Hi everyone, went down to scout around for birds of prey, and low and behold i saw one! a very bizarre looking job, well to me anyway, i watched it for a good hour and a half, it only moved about 200 yds, and was very awkward watching it, the bird hardly moved, basically i think its a very pale buzzard, but see what you guys think, the pics are dire as it was raining and light was terrible, but when the bird eventually moved, and dropped to the ground all beit briefly the bird did look larger, and quite bulky and long legged, the legs also were very "thick looking", the head was pale grey/brown, the back was pale mottelled brown, at rest the wings folded had black on the tips, you cant see it very well in the pics, but it had some brown feathering like a medallian on its breast, it has confused me a little, but im going to stick with an odd and very white upfront buzzard. It was in the field opposite the flooded field at kilburn tollbar viewed from the railway line.
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Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter mooskibaby
- Start date
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
Interesting patterning, but I still see Common Buzzard albeit with a pale chest. Good set of pics though Michael - always nice to see them as you do "in the field".
The 3rd pic in isolation was interesting as if I hadnt seen the other two might have considered it to have a little American buteo about it - and there have been escapees.
The 3rd pic in isolation was interesting as if I hadnt seen the other two might have considered it to have a little American buteo about it - and there have been escapees.
DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
Drove past the fields that lie next to the Derwent near the Little Chef island at Little Eaton this afternoon. Lots of water in there as usual and a few birds in there too. I could see a Grey Heron, a few juvenile Swans (probably Mute but you never know), a group of around 20 Wildfowl in the middle of one pool which were possibly Teal. Also a small Wader which looked quite small and dark looking but that's all I could get on it.
I always think these fields look good but I'm not sure if or how you can view it except from the very busy road.
I always think these fields look good but I'm not sure if or how you can view it except from the very busy road.
Deffinately going to keep my eye out, and check it as often i can, and hope for better pics! Forgive me i should know which buteo you are referring to, could you pop a link to one for me?
Dave's post reminded me, just before i picked up on the buzzard, i heard a brief waders call which sounded like a bit of a redshank, but as soon as the buzzard was noticed, i ended up running out of time, so another one to check for next time, also present were at least 6 teal, quite a few mallard plus c70 lapwing and a grey heron in the field too. Also 40 BH Gulls.
Dave, i look everytime i go past it on the bus or in my mums car, i would imagine the best thing to do is park in the little chef car park and cross over, i think there might be a footpath through one of the fields, but i cant remember which one, i have never walked it myself,
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owt about?
Hey guys...
After last year's abortive attempt - due to illness - to do a bit of serious birding in and around Derbyshire whilst I'm home for Christmas, I'm back again from Sunday, 20th December, after a couple of days in Norfolk. Owt about?
GN Diver still at Carsington?
Any chance of Smew, Goosander, Goldeneye or other winter ducks/grebes with it, or anywhere else?
Winter swans?
Long-eared Owl?
No Waxwings this year then?
That Twite (see above) still about in Butterley?
Anything else that I can't get/don't see often in Spain?
Many thanks in advance. All the very best and a merry christmas to you all whilst I'm at it.
Hey guys...
After last year's abortive attempt - due to illness - to do a bit of serious birding in and around Derbyshire whilst I'm home for Christmas, I'm back again from Sunday, 20th December, after a couple of days in Norfolk. Owt about?
GN Diver still at Carsington?
Any chance of Smew, Goosander, Goldeneye or other winter ducks/grebes with it, or anywhere else?
Winter swans?
Long-eared Owl?
No Waxwings this year then?
That Twite (see above) still about in Butterley?
Anything else that I can't get/don't see often in Spain?
Many thanks in advance. All the very best and a merry christmas to you all whilst I'm at it.
DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
Hi Stephen,
There's been 2 Great Northern Divers at Carsington, an adult and a juvenile with the juvenile last reported yesterday together with a Scaup.
There's been a 'redhead' Smew at Aston on Trent GP's but I'm not sure if that's still around although they're fairly regular there during winter.
Goldeneye are at Carsington but haven't been in great numbers although the cold spell that is forecast could bring more down. Goosander at Carsington are normally around Millfields/Dam Wall later in the day but if that fails then Wyver Lane (Belper) has a roost of around 25 birds. There's been no rare Grebes reported in Derbyshire yet as far as I know.
Winter Swans have been few and far between. A couple of Bewicks at Carsington on 2/12/09 which only stayed an hour and the only Whoopers I've heard about have been fly throughs. Not sure about Long-eared Owls and haven't heard any news on them. Same with Waxwings, none in the county so far, although again the forecast could change that.
The Twite was last reported on sunday although I think the place is underwatched and could still be about.
Anything else you're after then just ask on here and I/we will endeavour to help you out.
Merry Christmas to you and happy birding.
DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
Thanks Michael. I'll look into it as I think this place has bags of potential.
Clive A
Well-known member
That about sums it up, but also still an outside chance of the Ring billed Gull...and don`t forget the Hawfinches at Cromford.
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
Tim is back doing Butterley every day so I will ask him re Twite - I saw him on the side of the A38 with scope in his back today?! not sure why yet........
Waxwings have been in Crosspool Sheffield but are at best erratic.
By the way Dave, they call that bit Abbey Hill floods (Matt Reed does it occasionally) and it does get stuff - I remember my first Derbys GW Teal on there. And as Michael says, best to park at Little Thief or further down in the layby. Its very exposed so stuff does get spooked.
I have heard that there have been 6 Hawfinch at Rose End Meadows, though news not put out, and there is still SEO and Barnies on view at Bennerley.
Phil Palmer has had a smart Siberian Stonechat just outside our patch in Notts, at Bevercotes Wood - roughly at c.SK706735; park in layby at c.SK696735 and follow circular track to furthest point to view boundary hedge beyond mown area. Keep strictly to the track at all times and do not enter fenced conservation areas. This will be popular inland if it sticks.
Oggie gull roost could be good this weekend - I bet Richard et al are there.
Good luck, Dan
Clive A
Well-known member
Hi Daniel, I would be intersted in that if it is a good record.Any idea when and exactly where? I know they used to be regular up there, but as far as I know have not been seen for some years.
Cheers.
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
Thought it might be part of your "patch" mate?? Anyway, I havent seen them yet, its a guy who doesnt submit records Im afarid, but I have seen them there in the past. As to specific location I dont know, but you will know its not a big place and they used to commute from here down to the Meadows.
Worth a look?
Clive A
Well-known member
Cheers Daniel, infact I have been up there this morning, but no joy.As you say it is well worth keeping an eye out for them, and I will do just that.I trust the record is from the last week or so?
Gomphus
Well-known member
Is there a roost???? I have been out of the loop for the last couple of weeks or so??
I'll start going again if there is:-O
That Sib Stonechat sounds good.... not seen a male only a few females over the years....... might have to go over the border into enemy territory! (Rams fan here of course:-O:-O:-O:-O)
ATB
Steph'
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
Yes Clive, this past week............
Daniel Martin
Well-known member
Phil Palmer has kindly sent a link to this stunning bird see -
http://www.birdholidays.co.uk/birdwatching_NEWS_birding_tour_NEWS PAGE.htm
I would keep quiet about the Rams bearing in mind their respective positions! (from another Ram)
The "roost" isnt like Carsi Steph but gets a few in - but even a small one can pull in the white wingers....with a bit of luck :t:
Gomphus
Well-known member
Don't really understand what is the reason at Oggi for the decreased roost numbers.... I was told they are not flying raptors at Poolsbrook/Erin tip but there were no large gulls around.... might have more to do with Huthwaite tip closing perhaps.... or is it because of the disturbance last year perhaps, or perhaps the tipping regime/contents changed etc?
Mind you if there are a few large gulls roosting at Ogi now then a white winger could be on? :t:
ATB
Steph'
mooskibaby
Well-known member
Hello everyone,
Unfortunately I've had very little time to come on here because I've started Uni and I'm sure some of you will be aware what that's like.
I have broken up for the Christmas holidays now for 3 weeks and was wondering what's about.... I have heard there's a Diver at Carsington, are there any particular places where you can see it better than others? For the last 2 years a flock of Waxwings has been in the carpark next to Tibshelf primary school, when will then be arriving, if they have not arrived already?
Merry Christmas everyone.
Unfortunately I've had very little time to come on here because I've started Uni and I'm sure some of you will be aware what that's like.
I have broken up for the Christmas holidays now for 3 weeks and was wondering what's about.... I have heard there's a Diver at Carsington, are there any particular places where you can see it better than others? For the last 2 years a flock of Waxwings has been in the carpark next to Tibshelf primary school, when will then be arriving, if they have not arrived already?
Merry Christmas everyone.
DaveN
Derwent Valley Birder
Hi Anna,
Noticed you hadn't been around for a while. There has been several Great Northen Divers up Carsington over the past month or more but only two at the same time. An adult and a juvenile. The last record as far as I know is the juvenile which was reported on tuesday. It's really pot luck where you will see the Divers from. I've seen them from Millfields, Lane End, Stones Island and Sheepwash. There's also a female/1st winter Scaup knocking about which we saw from Stones Island on tuesday. There's been no record of Waxwings anywhere in the county yet.
tvmr_birder
Well-known member
9 Egyptian Geese at Barrow-on-Trent this morning in fields West of the Gravel Pits...the biggest flock ever in the county?
On the pits themselves were 2 Redshank, 2 Goosander and 1 Snipe.
Merry Xmas to all,
Matt.
On the pits themselves were 2 Redshank, 2 Goosander and 1 Snipe.
Merry Xmas to all,
Matt.
Gomphus
Well-known member
Water Pipit reported on Stones Island at Carsington at 9am.
One of the last of my blockers at Carsi..... well of the regular more expected visitors!!
Hope it stays over the weekend as I cannot get up till Monday! Mind you it will get flushed off Stones I expect as visitor numbers build.... Dam wall maybe?
Anna, not many Waxies in the county yet only the odd flock, not heard of any in Derbys yet..... maybe this cold weather will move 'em but if the berry crops are as good on the continent as they have been here they may not need to move at all yet?
As to the GNDivers, Millfields Bay is always a good bet to start off with..... thats if they/it are still up at the Reservoir?
ATB
Steph'
One of the last of my blockers at Carsi..... well of the regular more expected visitors!!
Hope it stays over the weekend as I cannot get up till Monday! Mind you it will get flushed off Stones I expect as visitor numbers build.... Dam wall maybe?
Anna, not many Waxies in the county yet only the odd flock, not heard of any in Derbys yet..... maybe this cold weather will move 'em but if the berry crops are as good on the continent as they have been here they may not need to move at all yet?
As to the GNDivers, Millfields Bay is always a good bet to start off with..... thats if they/it are still up at the Reservoir?
ATB
Steph'
