Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)

[Daniel Martin]

A bit late posting I know but the RBG was bang on time friday afternoon at 3pm from Paul Stanley - on the island then flew round a bit and landed on the water allowing good comparisons with Common Gull. Glyn took some pics which may be posted - wont be quite as good as the Diver ones due to distance. The weather and light were great so surprised there was only us two and a couple of others. After they flew, they went past Lane End so didnt bother persuing them.
We had a couple of adult YLegs and the Pintail too.
I have heard that it was seen in fields above the Res on the Brassington road, so may be worth a look.
It has to go somewhere!

 

[DaveN]

Went out for a long walk today and part of the walk included Wyver. Was only down there for about an hour but I noticed that the viewing mound has now been completed. Although, there seems to be a bit of a problem with it. I am 5ft 9" and I'm at least a foot above the screen which sort of defeats the object. If you're around 3ft 6" then looking through the slits will not be a problem.

 

[Clive A]

If you're around 3ft 6" then looking through the slits will not be a problem.

Looks like I am in luck then eh? :-O
Or better still you will be able to take the kids along with you every time.

 

[Daniel Martin]

Thanks for the pics Dave - quite different to last tuesday when I almost needed pulling out!
So let me get this right - we have another steep sided pool and unless you are a circus dwarf or a child no way of avoiding flushing everything by actually being able to see it??!
RT tells me there are def scrapes under there but that it could well be very full most of the time.............it looked a really good opportunity to improve this part of the reserve that we cannot record, so I hope we havent missed this opportunity.
Apparently the steep banks are for Voles, not birds.

 

[DaveN]

Looks like I am in luck then eh? :-O
Or better still you will be able to take the kids along with you every time.

I'm not sure about you, Clive. I still think you'll need to stand on the tips of your toes. :t:

 

[Clive A]

I'm not sure about you, Clive. I still think you'll need to stand on the tips of your toes. :t:

Hey steady on :smoke:
Just got back from Carsington..Ring billed Gull found by Steph at about 14:30, almost immediately flushed, and lost to sight over the spit.
Egyptian Goose, Pintail and Goosander from Paul Stanley.
The record of GN Diver, today, is the 4th already this winter.

 

[DaveN]

Thanks for the pics Dave - quite different to last tuesday when I almost needed pulling out!
So let me get this right - we have another steep sided pool and unless you are a circus dwarf or a child no way of avoiding flushing everything by actually being able to see it??!
RT tells me there are def scrapes under there but that it could well be very full most of the time.............it looked a really good opportunity to improve this part of the reserve that we cannot record, so I hope we havent missed this opportunity.
Apparently the steep banks are for Voles, not birds.

Yes Dan, no danger in getting stuck now. Yes steep sided pool although looking at it properly not all the pool is like that. I think the DWT need to be contacted to let them know that the screen could do with some alterations. When you get down there next have a look and see what you think.

As RT says there're scrapes under there somewhere which I did see shortly after the work was completed. But there didn't look much to them and even if the pool has just a little water in then they would be submerged. I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[DaveN]

With half the main pool frozen over this morning winter had certainly arrived down Wyver. However, at least the sun was shining for a change.
A few more Gulls around today, 173 BH Gulls and a single Common Gull. Also on the main pool was 26 Teal, 2 Shoveler, Grey Heron and a Cormorant.

Around the feeding station was the usual stuff plus at least 4 Reed Buntings and a Coal Tit. The highlight was just as I left the hide to walk down the lane. I got on the lane and immediately heard Skylark going over. I looked up and saw at least 20 heading east, the most I've seen in a single flock in Derbyshire. Another couple of flyovers were a Linnet and a Raven.

Had a quick look look from the viewing mound but nothing on the pool mainly due to it being frozen over. There was three Cormorants sitting in the dead tree and 48 Fieldfare flying about.

The only raptor I saw was a female Sparrowhawk flying straight through.
I've attached some photos taken from the viewing mound.

 

[DaveN]

Did anybody see a Diver at Carsi today? Bird Guides says there was a juvenile GND but the Carsi website says adult winter.

 

[Clive A]

Did anybody see a Diver at Carsi today? Bird Guides says there was a juvenile GND but the Carsi website says adult winter.

Didn`t see it myself, but RC has it down as an adult winter, with some white spots on the mantle.

 

[Gomphus]

A couple of Bewick's Swans reported from Carsi early this AM from the Sailing Club before flying off towards Sheepwash.....

cheers

Steph'

 

[DaveN]

Pretty good day today at Carsington. Started off at the Wildlife Centre where visibilty was quite difficult due to the fog, although there wasn't a lot there anyway. I almost gave Stones Island a miss but I'm glad I didn't. By the time I got round there the fog had almost cleared so I scanned along the Dam Wall and then in front of the Sailing Club where I picked out 2 Bewick's Swans. Managed to get a few photos before they flew off towards Sheepwash.

Walking along Shiningford Creek and a Grey Plover flew over me calling. It flew over Horseshoe Island and then I lost it. Got to Sheepwash and the two Bewick's were right in front of the hide. They looked quite restless though and before I could even open the window they were off flying west never to be seen again.

From Sheepwash I also had the adult winter plumage Great Northern Diver, 4 Shelduck, Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Redshanks, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, 2 Ravens, Buzzard, 30 Siskins, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Meadow Pipits.

Popped to P.Stanley hide where there was a female Pintail and a male Shoveler. The Gulls were building up nicely on Flat Island until they were flushed by a Buzzard then most of them flew towards Lane End so that was that.

Not great shots but here's the best two of one of the Bewick's and then both of them in flight.

 

[Clive A]

Pretty good day today at Carsington. Started off at the Wildlife Centre where visibilty was quite difficult due to the fog, although there wasn't a lot there anyway. I almost gave Stones Island a miss but I'm glad I didn't. By the time I got round there the fog had almost cleared so I scanned along the Dam Wall and then in front of the Sailing Club where I picked out 2 Bewick's Swans. Managed to get a few photos before they flew off towards Sheepwash.

Walking along Shiningford Creek and a Grey Plover flew over me calling. It flew over Horseshoe Island and then I lost it. Got to Sheepwash and the two Bewick's were right in front of the hide. They looked quite restless though and before I could even open the window they were off flying west never to be seen again.

From Sheepwash I also had the adult winter plumage Great Northern Diver, 4 Shelduck, Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Redshanks, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, 2 Ravens, Buzzard, 30 Siskins, 2 Grey Herons and 2 Meadow Pipits.

Popped to P.Stanley hide where there was a female Pintail and a male Shoveler. The Gulls were building up nicely on Flat Island until they were flushed by a Buzzard then most of them flew towards Lane End so that was that.

Not great shots but here's the best two of one of the Bewick's and then both of them in flight.

Good day had there mate,glad you got the Bewick`s. Grey Plover is a good record too..nice work.

 

[Gomphus]

Well done Dave a really good day today then as I said earlier when I saw you. We got the Shoveler, Pintail and Shelduck from PSHide but had to spend a while in Lane Ends to get the Ring billed Gull which was in the roost from about 3.40pm, but fairly distant. LBB numbers seemed down tonight and only 1 YLGull was found but they were very disorganized and scattered so difficult to judge.....

ATB

Steph'

 

[DaveN]

Wyver Lane Bird Notes November 2009


Wildfowl counts for November include 12 Goosander on 27th, 8 Tufted Duck on 18th,
6 Shoveler on 5th, 5 Pochard on 10th, a Shelduck on 10th, 2 Gadwall on 10th, 12th
and 13th, 25 Mallard on 24th, 35 Teal on 12th, 13 Wigeon on 12th, 122 Canada Geese
on 24th, 2 juvenile Mute Swans most days, a maximum of 3 Cormorants most days, 4
Grey Herons on 3rd and a Little Grebe on 7th and 10th. Water Rail on 3rd, 7th and 18th.

A possible Merlin with prey was seen in fading light on the afternoon of 14th. 2 Buzzards
on 3rd, 5th and 24th and Sparrowhawk on 3rd and 18th.

Rising water levels have made Waders more difficult to see so only 50 Lapwings on 18th
and 4 Snipe on 10th noted. Gulls this month include c100 Black-headed Gulls on 12th,
12 Lesser-black Backed Gulls on 15th and a Common Gull on 3rd.

A probable Water Pipit was seen all too briefly on the morning of the 24th. 2 Meadow
Pipits on 24th, 4 Skylark over on 7th, 5 Reed Buntings on 3rd, c40 Goldfinches on 10th,
2 Stock Doves on 3rd and 27th, c100 Fieldfare on 10th, 3 Treecreeper on 14th, 10
Redwings on 10th, 4 Goldcrests on 5th, 20 Long-tailed Tits on 5th, 2 Great Spotted
Woodpeckers on 10th, Green Woodpecker on 3rd, 2 Grey Wagtails on 3rd, 3 Pied Wagtails
on 5th, 2 Mistle Thrushes on 10th, 6 Blackbirds on 10th and 5 Dunnocks and 5 Wrens both
on 10th.

 

[DaveN]

Adult Great Northern Diver still at Carsi this morning, also a female Scaup briefly and adult Yellow-legged Gull. Last night the Ring-billed Gull was in the roost with 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

 

[Clive A]

Adult Great Northern Diver still at Carsi this morning, also a female Scaup briefly and adult Yellow-legged Gull. Last night the Ring-billed Gull was in the roost with 2 Yellow-legged Gulls.

Also a juv GND reported yesterday afternoon, so probably th 5th record this winter period.

 

[Gomphus]

Hi all,

Just a quick question I don't suppose that anyone has been up for this Twite at Butterley Res/Sewage works have they....I know its only a few miles from me but I don't know the area and wondered if anyone had more detailed directions for accessing the site? I presume its the Sewage Works next to the A38/A610 island....
Its years since I made the effort to see Twite in Derbys!

Cheers

Steph'

 

[DaveN]

Hi all,

Just a quick question I don't suppose that anyone has been up for this Twite at Butterley Res/Sewage works have they....I know its only a few miles from me but I don't know the area and wondered if anyone had more detailed directions for accessing the site? I presume its the Sewage Works next to the A38/A610 island....
Its years since I made the effort to see Twite in Derbys!

Cheers

Steph'

Hi Steph,

Can't really help you but if you do find out could you let me know please as I wouldn't mind nipping up myself. I've never seen Twite anywhere so one in Derby's would be nice. Cheers.

 

[Gomphus]

Hi Steph,

Can't really help you but if you do find out could you let me know please as I wouldn't mind nipping up myself. I've never seen Twite anywhere so one in Derby's would be nice. Cheers.

Humm... could make you jealous, I saw one down Wyver one spring with Linnets many, many moons ago... not sure if I put it though to DOS records though... mind you they bred regularly in reasonable numbers in the north of the county then! All but gone as a breeding species now I think?

Might go an scout round area in a bit perhaps... or more likely tomorrow!

ATB

Steph'