Clive A
Well-known member
Following a recent(9 th Jan) failed trip to my local patch, Carsington Water,when I was fogged off, I decided to try a walk at lower level where visibility was better. I chose my village of Cromford, and decided to try the area around the church, which is well known by birders as a prime area for Hawfinch. Peering through the gloom however, does not produce one on this occassion.Feeling somewhat downcast I decide to move on to an area of the canal further down, namely the area between the sewage works on the Lea road, and Gregory tunnel.
My mood begins to lift as I get out of the car as an unseen Great Tit competes with a similarly invisible Coal Tit for singing rights..Teacher, Teacher,Teacher....Weecho,Weecho,Weecho.In a nearby Alder tree a small group of Siskins hang silently, probing for seeds, and from the bridge over the river Derwent the slow almost warbler like notes of a Dipper can be heard. I stop a while, as the Dipper perches on a large rock, before plunging into the fast flowing water almost disappearing below the rapids, before returning to its perch.
On the canal a group of 5 Little Grebes are immediately visible,along with a few Moorhens. I make a mental note to count the numbers of both of these birds, which are common along the canal. The usual Blue/Great and Coal tits are seen in the trees around High Peak Junction (the area where the canal meets up with the former High Peak Railway) also a group of about 20 Long tailed tits make their presence known, si,si,si..trr,trr,trr.
Onwards past the Leawood Pumping Station, where water was pumped into the canal from the Derwent,and over the aquaduct which carries the canal over the river.Nuthatch and Great spotted Woodpecker are added to the list in this area, along with Dunnock, Wren and Robin. The canal itself also has good numbers of Mallards,the males looking splendid with their metallic green heads- maybe I should have counted these,as they are more numerous than the Little Grebes and Moorhens (8 of each at this point).
As I reach Gregory tunnel (a 42 yards long plunge into darkness, where the makers of the canal cut through an outcrop) the harsh tones of a Jay can be heard, and through the other side a Green Woodpecker is heard on the fields over the canal. Little Grebes 13, Moorhens 13 a high scoring draw, and as I look on the fields behind me 13 Wood Pigeons are feeding on some unknown morsels. The number 13 proves unlucky as I promptly knock my new flask off a bench, where it shatters on a discarded fence post!
I don't feel unlucky though as I retrace my steps, I decide I must come down here more often as the sense of history and the bird life has lifted my mood. The birds seen are not mega rarities,but it has been an enjoyable day, one I hope to repeat at least monthly to show the changing seasons. I recount the Grebes and Moorhens on the way back, with a score of 15-14 to Little Grebes, maybe my luck has changed? Fifty Redwing are in the trees around the car park and a Grey Heron is on the fields near the river.
I decide to try for a Hawfinch again as I drive towards the Church, and immediately pick one in flight, and get brief views of it perched, before it once more disappears.
More in February, hopefully.
My mood begins to lift as I get out of the car as an unseen Great Tit competes with a similarly invisible Coal Tit for singing rights..Teacher, Teacher,Teacher....Weecho,Weecho,Weecho.In a nearby Alder tree a small group of Siskins hang silently, probing for seeds, and from the bridge over the river Derwent the slow almost warbler like notes of a Dipper can be heard. I stop a while, as the Dipper perches on a large rock, before plunging into the fast flowing water almost disappearing below the rapids, before returning to its perch.
On the canal a group of 5 Little Grebes are immediately visible,along with a few Moorhens. I make a mental note to count the numbers of both of these birds, which are common along the canal. The usual Blue/Great and Coal tits are seen in the trees around High Peak Junction (the area where the canal meets up with the former High Peak Railway) also a group of about 20 Long tailed tits make their presence known, si,si,si..trr,trr,trr.
Onwards past the Leawood Pumping Station, where water was pumped into the canal from the Derwent,and over the aquaduct which carries the canal over the river.Nuthatch and Great spotted Woodpecker are added to the list in this area, along with Dunnock, Wren and Robin. The canal itself also has good numbers of Mallards,the males looking splendid with their metallic green heads- maybe I should have counted these,as they are more numerous than the Little Grebes and Moorhens (8 of each at this point).
As I reach Gregory tunnel (a 42 yards long plunge into darkness, where the makers of the canal cut through an outcrop) the harsh tones of a Jay can be heard, and through the other side a Green Woodpecker is heard on the fields over the canal. Little Grebes 13, Moorhens 13 a high scoring draw, and as I look on the fields behind me 13 Wood Pigeons are feeding on some unknown morsels. The number 13 proves unlucky as I promptly knock my new flask off a bench, where it shatters on a discarded fence post!
I don't feel unlucky though as I retrace my steps, I decide I must come down here more often as the sense of history and the bird life has lifted my mood. The birds seen are not mega rarities,but it has been an enjoyable day, one I hope to repeat at least monthly to show the changing seasons. I recount the Grebes and Moorhens on the way back, with a score of 15-14 to Little Grebes, maybe my luck has changed? Fifty Redwing are in the trees around the car park and a Grey Heron is on the fields near the river.
I decide to try for a Hawfinch again as I drive towards the Church, and immediately pick one in flight, and get brief views of it perched, before it once more disappears.
More in February, hopefully.