Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)

[DaveN]

Hope Chrisluv wont mind me posting this on here. This thread was started earlier about a Raptor down Wyver Lane NR and I am thinking It's just a Sprawk. What do others think?


http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=149734

 

[Daniel Martin]

Any reason why we are assuming raptor Dave? I have my doubts.......

 

[michael23]

first imprssion was a sprawk to me, but as daniel had posted his comments about having doubts, i zoomed in on the image even more, it looks as if the bird which is said to be sprawk has got its head down and feeding on something, and maybe the head is of the prey, i may be totally way off the mark here,
I just cant think of anything else it could be.

 

[DaveN]

Any reason why we are assuming raptor Dave? I have my doubts.......

I'm just going on the OP saying Bird of Prey fro ID. I had no reason to think anything else but I'm not sure now.

Edit: Looking at the second picture I can see Sparrowhawk.

 

[ChrisLuv]

Any reason why we are assuming raptor Dave? I have my doubts.......

Hi Dan,

I'm only assuming raptor from the photos (i can see a largish bird with a white underside looking to the right) , in the field I only had my bino's and so didn't have a clue what it was but knew it wasn't duck or wader (though pratlincole crossed my mind for a very brief second - before I put on my sensible head).

I'd parked at the Belper Lane (it was my first visit and "Where to Bird in EM" said don't park up near hide) and I'd left my scope in the car (prat). So by the time I'd dashed back and driven up with scope then it had gone.

I don't have access to the hide so didn't hang around for long but didn't see any sign of it returning.

Chris

 

[ChrisLuv]

Rest of the day Saturday was spent at:

- Erewash (dawn visit to see Owls): found a Barn owl which burst out of a tree by the stile at Stoney Lane entrance to reserve. Also Cormorant in dead tree. Raptor also distirbed in roost under railway bridge (second time I've done that and not got an ID - prob kestrel).
- Wyver Lane - see above, plenty of Lapwing too and a solitary greylag.
- Carsington - Great views of Kingfisher, also Grey Wagtail and possible YLG (see ID post here)
- Attenborough - More views of 3 kingfishers at once from new hide (great hide!). Also Little Egret flying over.
- Bennersley Marsh - almost nothing about (except off road bikers).

11 miles walked and 12 hours birding. Good day but knackering.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[Daniel Martin]

Rest of the day Saturday was spent at:

- Erewash (dawn visit to see Owls): found a Barn owl which burst out of a tree by the stile at Stoney Lane entrance to reserve. Also Cormorant in dead tree. Raptor also distirbed in roost under railway bridge (second time I've done that and not got an ID - prob kestrel).
- Wyver Lane - see above, plenty of Lapwing too and a solitary greylag.
- Carsington - Great views of Kingfisher, also Grey Wagtail and possible YLG (see ID post here)
- Attenborough - More views of 3 kingfishers at once from new hide (great hide!). Also Little Egret flying over.
- Bennersley Marsh - almost nothing about (except off road bikers).

11 miles walked and 12 hours birding. Good day but knackering.

Cheers,
Chris

Thats a great effort for a generally unproductive time of year! If you manage that during Spring/Autumn you would expect to be rewarded!

Glad you got The Barnies - they have had a good season and the young are well scattered now. We believe poss 4 successful pairs this term.

Pity Bennerley is so bad - it was once a prime site with some good birds (anyone recall the Sabines?) but the council seem to have given up and turned it over to the yobs.

Shame.

 

[ChrisLuv]

Pity Bennerley is so bad - it was once a prime site with some good birds (anyone recall the Sabines?) but the council seem to have given up and turned it over to the yobs.

Shame.

Some good counts of Canda Geese recently at Bennerley (300+, if that floats your boat). Hobby also sighted occasionally.

I regularly pop over to take a squint on the way home from work (especially after this wet weather), as its got the potential to be harbouring something interesting and its fairly easy to take a look quickly, but more often than not its unrewarding (especially if you don't have time to have a proper walk).

One day....

 

[DaveN]

Went to Carsington yesterday and had a Black Tern which spent most of the day towards Millfields. Also a Wheatear on Millfileds Island. The Yellow-Legged Gull was still about. 2 Common Sandpipers and 2 Kingfishers, also 5 Gadwall, 3 Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Great Crested Grebe with 3 young, 2 Swifts, Curlew and a Common Gull.

 

[DaveN]

Some half decent birds down Wyver Lane today. Around the main pool was 3 female/juvenile Mandarin which flew in just as I was leaving. c20 Teal, female Gadwall, Shoveler, 16 Greylag Geese, Little Grebe, 2 Grey Herons and a Cormorant.

A Sparrowhawk flew straight through upsetting 200+ Lapwings and 4 Buzzards were over the woods. A Kingfisher perched long enough on the watermark post for me to get some shots. 3 Stock Doves were on the wires near the river. Lots of Swallows and Housemartins moving down the valley and also 4 Swifts.

There were quite a few Warblers on the lane, mainly Chiff Chaffs and Willow Warblers but also a single Whitethroat. At the bottom of the lane a flock of 30+ Goldfinches were feeding on the thistles, many of them juveniles. In the distance a Kestrel was hunting over the fields and a flock of around 20 Starlings were also flying around.

A few photos attached. Apparently, the reason why the Kingfisher's bill is open is because it had just spat something out but I was adjusting the scope at the time and didn't see it do it.

 

[ChrisLuv]

great shot of the kingfisher Dave - he's not looking too impressed with whatever he had in his mouth.

 

[DaveN]

great shot of the kingfisher Dave - he's not looking too impressed with whatever he had in his mouth.

Cheers Chris. Just before I took the shot I saw it catch a Damselfly and it ate it ok, but whatever it caught next obviously didn't agree with him :eat:

 

[DaveN]

Anyone been to the sanctuary at pride park recently? I only pop down now and again if I'm in Derby way. I was in the city earlier and I thought I'd pop down but the free car park is no longer free. There are now barriers and although I didn't read the sign thoroughly it looks like you have to pay £2.40 as a minimum to park there. I know it's not much but surely it will put people off....I know I was.

 

[Daniel Martin]

Nick Moyes may have a view on this as he looks after the site - I will ask him. I suppose its still ok to park on main road and walk in? Mind you, its nice to just drive up and have a look as its not a huge area.
Gets its birds though!

 

[DaveN]

Nick Moyes may have a view on this as he looks after the site - I will ask him. I suppose its still ok to park on main road and walk in? Mind you, its nice to just drive up and have a look as its not a huge area.
Gets its birds though!

Not sure where abouts there is to park on the main road to be honest. Parking is very limited around there as you know. Like you say, all I've ever done is drive straight up to the viewing areas, had a quick look and that's it. We could be missing out on another Dartford :eek!:

 

[Clive A]

Up at Carsington this afternoon:
Peregrine,Hobby,Buzzard,Kestrel,Sparrowhawk,Raven,Common Sand,7 Wigeon,5 Pochard and 1 Swift.

 

[Gomphus]

I see a female Monty's has been seen briefly yesterday and today on Harewood Moor.....

Cheers

Steph'

 

[DaveN]

Yes just over an hour ago, plus two Marsh Harriers this morning.

 

[michael23]

how exactly do you get to harewood moor? I know its close to beeley, but thats about it!

 

[Clive A]

how exactly do you get to harewood moor? I know its close to beeley, but thats about it!

It is the moorland to the east of Beeley triangle.