Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)

[James_Owen]

I went to Ogston 2 weeks back, and heard a chiffchaff, a few days later, someone saw it. So I was the first person to hear the first chiffchaff of the year there, which was a great. Chiffchaff seem to be coming earlier and earlier to Britain every year I've noticed.

I had a chiffchaff last year in my garden, which stayed for a few weeks, I hope it comes back this year, so I can take some photographs.

I'm so glad I can get to do some photography for a couple of days, now I'm off school, and I don't have any more coursework, which is nice. Any advice on local rarities including local waxwing observations would be great.

Thanks

The received wisdom as I get it is that these early Chiffchaffs are probably birds that wintered in Britain, rather than the true migrants, and I'm sure somebody knows more about it.
Seems that we don't have them over-wintering much in Derbyshire yet though. Can hardly blame them.

 

[Gomphus]

usually get a winter chiffy in my garden most years....but not this one sadly.

i recorded a singing bird at carsi in mid spring once with colour rings...it had been rung in wilts in the winter..

anna the wwings were at cutthorpe this morning

cheers

 

[mooskibaby]

I went to Cutthrope today around midday, but didn't see one. Is it best to see them in the morning do you think?

 

[Gomphus]

1 there at 1pm it said on pager...
there were 4 this am...might be worth ago in morning...

Cheers

 

[mooskibaby]

So if I went at say errmm, 8.00am, do you think I would have a better chance of seeing them, that at midday?

I've heard they're reasonably tame, is this true?

 

[mooskibaby]

Waxwing - Thanks

Hi everyone, thanks for all the help with the waxwings. I failed trying to find them yesterday at midday, saw thought I'd try early in the morning. So I arrived at 8.00am to be greeted by one at 8.15. There was only one present, but I got an amazing view of it, as well as some great pictures. I managed to get only a couple of meters away from it, so I had a great view.

People kept stopping by asking what I was looking at and I told them, I think they were a little shocked. People who aren't bird watchers, don't realise that the UK, has got a lot of very handsome birds.

After Cutthorpe I went onto Linacre Reservoirs, where I saw approx. 26 whooper swans, and 5 goosanders (4 female, 1 male).

 

[NickPatel92]

Will you be posting any of your pics on your Blog - Waxwings are one of my top Birds!

 

[Gomphus]

Hi everyone, thanks for all the help with the waxwings. I failed trying to find them yesterday at midday, saw thought I'd try early in the morning. So I arrived at 8.00am to be greeted by one at 8.15. There was only one present, but I got an amazing view of it, as well as some great pictures. I managed to get only a couple of meters away from it, so I had a great view.

People kept stopping by asking what I was looking at and I told them, I think they were a little shocked. People who aren't bird watchers, don't realise that the UK, has got a lot of very handsome birds.

After Cutthorpe I went onto Linacre Reservoirs, where I saw approx. 26 whooper swans, and 5 goosanders (4 female, 1 male).

Cool Anna...glad you got one eventually...thoses Whoopers are a good number for Derbyshire too!

Cheers

 

[mooskibaby]

Yes I did get some pictures here are the ones of the waxwing, but they are not very good. I have some other pictures of birds I saw yesterday on my blog, have a look if you want.

 

[Gomphus]

Yes I did get some pictures here are the ones of the waxwing, but they are not very good. I have some other pictures of birds I saw yesterday on my blog, have a look if you want.

I don't know about them not being very good...they look ok to me!B

Will take a spin over to your blog later!!

Cheers

 

[mooskibaby]

Thanks Gomphus, I've got some pictures of the whooper swans on there, as well as a goldeneye.

 

[mooskibaby]

I went to Carsington Waters on Saturday, and saw a flock of about 50 Barnacle Geese, and a few goldeneye.

I hear the Great Northern Diver is still present, yet I have still not managed to see it yet. I've been told because it's an adult bird, it gets around a lot more, compared to last year where there was a young bird, which just stayed around the area of the dam wall, which is why the bird was easier to see last year.

 

[Mark Harper]

Great Norther Diver was still present this morning at Carsington, directly opposite Lanes End hide, but close to the far bank so not very good for photography. There were several Bullfinches at the feeding station though that were really photogenic.

Mark

 

[peter hill]

great northern still there mid afternoon seen from the paul stanley hide but much further down in the middle , then got moved by a boat

 

[James_Owen]

I went to Carsington Waters on Saturday, and saw a flock of about 50 Barnacle Geese, and a few goldeneye.

I hear the Great Northern Diver is still present, yet I have still not managed to see it yet. I've been told because it's an adult bird, it gets around a lot more, compared to last year where there was a young bird, which just stayed around the area of the dam wall, which is why the bird was easier to see last year.

The most reliable spots for me have been either out of the right window of the WLC looking over the tip of Horseshoe Island, or scanning N/NW from Stones Island, which is basically the same area of water but from different angles. That said, as you are aware, it could turn up almost anywhere around the water.

 

[mooskibaby]

Diver

I have been quite a few times now to look for the Great Northern Diver, but I have never succeeded. The next tactic maybe to walk around the reservoir, and to enjoy a lovely walk, lovely scenery and to also look for the Diver.
I think it is more luck than anything though. You can guarantee if you went looking for a specific you wouldn't see it, if you went to generally go bird watching you would have a good chance of seeing that. That's how it usually works for me.

 

[Daniel Martin]

Lesser Peckers in Allestree Park, Derby

3 Lesser Peckers showed well near the bottom lake yesterday a.m. They were calling, drumming and displaying in the top of ash trees. Early is best before the dogs turn up, and try soon for this County rarity as once in leaf they will be impossible to see (couple of weeks perhaps?).

Also present Willow Tit, Green Pecker, GS Pecker, Nuthatch and Treecreeper, Mandarin on top lake (island) and Raven over. Also 6 Buzzards seen in the locality on route and return, and two Little Owls in Duffield.

 

[Clive A]

Good day at Carsington today,Osprey through past Sheepwash,12 Common Scoters, Med.Gull,Sand Martin,GN Diver.

 

[dan pointon]

Hi all,

Should be doing Allestree Park tomorrow morning; first light. I realise Daniel has had Lesser Pecker near the lower lake, but are there any favoured areas?

Also hope to do Willington GPs after; does anyone know which of the many pits the 'Canal Pit' is, and how to get there?

Cheers

Dan

 

[Richard Powell]

Hi Dan

I've never found this Canal pit at Willington myself, but I think I have an idea where it is. Heading to Willington GP from the village, I do know there is drive/parking area on the right before the metal works and meadow lane, and I think you'll be able to walk down that way. I assume the Canal pit is along that way somewhere.

I would say turn right from Meadow Lane where the DWT sign is, and I think that would be the way to it as well. However, there is now a "no entry" sign there. This all might make more sense when you're there!

Richard