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Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)

DaveN

Derwent Valley Birder
Some good birds on site at Carsington yesterday. Aswell as the Red Kite there was 4 GN Divers, adult Kittiwake, Whooper Swan, 24 Barnacles, 16 Goldeneye, 9 Curlew, 8 Oystercatchers, Redshank, Stonechat, 3 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, 3 Ravens, 80 Lapwings, 900 Common Gulls.
 
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DaveN

Derwent Valley Birder
One of the Bitterns was showing well yesterday afternoon in the reeds opposite the hide. There were some decent counts of wildfowl.16 Wigeon, 49 Teal, 6 Gadwall, 5 Mandarin, 2 Shelduck, Pochard,11 Tufted Duck and 14 Goosanders. There were 3 Buzzards up and 2 poss 3 Sparrowhawks. Also of note was 3 Oystercatchers, Water Rail and 3 Ravens.
 

DaveN

Derwent Valley Birder
Last night the mrs had up to 150 Pied Wagtails on the roofs of De Bradelei and the methodist church in Belper. This was around 17.45 so there could have been more come in as it was still quite light then. Not sure where they roost and does anybody know if this is a historical roost or not.
 

Daniel Martin

Well-known member
Got a call from Dave this morning at Wyver as he had a Kite over the wood opposite me, so I legged it down the path to a clearing, calling Richard as I did. Fortunately he was walking Fly in the same wood so joined me ten seconds later! We scanned but to no avail - we could see Dave but that was scant consellation! It seems the crows drove it off over the top.
In a short period we had several Buzzards, female Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and then the male Peregrine appeared just overhead. We watched him circle for a moment and then set off at pace up the valley looking keen on something.
Kites seem to occur at this time more readily than other months in this part of the Derwent Valley so it was a shame to miss this one but there will be others. Last spring there were several sightings with one even turning sharp left down the cul de sac next to us at roof top level! It would be nice to see these wanderers stop a while longer....

We mused at how relatively fortunate we now are with raptors here - Buzzards are taken for granted, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk every day birds, Peregrine still a treat but can be seen daily and Kites getting more numerous........Hobby back soon and a couple of other rares in the mix make for exciting times locally.
 

DaveN

Derwent Valley Birder
Had a call from Mark this morning at 10.10 about a probable Lesser Scaup at Oggie. They were 99.99% sure it was one but wanted to see it flap or have a fly. Luckily it flapped to show white secondaries fading to greyish primaries where Greater Scaup would show all white in the wing. A cracking find and a first for the county. Tried a few digiscoped shots and these two are the best.
 

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Steve Lister

Senior Birder, ex County Recorder, Garden Moths.
United Kingdom
I think that black wedge on the upper back makes it a first-winter/summer bird - we had a similar bird in Leicestershire a few years ago. Leics/Rutland has had eight by the way so it is certainly time Derbyshire had one.

Steve
 

Davebutterflyman

Well-known member
What a brilliant bird! Well captured shots Dave and Dan. Will try and get there, possibly tomorrow if it is still about.

Some decent activity seen from the back garden this afternoon including a Red Kite being mobbed by a Raven (about twenty or so mins ago) in the direction of Crich Woods. Also 3 Common Buzzards and a male Spar.
 

Dint See It

Well-known member
hello, i'm hoping to get to ogston tomorrow to see the lesser scaup, i've never been before and i was hoping to get info on which area of the res is chapel bay and general birding for the area, is it possible to see the scaup without a scope.

Thanks Paul
 
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Papa 10

Miserable Old Git
hello, i'm hoping to get to ogston tomorrow to see the lesser scaup, i've never been before and i was hoping to get info on which area of the res is chapel bay and general birding for the area, is it possible to see the scaup without a scope.

Thanks Paul

PM Sent:t: papa
 

Gomphus

Well-known member
Got to say thanks to Dan for the call this am... we were away with friends overnight (I hadn't read my pager for ages!) and were supposed to stay today too, but all that went out of the window at the news of the LScaup! We got stuff done and after a quick drive home we arrived in time to see the bird late on, brilliant views as it mostly snoozed with the Tufteds in Chapel Bay. The light was not brilliant though for snapping! We stopped to scan the gulls and Richard Lowe and Bridget arrived, needless to say it was very shortly after Richard found a Med in the roost but then play was abruptly halted by a hail storm!

Vid... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcNNb7tq1NY

Steph'
 

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Daniel Martin

Well-known member
I think that black wedge on the upper back makes it a first-winter/summer bird - we had a similar bird in Leicestershire a few years ago. Leics/Rutland has had eight by the way so it is certainly time Derbyshire had one.

Steve

Credit to Steve Mann as he called it as first winter LS straight away, but was conscious that the hybrid bird was still present and having seen that for weeks it was something that needed to be 100%. When we got there only a few had gathered waiting to confirm it so it wasn't on the pagers.
It had flown from its original place at the south end and settled in Chapel Bay giving good views as all these photos show.
It was interesting that some didn't dash up for it straight away as they were still reasonably happy about the Swarkestone bird years ago - it didn't get accepted but not everyone agreed the decision, and you have to make your own mind up.
I saw that but haven't got any photos - has anyone else? Steph?

I know Richard Lowe doesn't post on here but if he can be persuaded to load his footage I unfortunately talk all over it with a "Steve Mann story".......one not for the faint hearted!
 

Gomphus

Well-known member
Credit to Steve Mann as he called it as first winter LS straight away, but was conscious that the hybrid bird was still present and having seen that for weeks it was something that needed to be 100%. When we got there only a few had gathered waiting to confirm it so it wasn't on the pagers.
It had flown from its original place at the south end and settled in Chapel Bay giving good views as all these photos show.
It was interesting that some didn't dash up for it straight away as they were still reasonably happy about the Swarkestone bird years ago - it didn't get accepted but not everyone agreed the decision, and you have to make your own mind up.
I saw that but haven't got any photos - has anyone else? Steph?

I know Richard Lowe doesn't post on here but if he can be persuaded to load his footage I unfortunately talk all over it with a "Steve Mann story".......one not for the faint hearted!


I hear Steve came out of this find better off too... the Ogston sweep!

Dan I have video on the Swarkstone bird, but no stills. From the get go I wasn't totally happy with it, for various reasons, hence I took a lot of video. But I must admit I still don't know how much variability there is in Lesser Scaup over in the USA. It was nice to see a "proper job" in Derbys!

I'll try to find the video....

Steph'
 

Mossfool

Member
Yes, unfortunately it wasn't to be seen around 10.30 this morning, despite me trying to wishfully convince a few tufties about their identity. The hybrid was still around.
Good pics from Steph & Clive though.
 

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