Derbyshire County Birding (1 Viewer)

[Gronk08]

Hi all

Seems a bit quiet lately but I'll be over next week and wondered if there's any tips. In particular, I'll be looking for any non-Spanish birds such as:

WAXWING
WINTER SWANS or DUCKS
GOOSEANDER
SMEW
TAWNY, BARN, SHORT-EARED and LONG-EARED OWLS
etc.
and I've not managed to come across a BRAMBLING yet.

Any help much appreciated

all the best

Hi

There are 4 Waxwing hanging around near Tamworth in Staffs, check out the Rare bird section within the Staffordshire section for the precise place and any up dates.

As for wintering swans had both Bewicks and Whoppers at Burton Marsh (Cheshire) a couple of weeks ago.

Tim.

 

[Gomphus]

What is the latest thinking on the Mew Steph? Noticed there had been reports from Foremark earlier in the week. Not seen a migrant myself and could be the weekend before I am out again.

You pays your money you takes your choice with the gull.... Its a matter of eliminating henei and brachyrhynchus and an odd canus from each other... Brett R saw the bird yesterday and was happy but I had a phone message last night from a mutual friend who said he (Brett) was having a bit of a worry about the bill later.... All I can say is that everyone I have met who has seen it ,"in the feather" to pinch a quote, has been amazed as to how different to our canus it is..... I presonally think its well worth taking a look at!

Might try Foremark... but it wasn't seen last night....Glad I didn't go after all:t:

Been speaking to several people who are suffering a lack of migrants, maybe the change of wind direction later in the week will bring 'em in!

ATB

Steph'

 

[DaveN]

First trip to Carsington today for a few weeks. Lovely and warm out in the sun but as soon as you sit down in one of the hides for a while winter really felt like it's still got a hold. I fancied getting a Sand martin today but no joy so had to settle for 1 Great Northern Diver, 10+ Goldeneye, 5 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlew, 2 Dunlin, 2 Buzzard, 2 Ravens and 120+ Common Gull. On the way back there were 10 Curlew flying over fields near Hulland Ward. A few photos of Goldeneyes and Oystercatchers.

 

[Dog]

Hi Mike,

Doveholes Quarry (just N of Buxton SK0977) has traditionally been a stronghold for Twite in Derbys, or area surrounding Sparrowpit village (just E of Chapel-en-le-Frith). For the former I think there might be public footpaths reasonably close which give you a chance (if not it's not a site I'd recommend trespassing on for obv reasons!)

Matt

Cheers for the info Matt, will try & have a look sometime.

Mike.

 

[BarryH]

I'd like to visit Butterly Res in the next few days, anyone give me an idea of where to go and what to look out for please?

I've past the reservoir on a few occasions but never found out how to get in.

 

[michael23]

Had my 1st chiffchaff of the year, heard it yesteday and saw and heard it today, in an area close to my house and garden.

 

[Gomphus]

I'd like to visit Butterly Res in the next few days, anyone give me an idea of where to go and what to look out for please?

I've past the reservoir on a few occasions but never found out how to get in.

Park in the Midland Railway Centre car park and walk across the railway line by the foot crossing and either walk along the path at the bottom of the causeway or carry on down the bank to the right.... don't think you can walk all the way round.....

Should hopefully be a few ducks still around and the odd gulls still, along with hopefully the first of the spring migrants coming in... not been that often but always seen birds when I have!!

ATB

Steph'

 

[BarryH]

Thanks for the help Steph'

 

[Daniel Martin]

Thanks for the help Steph'

If you see a birder then it will be Tim - quite approachable so say hello! He has a small blue (old) Corsa that will be parked where Steph said. I have known him years and he is a great birder.

He has recently finished work (very early retirement!) and his big wish was to "thrash" (in his words) Butterley for a full year by spending all day there! He will def know whats there and what has been around.

Its not my favourite spot and I take my hat off to him for flogging a local patch but he has a tremendous list there with lots of self found rarities - has to be as no one else looks!

He has got me down there for Firecrest, Garganey, Manx Shearwater, plenty of rare Grebes etc in years gone by, so it can turn stuff up.

Spring is as good a time as any so good luck!

 

[BarryH]

Thanks Daniel, I have a look round for him.

 

[tvmr_birder]

Hi all,

Drake Red Crested Pochard at Ambaston GP today and 4 Sand Martins.

Also Chiffchaff singing and showing well at Etwall, and still 100+ flock of winter thrushes at Egginton Common.

Yesterday Willow Tit showing well at Hilton NR and 2 Oystercatchers at Dove Valley Lake.

Best Wishes,

Matt

 

[tvmr_birder]

Hi all,

Female Merlin at Etwall Farm today - elusive but occasionally alighting and showing well on the small brick structure in the middle of the largest field South of Boundary Road. Was looking for early Wheaters but this was a very nice surprise instead - and more in keeping with the bleakness of the conditions!

6 Sand Martins at Chaddesden Sidings with a drake Goosander on the Derwent by the Derby Evening Telegraph offices.

Best Wishes,

Matt

 

[Clive A]

Ad Med Gull at Carsington (Sheepwash) when I arrived at 15:45, but almost immediately flew high towards Hopton end.

 

[simmojunior]

Failed to see Goshawk in two hours at Windy Corner today, although Sparrowhawk, three Buzzards and oddly a Reed Bunting

 

[michael23]

Ad Med Gull at Carsington (Sheepwash) when I arrived at 15:45, but almost immediately flew high towards Hopton end.

i was hoping for one of those, trust me to be the wrong end! At the wildlife centre around 6 oystercatcher 4 or 5 redshank were present, nice to see a few reed buntings on the feeders, all of the usual but was fairly quiet, there was also a pair of black headed gulls on horseshoe showing signs of breeding.

went round stones afterwards, also incredibly quiet, was hoping for chiffchaff but no sign!, did have a meadow pipit though. only thing of note really was 1 great northern diver showing distantly through bins. Also i did note there were around 20-30 pied wagtails flitting around below the play area.

 

[Daniel Martin]

Gorgeous day spent divided between raptor watching and the football!

Had a couple of hours down Wyver Lane and as the sun shone after 11 am got a minimum of 8 Buzzards circling at the same time between the viewing platform and the hill above Ambergate, then an adult and a juv sat for some time in a dead tree near a nest from last year. The Buzzards really upset the Herons and displaced 7 at one stage that all retired to the Cormorant tree until they felt happy to return.

A pair of Sprawks and Kestrels joined the Buzzards for a while circling over the new lake. Green Woodpecker were still in good voice, and there are still plenty of Wigeon and Teal on the new pool, with a few Snipe in the mud. One Chiffchaff was singing from across the river, possibly near the cemetery.

I hope the "scrape" becomes just that with suitable muddy edges for spring passage birds. The ploughed field looked good for Wheatear but sadly no.

Shortly after a pair of Goshawks north of here put on a similar display confirming their growing success in the mid to south of the County.

A good win at junior football was only briefly interrupted by the surreal sight of a bright blue budgie flying over the pitch!

I am surprised to still have Reed Buntings feeding in the garden, and the number of feeding finches is still high. Great Tits are busy preparing a regular spot in the old apple tree - stunning birds.....wonder how far we would travel to "twitch" one if rare here!?

 

[arniemonkey]

a lesser spotted woodpecker showing very well at Allestree at 7 55 today mid way between car park and lake today spent an hour and a half walking up and down and finally paid off

 

[Dog]

a lesser spotted woodpecker showing very well at Allestree at 7 55 today mid way between car park and lake today spent an hour and a half walking up and down and finally paid off

It pays off standing around talking & pretending not to be looking, so it just had to start druming & calling, the first one I've seen this year.

Mike.

 

[arniemonkey]

It pays off standing around talking & pretending not to be looking, so it just had to start druming & calling, the first one I've seen this year.

Mike.

make s it even better when you get paid to see em did you find your mega breakfast then??

 

[DaveN]

3 Sand Martins down Wyver Lane yesterday morning. The first this year unless someone knows any different. Also a Chiff Chaff singing near the hide. The Grey Herons are getting very territorial around the woods and I saw at least 6 although there could well have been double figures.

Wigeon and Teal numbers are gradually dropping off with 28 and 14 seen respectively. Also of note was at least 5 Stock Doves, and c80 Fieldfare heading east.