

Cheers Dave, very difficult this morning only saw a max of 3 together. However 2 Sparrowhawks sunning themselves in the trees didn't help.

 

[melodious]

Thanks Clive and Dave, higher numbers then I realised of late. Hopefully I'll be able to pop down and connect with them at some point soon

 

[Duckwoman]

Is it worth trying for hawfinch tomorrow? Rain forecasted. I'll be coming from Leeds so don't want to travel if not likely

 

[Clive A]

Is it worth trying for hawfinch tomorrow? Rain forecasted. I'll be coming from Leeds so don't want to travel if not likely

Hi Linda, given the weather it might be worth holding back. Moderate visibility this morning followed by rain this afternoon, so not great conditions. They should still be present for another 6 weeks or so.

 

[Duckwoman]

Hi Linda, given the weather it might be worth holding back. Moderate visibility this morning followed by rain this afternoon, so not great conditions. They should still be present for another 6 weeks or so.

Thanks Clive, I suspected that might be the case. We'll try another day