John Eaton
Well-known member
Bittern and GWEgret showing well at WGP this am.
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Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)
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DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
I spent a large part of the day down Wyver on Thursday. My first main objective was to get myself on the mound for some viz migging. My first chance this year. Between 08.02-10.45 I had 118 Meadow Pipits. There was also c45 on the deck in front of the mound. There wasn't much else moving apart from 13 Stock Doves, 14 'alba' Wagtails, 10 Chaffinch, 25 House Martins, 3 Swallows and a single Siskin which is the first of the autumn.
On the main pool was 130 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, a drake Mandarin, 98 Lapwings and 4 Snipe. Also of note was 3 Kestrel, c200 Starlings, 7 Chiffies, 4 Jays, 10 Mistle Thrush, Kingfisher and a Raven.
A bit later in the day I was in the hide scanning the waters edge when I picked up a bobbing Snipe sp. Almost certainly a Jack but I hadn't got my scope and having seen Common Snipe bob before I wanted to be 100%. But it looked smaller and shorter billed with those lovely golden stripes running along its back. Anyway, I called Dan who came down with scope and confirmed it as Jack Snipe. Only my second one for Wyver.
I went down Wyver again on Friday morning with Chris. Unfortunately no sign of the Jack Snipe but we did get a site record of 17 Shoveler. The previous best was 15. Although Dan beat it yesterday when he had 23!
Also on Friday was 147 Greylags, 234 Mallards, 6 Snipe, 100 lapwings and 102 BH Gulls.
On the main pool was 130 Teal, 14 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, a drake Mandarin, 98 Lapwings and 4 Snipe. Also of note was 3 Kestrel, c200 Starlings, 7 Chiffies, 4 Jays, 10 Mistle Thrush, Kingfisher and a Raven.
A bit later in the day I was in the hide scanning the waters edge when I picked up a bobbing Snipe sp. Almost certainly a Jack but I hadn't got my scope and having seen Common Snipe bob before I wanted to be 100%. But it looked smaller and shorter billed with those lovely golden stripes running along its back. Anyway, I called Dan who came down with scope and confirmed it as Jack Snipe. Only my second one for Wyver.
I went down Wyver again on Friday morning with Chris. Unfortunately no sign of the Jack Snipe but we did get a site record of 17 Shoveler. The previous best was 15. Although Dan beat it yesterday when he had 23!
Also on Friday was 147 Greylags, 234 Mallards, 6 Snipe, 100 lapwings and 102 BH Gulls.
DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
BEELEY TRIANGLE: Belated news of an Ortolan Bunting heard and seen in silhouette by Steve Mann flying South over the area on 21st Sept at about 4.10.p.m. Only the 2nd county record following on from the male at Aston-on-Trent GP on May 6th 2000. The observer was waiting for the 2 AVRO Lancasters from the Derwent Dams to fly through!!!!!
DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
The Jack Snipe was showing down Wyver again last night along the bank opposite the hide. I didn't pick it up until nearly half 6 when it was starting to drop dark. 128 Teal, 6 Shoveler, 102 Greylags, 120 Mallard and a single redhead Goosander the best on the pool. Also exactly 100 Lapwings and 6 Snipe.
When It was almost dark I was trying to count what was coming in to roost. A large number of Greylags flew in and with them was a white Goose. Because of it being so dark I can't be certain what it was but it possibly could have been a Snow Goose. I know one was at Locko Park with Greylags a few days ago. Obviously a feral bird if it was one but something potentially different for Wyver after the recent Red-breasted Goose.
When It was almost dark I was trying to count what was coming in to roost. A large number of Greylags flew in and with them was a white Goose. Because of it being so dark I can't be certain what it was but it possibly could have been a Snow Goose. I know one was at Locko Park with Greylags a few days ago. Obviously a feral bird if it was one but something potentially different for Wyver after the recent Red-breasted Goose.
DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
The Goose that I thought could have been a Snow Goose on Monday down Wyver was indeed a Snow Goose. It was feeding with Greylags (179) in the field behind the hide near enough in the same place as the Red-breasted Goose was 2 weeks ago. Although obviously of dodgy origin it was still nice to see something different.
Vis migging was a little disappointing but practically clear skies certainly wouldn't have helped. All I got was 19 Mipits, 24 'alba' Wags inc a flock of 8, 9 Chaffinch, 7 Stock Doves, a Siskin and a single Swallow.
On the main pool was 170 Mallard, 142 Teal (Chris B), 6 Shoveler, a drake Gadwall, 41 BH Gulls, 105 Lapwings and 3 Snipe.
A couple of Chiffchaffs in song and a Kingfisher being the best of the rest.
Vis migging was a little disappointing but practically clear skies certainly wouldn't have helped. All I got was 19 Mipits, 24 'alba' Wags inc a flock of 8, 9 Chaffinch, 7 Stock Doves, a Siskin and a single Swallow.
On the main pool was 170 Mallard, 142 Teal (Chris B), 6 Shoveler, a drake Gadwall, 41 BH Gulls, 105 Lapwings and 3 Snipe.
A couple of Chiffchaffs in song and a Kingfisher being the best of the rest.
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
A single Whooper Swan at Carr Vale NR this morning before flying North. Winter has arrived. Also had a call from Chris this morning to say that the pair of Australian Wood Ducks that were at Carsington earlier in the year were at Attenborough NR yesterday. Not sure where they've been hiding for the past few months though.
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DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
CARSINGTON WATER
SEPTEMBER 2014 BIRD NOTES
September Highlights: Black-necked Grebe, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier and Osprey.
107 species this month which is about average for September. And although wader passage has been poor winter wildfowl has returned in good numbers. And there were several surprises along the way to whet the appetite. Waterbird maximums include: 35 Little Grebes on 26th which incidentally is the best count since 2010, 60 Great Crested Grebes on 26th. Not having a Black-necked Grebe for 7 years one would be forgiven for thinking that having 2 different birds in the month would be a little far fetched. But that’s exactly what we had! One at Lane End hide on 4th only, and then another at the Wildlife Centre on 9th identified as different by plumage, which then re-located to Millfields and was still present at the end of the month. 44 Cormorants on 8th & 15th, 2 Little Egrets up to 21st, a Great White Egret on 24th is the second record this year, 8 Grey Herons on 12th, 36 Mute Swans throughout the month, a feral Pink-footed Goose on 1st & 11th, and a skein of 144 over on 24th, 16 Greylag Geese on 26th, 572 Canada Geese on 26th, 13 Barnacle Geese on 29th, a Shelduck on 1st & 12th, 311 Wigeon on 26th, 28 Gadwall on 7th, 277 Teal on 12th, 149 Mallard on the WeBS count on 8th, 5 Pintail on 11th, 5 Shoveler on 5th, 4 Red-crested Pochard on 5th, 95 Pochard on 26th, 638 Tufted Duck on 26th, 2 Common Scoters 18th-20th, 6 Goosander on 11th, 7 Moorhen on 12th and 1141 Coots on 26th.
Raptors include a Red Kite on 12th, a juvenile Marsh Harrier flying NNE on 14th, 2 Sparrowhawks on 1st & 22nd, 8 Buzzards on 15th, an Osprey on 1st, 2 Kestrels on 1st & 16th, 2 Hobbies on 15th, and Peregrine seen on at least five dates.
11 species of Wader including: 13 Ringed Plover on 17th, 3 Golden Plover flying NW on 28th, c100 Lapwing on 12th, 3 Dunlin on 15th & 26th, 3 Snipe on 17th, 4 Black-tailed Godwits on 27th, 2 Curlew on 28th, 2 Redshank on 3rd, 20th & 21st, a Greenshank on 3rd, a Green Sandpiper from 9th-27th and 2 Common Sandpipers on 9th.
600+ Black-headed Gulls left the roost early morning on 30th, 2 Common Gulls on 12th, a pre roost gathering of 1500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 17th, 7 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost on 11th and 2 Sandwich Terns flew South on 20th.
5 Stock Doves on 28th, up to 2 Kingfishers seen at different locations, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers on 9th, 2 Skylarks on 21st, 51 Swallows through on 1st, and the last record was of 5 on 24th, c130 House Martins around the visitor centre on 9th, 48 Meadow Pipits on the dam wall on 5th, 5 Yellow Wagtails on 8th, 4 Grey Wagtails on 5th & 18th, 115 Pied Wagtails on 17th, a White Wagtail on 10th, 2 Redstarts on 5th, several records of Wheatear with the last on 22nd, 4 Song Thrush on 15th & 20th and 15 Mistle Thrush on 16th.
The last Sedge Warbler was on 13th, a Reed Warbler on 15th is the latest for the site, 2 Lesser Whitethroats on 15th, 2 Whitethroats on 3rd, a Garden Warbler on 5th, 10 Blackcaps on 11th, 27 Chiffchaffs counted during a circular walk on 7th, 3 Willow Warblers on 9th, 7 Goldcrest on 16th, 2 Spotted Flycatchers on 16th, 13 Jays through North on 15th including a flock of 7, 9 Magpies on 21st, 2 Ravens on 1st, c40 Starlings on 15th, a Tree Sparrow x House Sparrow hybrid on 16th, c60 Goldfinch on 20th, the first Siskin of the autumn on 25th, with 2 on 28th, 12 Linnets on 12th and a Lesser Redpoll on 28th.
107 species this September compared with 109 in 2013, 106 in 2012, 124 in 2011 and 117 in 2010.
SEPTEMBER 2014 BIRD NOTES
September Highlights: Black-necked Grebe, Great White Egret, Marsh Harrier and Osprey.
107 species this month which is about average for September. And although wader passage has been poor winter wildfowl has returned in good numbers. And there were several surprises along the way to whet the appetite. Waterbird maximums include: 35 Little Grebes on 26th which incidentally is the best count since 2010, 60 Great Crested Grebes on 26th. Not having a Black-necked Grebe for 7 years one would be forgiven for thinking that having 2 different birds in the month would be a little far fetched. But that’s exactly what we had! One at Lane End hide on 4th only, and then another at the Wildlife Centre on 9th identified as different by plumage, which then re-located to Millfields and was still present at the end of the month. 44 Cormorants on 8th & 15th, 2 Little Egrets up to 21st, a Great White Egret on 24th is the second record this year, 8 Grey Herons on 12th, 36 Mute Swans throughout the month, a feral Pink-footed Goose on 1st & 11th, and a skein of 144 over on 24th, 16 Greylag Geese on 26th, 572 Canada Geese on 26th, 13 Barnacle Geese on 29th, a Shelduck on 1st & 12th, 311 Wigeon on 26th, 28 Gadwall on 7th, 277 Teal on 12th, 149 Mallard on the WeBS count on 8th, 5 Pintail on 11th, 5 Shoveler on 5th, 4 Red-crested Pochard on 5th, 95 Pochard on 26th, 638 Tufted Duck on 26th, 2 Common Scoters 18th-20th, 6 Goosander on 11th, 7 Moorhen on 12th and 1141 Coots on 26th.
Raptors include a Red Kite on 12th, a juvenile Marsh Harrier flying NNE on 14th, 2 Sparrowhawks on 1st & 22nd, 8 Buzzards on 15th, an Osprey on 1st, 2 Kestrels on 1st & 16th, 2 Hobbies on 15th, and Peregrine seen on at least five dates.
11 species of Wader including: 13 Ringed Plover on 17th, 3 Golden Plover flying NW on 28th, c100 Lapwing on 12th, 3 Dunlin on 15th & 26th, 3 Snipe on 17th, 4 Black-tailed Godwits on 27th, 2 Curlew on 28th, 2 Redshank on 3rd, 20th & 21st, a Greenshank on 3rd, a Green Sandpiper from 9th-27th and 2 Common Sandpipers on 9th.
600+ Black-headed Gulls left the roost early morning on 30th, 2 Common Gulls on 12th, a pre roost gathering of 1500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls on 17th, 7 Yellow-legged Gulls in the roost on 11th and 2 Sandwich Terns flew South on 20th.
5 Stock Doves on 28th, up to 2 Kingfishers seen at different locations, 5 Great Spotted Woodpeckers on 9th, 2 Skylarks on 21st, 51 Swallows through on 1st, and the last record was of 5 on 24th, c130 House Martins around the visitor centre on 9th, 48 Meadow Pipits on the dam wall on 5th, 5 Yellow Wagtails on 8th, 4 Grey Wagtails on 5th & 18th, 115 Pied Wagtails on 17th, a White Wagtail on 10th, 2 Redstarts on 5th, several records of Wheatear with the last on 22nd, 4 Song Thrush on 15th & 20th and 15 Mistle Thrush on 16th.
The last Sedge Warbler was on 13th, a Reed Warbler on 15th is the latest for the site, 2 Lesser Whitethroats on 15th, 2 Whitethroats on 3rd, a Garden Warbler on 5th, 10 Blackcaps on 11th, 27 Chiffchaffs counted during a circular walk on 7th, 3 Willow Warblers on 9th, 7 Goldcrest on 16th, 2 Spotted Flycatchers on 16th, 13 Jays through North on 15th including a flock of 7, 9 Magpies on 21st, 2 Ravens on 1st, c40 Starlings on 15th, a Tree Sparrow x House Sparrow hybrid on 16th, c60 Goldfinch on 20th, the first Siskin of the autumn on 25th, with 2 on 28th, 12 Linnets on 12th and a Lesser Redpoll on 28th.
107 species this September compared with 109 in 2013, 106 in 2012, 124 in 2011 and 117 in 2010.
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
News from Rod of a good local bird that unfortunately chose private land, shame but cant be helped. We were commenting recently on the lack of mud at hot spots locally and so wader numbers less exciting. One of the best was the flooded fields at Little Eaton but horses and disturbance seemed to affect it.
AMBASTON GRAVEL PITS A juv. Pectoral Sandpiper was found here early evening on 30th Sept and remained on a small pool until dusk on 7th Oct. This is the 17th County record and the first since the bird at Willington Gravel Pits from 19-25th Sept., 2010. It also equals the latest date that this species has been seen in the county. I realise that a lot of people will be very unhappy about this bird being deliberately suppressed but the site is completely private with only 3 permits for birders. This site is just one of three/four private gravel pits along the Trent Valley with no, or very limited, access to them and it is inevitable that on occasions rare birds are going to be found at these sites. Unlike Carsington Water, Ogston Reservoir, Wyver Lane and Willington GP etc there are no public footpaths or roads that this site can be viewed from. The pools are owned by Biffa Waste Control and are viewed from a private access road to the Quarry along which lorries hauling concrete aggregate move to and fro. So parking would be extremely difficult and would cause problems. As one of the permit holders here I do not like suppressing things but feel that the Bird Watchers Code of Conduct and the Welfare of the Bird have to be considered first. I know that I do my fair share of twitching county rarities and can understand if this back fires on me but so be it. Also here on 8th Oct a cream crowned Marsh Harrier dropped in to the main reedbed, which can be seen from a public footpath, to avoid bad weather but then flew off South after the rain moved through.
AMBASTON GRAVEL PITS A juv. Pectoral Sandpiper was found here early evening on 30th Sept and remained on a small pool until dusk on 7th Oct. This is the 17th County record and the first since the bird at Willington Gravel Pits from 19-25th Sept., 2010. It also equals the latest date that this species has been seen in the county. I realise that a lot of people will be very unhappy about this bird being deliberately suppressed but the site is completely private with only 3 permits for birders. This site is just one of three/four private gravel pits along the Trent Valley with no, or very limited, access to them and it is inevitable that on occasions rare birds are going to be found at these sites. Unlike Carsington Water, Ogston Reservoir, Wyver Lane and Willington GP etc there are no public footpaths or roads that this site can be viewed from. The pools are owned by Biffa Waste Control and are viewed from a private access road to the Quarry along which lorries hauling concrete aggregate move to and fro. So parking would be extremely difficult and would cause problems. As one of the permit holders here I do not like suppressing things but feel that the Bird Watchers Code of Conduct and the Welfare of the Bird have to be considered first. I know that I do my fair share of twitching county rarities and can understand if this back fires on me but so be it. Also here on 8th Oct a cream crowned Marsh Harrier dropped in to the main reedbed, which can be seen from a public footpath, to avoid bad weather but then flew off South after the rain moved through.
Papa 10
Miserable Old Git
Typical---check out Smurfbirds scarce if you want to see it.
Not as I'm the slightest bit bovvered having seen 8 in the county--including one self found (which wasn't a Dunlin
James_Owen
Well-known member
A single Bonxie disturbing things in the Carsington gull roost this evening, lost it toward Horseshoe Island and couldn't relocate.
Very sorry, wet and exhausted looking Barn Owl around the restaurant picnic tables at Hardwick Hall yesterday, although it did manage to fly off. Must have been a tough few days for them.
Very sorry, wet and exhausted looking Barn Owl around the restaurant picnic tables at Hardwick Hall yesterday, although it did manage to fly off. Must have been a tough few days for them.
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
Pink Feet - Over 200 birds in a random formation over Heage at 9.30 this morning was a wonderful site.
Roughly ENE direction.
Makes you wonder what has passed through in this weather as plenty of midland seabirds about.
Roughly ENE direction.
Makes you wonder what has passed through in this weather as plenty of midland seabirds about.
Hi all
It was refreshing to read Dans considered comments re the Ambaston Pec Sand; however it appears that not all are as enlightened; so before we have a bout of Rod Bashing here are some facts about this bird; it was found by myself late on the 30th Sept and it was soon apparent that the bird was extremely wary, running into the reed-beds as soon as it detected anyone approaching or even heard a sudden noise; by nightfall 4 people had seen it and I asked that news was not put out for the reasons that Rod has already highlighted; I had hoped to put news out on Saturday night as the works are usually closed on Sundays but the site manager told me they were doing field tests on that day and so those plans were scuppered. However by the time the weekend had arrived it was obvious to me that given the birds behaviour , it behaved more like a crake than a wader, spending considerable amounts of time completely hidden within the reed-beds only emerging for short periods before vanishing again, if news was put out the bird would have been continually flushed in order to tick it.
In addition to Rods comments the best viewing spot was on top of the pumping station mound completely exposed to all passing quarry personnel who would have asked anyone found there to leave causing friction between them and the three permit holders. As an aside I have never before suppressed a passage/wintering bird, eg Ring-necked Duck, Ring-billed Gull, Glossy Ibis, Gannet, Gt Skua, Avocets etc etc and last nights Velvet Scoter was on the pagers before it had got its arse wet!, so #5531, I would call that atypical wouldnt you.
Hope of interest
Martin
It was refreshing to read Dans considered comments re the Ambaston Pec Sand; however it appears that not all are as enlightened; so before we have a bout of Rod Bashing here are some facts about this bird; it was found by myself late on the 30th Sept and it was soon apparent that the bird was extremely wary, running into the reed-beds as soon as it detected anyone approaching or even heard a sudden noise; by nightfall 4 people had seen it and I asked that news was not put out for the reasons that Rod has already highlighted; I had hoped to put news out on Saturday night as the works are usually closed on Sundays but the site manager told me they were doing field tests on that day and so those plans were scuppered. However by the time the weekend had arrived it was obvious to me that given the birds behaviour , it behaved more like a crake than a wader, spending considerable amounts of time completely hidden within the reed-beds only emerging for short periods before vanishing again, if news was put out the bird would have been continually flushed in order to tick it.
In addition to Rods comments the best viewing spot was on top of the pumping station mound completely exposed to all passing quarry personnel who would have asked anyone found there to leave causing friction between them and the three permit holders. As an aside I have never before suppressed a passage/wintering bird, eg Ring-necked Duck, Ring-billed Gull, Glossy Ibis, Gannet, Gt Skua, Avocets etc etc and last nights Velvet Scoter was on the pagers before it had got its arse wet!, so #5531, I would call that atypical wouldnt you.
Hope of interest
Martin
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
http://www.surfbirds.com/gallery/share_photo.php?imgname=20141016134406030.jpg
Hope the link works, see Richards Baltic Gull pics in Surfbirds. Looks fab.
Any chance of roosting at your patch Roomey?
Hope the link works, see Richards Baltic Gull pics in Surfbirds. Looks fab.
Any chance of roosting at your patch Roomey?
Crake Dude
Well-known member
....'by nightfall 4 people had seen it'......'the three permit holders'.....I just canna fathom the maths there.
Hi Crake Dude; Yes, thats a tricky one but ill have a go........take 3 then add 1 ; I think that's 4 but maths was never my strong point; your making the assumption that the permit holders were there which wasn't the case; perhaps it was 2 permit holders and 2 site personnel, or 1 permit holder and 3 local dog-walkers or ..........
Hi Dan, what may have been Richards Baltic Gull was in the roost last night; identical to RL pic but only showing left side which revealed a small white tip to poss p7 (midway between primary tip and tip of tail anyway) which I cannot see in RLs pic; I thought its back was very dark with a very slight contrast with pps, though Dipper thought it was to pale!!; the bird was much smaller than any LBBG that joined it and was in immaculate plumage apart from some thin brown pencil lines on its nape and a difficult to see smudging above the eye; the bill looked small and adult like and the eye appeared very small and dark; unfortunalely it wasnt seen in flight and only preened a couple of times, and then head on, which revealed at least a couple of small white p tips to what looked like the inner pps; Will get back tonight if I get chance.
Cheers
Martin
Hi Dan, what may have been Richards Baltic Gull was in the roost last night; identical to RL pic but only showing left side which revealed a small white tip to poss p7 (midway between primary tip and tip of tail anyway) which I cannot see in RLs pic; I thought its back was very dark with a very slight contrast with pps, though Dipper thought it was to pale!!; the bird was much smaller than any LBBG that joined it and was in immaculate plumage apart from some thin brown pencil lines on its nape and a difficult to see smudging above the eye; the bill looked small and adult like and the eye appeared very small and dark; unfortunalely it wasnt seen in flight and only preened a couple of times, and then head on, which revealed at least a couple of small white p tips to what looked like the inner pps; Will get back tonight if I get chance.
Cheers
Martin
