Derbyshire County Birding (4 Viewers)

[Daniel Martin]

Likewise Kev; have you got Papa organised to visit?
We were ready to leave having watched it for sometime but then it was flushed by a micro light and looked to be gaining height to depart north. We lost it briefly but thought it had landed in a real marshy area with long tussock grass - couldn't see it but Richard and Bridget arrived so having chewed the far for a while tried to relocate it to the north. As often happens two non birders wandered up after an hour and asked about a "wader" they had seen back where we originally watched it. I showed them my pics and that was it, it had somehow snook back. So still there at 8.20 and looked set to roost.

 

[Papa 10]

Likewise Kev; have you got Papa organised to visit?
Yes he did Dan, Had an early morning text from Sonny Jim informing me it was still there so put my sulks to one side (I spent 3 hours there, mostly sat on the wooden footbridge late afternoon Sunday, then it turns up Monday) and went straight down to site. Ro:t:

 

[DaveN]

A birder reported seeing what he thought was a Glossy Ibis circling the Wildlife Centre at Carsington yesterday morning. He wasn't 100% but it now gives more weight to the sighting with the one at Erewash.

The adult G.N.Diver was still at Carsington yesterday. It's in full summer plumage now so certainly worth a look before it's imminent departure. It's also been seen briefly flying several times in readiness for the off.

Other bits yesterday include 3 Shelduck, drake Goosander, female Wheatear, an Arctic Tern, at least 2 LRP including a pair mating. A few species of warbler on site too....Sedge, Less White, Common White, Blackcap, Garden, Willow and Chiff.

 

[DaveN]

A pair of Common Terns down Wyver this afternoon. One bird is ringed and looks like the same bird that's been coming since 2012. If only they would stay and breed. A pair of Redstarts nest building up near the woods.

Pair of Greylags with 8 fresh young. 7 Gadwall, 4 Mandarin, drake Teal and 8 Tufteds. The domestic type Mallard still has 7 young. Pair of Coots on the top pool with a healthy 7 young.

Only saw the one Oystercatcher but I presume the female was sitting just out of sight. There's 3 BH Gull nests on the raft. 29 birds in total and a 1st s Common Gull.

At least 2 Sedge Warblers on site, together with a Whitethroat, 3 Chiffchaffs and 3 Blackcaps.

Other bits include 3 Stock Doves, Green Woodpecker, 4 Lapwings, Snipe, 6 Swallows, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and 3 Reed Buntings.

 

[G0NYM]

Hoopoe

I think I have seen my first 99% at about 1530 in Hartshay on the old main road right at the top where it comes to an end good view 25feeet away, I do not have bird alert I would be interested any other reports can some one help.
sorry no pics

 

[DaveN]

Here is the latest Wyver Lane bird list in its entirety with all dates correct as of today. If anybody knows of any errors then please let me know.


1. Great Crested Grebe (20/06/2013). 2. Little Grebe (31/03/2014). 3. Red-necked Grebe (05/12/1993). 4. Slavonian Grebe (05/04/1985). 5. Black-necked Grebe (13/05/1988). 6. Cormorant. 7. Grey Heron. 8. Bittern (11/04/2013). 9. Little Egret (06/10/2013). 10. Great White Egret (25/11/2012). 11. Mute Swan. 12. Whooper Swan (28/02/2014). 13. Bewick's Swan (14/11/2011). 14. Black Swan (17/01/2006). 15. Barnacle Goose (10/05/2011). 16. Pink-footed Goose (31/03/2014). 17. Bean Goose (26/03/1990). 18. Egyptian Goose (13/06/2013). 19. Garganey (02/08/2010). 20. Pintail (29/03/2011). 21. Shelduck. 22. Mandarin. 23. Gadwall. 24. Mallard. 25. Teal. 26. Wigeon. 27. Shoveler. 28 (Greater) Scaup ( 1 at River Gardens on 17/02/1963). 29. Tufted Duck. 30. Pochard. 31. Ruddy Duck (29/04/2006). 32. Goosander. 33. Smew (19/02/2006). 34. Goldeneye. 35. Common Scoter ( 22/04/1987). 36. Common Crane (03/04/2006). 37. Coot. 38. Moorhen. 39. Water Rail (10/04/2014). 40. Pheasant. 41. Quail (29/06/1985). 42. Grey Partridge (08/07/1992). 43. Red-legged Partridge (07/04/2012). 44. Rough-legged Buzzard (spring 85). 45. Common Buzzard. 46. Goshawk (10/10/2010). 47. Sparrowhawk. 48 Marsh Harrier (09/04/2013). 49. Red Kite (12/04/2014). 50. Osprey (05/06/2012). 51. Peregrine. 52. Hobby. 53. Merlin (30/12/2009). 54. Kestrel. 55. Lapwing. 56. Golden Plover (22/11/2011). 57. Oystercatcher. 58. Avocet (15/03/2011). 59. Ringed Plover (07/09/2011). 60. Little Ringed Plover (13/09/2011). 61. Turnstone (30/04/1980). 62. Whimbrel (24/08/2013). 63. Curlew. 64. Black-tailed Godwit (01/10/2013). 65. Common Sandpiper (13/04/2014). 66. Wood Sandpiper (13/05/2008). 67. Green Sandpiper (03/07/2013) 68. Woodcock (13/11/2012). 69. Snipe. 70. Jack Snipe (11/10/2013). 71. Ruff (03/08/2010). 72. Dunlin (31/07/2013). 73. Pectoral Sandpiper (20/09/2003). 74. Little Stint (27/09/1998). 75. Knot (29/09/1985). 76. Redshank (15/03/2011). 77. Spotted Redshank (24/08/2005). 78. Greenshank (09/08/2013). 79. Grey Phalarope (1 at River Gardens 11/10/1981). 80. Kittiwake (04/04/2014). 81. Great Black Backed Gull. 82. Glaucous Gull (19/03/1977). 83. Iceland Gull (21/12/1976). 84. Yellow-legged Gull (22/07/2013). 85. Herring Gull (20/03/2014). 86. Lesser Black Backed Gull. 87. Common Gull. 88. Black-headed Gull. 89. Ring-billed Gull (30/11/2004). 90. Little Gull (02/04/2014). 91. Mediterranean Gull (04/10/2006). 92. Black Tern (no date). 93. Arctic Tern (20/04/2014). 94. Common Tern (29/04/2014). 95. Sandwich Tern (28/09/2011). 96. Stonechat. 97. Whinchat (20/08/2013). 98. Firecrest (19/03/1993). 99. Goldcrest. 100. Stock Dove. 101. Wood Pigeon. 102. Collared Dove. 103. Turtle Dove (09/05/1987). 104. Ring-necked Parakeet. 105. Cuckoo (13/05/2011). 106. Barn Owl (30/03/2013). 107. Little Owl. 108. Tawny Owl. 109. Long-eared Owl (this species or Short-eared Owl on 05/02/1986). 110. Swift. 111. Kingfisher. 112. Wryneck (26/08/1983). 113. Green Woodpecker. 114. Great Spotted Woodpecker. 115. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (16/04/2004). 116. Skylark. 117. Sand Martin. 118. Swallow. 119. House Martin, 120. Tree Pipit (18/08/2010). 121. Meadow Pipit. 122. Rock Pipit (18/10/2012). 123. Yellow Wagtail (14/04/2013). 124. Grey Wagtail. 125. Pied Wagtail. 126. Waxwing (25/02/2013). 127. Dipper (05/03/2000). 128. Wren. 129. Dunnock. 130. Robin. 131. Redstart (29/04/2014). 132. Wheatear (02/04/2011). 133. Blackbird. 134. Ring Ouzel (29/04/2012). 135. Fieldfare. 136. Redwing. 137 Song Thrush. 138. Mistle Thrush. 139. Grasshopper Warbler (22/04/2014). 140. Sedge Warbler. 141. Reed Warbler (01/07/2013). 142. Lesser Whitethroat. 143. Common Whitethroat. 144. Garden Warbler. 145. Blackcap. 146. Wood Warbler (18/04/2014). 147. Chiffchaff. 148. Willow Warbler. 149. Spotted Flycatcher (19/08/2013). 150. Pied Flycatcher (02/07/2013). 151. Long-tailed Tit. 152. Willow Tit (02/07/2013). 153. Coal Tit. 154. Great Tit. 155. Blue Tit. 156. Nuthatch. 157. Treecreeper. 158. Jay. 159. Magpie. 160. Rook. 161. Jackdaw. 162. Carrion Crow. 163. Raven (27/03/2014). 164. Starling. 165. House Sparrow (21/03/2005). 166. Tree Sparrow (11/08/1990). 167. Chaffinch. 168. Brambling (20/04/2014). 169. Greenfinch. 170. Goldfinch. 171. Siskin. 172. Linnet. 173. Lesser Redpoll. 174. Common Crossbill (19/10/2013). 175. Bullfinch. 176. Hawfinch (05/10/1985). 177. Yellowhammer (30/10/2012). 178. Reed Bunting. 179. Spotted Crake (02/09/2013). 180. Water Pipit (18/09/2013). 181. Escaped Waxbill sp (25/08/1976). 182. Escaped Cape Shelduck (27/09/2011).

 

[Clive A]

I think I have seen my first 99% at about 1530 in Hartshay on the old main road right at the top where it comes to an end good view 25feeet away, I do not have bird alert I would be interested any other reports can some one help.
sorry no pics

Hopefully some one is going to check this out?

 

[Daniel Martin]

Had a good look this morning and no sign of Hoopoe. But it's a big area with open fields, lawns and horse paddocks. Would be worth more time.
In the location mentioned 4 pairs of Bullfinch feeding on roadside weeds were nice, 2 Lapwing and a Jay.
On the pools were Snipe, Pied and Yellow Wags. Lots of common warblers and several Song Thrush.

 

[Daniel Martin]

The Sanctuary - Lunch time visit provided me with singing Sedge, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunts. Mistle Thrush, Blackbird and Pied Wags still abundant.
Pair of Tufties on the water with Coot, Moorhen and Canada's.
Sand Martins have built up to good numbers.
Buzzard over and Kestrel on site.

 

[arniemonkey]

i went on a hoopoe mission also about 10 am for an hour no sign though nice walk around and went along the canal a great couple of grey wags, male singing in a tree...got me all excited at first don't often look up to see a grey wagtail.

 

[G0NYM]

i went on a hoopoe mission also about 10 am for an hour no sign though nice walk around and went along the canal a great couple of grey wags, male singing in a tree...got me all excited at first don't often look up to see a grey wagtail.

I have been down again this afternoon 15:00 ish no hoopoe begining to think I was seeing things I hope some one sees it, I am not an expert on birding but it looked so distinctive not easy to confuse

 

[Clive A]

I have been down again this afternoon 15:00 ish no hoopoe begining to think I was seeing things I hope some one sees it, I am not an expert on birding but it looked so distinctive not easy to confuse

The only confusion species would be Jay, indeed a possible Hoopoe at Crich recently turned out to be a Jay.

 

[arniemonkey]

i think he s a bloody liar....lol..only messing its annoying if no one else gets it though as you really want confirmation.

 

[Papa 10]

i think he s a bloody liar....lol..only messing its annoying if no one else gets it though as you really want confirmation.

I would suggest comments like this, even if in jest, are totally unnecessary
and if this is the extent of your intellect it would be beneficial to refrain from posting. I just hope the original poster will not be deterred in any way from passing on his sightings irrespective. He openly admits to not being an expert
(who is ?) but posted with honest intent whether the sighting was 'good' or a genuine mistake. For what it's worth I believe him and this is based on the number of rare/scarce bird single observer records which haven't been 'obliging'.

 

[arniemonkey]

I would suggest comments like this, even if in jest, are totally unnecessary
and if this is the extent of your interlect it would be beneficial to refrain from posting. I just hope the original poster will not be deterred in any way from passing on his sightings irrespective. He openly admits to not being an expert
(who is ?) but posted with honest intent whether the sighting was 'good' or a genuine mistake. For what it's worth I believe him and this is based on the number of rare/scarce bird single observer records which haven't been 'obliging'.

are you mental? I think it was the most obvious "im joking" comment ever put on this forum and your intellect is under pressure for assuming otherwise....and to spell it out to you... I believed him .now re read my comment and reflect on what a petty fool you sound...if we cant have a laugh on hear then whats the point ..

 

[Daniel Martin]

5:33 01/05/14 Wryneck Derbys Drakelow NR (PERMIT ONLY) 30/04

 

[John Eaton]

Garganey at WGP this morning (either last weeks one back or another, but both good looking males) on main pit but later flew into the stream at the back and out of sight. The pair of Gypo geese again passed through.

 

[DaveN]

Motacilla flava thunbergi

A walk along the Dam Wall at Carsington on Wednesday morning proved to very rewarding. At the Millfields end of the Dam my attention was drawn almost immediately to the sound of calling Yellow Wagtails. A scan up and down the wall revealed 3 to 4 obvious Motacilla flava flavissima.....the easily recognisable Yellow Wag that visits the UK.

Further scanning, however, revealed a very striking bird. An obvious non flavissima with a dark head. I've seen a few Motacilla flava flava (Blue-headed Wagtails) but this was obviously different. The head was very dark, not as dark as a Motacilla flava feldegg ( Black-headed Wagtail) but still dark. The head was dark grey with an even darker eye mask, no hint of a super at all, and a yellow throat. The yellow throat ruling out Cinereocapilla and Iberiae. Ashy-headed and Spanish Wagtail, respectively. Sykes's (beema) can also be safely ruled out due to Sykes's having a light grey head and a strong super.

I followed it up and down the Dam Wall for over half an hour trying in vain to get a phone scoped photo. Almost impossible with a very mobile bird. Eventually it, with the other Yellow Wagtails flew towards Millfields and I never saw it again. I sat down and pulled the birding bible out of my bag for a quick muse. Having already eliminated several races I looked at Motacilla flava thunbergi (Grey-headed Wagtail) and straight away I knew that was it. All the features I had mentally noted and scribbled down matched perfectly.

I let others know of my sighting just in case it re-appeared but unfortunately it wasn't seen again. It would have been nice to have gotten a photo or for others to see it but I was still more than happy with it. The sighting becomes even more remarkable when according to The Birds of Derbyshire (Frost & Shaw) there has only been one previous record of Grey-headed Wagtail in the county. A male at Ogston Res on May 18th 2008.

So it looks like a bird which breeds from Northern Scandinavia into Siberia graced Carsington Water.
I might have a bit of fun getting this one past the recorders

 

[Daniel Martin]

Glossy Ibis at Carr Vale this morning brings their list now to 214 (per MAB)

 

[Daniel Martin]

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